3 outfielders the SF Giants should target at the trade deadline

The SF Giants are in a position few thought they could be heading into the 2023 campaign, as they find themselves firmly entrenched in the National League West division race, and while there's plenty of season to go, there's no reason to expect them to fall off in a big way.

3 outfielders the SF Giants should target at the trade deadline

While the roster is good, injuries have really tested the organization's depth at several key areas. Plus, they have relied on future prospects making big impacts early in their career, but if they do want to compete, the upcoming trade deadline is the perfect vessel for change and improvement.

Many are focusing on their lack of depth and talent at the starting pitching spot, but there's another gaping hole on this team, and that is the outfield, and while the talent is there, they have unfortunately dealt with way too many injuries. With both Mitch Haniger on the IL, as well as Michael Conforto's well recognized injury history, the team are now left with a four man group of Mike Yastrzemski, Luis Matos, Conforto and Austin Slater, and simply put, that's not a deep playoff group.

The trade market for starting pitching is full of proven stars ready to be moved, but the outfield market just isn't the same, so if the Giants want to improve, they need to go after one of the following three names in the coming weeks.

1. The SF Giants should target Mark Canha

The New York Mets came into 2023 expecting to be World Series contenders after an off-season full of very big spending, but thus far, they've struggled to perform up to that level, and could be looking to off-load a few players at the trade deadline.

Enter Mark Canha, who was key for the Mets in their series win over the Giants this past weekend, and with their surplus of outfielders, he could be had potentially for cheap, that is if the Mets are looking to sell at all as they look to chase down the 18.5 game difference between them and the Atlanta Braves in the AL East.

In 70 games thus far in 2023, Canha has established a .235 average, and while he's only managed 6 home runs and 25 RBI, he's a solid veteran that can fill a need for San Francisco right now, and could come cheap at 34-years old if the Mets are ready to sell some pieces. Plus, the Giants were tied to the veteran outfielder after the 2021 season.

2. The SF Giants should target Teoscar Hernandez

This one might be a pipe dream, but after seeing Canha this weekend in New York, the Giants will now get a look at the Seattle Mariners, and if they fall too much further off the pace in the AL West, they too could become sellers ahead of the trade deadline.

It's more likely that the Mariners look to hold on to the former Blue Jays star, but as a free agent in 2024, if the team believe they can't catch up to the Rangers, Astros or Angels in a stacked division, they may be able to get a solid piece or two in return.

Thus far in 2023, Tesocar Hernandez is hitting .254 with 15 home runs and 48 RBI, and while he leads the league in strikeouts at 111, he has power, speed and a solid glove all over the outfield, and with Mitch Haniger out until the stretch run, he may be the perfect replacement.

3. The SF Giants could and should target a former division rival

The SF Giants saw just one name elected to be an All-Star in 2023, and at the trade deadline, it wouldn't hurt them to land a star, so who better to target than a former MVP and division rival in Cody Bellinger? The team have already been linked to Chicago Cubs frontline starter Marcus Stroman, and if the Cubs look to sell, they could no doubt be targeting a package from the NL Central squad.

In 2023, Bellinger has his best average since his 2019 MVP season, and while the power is down at just 7 home runs and 23 RBI, he still has the potential to be a contributor to a playoff squad, and could come relatively cheap, as he has a mutual option for 2024 on his contract.

It's unclear whether or not Chicago believe they can be competitive down the stretch this season, but the Giants have shown they can be, so if it's possible to land him without giving up one of their biggest prospects, it's a move they should certainly make.