The San Francisco Giants are no longer viewed around the league as a team ripe for picking, per MLB Network’s Jon Heyman (via Twitter). In fact, it’s now more likely that the Giants will look to add to their club rather than subtract.
At 15-19 the Giants sit 9 games back from the Dodgers for the division, but they’re only 2 games out of a wild card spot. Powered by surprising production from the likes of Mike Yastrzemski (2.1 fWAR), Donovan Solano (0.8 fWAR), Kevin Gausman (0.9 fWAR), and Austin Slater (1.1 fWAR), the Giants have been a surprisingly potent offensive club. They’ve been competitive on a night-to-night basis, and less than two days away from the deadline, the Giants could still go either way depending on their play this weekend. As of right now, other clubs suspect they’ll be buyers.
The Giants certainly weren’t viewed as contenders entering the season, and most probably wouldn’t put them in that camp even after a surprisingly competitive start, but with an expanded playoff field, they are as viable a postseason contender as anyone outside of Pittsburgh in a crowded National League playoff race. If they do end up buying, it’s safe to assume the Giants will still have an eye towards contention in future seasons.
Earlier tonight the Giants were reported to have interest in Jackie Bradley Jr.. Bradley isn’t the ideal candidate because he’s a free agent after the season, but San Francisco has need enough in the grass that they could look to add multiple outfielders. With limited options coming from so few non-contenders, the Giants may also simply see value in competing this season and exploring the cost of an upgrade even for this season alone. Besides, a defensive outfielder who could slide Yastrzemski back to the corner would seem to benefit the club on the whole. Alex Dickerson has struggled in left field with a triple slash of .195/.284/.351, and since Hunter Pence was DFA’ed, they have no clear everyday option in right.
On the roster, Solano has played a little in left and Mauricio Dubon also added an outfielder’s glove to his locker this winter, but both are natural infielders. Chris Shaw and Jaylin Davis are another pair of potential outfielders in the pool, though Shaw is a more natural first baseman and neither have proven track records at the major league level. San Francisco did recently add Luis Alexander Basabe and Daniel Robertson to their player pool, but neither have joined the active roster as of yet. Even so, Basabe fits the second camp as an unproven entity, while Robertson fits the first as a natural infielder.
San Francisco could also look to add to their pitching corps, which has been less successful than the offense, broadly speaking. Most of the rotation outside of Logan Webb and Tyler Anderson are heading towards free agency – another reason most expected the Giants to sell – but they could use another rotation arm regardless. Tyler Beede, Jeff Samardzija, and Drew Smyly are all on the injured list at present, while Gausman and Johnny Cueto have injury histories and Trevor Cahill left his start early today with left hip discomfort, per Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com.
*Reality “How many times do we have to teach you this lesson old man?!”
Damn bro, you got the whole squad laughing…
I mean it’s not terrible.
sigh, why do i get the feeling we are about to make the same mistake as last year
What’s the saying fool me once….
At least trade the rentals.
They could make the playoffs. But with no ticket sales $ what is the point? They better aquire Lynn and Bundy if they plan to compete instead of just making it.
Experience for young players
last year was the exact opposite of a mistake.
I like some of the things Zaidi has done as Giants president, but not selling high on some of these guys would be blasphemous.
I think its smokescreen and lots of trades tomorrow and Monday,
I was thinking that too. The only way they’re buying is if it’s literal cash for someone like Jackie Bradley.
Nah. They’ll buy. WIthout giving up any good prospects, of course, but buy nonetheless. Farhan bought last year with Scooter and this year with WIll Wilson.
They also moved melancon, pomeranz and Dyson
I bet they buy. JBJ makes sense because he won’t cost a ton and they don’t have a legit CF. It is enough to keep fans interested. They will give up something like Shaw and Adon for him and both sides would be happy.
If the Giants want to compete they need to get some back of the bullpen arms. Someone with a little experience that can lock down 8th and 9th innings. That’s going to be harder (and more expensive) to get.
I predict add JBJ, trade away Tony Watson. Farhan will continue to play both sides of the line. Be better now, build for 2022.
Shaw and adon is too much for a few weeks of jbj, adon has a high ceiling.
Honestly, to the Giants, JBJ isn’t worth any more than just being handed the remainder of his contract, which is to say they might as well not bother.
Hopefully this is the case. This is the perfect year to rebuild. No one is in the stadiums. The Giants are 9 back. Why go for a one game wildcard playoff. I get holding on to fan favorite Madbum, yet none of these guys were involved in the last championship in 2014.
They’re not moving Solano, Yaztremski or Flores… so frankly I don’t think they have anyone that would garner more than a mid to low prospect. That being said and they are playing decent baseball, it makes sense to me that other GM’s don’t believe Giants are sellers.
Solano is hardly a long term piece at his age. you have to at least move him.
Players like Solano aren’t being moved, my man. For a reason.
Alleged Giants “fans” wanting their team to act as a farm system for mediocre teams is mindboggling to me.
They need to upgrade CF, LF, backup 3B, and DH. Farhan will get it done. It still might not be enough, but it won’t hurt the rebuild.
what do you mean “players like Solano?” versatile utility guys who are tearing the cover off the ball and should be had for cheap? yeah, why would there be any trade interest in them?
Name one who has been traded recently. I’ll wait …
This is a market,. my man.
La Stella, roughly 24 hours ago recent enough?
I guess that’ll work. That’s a seller taking on an almost-25-year-old hitter with a 42% strikout rate and no options. Hard pass.
I think they’ll trade Watson, Cueto, Gausman, Solano and maybe Flores. I’m not well versed on the bullpen. I don’t like Zaidi but think he was a wizard getting Melancon off the books last year so maybe he can do it again with Belt who is doing very well (surprisingly) offensively plus he’s a good 1st baseman.
This organization is years away from being competive. They need young talented arms and impact bats at the minor league level if they hope to be competitive in 3 years.
Agree, he is the definition of sell-high right now and they can survive after moving him
They have both, could use more arms but they have at least 2 to come up in the next year or 2 and major bats with Luciano, Canario, Ramos, Bailey, bishop and more in the next few years
Well, I was dead wrong on my predictions. First – no wizardry this year. Didn’t trade a single one of the above. No buys either. No getting anyone off the books (even if we paid to do so).
This dude took the worst team/offense in the league and turned them into a contender at the trade deadline in his first season… Farhan Zaidi knows what he’s doing.
Contender? Lol. Are you on Meds?
You can’t sell high on guys your own fanbase thinks are trash.
Zaidi should sell on Yaz NOW. His value will never be higher
yep. baseball stupid and bay area sports writers have drunken the Kool Aid on Yaz
He’s a 30 yr old career minor leaguer who had a decent season last year and got off to a hot start the first 30 days this season .they should SELL immediately on Him
So MLBTR commentators can realize he won’t keep this up but MLB GMs should give up value for him? Okaaaay.
it’s similar to the ‘ Bart’ hype. Giants fans and bay area baseball writers screaming for Zaidi to promote ‘ Bart’ . Now, 2 weeks later Joey Bart looks like just another in a long line of organizational draft BUSTS . He can’t hit big league pitching and hes a lousy defender
His defense is fine and he’s having trouble hitting MLB pitching right now. Needs to make the adjustment, like every prospect not named Soto or Acuna has had to. He’s still the best catcher on the roster bar none.
Lol. Bart’s defense is far from fine.
He doesn’t have soft hands.He also doesn’t move well. He’s 6’2 . He sort of Lumbers back there. The 2 times I saw him throw down to 2nd the pop time was really slow.
It’s no surprise now why Zaidi took Patrick Baily in the draft. Bart is Bobby Evans guy. Can’t blame Zaidi.
As far as the bat goes . He looks lost. And the swing is LONG. His ABs have been terrible.
Dude, it sounds like someone needs to let YOU smoke
Chill out!
Hes literally had less than 100 games in the minors calm down bro lol
Imagine calling someone a bust after 2 weeks. Brilliant take.
Big mistake imo. If they were in any other division i could understand.
Winning the division this year means absolutely nothing. Zilch. Teams aren’t even going to have home-bed advantage. It means batting last.
The Giants. Lol
Ugh, annoying Yankee fans are the worst. “27ringsbitches’ is such a class act name there.
