SF Giants trade Teng to Houston Astros for catching prospect: report

The Giants trimmed their surplus of young starting pitching on Thursday evening by trading right-hander Kai-Wei Teng to the Houston Astros in exchange for catching prospect Jancel Villarroel, according to The Athletic’s Chandler Rome.

By trading Teng, San Francisco creates an open spot on the 40-man roster for outfielder Harrison Bader, who reportedly agreed to a two-year, $20.5 million deal on Monday. The Giants have yet to officially announce the move.

Teng, 27, is coming off an odd yet intriguing season with San Francisco. On one hand, Teng had a poor ERA (6.37) and an unsavory walk rate (5.16 BB/9). On the other, his strikeout rate dramatically spiked (11.83 K/9), and he finished with a respectable FIP (3.81) over eight appearances (seven starts).

Despite Teng’s interesting profile, the Taiwanese right-hander was likely lower on the organization’s depth chart of starting pitchers behind the likes of Hayden Birdsong, Carson Whisenhunt, Blade Tidwell, and Trevor McDonald.

Villarroel, 21, signed with the Astros in August of 2022 as an international free agent out of Venezuela. He spent last season with the Single-A Fayetteville Woodpeckers (85 games) and High-A Asheville Tourists (15 games).

He mainly caught (54 games) in 2025 but also saw time in left field (19 games), right field (four games), second base (seven games), and first base (one game). At the plate, he posted a .259/.351/.388 slash line with eight homers, 54 RBIs, and 20 steals.

This trade indicates the Giants’ focus on balancing their roster while acquiring a versatile and promising young prospect in Villarroel. Fans will be watching to see how both players progress in their new organizations.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/01/29/sf-giants-trade-teng-to-houston-astros-for-catching-prospect-report/

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