San Francisco Giants: Building a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays

Plenty of Ways to Upgrade the Pen

The San Francisco Giants bullpen is statistically one of the best in baseball, and the talent backs up the production.

Closer Will Smith alongside Tony Watson, Sam Dyson, and Reyes Moronta have given manager Bruce Bochy plenty of trustworthy options late in games. Not to mention the surprising production from players like Trevor Gott and Mark Melancon.

With Smith, Watson, and Dyson all set for free-agency well before the Giants will return to relevance, there’s plenty of reason to expect all three to potentially be on the move. Furthermore, the Giants have a number of interesting bullpen arms in the upper minor leagues ready for an opportunity.

Watson is the least valuable of the Giants’ high-leverage relievers and he has exhibited some troubling trends this season. The Giants will be able to move him, but the Rays aren’t simply looking for depth in the bullpen, but shutdown late-inning options.

Smith has been one of the best closers in baseball this season. Dyson obviously hasn’t closed since he fell apart with Texas, but his velocity and production suggest he’s at as good a level as he was when he was a top closer in baseball.

Both also have very desirable contract situations and Dyson is under team control through next season via arbitration. While Smith is clearly one of the best relief pitchers in baseball, the added long-term control of Dyson could give them similar value.

A pair of high-end 45+ or low-end 50 value prospects with a throw-in would seem fair value for either one, with Smith perhaps able to acquire an additional throw-in.