Morosi: SF Giants among teams looking for middle infield help at trade deadline

The SF Giants definitely need starting pitching help, but bolstering the middle infielder is not far behind in teams of priorities. According to Jon Morosi of the MLB Network, the Giants are among the teams targeting middle infielders at the deadline.

Morosi: SF Giants among teams looking for middle infield help at trade deadline

They are not the only team as Morosi lists the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, and the Milwaukee Brewers as teams interested in middle infield help as well. Of course, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been scouring that market, adding Kiké Hernández and Amed Rosario from the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Guardians, respectively.

There are still a few options available. Morosi lists Tim Anderson (Chicago White Sox), Paul Dejong (St. Louis Cardinals), and Vidal Bruján (Tampa Bay Rays). Anderson and Dejong have frequently been mentioned as potential trade options for the Giants.

Anderson is in the midst of an awful season at the plate, slashing .241/.281/.283 (57 OPS+) with zero home runs, 17 RBI, and 34 runs in 335 plate appearances. This includes a 5.1 percent walk rate against a 20.6 percent strikeout rate.

Though, he has been better at the plate lately as he has a .366 batting average since the All-Star break. Nevertheless, there are some concerns with his walk rate, ground ball rate, and sprint speed. If the Giants were to trade for him, the return would have to be minimal.

On the other hand, Dejong is the most likely Cardinals infielder to be traded within the next week. He is not having a bad year, but there is a ceiling to how much of an impact he can make. The right-handed bat has posted a .720 OPS with 13 home runs in 292 plate appearances this year.

The seven-year veteran has posted a .305 on-base percentage in his career, so he does not reach base at a high rate. That said, his offensive profile would still be considered an upgrade with both Thairo Estrada and Brandon Crawford currently on the injured list. Dejong has a pair of team options for 2024 and 2025.

Lastly, trading for Vidal Bruján would be an interesting move. He has struggled to the tune of a .450 OPS across three seasons in the majors. Though, Bruján was considered a top prospect at one point and is only in his age-25 season.

Despite his subpar numbers against major league pitching, the switch-hitter has hit well in the minors, slashing .286/.370/.424 in eight minor-league seasons. Plus, the 25-year-old has experience at several positions, so he offers a lot of versatility. Both Anderson and Dejong have spent the bulk of their careers at shortstops.

Adding Bruján is the type of move that might not help the 2023 roster, but could pay dividends down the road. It is likely that the Giants would prefer someone like Dejong, who could help them out right away.

The trade deadline is less than a week away and the Giants are expected to be one of the more active teams on the market.