For the past decade or so, the San Francisco Giants have played solid baseball. The club has posted four .475-plus seasons over the past six years and won three World series from 2010 to 2014. however, they have come back down the earth as of late, finishing below .500 in each of the last four campaigns. As such, it came as a pleasant surprise when the Giants emerged as the best team in baseball through the first half of 2021.
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Current Position
Record: 57-32
Rank: First in MLB
Status: Buyers
After selling at the past few deadlines, the Giants are back in the market as buyers—and they might wind up being big-time aggressive. With the best record in all of baseball, it is imperative that the Giants address areas of weakness to reduce the threat of losing ground. The club is in a position where they continue to find themselves with too much talent, leaving them in a position of confusion when it comes time to decide who is worthy of a demotion to the minors. Of course, that doesn’t mean they can’t find areas to improve.
Trade Candidates
Jose Berrios, Starting Pitcher, Minnesota Twins
Berrios has proven himself as a very capable starter in MLB, amassing a 4.00 ERA or better in each of the past five seasons. So far this year, he is 7-3 with career-bests in ERA (3.48), WHIP (1.10), and OBA (.221). By adding Berrios, the Giants would add him to a lethal rotation headlined by Kevin Gausman and Johnny Cueto. Such an addition would prove to be beneficial, especially considering the Giants are neck-and-neck with the bat-heavy Los Angeles Dodgers. Berrios has been a key arm for the Twins but is likely on his way out considering Minnesota is in the basement of the AL Central. He’s making $6.1 million this year and will head for arbitration this coming offseason before hitting free agency prior to 2023.
Adam Duvall, Outfielder, Miami Marlins
The Giants are pretty solid in the field, though they could solidify their outfield. By acquiring someone like Duvall, the team can deploy him as their starter and move Alex Dickerson to a bench role. Through 78 games this season, he is slashing .234/.279/.487 with 19 home runs and 62 RBI. On a negative note, he has logged just 17 walks and 89 strikeouts. Still, his power would help bolster the Giants’ lineup. The 32-year-old is making $2 million this year and has a mutual option for 2022 worth $7 million. As much as he has been impactful for the Marlins, he doesn’t quite fit into their future plans and could probably fetch them a decent return in the trade market.
Kris Bryant, Outfielder, Chicago Cubs
This is a lonsghot, but making a big splash would almost guarantee the Giants form a deep run into the playoffs. The Cubs are looking to move Kris Bryant and the Giants would be a great landing spot. The All-Star is slashing .271/.353/.502 with 16 homers, 46 RBI, 33 walks, and 78 strikeouts this year. He’s going to cost a lot, but the Giants would be trading for the 29-year-old with a clear interest in signing him to a long-term extension. He’s raking in $19.5 million this year.
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