Giants rumor roundup: Cueto/Chapman trade speculation, San Francisco’s top draft targets, McGehee’s status and more

Jun 14, 2014; Omaha, NE, USA; Louisville Cardinals pitcher Kyle Funkhouser (16) pitches against the Vanderbilt Commodores during game two of the 2014 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. Vanderbilt defeated Louisville 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

Giants targeting pitching with top picks?  

If you can’t trade for ’em, then draft ’em. Pitchers, I mean. At least, that’s the philosophy most analysts think the Giants are going with in Monday’s MLB draft.

San Francisco holds three Day 1 picks: No. 18, 31 (courtesy of Panda signing with the Red Sox) and 61, and with the rotation as, uh…”veteran” as it is, there’s no reason to think the team won’t target pitching with at least two of those selections.

I mean, the formula’s worked in the past, right? Lincecum, Cain, Bumgarner…yeah, I’d say so. It’s been their strategy in more recent years as well:

Keith Law, the guru of baseball mocks, has tied three right-handers to the Giants in recent weeks: Jon Harris (Missouri State) and high-schoolers Mike Nikorak and Ashe Russell. Beat writer Chris Haft added two other righties to the mix: Kyle Funkhouser (Louisville) and James Kaprielian (UCLA).

Haft also brought up a great point: The Giants have been hard to predict in the past, and a lot could change depending on how one through 17 shakes out.

So don’t go naming names to your buddies—just say they’ll take some good, young pitching and get out of dodge.

Next: On to McGehee's status and more