San Francisco Giants Trade Deadline: Four Areas to Improve the Roster

The San Francisco Giants starting rotation has been extremely good the last month or so. In June, the Starting Rotation went 10-6 with a 2.93 ERA, 3.80 xFIP, and had the lowest home-run rate at 0.68 HR per 9 innings. Their innings total was the fifth most of any staff in June. They did that mainly with only two good Madison Bumgarner starts, no Johnny Cueto or Jeff Samardzija. That means Derek Holland, Chris Stratton, and Dereck Rodriguez were really, really good.

Of course, Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija are set to return in the recent weeks, and for sure Cueto should have little troubles easing back into a successful place in the rotation. The big question of course, is Jeff Samardzija. I know he hasn’t pitched well at all, and it would suck to get rid of a rookie that they’ve called up, but one of Dereck Rodriguez or Andrew Suarez may just be their new Pierce Johnson, and they could keep Stratton and Holland in the rotation, or whatever combo of those four that they want. That’s the likely scenario. But in case Samardzija can’t go, they have internal options.

However, I am of the belief that if they could land another veteran starter for the real postseason push, then the Giants might be better off. I don’t think the rotation is Priority one. Not in the slightest. However, I thought I’d get my “fringe” thoughts out of the way first. Here are some good trade targets when it comes to a veteran starter, and more along the lines of what I was thinking for that role:

• Kyle Gibson
• Dylan Bundy
• Steven Matz

All are sitting at around the same or better production than Derek Holland, and have a good veteran pedigree with minimal cost.  Again, adding to the rotation is the move if all of the rookies fall flat and then Samardzija re-injures himself, or we’re looking at Cueto having Tommy-John surgery. The move for a starter is much more along the lines of “break glass in case of emergency” than it is going to the supermarket to get a lightbulb for your lamp. Enough metaphors? Ok cool. On to the next “need.”