3 trades Buster Posey can make to try to fix SF Giants' bullpen beyond 2026

While it has seemed clear for quite some time that the SF Giants will decidedly be in the “seller” camp ahead of the MLB trade deadline, president of baseball operations Buster Posey at least seemed open to the possibility that the Giants could add some bullpen at the deadline in a recent KNBR interview.

That may not be a bad move especially if the organization is reluctant to spend money on free agent relievers. The only meaningful way to upgrade the relief corps may be via trade.

If the Giants do bring in some arms to boost the bullpen, they should focus on guys who will be under team control beyond this season so they aren’t just getting rentals who will probably depart after the season. Let’s look at three trades for bullpen help that would make sense for the Giants.

3 deals that would strengthen Giants’ bullpen for the future

Harrison Bader and J.T Brubaker to the Phillies for Alex McFarlane

The Giants would be wise to move off Bader if they can since he’s been banged up a ton and hasn’t been very effective when on the field. The Phillies grew fond of him last year and they could use some help in the outfield.

The Phillies are also looking for bullpen help so sending J.T. Brubaker, who is a free agent after the season and has a respectable 2.87 ERA on the season, along with Bader in exchange for No. 17 prospect in Philadelphia’s system Alex McFarlane would be a good move.

The 25-year-old has a 2.12 ERA in the minors in his first season as a reliever. He’s got a plus fastball and is a guy who could be a cheap answer in the bullpen. The Giants would likely have to pay down some of Bader’s contract to make it work but it would be worth it to get a bullpen arm with upside.

Luis Arraez to the New York Yankees in exchange for Carlos LaGrange, Kaeden Kent, and Eric Reyzelman

The Yankees make sense as a landing spot for Arraez and the Giants could land a really promising arm in LaGrange who is the No. 4 prospect in New York’s organization. He has a huge fastball and while he’s currently dealing with a shoulder injury he could be a future closer.

Why not sneak Kaeden Kent, the son of Jeff Kent, in there just for fun? The second baseman is New York’s No. 13 prospect and with Peyton Bonds in the organization it just feels right.

Eric Reyzelman is the No. 28 prospect for the Yanks and he has a 6.26 ERA on the season in 23 relief appearances but he’s a Bay Area guy who went to De La Salle High School and then pitched at the University of San Francisco and LSU for college.

Maybe a return to the Bay Area would be good for him and he could develop into a solid bullpen arm for the Giants.

Robbie Ray to the St. Louis Cardinals for Leo Bernal and Tink Hence

This trade would mainly be to get catcher Leo Bernal but right-handed reliever Tink Hence would be a nice get as well. He’s got great stuff but lacks control which is the story with most young relievers. He’d at least be an interesting get with some upside who could develop into a closer for the Giants down the road.

The bullpen has been a bugaboo for the Giants all season but if they made these deals perhaps they’d feel better about their bullpen going forward beyond 2026.

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