2 SF Giants trade rumors we hope come true, 1 we hope doesn't happen

The MLB trade deadline is just a couple days away and the San Francisco Giants have been decidedly quiet. That isn't particularly unusual as not every team is like the Angels and Rangers who are seemingly in on every trade candidate on the market. A lot of teams just prefer to operate in the shadows and wait for the right time and opportunity to strike.

However, this trade deadline is a bit unique with the lack of available players. There are so many teams that are theoretically in contention for a playoff spot and that has meant players that could normally be had in trade just aren't being made available. Combine that with some teams that are so bad that they don't have talent worth trading for and you have a trade market heavily slanted in the few sellers' favor and a pretty serious lack of supply overall.

Fortunately, the Giants do seem to be motivated to improve and have the resources to do so. The Dodgers and Diamondbacks almost certainly won't be quiet at the deadline and Farhan Zaidi and co. know that. With the Giants needing to adding some pitching help and looking for potential upgrades across the roster, they are already connected to some pretty interesting names.

Here are 2 SF Giants rumors we hope happen and 1 we would prefer not

The Giants are one of those teams that prefer to have their intentions remain under wraps when possible. Sure, when they were after high profile guys like Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa, their interest was going to leak out, but they generally run a pretty tight ship. However, there have been some whispers connecting them to some players that certainly don't seem like just idle jabbering from writers trying to fill column inches.

Let's take a look at a couple Giants rumors that would be sweet to see happen and one that the Giants should probably pass on.

The Giants trading for Justin Verlander would be amazing, but costly

It pretty much goes without saying that Justin Verlander carries with him the level of star power that is normally not available at the trade deadline. His track record of being one of the best pitchers of this generation is unimpeachable and with the Mets clearly accepting the fact that 2023 is a lost cause with their move to send Max Scherzer to the Rangers, Verlander could also be on the move.

Verlander isn't just a sexy name to mention out of the blue. For at least a week now, the Giants have been reported as interested in Verlander's services by Jon Morosi and others. San Francisco has the prospects to get that level of deal done if they wanted to and are certainly close enough on paper to make a deep playoff run to be motivated to explore it.

Getting Verlander would give the Giants the impact rotation arm that they desperately want especially if JV's recent strong run of play continues. While 2023 did not start off great for Verlander, he has looked like his vintage Cy Young winning self the last couple of months. The rest of the starting pitching market is looking pretty grim right now especially with Jordan Montgomery and Lucas Giolito already being dealt, so Verlander may be the Giants' best shot at getting a high ceiling arm.

There are a couple wrinkles in this plan for the Giants. First and foremost, Verlander would be expensive both in terms of prospects and money. He is making north of $43 million this year and in 2024 and has a vesting option at $35 million for 2025 which is a lot of dollars for an older pitcher and a lot of team control which boosts his trade value.

Second, the Mets may prefer to keep him because of that very team control in the event that they try to retool their roster quickly and try and compete next season. Steven Cohen needs to get SOMETHING for all of that money he has spent after all. Finally, Verlander has a full no-trade clause that he would have to waive before any deal could happen and it is unclear as to whether or not he would do so.

Paul DeJong just isn't who the Giants need at the trade deadline

Paul DeJong is a fine baseball player. He is a legitimately good defender that can play shortstop or second base and his overall production generally averages out to being a useful, if unexciting, big league regular on a decent team most seasons.

However, the Giants' roster even with Thairo Estrada out has plenty of guys that are in the "pretty decent" camp where DeJong resides. What San Francisco needs from a position player trade is significant offensive production and that is not where DeJong excels, although that hasn't seemed to deter the Giants from looking into DeJong anyways.

For the last four seasons including 2023, DeJong has posted below average or worse wRC+ at the plate (87, 85, 55, and 98 respectively the last four years). He does have some raw pop in his bat, but when a guy's current slash line of .236/.300/.417 (which is not good) is the best line he has posted at the plate in three years, one has to wonder if he is worth devoting much time and energy into acquiring.

Another problem with DeJong is the potential cost to acquire him unless the Cardinals are more reasonable than expected. DeJong has two club options on his contract after this season of $12.5 million and $15 million respectively. On the one hand, that gives whichever team that acquires him a lot of flexibility with his team control which is good.

However, that potential team control and flexibility is also going to be priced into his trade value and giving up a significant package of prospects for a guy that is a pretty meh player overall doesn't seem like the best use of the Giants' time and resources.