Mike Yastrzemski Responds to Giants Trade: “There Was Genuine Care Behind the Move” originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Mike Yastrzemski was enjoying a rare day off when the news broke.

On the day of the trade deadline a phone call came that would change everything. Yastrzemski had been traded to the Kansas City Royals in a last-minute deal.

According to Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic, Yastrzemski was surprised by the trade but grateful for how it was handled. He especially appreciated the personal touch from San Francisco Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey.

“I was happy that [Buster Posey] was able to call me,” Yastrzemski said. “They were incredibly professional, matter-of-fact, very respectful, and for that I’m grateful, too. It wasn’t just a transaction without feeling. There was genuine care that went into it, and that’s all you can ask as a player and as a human being.”

Through early August, Yastrzemski was putting up solid numbers, a .234 batting average with 9 home runs and 31 RBIs, backed by strong Statcast metrics including a 40.6% hard-hit rate and a 90 mph average exit velocity. These numbers underscore his ongoing value as a veteran presence.

The trade was not only a professional pivot but also an emotional one for Yastrzemski, who spent six years working through the Baltimore Orioles’ system before making his major league debut with the Giants at 28. The legacy of his Hall of Fame grandfather, Carl Yastrzemski, adds to the weight and pride he carries.

Yastrzemski credits his wife Paige for keeping him grounded during challenging times.

“You made me a promise that you were going to play until somebody ripped the jersey off your back,” he recalled. “I didn’t work three and four jobs, to see you flail out in one weak moment.”

Now with the Royals, Yastrzemski embarks on a new chapter, bringing in veteran leadership and resilience to a team fighting for a Wild Card spot. Yastrzemski’s response to the trade highlights the importance of respect and care even in the fast-paced, often impersonal business of baseball.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 8, 2025, where it first appeared.

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