3 SF Giants players who will not survive on the roster past the MLB trade deadline

The MLB trade deadline is right around the corner, meaning that rosters will look a bit different in August. For the SF Giants, which players will not be on the roster once all of the trades are made.

3 SF Giants players who will not survive on the roster past the MLB trade deadline

The Giants have a 32-34 overall record on the year while sitting in third place in the NL West. The San Diego Padres (34-35) sit 0.5 games ahead of them in the division, whereas the Arizona Diamondbacks (31-35) are one game behind.

The good news is that the NL looks to be on the weaker side in 2024. Only four teams have a winning record currently, so the door to the Wild Card remains wide open. In fact, the Giants are in a three-way tie with the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds for the third Wild Card spot.

1. Luke Jackson

When the Giants signed Luke Jackson to a two-year, $9.5 million deal, they were hoping to get a potential leverage reliever at a bargain rate. His deal includes a $2 million buyout for 2025.

The veteran reliever posted a 1.98 ERA in 71 outings for the Atlanta Braves in 2021. However, he missed the entire 2022 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Jackson responded nicely last year in his first season with San Francisco, recording a 2.97 ERA in 33.1 innings. However, it felt like Giants manager Gabe Kapler did not have a lot of confidence in him as he was rarely used in leverage spots.

That has been more of the same with Bob Melvin. Jackson has tallied a 6.00 ERA in 19 appearances for the Giants in 2024. It should be noted that he has a 3.43 FIP, so by at least one metric, he has pitched better than his ERA would indicate.

However, most of his work has come when the team is behind. And, he has proven to be unreliable in his brief spots in leverage situations.

His role is one that is replaceable and it might make sense to try and find someone who not only is a more reliable option, but someone will be on the team beyond this season.

The Giants will likely add to the bullpen if they buy at the trade deadline. However, they already have quality components with relievers like Camilo Doval, Ryan Walker, and Tyler Rogers. It would make sense to find someone who can lengthen the bullpen.

3 SF Giants players who will not survive on the roster past the MLB trade deadline

2. Austin Slater

This is a tough one given that Austin Slater is the Giants' longest-tenured player. That said, the front office has had no problem cutting ties with fan-favorites like Joe Panik, Hunter Pence, and Pablo Sandoval in the past.

Slater is not quite on that level in terms of popularity. However, he has been with the club since 2017. You have to really make an impact to be with a team for that long and he has.

The veteran bat is in the final year of his rookie deal, so he may no longer be a long-term fit with the club. Plus, it bears mentioning that he is in the midst of a brutal slump that extends beyond just this season.

Slater has seven hits, all singles, in 45 at-bats this season. This is a small sample and he has a long track record of being a solid role player. However, this might be a case where the Giants just might be able to get better value out of that roster spot.

Harrison Bader of the New York Mets was reportedly a target by the front office in the offseason. There are many other options, but that is one example of a player who probably generates more value than Slater even if it is for two months.