The San Francisco Giants do have trade possibilities. They’re just going to have to be aggressive about them. Now please, don’t let the title of this article sink your spirits. This is in no way a response to their recent losing streak, nor is it intended to in any way weaken the reality that the Giants must go after Shohei Ohtani.
In fact, the front office’s ability to see through the team’s struggles and realize that 2023 could still be a World Series year may mean everything. So they have to step up and set their eyes on the top of the talent pool.
But there will be a lot of competition for Ohtani. The Giants would do well to have a backup plan. Just how much talent they should be willing to give up for baseball’s ultimate superstar is a different question. And yet the Giants have to be prepared to make a meaningful trade no matter what. We’re not looking at this from an Ohtani-or-nothing perspective. This season is one in which the Giants are contending. They have to get something out of it.
Giants Non-Ohtani Trade Possibilities
Alternative Options for Starting Pitching
Lucas Giolito, Blake Snell, Justin Verlander, and others are likely to be on the market. Snell, in particular, seems to be a great option. His ERA is 2.67 and his strikeout rate is 31.6%. The acquisition of him would definitely seem to fill a hole in the rotation. He wouldn’t be one of the trade possibilities were it not for the fact that the San Diego Padres are back to their former condition of slumping in the NL West.
We can’t know for sure whether the Padres will buy or sell at the trade deadline. It is, of course, possible that they will decide to be brave and make a run for it. Also, they would be likely to ask more for Snell than they would if they were hopelessly out of contention. Still, it’s a strong possibility.
Offensive Reinforcement
You know, I hate to mention this, but do the Giants need to add another hitter? They just haven’t been scoring runs lately. Actually, Ross Stripling might be beginning to improve. But can he win his games if the Giants can’t get anything going with the bats? No. And neither can anyone else, except maybe Logan Webb when he’s absolutely elite.
Thairo Estrada is still on the IL. It’s not like the Giants don’t have other good hitters. But maybe they have to add one or two more if they want consistency. It would be great if they could get Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs. But I’ve got bad news. The Cubs might be going for it. Still, who knows? The Giants should keep their eyes open everywhere.
Trade Deadline update: Sources say Blue Jays, Mariners, Giants, Brewers are among teams looking at middle infielders.
Available names include White Sox SS Tim Anderson, Cardinals SS Paul DeJong, and Rays UTL Vidal Bruján. @MLBNetwork @MLBNetworkRadio
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 26, 2023
There is a good chance that the Washington Nationals will trade Jeimer Candelario. He’s hitting at an .821 OPS and would be a good fit for the Giants. The Nationals will almost certainly be sellers, so the Giants should consider jumping on the potential opportunity.
Is Juan Soto among the trade possibilities? Sadly, probably not. After acquiring him in a trade, the Padres surely want to keep him for his final year of team control. I don’t see much reason to doubt this point.
Conclusion
The trade possibilities are out there, and some are more likely than others. This could be the year for the Giants. They just have to step up and do the right thing. The roster needs to be improved, and this is their chance to do it.
Main photo credits:
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Players mentioned:
Shohei Ohtani, Lucas Giolito, Blake Snell, Justin Verlander, Ross Stripling, Logan Webb, Thairo Estrada, Cody Bellinger, Jeimer Candelario
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