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San Francisco Giants: Building a trade with the Houston Astros

Marc Delucchi|
SAN DIEGO, CA - APRIL 8: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on April 8, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - APRIL 8: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on April 8, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
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WEST PALM BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 28: J.B. Bukauskas #69 of the Houston Astros pitches in the third inning against the Miami Marlins at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on February 28, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 28: J.B. Bukauskas #69 of the Houston Astros pitches in the third inning against the Miami Marlins at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on February 28, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

San Francisco Giants Trade Proposal

To Astros: LHP Madison Bumgarner
To Giants: RHP J.B. Bukauskas, LHP Cionel Perez, OF Derek Fisher

The Houston system began the year with five players rated with a 50 future value from Kiley McDaniel and Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs:

  • RHP Corbin Martin (No. 50 MLB prospect)
  • RHP J.B. Bukauskas (No. 88 MLB prospect)
  • RHP Joshua James (No. 98 MLB prospect)
  • LHP Cionel Perez (No. 100 MLB prospect)
  • OF Yordan Alvarez (No. 125 MLB prospect)

One player of that value would be enough to serve as the centerpiece. The problem is, none of them have really maintained their value. Some have exceeded expectations (Alvarez, Martin) while others have had disappointing starts to the season (Bukauskas, James, Perez).

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However, that might allow the Giants to extract even more value. While Bukauskas and Perez are not off to the best starts, both pitchers offer significant upside, and both moved quickly through the Houston system last year.

The Astros front office has already shown a willingness to deal both, as they were reportedly part of offseason negotiations with Arizona for first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Both pitchers are probably closer to 45+ FV players now, making it plausible that the Giants could acquire both as the centerpieces for Bumgarner.

Given the depth of hitters in their system and at the major league level, several MLB-ready players are currently blocked. That’s why J.D. Davis was traded to the New York Mets during the offseason, and the Astros could make a similar move with someone like first baseman AJ Reed or outfielder Derek Fisher to round out the package.

The Astros get another proven veteran starters to solidify their starting rotation, while the Giants buy low on a pair of intriguing pitching prospects and add an MLB-ready outfielder to the mix.

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