San Francisco Giants Have the Assets to Deal for a Versatile Outfielder

Contrary to popular opinion the San Francisco Giants can put a trade package together in order to deal for a versatile outfielder without, for the most part, further depleting the farm system but, rather, trading guys who need to be traded in order to avoid a roster crunch.

For teams looking for pitching the San Francisco Giants can provide it.  Lefty relievers Will Smith and Tony Watson have long been rumored available.  And since most bullpens only carry 2-3 lefties and the Giants have Fernando Abad, Travis Berger, and Ty Blach all pitching well and the switch pitcher Pat Venditte also in the mix there is more than enough depth in the bullpen to make a deal.

The Giants also have many young starters like Tyler Beede, Shaun Anderson, Chris Stratton, and lefty Andrew Suarez who do not appear likely to make the season opening starting rotation and thus could also be dealt.  The loss of Beede, Suarez, or Anderson would hurt the farm system yet sometimes one needs to trade value to get value.

As far as good trade targets the excellent new beat writer Maria Guardado recently wrote an article mentioning several.  With an assist from one of our great readers Mckinley Webb, I would add to their ranks the versatile Michael Taylor of the Washington Nationals.

Taylor has both fine speed and power and can play all three outfield positions.  He is a talented young player who had a down year in 2018 yet still seems to have a good upside. Taylor’s versatility is ideal for the Giants as he could be plugged into center if Steven Duggar continues to falter or into right if Gerardo Parra  proves not up to the task.

As Spring Training begins to draw to a close and none of the San Francisco Giants planned starting outfielders look very impressive the time to make a deal is now.   And, contrary to popular opinion, the San Francisco Giants can put a trade package together in order to deal for a versatile outfielder.

And make no mistake here:  This is not just about adding to the roster as much as it is about Farhan Zaidi making a statement that he believes in this year’s team.  A team that some say still feels down about the loss of Bryce Harper and thus very much needs the kind of shot in the arm that only Zaidi can give them through acquiring a good outfielder soon!