3 SF Giants most likely to be traded before the trade deadline

The SF Giants are in a state of limbo right now. Sitting a few games below .500, it does not seem they will be big buyers at the trade deadline. However, if they do sell here are the 3 players on the team who are most likely to be traded.

3 SF Giants most likely to be traded before the trade deadline

Despite a new manager and a number of additions in the offseason, at this point it seems that the Giants are doomed to another season of mediocrity as they were in 2022 and 2023. Another year of .500 ball is not what fans wanted, but up to right now it is what we have gotten.

The funny thing is that despite this, the Giants still find themselves well within reach of a Wild Card spot. With the expanded playoff bracket, teams like the Giants still have a shot at postseason play especially with a lot of the regular season left to go.

This puts the front office in a weird position. It does not seem like they would be willing to sell their farm system on this team whose ceiling appears to be a 2nd or 3rd Wild Card spot. Plus, Farhan Zaidi has proven throughout his tenure that he is not someone who buys at the deadline.

It does not even make sense for them to be major sellers either. First off, they do not have too many enticing trade chips on the big league outside of Logan Webb and Heliot Ramos and both of them should be off limits in trade talks.

There are other players like Thairo Estrada and Wilmer Flores who could draw interest, but the both of them are leaders on the club and. it would be a bit of a gut punch to see the Giants part with either of them.

Yet, there are a few players that the Giants could trade if they decide to essentially stand pat at the deadline while shipping off some players who will be free agents after this season or who may be struggling.

The first player who fits this description is outfielder Michael Conforto.

3 SF Giants most likely to be traded before the trade deadline

1. Michael Conforto

The Giants signed Michael Conforto before 2023 and he has been about average for the club. Last season his WAR was 0.7 and this far in 2024 it has been -0.2. That is about the definition of an average player.

He has provided occasional pop with his bat, hitting 15 home runs last season and 8 so far this season. But his batting average with the Giants has been in the .230's which certainly leaves a lot to be desired.

Conforto is certainly not a huge trade chip, but a team could definitely be interested in him if they are in desperate need of outfield help, are looking for an above-average 4th outfielder, or even need a left-handed DH option.

With Conforto being in the final year of his contract, it would make a lot of sense for the Giants to trade him so they can at least get something for him. Plus, it would open the door for Luis Matos to get more playing time as he has been tearing it up in Triple-A recently.

There is a good chance that Conforto gets traded before the deadline. Another Giant who may be traded is also in the final year of his contract with the team.

3 SF Giants most likely to be traded before the trade deadline

2. Alex Cobb

Unfortunately, starting pitcher Alex Cobb has been on the injured list all season for the Giants as he is trying to come back from multiple injuries. With all of the injuries for the Giants in their starting rotation, they could certainly use him back as soon as possible.

The only problem is that Cobb will likely not be back until after the All-Star break. That is the same situation for Robbie Ray, the pitcher the Giants traded for in the offseason from the Seattle Mariners.

At that point, if everything goes as planned and Kyle Harrison and Blake Snell are both back in the rotation (and Logan Webb and Jordan Hicks have not sustained injuries), then there will only be one remaining spot in the rotation. Trading Cobb would solve that problem and would not force the Giants to demote Harrison or Hicks who are the future of the rotation.

Cobb will not get a huge return since he is 36 and has an extensive injury history, but we know that when he is on with his stuff he can be dominant and a team may be willing to take a chance and see if that is the version of Cobb they get.

The last player likely to be traded may come as a surprise, but he could draw the biggest return for the Giants.