Projecting SF Giants lineup if team has a (nearly) total fire sale at trade deadline

Despite what some fans may want, the SF Giants probably won’t have a fire sale ahead of the trade deadline. Unless the wheels fall off entirely, which is possible, attendance numbers are too good and the team’s big contracts are too big and complicated to offload that they may only trade away their soon-to-be free agents.

But let’s imagine a world in which the Giants do find trade partners who are willing to take Matt Chapman, Rafael Devers, and Willy Adames. Maybe the Giants get even crazier and deal Heliot Ramos along with Luis Arraez. Heck, might as well get rid of Harrison Bader too if they ditch all the veterans. That would create a number of holes in the lineup that the team would have to account for.

Let’s take a look at what that second half lineup could look like for the Giants if they did choose to take some big swings and sold hard at the deadline. It's at least an interesting thought experiment to see what the reality of a fire sale would be.

Transformed SF Giants lineup if team sold big

1. RF Jung Hoo Lee

Given the fact that Jung Hoo Lee is such a fan favorite and the fact that he’s currently having his best big league season, it’s hard to see the Giants trading him even though teams would be interested.

If Arraez was gone Lee would make sense as the team’s leadoff hitter even though he’s had a great year batting often as the No. 5 guy in the lineup.

2. 1B Bryce Eldridge 

Trading Devers would allow the Giants to make Bryce Eldridge the everyday first baseman. He’s already shown that he is strong enough of a hitter and gets on base enough via walk to bat near the top of the order. Maybe he could even bat leadoff if it becomes clear Lee just isn’t comfortable there. Manager Tony Vitello said he and the coaching staff have talked about that as a possibility for the tall slugger.

3. 3B Casey Schmitt

Chapman being gone allows Casey Schmitt to be the everyday third baseman. He’s proven he is a great defender there and the fact that his bat has come alive this year shows he’s worthy of batting in the heart of the order.

4. LF Victor Bericoto

Trading Ramos would open the door for Victor Bericoto to play a ton and he’s already proven he has a ton of raw power. Why not bat him cleanup and see if he can hit a bunch of homers?

5. C Daniel Susac

While Susac is currently on the IL, he should be back at some point and while he’s slumped at the plate recently he’d probably be the team’s best option for the No. 5 spot in the order if the team’s thump got traded away.

6. DH Jesus Rodriguez

Since Jesus Rodriguez is not particularly strong defensively at any of the positions he plays, he seems like a logical guy to put in the DH spot where he can just focus on being the solid contact hitter he’s proven he can be in the minors.

7. CF Drew Gilbert/Jonah Cox

This is where things get pretty dicey. They Giants would probably employ a platoon in center field with Drew Gilbert and Jonah Cox if Bader and Ramos were traded and neither has been all that impressive offensively but they are at least both capable defensively in center.

8. SS Christian Koss

Getting rid of Adames would open the door for Koss to play shortstop. He showed last year he can be a nifty player since he’s solid defensively and can get hot with the bat.

9. 2B Nate Furman

If the Giants got rid of their entire starting infield that means someone would have to be called up from the minors. Nate Furman seems like a good candidate since he’s hit well in Triple-A and is a solid contact bat.

This lineup doesn’t exactly scream memory-making business which is why the Giants may hold off on a rebuild, but if Buster Posey simply can’t stand the product on the field and decides to tear it all down then this could be what the Giants are stuck with.

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