SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants haven’t announced the Harrison Bader move yet, but when they do, they’ll need an open 40-man spot. They made room with a minor trade on Thursday.
The Giants sent right-hander Kai-Wei Teng to the Houston Astros for minor league catcher Jancel Villarroel and international slot money. The trade cuts into their pitching depth a bit, but they needed the spot for Bader, who agreed to a two-year, $20.5 million deal earlier this week.
Teng, 27, made 12 appearances for the Giants the past two seasons, including seven starts last year. But the Giants added two free agents to what currently is a full rotation, and they have plenty of young depth. There are high hopes for Hayden Birdsong, who had his 2025 season go off the rails, and Teng likely would have entered camp behind Carson Whisenhunt, Blade Tidwell and Trevor McDonald, who opened eyes in two late-season appearances.
Teng’s path to a roster spot would have been as a reliever, and there are reasons to think that might have been successful. While he struggled with his command as a starter and had some wild innings, he also struck out 39 batters in 29 2/3 innings.
The trade closes the door on the Sam Dyson trade, which ultimately favored the Giants. Dyson made just 12 appearances for the Twins and then never pitched in MLB again. The Giants got Teng, along with outfielder Jaylin Davis, who recently retired, and right-hander Prelander Berroa, who got traded to Seattle for Donovan Walton.
Villarroel, 21, was No. 13 on MLB Pipeline’s Astros top 30 last year and is currently ranked 20th on their Baseball America list. He has a .378 on-base percentage in four minor league seasons and finished last season in High-A.
The Giants have been light on minor league catching depth, and they also got international slot money, which could be helpful at a time when they’re hoping to add to their 2026 class that originally included just three players because Luis Hernandez got a $5 million bonus.
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