San Francisco Giants Trade Block: What Might it Look Like?

Who they would likely be willing to move

These players are probably going to be the center of trade discussions, and are players they might be willing to part with for whatever reason. Some it’s contract issues, some it’s performance, some it’s what they have in the system behind them, and others it’s a combination of two or more of those things. The bottom line is really no player should be completely shot down. If the Nationals called and asked for Brandon Belt in exchange for Bryce Harper, the Giants would be incredibly stupid to saying no to that. However, Brandon Belt isn’t included in this. Mainly because that trade isn’t realistic, and he belongs in a different category. I digress. Here we go!

Johnny Cueto, RHP, 31

The first thing that should pop into your mind here is, “DUH.” Cueto was likely to opt out, regardless of the season result. Any contender would be stupid to not want to add him to their rotation. He would likely command a prospect haul near that of an Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs type deal. The Giants would be insanely stupid to not take any offers for him.

Matt Moore, RHP, 27

Young and controllable! That’s the reason the Giants got him, and the same reason why others might want him. He probably wouldn’t return anything more than what the Giants gave up to get him, mainly thanks to his performance this year. He’s awful away from AT&T Park. If he starts pitching well though, the Giants are definitely going to get a few inquiries about him.

Eduardo Nunez, INF, 29

Nunez has been swinging the bat much better as of late. He’s got a very good glove when played in the infield, and not in left field. Plus, that speed is insanely dangerous. Much like a hypothetical Moore trade, Nunez would probably return nothing more than what the Giants gave up for him, which is a pitching prospect equivalent of Tyler Beede. Not bad if you think about it. They might be able to flip him for a lefty bullpen piece which they so desperately need.

Mark Melancon, RHP, 35

He’s not young, but he’s elite and is under contract for the next couple years. Contenders need closers, and the Nationals might be in need. The Nationals haven’t been great out of the pen. Someone like the Rangers might be interested in making a swap if they could vault themselves into postseason contention, as Sam Dyson has been as bad as Jim Johnson was to the A’s in 2014. I see this as one of the least likely trade moves, in all actuality. But people will definitely make calls on him.

Denard Span, CF, 33

Span is a good player when he’s on, and no better than a AAA option when he’s not. He can never seem to prolong his one or two game stretches of playing good ball. Usually they’re negated by injury, or his seemingly never-ending days off. His contract isn’t very trade friendly, but the Giants could eat a little of his salary and still get something decent back. A team looking for outfield depth heading into the postseason would likely salivate at the prospect of Span being a fourth outfielder. A player like Span could net a “project prospect” or even a half-way decent lefty reliever, which is more than anything they have in terms of lefty relievers.