Ranking the top three potential SF Giants trade targets with local ties

The SF Giants have several needs to address this winter, especially on the pitching side. If they are not aggressive in free agency, they could pivot to targeting players with local ties on the trade market.

Ranking the top three potential SF Giants trade targets with local ties

There is a cost-benefit analysis that often comes with trades. If a trade candidate is on their rookie contract, then they are likely earning a below-market rate while generating surplus value. That makes them even more appealing to many teams. While a team might save on financial cost for a comparable player in free agency, the prospect capital can be steep.

This offseason, there will be quite a few trade candidates with local ties to Northern California. For these potential options, it is a chance to return to familiar territory. It also serves as a reminder that some of the best places for the Giants to scout are often in their own backyard.

1. Joe Ryan

The Giants drafted Joe Ryan in the 39th round of the 2014 draft out of Sir Francis Drake High School in San Anselmo, California. Not surprisingly, he did not sign but was later drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the seventh round of the 2018 draft.

Ryan earned $3 million in his first trip through arbitration in 2025. He has two years of arbitration remaining and will see a raise in each of those seasons. The right-handed hurler was an AL All-Star in 2025 while pitching to a 3.42 ERA in 31 outings for the Minnesota Twins.

The Twins look to be scaling back on payroll, and while Ryan is not expected to earn a prohibitive amount in 2026, this is a sign they could also be heading toward a rebuild. If so, the 29-year-old pitcher will become one of the most attractive names on the market.

From the Giants' standpoint, the cost to acquire him would be painful, as it would likely include one of their top prospects. Pairing Ryan with Logan Webb and Robbie Ray would give them a formidable front of the rotation.

2. Kris Bubic

If the Kansas City Royals trade from a strength, this could make Kris Bubic available. Bubic has one year of team control remaining after earning $3 million in 2025. He does not have the same track record as Ryan, but he was excellent in 2025 before finishing the year on the injured list with a rotator cuff strain.

Bubic might offer the most upside of any pitcher on the trade market, but he has not been the most durable arm either. He has never thrown more than 130 innings in a season.

In 2025, he pitched to a 2.55 ERA, 2.89 FIP, 1.17 WHIP, 9.0 K/9, and a 2.97 SO/W rate in 20 starts for Kansas City. The Royals will not trade Bubic at a discount, but given his injury history and contract, the cost will not be as steep as it would be to acquire Ryan.

The lefty pitcher has made four appearances against the Giants in his career, and tallied a 1.33 ERA across 20.1 innnings. I think Giants fans have already seen enough of him in the opposing dugout.

3. Steven Kwan

Steven Kwan does a lot of things well on the baseball field. Plus, he has elite bat-to-ball skills, which is a trait that the Giants' front office covets.

The Cleveland Guardians have a fairly predictable approach to trading players before they reach free agency. Oftentimes, they are traded with at least one year of team control remaining. This is done to get a good return. Kwan has two years of team control left, so there is a good chance that he will be moved within the next year.

The left-handed bat slashed .272/.330/.374 (99 wRC+) with 11 home runs, 56 RBI, and 81 runs in 693 plate appearances. This includes a 7.9 percent strikeout rate, 8.7 percent walk rate, and a .102 ISO. Admittedly, it was a down year for Kwan offensively, but he still earned his second All-Star nod. He has also been worth at least three Wins Above Replacement each season since he debuted in 2022.

The four-year veteran is a well-rounded player. He is an excellent defensive outfielder and runs the bases well. He finds ways to impact the game even when he is not hitting. On the other hand, the Giants had one of the worst outfield defenses in 2025, and they are likely to upgrade that area of the roster.

The Giants have the prospects to acquire Kwan. I do not think it will be nearly as prohibitive as it would be for Joe Ryan. That said, moving Jung Hoo Lee to one of the corners would likely replicate the value that Kwan provides. Of course, trading for Kwan and moving Lee to the other corner has the upside to turn the outfield defense around. That would open up a vacancy in center field.