How’s Judge doing? How’s that Stanton contract? Urshela is out now? So is Paxton? Britton? Torres? Servino? How’s first place? Oh wait…
LOL
The Giants will sell. They have too many pieces that they need to move and get something for. I could see them trying to compete if they felt they wouldn’t get anything back, but Cheri would be decent as a #3 on a contender and Guasman should get enough looks to garner a decent prospect. Let’s not forget that Yastrzemski was one of those decent prospects that anyone could have probably had and the Giants got, so they could end up with another diamond in the rough from trading for mediocre prospects.
*Cueto
And all this probably is is them trying to drive prices up any way they can by bluffing.
Nobody’s gonna take on Cueto’s salary & Zaidi’s not gonna pay any of it just to move him for a mediocre prospect(s).
Zaidi should sell High on Yaz. His value will never be higher
Oh yes. Desperately try to trade your best player. That’ll work. Also, who needs OF except Cleveland?
I’d do Yaz for Plesac and not even think twice about it.
Well, Cleveland’s most likely not doing that deal.
They’re gonna do the same thing as last year. They’re gonna trick themselves into thinking that they can compete when they’re really just getting hot at the wrong time.
This roster just isn’t ready to compete yet, and it wasn’t last year either. There’s no need for a full-scale tear down, but move the short-term pieces and add more young talent. Even if they’re reluctant to sell low on rentals in this market, that still doesn’t mean they need to ADD.
They can add for only money or low level prospects, my man. No harm in adding.
Watson and Gott could be traded, but they’ll add some veteran hitters. If Gausman isn’t traded, then that means he’ll get the Qualifying Offer and at worst bring back a draft pick.
This isn’t that hard. You don’t sell when you’re players are balling during a pandemic and in a playoff race.
Gausman is not getting a QO & if he did he would jump at it.
that’s fine. SF has money to pay him and can trade him next year if they are out of contention.
Their highest paid player this year is taking 0 ABs. They won’t mind overpaying if it helps them retain value.
Yea, just offer him the QO …. Make sure to bring the pen and clipboard as well upon offering
If they’re “in a pennant race” then the Orlando Magic were in a race for the NBA title. Just because you’re a fringe playoff team in a league where more than half the teams are making it, it doesn’t mean you need to bother adding. Holding pat and hoping for the hot hand to keep up is one thing. Adding to it and doubling down sends a good message, but it’s not smart in the long run. Play the long game, unless you’re able to get guys dirt cheap.
Also, Gausman is not getting a qualifying offer.
“So you’re telling me there’s a chance?”
Giants sold last year. Dealt Melancon, Pomeranz, Dyson, Ray Black for prospects. Held Bum and Will Smith but got supplemental draft picks in the 60’s for them. I seriously doubt they are buying.
They’ll add veteran hitters to replace Duggar, Sandoval, and Ruf on the MLB roster. That’s why Robertson is traveling on the taxi squad right now, because whoever they add probably means a DFA for Pablo.
I woudln’t be surprised if they trade Watson or Gott, tho, but given what Rosenthal got in return today, they could always keep them too, especially with Cahill now injured.
LOLGiants
Seems like the giants and Red Sox doing each other favors to me, build value in their assets by either showing someone else has interest, or in the giants case you can easily walk away and keep resources to remain competitive so no pressure to take trash in return. Have seen this type of scenario play out at least a few times.
Pure delusion. Anyone can be within range of a playoff spot when more than half the leauge makes it. This is a mediocre team that should not even consider buying.
Mediocre team that should consider buying. If you aren’t going to add players for cheap when your dudes are playing during a pandemic, then what are we even doing here?
Even number!!!!! Lol. Sure bud.
They should do both like last year.
Sell on expiring contracts. Watson, Solano.
Maybe get rid of salary with Cueto.
See if any one will bite on Longorias good season.
I doubt they’ll move Belt, maybe Crawford.
last year they could have sold Mad bum for a prospect but choose not to. if they could trade belt, crawford or Cueto for anything do it. They have to many holes to fill for next year so more money they can spend.
Crawford has no trade protection. He’s not going anywhere. Belt might be partial? Cueto is needed for innings, especially with Cahill getting injured.
I think Watson (FA to be) and Gott (out of options) could be traded. Selman could replace Watson and someone from the Alternative Site can replace Gott.
