The San Francisco Giants Need to Trade Hunter Strickland

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MAY 29: Jeff Samardzija
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MAY 29: Jeff Samardzija /
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There has been some interest in San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Hunter Strickland, and the team would be wise to move him before the trade deadline.

I’ve made it pretty clear for a while that I think Strickland is a cancer for this team. He’s had an attitude about him since coming up, and his confrontation with Bryce Harper this year was embarrassing.

The problem the Giants and some fans have with trading Strickland is that he’s been really good. And 2017 has been his best year so far with a 1.91 ERA in 33 innings with 36 strikeouts.

In 152.1 major league innings he has a 2.48 ERA and K/9 of nine. He’s been a very effective setup man, and the Giants hate to trade that away — especially when they already have bullpen problems.

On top of that, Strickland is controllable for four more years.

Still, I think it is in the best interest of the team to part ways with Strickland. He’s not going to be the piece that turns this team around.

Contending teams are always desperate for relief pitching this time of year, and the San Francisco Giants should take advantage.

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The Tampa Bay Rays are one team that has had interest in Strickland, but any contending team could use him.

I think the San Francisco Giants need to shop him to any and every team, and then pounce on the best offer.

At the very least, I think they can get a younger bullpen prospect that will be just as good as Strickland.

However, if you were to pair Strickland with someone in a bigger trade then I think you can bring back a nice haul of prospects.

Strickland himself is good enough to bring back a decent prospect. His consistency out of the bullpen and club control make him a hot commodity.

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As the trade deadline approaches, I expect the San Francisco Giants to move on from Hunter Strickland. It’s time that he becomes another team’s problem.