In the wake of Nori Aoki’s injury, the Giants have “added outfielder to [the team’s] list of trade targets,” Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports on Twitter. No outside moves are imminent, however, and the club has announced that Travis Ishikawa will be recalled to take Aoki’s roster spot for the time being.
It remains unknown how long Aoki will miss, and that may not be clear until he is reevaluated in about two weeks. But the injury came at an inopportune time: Aoki has been excellent this year, and the club is still waiting for Hunter Pence to return to full health.
Ishikawa, of course, played an important role late in the year for last year’s club, and the Giants saw enough there to tender him a contract through arbitration (ultimately agreeing on a $1.1MM salary). He was ultimately outrighted after missing the early part of the season with a back injury. Over 149 plate appearances at the Triple-A level this year, Ishikawa has slashed .271/.342/.421 with four home runs.
San Francisco has some other options on the big league roster to flank Angel Pagan. Minor league signee Justin Maxwell has cooled after a nice start, but has already seen plenty of action. And Gregor Blanco is carrying a nice .283/.361/.417 line in his first 144 turns at bat on the season. Then, there’s first baseman Brandon Belt, who has recently spent a few games in left.
All said, it does not appear that the San Francisco front office will or must have much urgency, at least unless more serious news comes down on Pence and/or Aoki. Given the uncertainty in those players’ timelines, it would be foolish to speculate at this point as to what kind of acquisition (if any) the team could conceivably pursue this July. Certainly, a quick and impactful trade seems rather unlikely.
Yankees have a surplus of some decent MLB-ready talent like Flores, Heathcott, and Williams. Maybe a package including one of those players for Lincecum or Hudson?
Would be stupid imo for the Giants to package Lincecum or even Hudson
Gerardo Parra makes a lot of sense. Starting caliber OFer that can fill in anywhere. Pricey, but prospect wise he won’t take much and should be a solid lefty bat.
Ben Revere would be a nice addition for the Giants for the right price.
You want Cuddyer?
Allen Craig is available at a free cost.
Byrd or Bruce for a bucket of balls
Jay Bruce as soon as Walt Jocketty’s firesale begins…come one come all.
How about Jason Hayward and John Lackey (with his 250,000 contract 1/2 a year) for Bumgarner?
No Thanks, rather have Bumgarner far better
You either know nothing about baseball or you are just trying to be funny.
Who? CT1949
Gregory Polanco for Brandon Belt
Braves could send Jonny Gomes to SF for Austin Slater.
I hear zoilo almonte is available
Why would it be stupid to package Lincecum or Hudson.
Lincecum is obvious now and Hudson is old. I highly doubt the Giants could get much for either of them now anyway. Lincecum is not worth 25mil anymore. He’s worth 5mil.
FYI, Evans on KNBR stated that they expect Aoki to be out at least four weeks and hope it will not take more than six weeks to return.
If Aoki really is out 4-6 weeks, then I could see the Giants making a move. They will have far too much depth when everyone’s healthy, but they’ve had a hard time of that this season — Blanco also missed time due to a concussion, and who knows when Pagan’s back will act up again.
Parra would be a nice addition, though he looks like a near carbon copy of Blanco: lefty, some speed, some power, good defense. Revere is a near clone of Aoki, but can play center. Trading for a right-handed hitting outfielder might make more sense as the Giants’ lineup is already pretty lefty-heavy.