SF Giants: Internal options who make more sense than trading for a player

2. Relief pitching

When it comes to relief pitching, the market is going to be full of names at this year's trade deadline. The Kansas City Royals have already made it known that Scott Barlow and/or Aroldis Chapman are available, while the Chicago White Sox may be looking to ship Reynaldo López and/or Keynan Middleton.

While there are sure to be names that interest the Giants here as well, let's keep the options in-house, because there are some seriously solid pitchers down in the minors that could be big league contributors as soon as this season.

Chris Wright, 24, is another impact left-hander who has quietly been building a case for a big-league roster spot for quite some time now. After posting an ERA of 1.00 in 37 games in 2021 (yes, you read that right), he had a 3.86 ERA in 41 outings last year and currently sports an ERA of 3.81 through 20 appearances this year. He is a high-strikeout pitcher who rarely ever allows home runs or hard contact, so he is certainly one to keep an eye on instead of an overpriced rental.

Elsewhere in the system, Erik Miller, yet another lefty, is doing everything in his power to earn a callup himself. In 23 appearances this season, he has a minuscule 1.69 ERA with 45 strikeouts in just 32 innings. He, like Harrison and Wright before him, rarely ever allows home runs, and actually has yet to surrender one this season. You won't find Miller's name anywhere on top prospect lists, but he's quietly been one of the most dominant relief arms in the Giants' minor league system.

Balancing things out with our first right-handed pitcher, Nick Avila has put up some incredible numbers over the past two seasons. After allowing just seven earned runs in 47 games last year (1.14 ERA), he began this year in Triple-A Sacramento and has continued to be a dominant presence. In 35.1 innings and 26 outings, Avila has a 3.57 ERA and has done an efficient job at limiting baserunners in his outings.