MLB insider pours cold water on Bob Nightengale report regarding potential SF Giants fire sale

A report came out this week from Bob Nightengale that the SF Giants were looking to unload some of their long-term contracts. However, Robert Murray of FanSided pushed back on that narrative, stating that they have had "zero conversations" about moving Rafael Devers, Matt Chapman, or Willy Adames.

Nightengale's report came on the heels of the Patrick Bailey trade. I think some national writers have taken this as evidence that the Giants are open for business after a disastrous 18 - 26 start.

Here is another take. The front office did not value Bailey's defense in the same way that some of the objective metrics do. On more than one occasion, Buster Posey had wondered if his view on catching aligns with how it is measured today. There seems to be a contrast between the two.

Whether that was the right move or not remains to be seen. However, it should be viewed more as a sign of the Giants moving in a different direction at catcher rather than as an indicator that they plan to sell at the trade deadline.

That could still happen if the team does not recover from its slow start. However, as Robert Murray mentions, it will not be the players locked into long-term deals.

Who might the SF Giants look to move?

Murray mentions Robbie Ray and Tyler Mahle as potential trade options. Luis Arráez was not mentioned, but should be included in that mix. All three players are on expiring contracts, making them likely candidates to be moved if they decide to sell.

Ray would become one of the top options on the trade market. Teams do not give up much for a rental anymore, but some teams have tried to sweeten the deal by attaching a rental to a controllable player. This is purely anecdotal, but teams would presumably have interest in Keaton Winn as a high-leverage arm, especially since he has so much team control remaining. A package involving Ray and Winn would address two needs.

Mahle has been more of a mixed bag. Through the first six weeks of the year, this move has not paid off, but there is still plenty of baseball left. He has a favorable track record when healthy. If he strings together a few good starts, teams would have interest in him at the trade deadline.

Lastly, Arráez joined the Giants on a one-year deal. He had multi-year deals on the table, but chose San Francisco due to his desire to prove that he can stick at second base. The early returns on that bet have been promising.

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