Zaidi needs to just Fiat out DFA Crawford
I would Mustang out him myself.
Doubt they’ll be KIAking out DFA Crawford anytime soon. Great defender and his Bats coming around.
They need to DFA Brandon Crawford
Nah. They only have two players that can play SS adequately.
Not to mention he’s hitting as well as he ever has…but sure, let’s just put Ruf at as?
*ss
I think Farhan is smart enough not to buy. He knows that, in our present state of rebuilding, i
we should cash in where we can. Get rid of Gausman, Cueto (if he can get a decent t prospect and doesn’t have to eat too much of next year’s salary), Watson, maybe Belt if he can now that Belt is on a hot streak…..sell!!!! No reason to buy and then get blown out as the season progresses or early in the playoffs.
That’s the exact opposite of what Farhan does, my man. Gausman will be kept for the QO. Cueto will be kept to be the ace for 2021.
Watson and Gott could be traded (Cahill before his injury tonight). They’ll add veteran hitters to help out at CF, LF, backup 3B, and DH.
Gausman is definitely not getting a QO. He’s not passing up the 15-17 M, and no team in this financial climate is handing him a 50M contract. Some team might definitely hand him 10-15M one year deal to see if he can sustain it. But QO, definitely not.
yay…less supply and more demand. thanks Farhan!
DUH. You don’t sell during any playoff race (as Farhan showed last year), but especially not one where players are playing during a pandemic.
I’d like to see Giants move Gausman, Ruf, Cahill and Watson; Smyly if healthy.
THEN, call up some prospects not currently on their 60 man pool like Seth Corry. Fill in the blanks with Ramos and Melvin Adon and see what happens.
Basically hedge. I think this offense is better than 2010 but the pitching isn’t anywhere as good. Other thing to remember is Giants can take on salary which is huge during these weird times.
Next year looks like the time to start spending. Ride Yaz and Solano before they realize how old they are, enjoy having Bart and Posey play together. Squeeze the last bit of juice out of the Brandons, get some good free agents and sprinkle in some prospects and see where the chips fall.
Players like Corry aren’t coming up this year because it would clog up the 40-man roster. Gausman will be kept for the Qualifying Offer (especially now that Cahill is hurt). Watson could go. Cahill just got hurt. Ruf could be a DFA candidate after they add an OF to replace him 🙁
Kevin Gausman would accept the QO in a heartbeat
that’s fine. SF has money and Sharkbait’s contract is coming off the books so they’d still save money in the aggregate. It’s about not letting him leave without receiving value.
I don’t understand why everyone thinks Gausman has so much value. He’s pitching to a run per two innings this year which is actually above his already mediocre career average of 4.31. He’s been largely mediocre as well the previous three years, (4.61 ERA) so its hard to expect a bounce back. Even in 2018 when he his 2014 and 2016 seasons weren’t too much of distant memories he still only got a bunch of lottery tickets, and that was when he had control. I doubt his trade value is all that high, and saying you cant “let him leave without receiving value.” is not a justification for giving him a pricey contract just to stay.
If you don’t want to let him leave without receiving value then there’s a simple solution.
TRADE HIM!
His FIP is in the 3.1s and with the atrocious defense behind him it’s not hard to see why. His k/bb are insane and he’s striking out nearly 13/9. Since he’s a rental he won’t bring back too big of a haul but you’re seriously underrating him based solely off ERA
I think the Shark may get released and possibly Panda. That would clear a couple 40 man spots. Also Shaw probably gets moved.
Giants are a big market team and can absorb some financial losses; remember, they’re not paying Posey this year.
Giants can add by taking on salary, promoting rookies and shedding negative value veterans. Only cost is money and service time for rookies.
Strange about face from a team that was closing games with one of their worst relievers simply to create a piece they could sell just a week or so ago.
It’s an old Moneyball trick from Oakland. Opening Day roster plays close to .500 ball and then post-deadline squad plays better than .500 ball to make a run.
Don’t know what they see in JBJ besides defense. I’d like to see them grab Choo. Looks like from here they need upgrades at CF, LF, DH, and backup 3B (although that may be Robertson, who is travelling on the taxi squad right now).
Giants are MONEYball, not moneyball.
