7 potential trade targets for the SF Giants

After a record breaking 2021 season, that saw the SF Giants hit 107 wins and claim the NL West title, they came into the new year with unbelievable expectations, and it seems to be weighing on the current squad.

7 potential trade targets for the SF Giants

The loss of Buster Posey certainly hurts, but it's struggles from the bullpen and major health issues that have led to the Giants falling to third in the NL West, with a record of 29-24.

This isn't the biggest problem in the world, as the bullpen will come back to life and the Giants will get healthy yet again, but if the Giants wish to be more than just placeholders in the NL Wild Card race, they need to add some talent.

Some fans may have their dream wish-list, but given the Giants approach to roster building, we won't see a star like Juan Soto in a Giants uniform anytime soon.

That's why today we are going to take a look at five potentially realistic, yet still fantastic trade targets for the SF Giants to reignite their 2022 season and tough race in the NL West.

1. The SF Giants should target Andrew Benintendi

Given how crowded the Giants outfield is when you look at Yastrzemski, Wade, Pederson, Slater and Gonzalez, looking to add yet another one may be odd on the surface, but Andrew Benintendi has the potential to be the best of that lot.

The former top Red Sox prospect has failed in part to live up to the lofty expectations while he was in Bean Town, but a new opportunity in San Francisco could revitalize his still young career.

Given that he is a free agent at season's end, the Giants wouldn't want to give up much to Kansas City to acquire him, and if they can keep him long-term, he could be a great addition alongside the rest of this young outfield.

7 potential trade targets for the SF Giants

2. The SF Giants should target Wilson Contreras

While Joey Bart still has a promising future in the big leagues, his struggles have hurt the Giants following the retirement of Buster Posey, and after a 2021 trade with the Cubs, the Giants should go back to that well to fill this hole.

Curt Casali has done his best in the role, but is best suited as a backup, and while this may mean the end for Bart in a Giants uniform (we'd prefer it didn't), Contreras would be a real difference maker in this lineup full of potential.

His work on the defensive side of the ball is great too, and with such a good pitching staff, this move would energize both units on this Giants squad.

Farhan Zaidi might have to give up more than he'd like in a deal for the Cubs star catcher, who's playing at an MVP level this year, but if he feels he can sign Contreras long-term, or if the deal is right for a rental, he will pull the trigger.

3. The SF Giants should target Luis Castillo

The Giants rotation has been hit and miss so far in 2022, after such hype and promise during the pre-season, but the injuries to Anthony DeSclafani and Alex Cobb have hindered their consistency and potential.

While the Giants don't need an out and out ace, due to Rodon and Webb leading the charge, some major league depth would help in a big way, and one name that has been on the radar for quite some time is the Reds Luis Castillo.

The 29-year old isn't struggling, but isn't exactly backing up the promise that people have seen in him for years, but in San Francisco in a hitters park with a great team behind him, things could certainly turn around.

7 potential trade targets for the SF Giants

4. The SF Giants should target Pablo López

Pablo Lopez is a bit of a bigger fish than Castillo, but if the Giants want to assemble a rotation that can win big games against the big name teams (New York, LA and San Diego) in the post-season, than it's a move they should look to make.

In his 11 starts this season, Lopez has compiled a 2.18 ERA along with a 4-2 record, and in front of a team like the Giants, as the third option alongside Carlos Rodon and Logan Webb, Lopez could take it to another level.

Between now and the deadline, the Giants would have to surge along with getting healthy if Farhan Zaidi is to try and make a big swing like this one, but given how good the offense can potentially be, this would make San Francisco a scary team come October.

5. The SF Giants could target Michael Fulmer

At the beginning of the 2022 season, the Giants bullpen was near perfect, and while the stats say that they should still be great, luck hasn't been on their side, as they've posted a combined 4.47 ERA to this point.

It's hard to pinpoint exactly what the problem has been, as no one can look at one player to put the blame on, but perhaps bringing in some new faces could energize this entire unit.

While Michael Fulmer was once considered the future of the Tigers rotation alongside Justin Verlander, he's slipped into his role in the bullpen, and while 2022 hasn't exactly been perfect for him, he could flourish in San Francisco.

In 20 appearances, Fulmer has compiled a 2-2 record with a 2.70 ERA, and given that he'd be one of the cheapest reliever options on the market, it would be silly for the Giants to not at least make a run at him.