Player review: Patrick Bailey

Steven Kennedy reviews Patrick Bailey's 2026 season following his trade from the San Francisco Giants to the Cleveland Guardians on May 9. Bailey struggled immensely through his first 30 games with the Giants, recording a .146 batting average and a 15 wRC+ across 89 plate appearances. Giants executive Buster Posey traded the defensive standout to shake up a struggling lineup, opening playing time for catchers like Daniel Susac, Jesus Rodriguez, and Eric Haase.

Kennedy argues that the Giants ultimately lost the trade as Bailey rebounded in Cleveland to post a career-best 90 wRC+ and deliver key postseason home runs. Meanwhile, injuries quickly derailed San Francisco's catching depth, leaving the team to rely heavily on minor-league call-ups like Drew Cavanaugh while missing Bailey's elite defense.