San Francisco Giants: 2013 MLB trade deadline review

In the days leading up to this year’s MLB trade deadline, we’ll take a look back at San Francisco Giants deadlines past. Next up, the 2013 trade deadline.

The San Francisco Giants won their second World Series title in the past three years during the 2012 season, and it was thanks in part to an aggressive approach at the trade deadline.

They had a 39-42 record at heading into the month of July during the 2013 season, which left them three games back in the NL West standings, but in fourth place behind the Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres.

While a playoff spot was still within reach, they took a conservative approach to the deadline.

Here’s a look at their July activity:

July 9, 2013: OF Jeff Francoeur signed as a free agent

The Kansas City Royals released Jeff Francoeur on July 5 while he was hitting just .208/.249/.322 in 193 plate appearances.

The Giants took a chance on him a few days later, signing him for the league-minimum in hopes of striking gold in the same way they had with Pat Burrell a few years prior.

However, he hit just .194/.206/.226 in 63 plate appearances before he was released again on Aug. 21.

July 26, 2013: RHP Guillermo Moscoso purchased from the Chicago Cubs

Guillermo Moscoso had a 3.93 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with 94 strikeouts in 94 innings over 17 starts with the Chicago Cubs Triple-A affiliate when he was purchased by the Giants.

He ended up making two starts and 11 relief appearances on the big league roster, posting a 5.10 ERA with 31 strikeouts and 21 walks in 30 innings, before departing in free agency during the offseason.

Summary

By the end of July, the Giants had slipped to 47-59 and were 12 games back in the NL West standings, which essentially spelled the end of their playoff hopes.

They finished 76-86, leaving them 16 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers and in fourth place in the division.

Check back here in the days and weeks to come for more San Francisco Giants trade deadline reviews, all culminating in what promises to be a busy 2019 deadline.