February 2, 2024
Free-agent right-handed reliever
Ken Giles signed a minor-league deal with the Atlanta Braves on Friday, according to the team. The deal includes an invite to major-league spring training, and he'll receive $1.75 million if he's in the majors in 2024. Giles impressed some teams during his showcase a month ago and will now join the Braves for spring training as he looks to get back to the big leagues. The 33-year-old veteran struggled at Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2023, allowing 19 earned runs in 18 innings. Injuries have derailed his career, as he has thrown only eight innings in the majors since 2020 with the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. Giles was among the top closers in baseball in his prime and has 115 career saves in eight big-league seasons, but he'll just be hoping to stay healthy and give Atlanta some bullpen depth in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
January 21, 2024
Free-agent relief pitcher
Ken Giles will throw a bullpen session for interested teams on Friday, Jan. 26 in Phoenix, Arizona, according to Jon Heyman. Due to injury, the 33-year-old has appeared in just nine games over the last three seasons, so he wants to prove to teams that he is finally healthy and ready to contribute. His last full season came back in 2019 with the Blue Jays, when he put up a dominant 1.87 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 83:17 K/BB over 53 innings of relief to go along with 23 saves. It will be interesting to see how much velocity "100 miles Giles" has lost over the years, but if he puts on a good performance next Friday, he should get a spring-training invite from a club.
--Jon Mathisen - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman of MLB Network
March 16, 2023
Free-agent relief pitcher
Ken Giles is set to throw for teams in Arizona on Friday. It sounds like multiple teams are going to be in attendance for this session. The 32-year-old is attempting to make a comeback to the mound. He has only appeared in nine games over the last three seasons due to injuries. Before that, Giles was a reliable ninth-inning option, but it's uncertain what he has left in the tank. It's unlikely he'll have any fantasy value unless he finds a closer job somewhere. Fantasy managers can take a wait-and-see approach here.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
February 25, 2023
Free-agent relief pitcher
Ken Giles threw a bullpen session for the San Diego Padres on Friday at their spring training complex in Peoria, Ariz. He will continue to throw bullpens every Tuesday and Friday for interested teams until he gets signed. Giles also threw for interested clubs at Arizona State on Feb. 8, but nothing came of it. The 32-year-old former closer has been injured in recent years and has made just nine relief appearances in the last three years with the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. Giles is completely healthy now, but it remains to be seen if a team will take a chance on him. Even if he lands with a club for the 2023 season, it's unlikely that Giles will return to fantasy relevance.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
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