Crafting a mock trade between SF Giants and bullpen-needy Philadelphia Phillies

The SF Giants recently moved hard-throwing right-handed pitcher Jordan Hicks from the starting rotation to the bullpen. The Giants may be wise to deal him to a team in need of a reliever and that team could be the Philadelphia Phillies.

Philadelphia got some tough news recently when it was announced that their electric left-handed reliever Jose Alvarado was suspended for 80 games due to testing positive for PED's. The team's bullpen has done well since the suspension, but they may still need some reinforcements. That is where Hicks could come into play.

SF Giants deal Jordan Hicks to bullpen-needy Phillies in this mock trade

The Giants have used Hicks primarily as a starting pitcher these past two seasons, but he finds himself back in the bullpen which is where he has spent most of his big league career. Hicks looked great as a starter at the beginning of 2024 before fatigue set in during the summer and the Giants made him a reliever.

This season, Hicks struggled through nine starts with an ERA north of 6.00 which earned him a trip to the bullpen while Hayden Birdsong was elevated to the rotation.

Even though Hicks has struggled as a starter this year, there is reason to think he can turn things around as a reliever. His peripheral numbers were not bad this season and his combination of a sinker that can touch 100 miles per hour along with a slider and splitter still make him a difficult at-bat for opposing hitters.

Plus, the fact that he is a reliever now means he can max out in one inning of work rather than trying to preserve his arm and energy throughout five or more innings.

If the Giants were to trade Hicks to the Phillies, what could they reasonably get in return? San Francisco should not get rid of Hicks for nothing, so why not get a little greedy and target slugger Alec Bohm?

The 2024 All-Star slashed .280/.332/.448 with 15 home runs and 97 runs batted in last season. He has not been as strong this season, slashing .264/.303/.363 with three homers and 18 RBI.

Obviously, the Giants are already set at third base with Matt Chapman. However, the Giants could convert Bohm to first base which is a position he has experience at. The Giants have struggled to get any sort of production at first base due to the poor hitting of LaMonte Wade Jr. Bohm would give the Giants a more legitimate offensive threat at first base.

Of course, Philadelphia would likely not accept a one-for-one trade of Hicks for Bohm. So, let's see if we can sweeten the deal a little bit.

SF Giants mock trade proposal with Philadelphia Phillies: San Francisco sends RHP Jordan Hicks, 1B LaMonte Wade Jr. and IF Casey Schmitt to Philadelphia in exchange for Alec Bohm

By adding Schmitt to the mix, the Giants would be giving Philadelphia a replacement for Bohm at third base. Schmitt is essentially blocked with the Giants right now with Chapman at third, Willy Adames at shortstop, and Tyler Fitzgerald at second base. He may need a change of scenery to get a real opportunity.

The Phillies may not have much interest in Wade, but he could be a decent bench option for them if he can figure things out at the plate.

This may not be quite enough to get Philadelphia truly excited, but if they find their bullpen needs help over the coming months then the deal could look more enticing especially if Hicks looks solid coming out of the bullpen for the Giants over his next few outings.

Trades are always tricky and they take two to tango, but this trade could be mutually beneficial by giving the Giants an answer at first base while Philadelphia would be getting a proven bullpen flamethrower.