3 players who could be available if the SF Giants decide to sell

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The SF Giants are treading water at 40-38 but they have hit a rough patch in the season after losing five straight games. At this rate, they could be in a position to sell when the trade deadline comes around next month, but who might be available?

3 players who could be available if the SF Giants decide to sell

Typically, players on expiring contracts are the most sought-after targets at the trade deadline. Teams are always looking for ways to tweak the roster to better position themselves for a playoff run and rentals typically can be acquired at a reasonable cost.

The Giants do not have a lot of players on expiring contracts that teams would covet but they have a few who would make sense for a lot of teams.

1. Outfielder Joc Pederson

This might be a tough one to stomach as Joc Pederson has quickly become a popular player among Giants fans. That said, he would have plenty of interest on the trade market as few players offer more power than Pederson.

The left-handed bat signed a one-year, $6 million pact in the offseason and that has paid off nicely for the Giants. In 230 plate appearances, he has slashed .278/.348/.576 (154 OPS+) with 17 home runs, 40 RBI, and 34 runs in 2022. Pederson has garnered a lot of All-Star consideration as well.

The New York Yankees are said to be in the market for outfield help and Pederson's lefty bat would fit in nicely with the short right-field porch at Yankees Stadium.

Chicago White Sox v San Francisco Giants / Thearon W. Henderson/GettyImages

3 players who could be available if the SF Giants decide to sell

2. Infielder Wilmer Flores

Similar to Pederson, parting with Wilmer Flores would be a tough move for the Giants. He is a free agent at the end of the season after the Giants picked up his $3.5 million option last offseason.

The right-handed bat has been a steady presence in a lineup that has been inconsistent at times. Flores consistently brings good at-bat quality, plate discipline, and modest power to the table. The 10-year veteran has registered a .242/.331/.405 (106 OPS+) with nine home runs, 41 RBI, and 40 runs in 290 plate appearances with the Giants this year.

He has played in 181.2 innings at third base, but he is likely better suited for the right side of the infield with occasional work as the designated hitter. Given his reliability and modest positional flexibility, he makes sense for a handful of teams including the Houston Astros and the New York Mets.

3 players who could be available if the SF Giants decide to sell

3. Reliever Dominic Leone

There is never a shortage of teams in need of bullpen help at the deadline. The Giants' bullpen has struggled to the tune of a 4.21 ERA in 2022, but Dominic Leone has been one of the few bright spots.

Leone signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract in his final year of arbitration eligibility last winter, meaning that he is due to be a free agent in this upcoming offseason.

The veteran reliever has tallied a 2.45 ERA, 3.62 FIP, 1.36 WHIP, 9.8 K/9, and a 3.56 SO/W ratio in 31 appearances. He continues to flash a mid-90's fastball that he pairs with a quality slider and an occasional changeup. The control problems that had plagued him earlier in his career seem to have improved since joining the Giants.

It would be hard to predict which team might be interested in him as there could be a broad market for any top reliever at the trade deadline. Leone makes sense for a lot of teams as a veteran arm with high-leverage experience.

Editor's note: The question about whether Carlos Rodón would be a viable trade option has come up. However, his contract might be a roadblock for any prospective team.

Rodón signed a two-year, $44 million contract in the offseason. This includes an opt-out clause if the lefty reaches at least 110 innings in 2022. He is currently at 91 innings, so he will reach that threshold, barring a major injury, and will likely opt-out.

There are not many instances of players getting traded at the deadline when their contract includes an opt-out clause. Of course, teams would be interested in acquiring Rodón as he is having a fantastic season. However, any trade proposal would have to reflect that he will likely be a free agent in the offseason. That makes it a tough one to predict.

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3 players who could be available if the SF Giants decide to sell

3 players who could be available if the SF Giants decide to sell

3 players who could be available if the SF Giants decide to sell

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