MLB insider speculates that a pair of SF Giants could be on the move at 2026 trade deadline

The MLB trade deadline is still several months away, but it is not too early to start looking at some players who could be on the move. Robert Murray of FanSided did an early preview of the trade deadline and speculated that a pair of SF Giants veterans, including Robbie Ray and Luis Arráez, could be traded away this season.

MLB insider speculates that a pair of SF Giants could be on the move at 2026 trade deadline

This year, the trade deadline is on August 3. This might be my "old man yells at cloud moment," but I much prefer when the deadline was always on July 31. It was easy to remember.

It was quite literally Christmas in July for baseball fans. I would put on a pot of coffee and track all the moves that would take place that day.

I digress. Murray only highlighted five players in his trade deadline preview. The fact that two of them play for the Giants is a sign of how things have gone so far. Giants fans do not need to be reminded of the abysmal start, but they could capitalize on this in a few months. They could also turn the season around, as there is still a lot of baseball left to play.

Murray provided a sobering realization of the Giants, "unless something changes, they look like obvious sellers at the deadline." He also adds, "[Ray} should draw widespread interest from contending teams in need of pitching."

There will always be demand for good pitchers at the trade deadline. This is especially true for Ray, who is a free agent at the end of the year. Players on expiring deals are the most likely to be moved, which is also why Arráez was mentioned as a candidate.

Ray has a 2.95 ERA through seven starts and has looked more and more like the pitcher who took home the AL Cy Young Award in 2021. He might not just be one of the best starters available; he might be the best starter available. Of course, that will depend on how he performs over the next three months, but the early returns look promising.

The southpaw pitcher is also not eligible for a qualifying offer in the season. He rejected one from the Toronto Blue Jays after the 2021 season, so he is not a candidate to receive one again. This means that the Giants would receive no draft pick compensation if he finished the year with the club and signed elsewhere.

On the other hand, Arráez could be a candidate for the qualifying offer this offseason. That would limit his market, and perhaps increase the odds of him accepting it.

The left-handed bat has a .739 OPS in 144 plate appearances. His defense has held down his value in the past, but he has been among the best defenders in baseball.

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