Mauricio Dubón was traded to the Houston Astros. The San Francisco Giants made the perhaps unpopular move because Dubón was out of minor league options, rosters shrunk from 28 to 26, and guys were getting healthy. Even after trading Dubón, the SF Giants will have another tough decision to make regarding the impending activation of Tommy La Stella.

Last year wasn't the best of La Stella. When he's right, he brings a rare combination of contact and power. La Stella owns a 125 wRC+ against righties since the 2019 season, with a K% under 10 and ISO near .200. He should be a valuable part of the Giants' offense, but it won't necessarily be easy to add him to the major league roster. The Giants will either have to option popular outfielder Luis González, who's done nothing but hit since being called up to replace the injured Steven Duggar, or else they'll have to option a pitcher and have 14 positions players and 12 pitchers. Based on past arrangements, they seem to prefer to carry as many pitchers as possible.

Things were mostly ugly for the Giants on Sunday Night Baseball in a blowout loss, but they took a turn for the better late in the game. González took the mound and threw some entertaining eephus pitches. In the top of the 9th, legendary first baseman Albert Pujols took the mound for St. Louis. González launched a three-run homer against Pujols, and Joey Bart hit a solo shot as well. Evan Longoria singled, and asked for the baseball. It was a lighthearted finish to a frustrating game and series.

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The best daily San Francisco Giants podcast. Whether the Giants are winning championships or retooling for another title run, Locked On Giants host Ben Kaspick—a lifelong Giants fan and former contributor for RotoGraphs and Beyond the Box Score—breaks down every game, rumor, and transaction in a way that's data-driven and rational but also simple, passionate, and accessible to all.

Follow Ben Kaspick on Twitter, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the San Francisco Giants and talking with fans.

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