3 ways the Lucas Giolito trade may have complicated the Giants trade deadline plans

The Giolito trade has set the starting pitcher rental prices pretty high

When the Angels traded for Giolito and Lopez, they received rentals from both the starter and reliever markets. Typically those players normally do not cost much in trade unless they are literally among the best players period at their position because you are only getting a couple months of team control for them.

However, the Angels were more aggressive than that in that trade as they sent their #2 and #3 prospects in Edgar Quero and Ky Bush to acquire them. Sure, the Angels' farm system isn't anything to write home about, but Quero is still a very strong catching prospect and Ky Bush was a second round pick just a couple years ago with very decent stuff who admittedly has struggled with injuries as a pro.

The Angels being willing to pay a premium for rentals is somewhat understandable given their desperation to make one last playoff run. However, what it means is that the market has been set for rental starters and relievers at a pretty high rate. The Cardinals have to be licking their chops for what they think they can get for Jordan Montgomery right now.

For a Giants' team that needs to add at least one starting pitcher and who would also love to add a true power bat and some bullpen depth, having the prices already jacked up for pitching rentals is less than ideal.

In the end, the Giants have the farm system to make almost any deal they really wanted to make and sanity will likely prevail as we get closer to the deadline. However, it does make it harder to strike early on the starter trade market when selling teams think that they can get an even bigger premium than usual for such deals.