SF Giants could win the trade deadline by selling high on lefty starter

SF Giants veteran starter Blake Snell has been dealing since he became fully healthy at the beginning of July. With the trade deadline right around the corner, the club could make a bold move by trading away Snell.

SF Giants could win the trade deadline by selling high on lefty starter

Now, I am fully aware that I am going to come off as crazy to trade a guy who is possibly the hottest pitcher in baseball at the moment. After all, Snell just hurled 6 shutout innings where he struck out a career-high 15 and walked 2. With the improved numbers lately, there is no shortage of interest in the two-time Cy Young winner.

On top of all of this, it has been a very up-and-down type of season for the left-handed pitcher. Not only has he dealt with a pair of stints on the injured list, he signed late into the spring, which only hurt things. On top of all of this, his 2-year, $62 Million deal includes an opt-out after 2024. It’s no guarantee that he returns to the Giants in the winter, especially if he continues pitching the way he has.

Another factor is the pitching-starved trade market. Even if the Giants were to somehow get hot, they are not going anywhere this season. With what Snell could offer to a hungry market with not much supply of quality pitching, the Giants can get a great haul of prospects. It feels like a seller's market and the Giants have some assets they could move.

A team like the Orioles would be a great trade partner with how deep their farm system is. This is a great way to set the team up better for next season. 

On the other hand, if Snell chooses to opt out it is going to be a gut punch. But it’s only a two-year deal, which means the Giants have a chance to re-sign him again after 2025. 

Now, if the Giants don’t decide to trade him they would be signaling that they are pushing the chips even more in for 2025 to win. They are also showing that they are willing to extend Snell to pair with Logan Webb at the top of the rotation. 

Of course, it’s going to hurt to trade away a guy who was the big fish prize of the winter. But with how much contending teams need pitching, it’s something that the Giants most certainly need to ponder.

It is also a tough decision to make with all these factors as a move like this could change the trajectory of the organization. Also, aces are hard to find these days. The addition of Snell would change the dynamic of any rotation. But sometimes you’re put in a rock and hard spot and both options suck. That might be where the Giants are at.