San Francisco Giants: Building a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals

The San Francisco Giants will be selling at the trade deadline. As such, Marc Delucchi has been profiling how each contender could build a package to acquire one of their best pieces. Next up, the St. Louis Cardinals.

The San Francisco Giants continue to free fall in the NL West, as they are now 19.5 games back following a 2-0 loss on Monday night. As a result, some of the biggest names on the roster will soon be changing uniforms.

One team that they could line up with as a potential trade partner is the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cardinals are right in the thick of things in a tight NL Central race that also involves the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers. All three of those team are separated by fewer than three games at the top of the standings. The Cardinals are also a half-game back for the second NL wild-card spot.

During the offseason, reports suggested that the Giants and Cardinals had engaged in extensive talks surrounding reliever Will Smith. The Cardinals ended up signing Andrew Miller to fill their need for a late-inning southpaw, but he has thus far failed to live up to expectations with a 4.15 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 35 appearances.

Their need for bullpen help was exacerbated on Monday when it was announced that hard-throwing closer Jordan Hicks was lost for the season to UCL tear that will require Tommy John surgery.

Their starting rotation could also use some help. Rookie Dakota Hudson is the only starter with an ERA under 4.00 and his peripherals suggest even he’s been lucky. Of the starters, Adam Wainwright has the best FIP at a middling 4.38.

With those areas of need in mind, let’s take a look at a few potential trade packages that could make sense for both the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals.