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Ranking the top 3 SF Giants needs at the 2024 MLB trade deadline

By Kyle Foster |
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St. Louis Cardinals v San Francisco Giants / Andy Kuno/San Francisco Giants/GettyImages
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With a 36-42 overall record, the SF Giants are on the outside looking in at the playoff race. That said, they are just a winning streak away from getting back into the race. If they become buyers at the trade deadline, what are their top three needs?

Ranking the top 3 SF Giants needs at the 2024 MLB trade deadline

Spoiler alert, this team needs some help in a lot of places. With that being said, the July 30 trade deadline is the opportunity for the Giants to address some of those needs.

With that, there are 3 things that this team needs to get better immediately. 

1. Starting pitching help

There may be no other team in baseball that has had injuries hit their starting rotation more than the Giants. 

However, there could be many problems as they look to add to their pitching depth. The demand outweighs the available supply, meaning the Giants may have to give up some of their top prospects like Luis Matos, Marco Luciano, Carson Whisenhunt, or Bryce Eldridge to get a deal done for someone like Garret Crochet. 

Jesús Luzardo should also be available but he should be an expensive piece to get as well. His numbers are far better than what they look like this season. 

The Angels also figure to have Tyler Anderson available as well. The only issue is that a reunion with the Giants may not make the most sense. 

That leaves only a few other options to improve the rotation. There are former Giants Ross Stripling and Alex Wood. But considering the Giants let them go in the offseason, a reunion is a long shot. Granted, they will be cheaper to acquire than other options. 

The final viable option could be the Toronto Blue Jays' Yusei Kikuchi. He has been solid on a team that has struggled to get going all season. 

This comes down to price and how much capital in prospects it’ll take to improve it.

Los Angeles Angels v San Francisco Giants
Los Angeles Angels v San Francisco Giants / Lachlan Cunningham/GettyImages

Ranking the top 3 SF Giants needs at the 2024 MLB trade deadline

2. Infield help and flexibility 

This is a bit of a different need than in years past. Normally the Giants have a plethora of infielders but need help in the outfield. For some reason, it’s a different case this season.

Luckily, there are going to be a ton of options to address this need with most of the available players able to play a different position to help with defensive flexibility. 

There are also multiple tiers of players who will inevitably be way harder to acquire than others. These players are ones like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette who could both possibly be traded, which would be shocking. 

If I had to choose one infield position of need, it would be first base. The team would be much better if LaMonte Wade Jr. moved to the outfield full-time as the strong-side platoon guy in a corner outfield position. While moving Wade Jr. to the outfield is one option, it might be tough given the number of leg injuries he has sustained in recent seasons. 

So that leaves guys like Josh Bell who would be an under-the-radar impactful player who can play against everyone as a switch hitter while playing good defense. He is always a candidate to be traded and may be available for a reasonable price along with teammate Jake Burger who can play the corners. 

I also like the Angels' second baseman Brandon Drury. He can play first and third and has even played outfield in the past. He was the Angels’ second most productive player last season but has fought injuries all season. The Angels are open like it’s Disneyland on Christmas too so they should make a move to send him elsewhere. 

With a move or two to sure up the infield, the team shouldn’t have guys like David Villar playing and should also get more production in the lineup. 

San Francisco Giants v Chicago Cubs
San Francisco Giants v Chicago Cubs / Nuccio DiNuzzo/GettyImages

Ranking the top 3 SF Giants needs at the 2024 MLB trade deadline

3. Catching depth

Patrick Bailey has emerged as one of the better two-way catchers in baseball. Yet, he has still been injured over the past two seasons. The concussions are something that concerns me, too. 

However, this appears to be a very thin market at this time. The only options shouldn’t be all that hard to get either, which is good news. 

The Rockies have Elías Díaz who has been a fine catcher. He has hit enough to qualify as a good backup if needed to start. 

Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk are on the Blue Jays and both are capable of starting. They may move one of them for prospects. 

Curt Casali has been great to have back as a backup. But I’m a believer in carrying three quality catchers because it’s a position with a lot of wear and tear. On that same note, Bailey should also start taking the Buster Posey route and playing some first base to be in the lineup more often and stay healthier for longer. The bottom line is Bailey is a franchise cornerstone and the Giants need to treat him as such. 

With the trade deadline here, the Giants need to take the opportunity to get better. A playoff spot would be great but plugging holes will help make that a reality. 

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