6 bullpen trade targets for the SF Giants at the trade deadline

With the All-Star break out of the way, the San Francisco Giants enter the second half firmly in the mix both in the NL West and in the wild card race. Injuries to key players like Thairo Estrada have certainly put a damper on things, but the Giants are still in a pretty decent spot to make a run at the playoffs.

Nothing is certain here and with a ton of competition for playoff spots this year in the National League, the Giants are going to need to stay aggressive at the trade deadline. With their top prospect in the minors, Kyle Harrison, getting hurt, it is highly likely the Giants will target starting pitching and an impact bat would be nice, too, although the market is not good for that sort of player.

However, one area that every contending team should look at making upgrades at the deadline is in the bullpen. The Giants' bullpen has been quite good to be sure, but with some injuries to guys like Luke Jackson and John Brebbia, San Francisco's depth there is getting tested. Moreover, there is no shortage of quality bullpen arms available at the deadline this year.

Here are some trade targets for the SF Giants to help upgrade the bullpen

The reliever market this year has a nice mix of rest-of-the-season rentals as well as guys that have some team control. The Giants have a good sense of the guys that can provide value in the big leagues, so both ends of the market should be in play for them. We'll be providing options that will be free agents at the end of the season as well as guys who have some team control as a result.

Lets take a look at which relievers the Giants should target at the trade deadline.

Keynan Middleton should be a trade deadline target for the SF Giants

Keynan Middleton is shaping up to be one of the top rental relievers on the trade market this year. His Statcast profile for 2023 looks quite good and the White Sox are certainly going to at least be selling off pending free agents with this year looking like a wash.

There is some concern that the demand for Middleton's services will drive his price up even as a rental, but Middleton's improved strikeout rate (11.5 K/9) makes him a worthy gamble for the Giants.

Trading for Scott Barlow would take the Giants' bullpen to the next level

Barlow's name was on most trade deadline target lists before the season even started because the Royals, well, are probably going to be in a perennial state of "not good" for a while.

Barlow is having a down year by his standards as his 4.09 ERA and 4.4 BB/9 are big dropoffs from what we saw from him the last couple of years. However, he is also striking out more batters than he ever has and would come with an extra year of team control as well. A lot of teams are going to be calling the Royals on Barlow, but the Giants should at least check in here.

Jason Foley would be a great trade deadline move for the Giants in the long-term

If you are looking for an option that could be a part of the Giants' bullpen for a while, the Tigers have an interesting guy in Jason Foley who is under team control through the 2027 season.

Foley has been one of the better relievers in the American League this season with a 2.09 ERA and miniscule 1.6 BB/9 walk rate. He throws hard and gets guys to chase pitches out of the zone. If the Giants were able to pry Foley away from Detroit (which is far from certain), he could really blossom in San Francisco. He wouldn't come cheap, though.