I’d like to see the Giants “buy” some prospects, take on Kimbrel, Alex Cobb, Dee Gordon etc use the financial muscle and get some more assets. Cubs need a BP arm so Watson or even Coonrod if the offer is good enough
Why would a team like the Giants trade away any level of future talent that they could develop into something useful when they could just sign a more productive free agent for pro-rated dollars?
Puig comes to mind. Just sign him for the remaining games and if it doesn’t work out, then it doesn’t work out. It would be helpful for the younger players to get playoff time experience. They aren’t winning a championship this year but the experience would be helpful to their development.
FTG
Lol Giants
Dumb move again….they need to sell high on Solano who has never been good certainly not a .400 hitter….lmao….how many chances does Slater get? Gausman has good stuff but always finds a way to lose….
Smart move here is to unload Solano and Gausman and Slater….maybe even Watson if they can unload these 4 that will be a start….I get in a short season anything can happen so they are holding onto any hope they can but come on this a long term sport….why shoot for the playoffs when they won’t beat the Dodgers anyways why not shoot for 2-3 years down the road….
Same thing in football….why round a team want to finish 5-11 and miss out on Trevor Lawrence….the Jags and Washington team would be wise to tank and try to get Lawrence….just saying
Why would a team*
Solano, Guasman & Watson to the Yankees for Florial, King &
And Happ
Move Yaz for Plesac is a no brainer if Cleveland is not wanting to bring Plesac back.
Then Clevinger to the Braves
In THEORY, the sellers should have leverage this year.
In reality, no one wants to pay all that much for an asset that will only help for one month and with a playoffs with a 1 in 16 chance.
Why sell an asset now for a prorated return, when you can hold on and move them in the winter for more?
This is why expanded playoffs was a dumb idea
Why are they so dumb? the expanded playoffs giving a team like this irrational hope. All I can think of is this is a leak to drive the price of their players up. Otherwise, if this is true, they are stupid
They really don’t know what a rebuild is, do they?
Well it certainly makes it harder to rebuild when your team is mostly pricey vets that are hard to move and then your team is viably in the playoff hunt
The players need to feel like they’re on a team that wants to win, the fans want to believe it to…it’d be a different story if 16 teams weren’t making the playoffs this year (I hope just this year!)
Was a Giants fan at the Polo Grounds. I sure as shootin’ hope this is just negotiating talk to keep their asking prices high. OTOH if they don’t think the rebuild of their scouting is complete, particularly in the absence of in person scouting this year, maybe it’s best to–coining a phrase here-wait’ll next year.
We don’t need another giveaway like Evans’ Cutch for Avellino fiasco.
Still hasn’t sunk in yet. Never hire an ex-Oakland A’s exec. They run a nice little ship with a little payroll. When there is any money involved they do not know what to do with themselves. Those who trust Zaidi will be disappointed. Contending while rebuilding does not work. Ask the mid-2000’s Jays and 2010’s Mariners.
99.9 percent sure based on the zero trade rumors they’ve been involved in that this is just a massive smokescreen so Zaidi can unload guys for huge value tommorow
It was both a smokescreen and Zaidi unloaded nothing.
Even with expanded playoffs like what’s the end game? If they buy they’ll still be the third best team in their division and to get to the NLCS they’d likely have to go through LAD and then SD.
They’re shooting for the 8 seed, so they just get a 3 game series against the Dodgers and get tossed in the first round? I mean, I guess they can say they went to the playoffs but like why mortgage your future for that.
If SF is seriously considering adding at the deadline (which is delusional at best), Zaidi needs to focus his efforts on relievers ONLY. Kapler burns through that bullpen like nobody’s business on a daily basis. You can only float so long by doing that, so if that’s the game plan they need reinforcements ASAP.
Damn!! Who let the bitchiness out? Just because some sportswriter opines on Twitter, it doesn’t make it a fact. I’m pretty half you don’t even know what the Giants uniform looks like. You just see San Francisco and you have to start whining.
Being a Giants Fan is challenging.
If the Giants are going to buy they should do it by way of $, not prospects. Ask me 2 weeks ago I would have thought Gausman would be on the move, but now it does not appear so. We’ll see.
Trade away! This team can not compete to win a World Series. In Farhan I do NOT trust
This report was inaccurate.