SF Giants Injury Updates: IL stints could complicate team's trade deadline plans

The SF Giants got the second half started last night with a victory over the Seattle Mariners. The team also gave some updates on their injured players and it’s becoming pretty clear that the team’s injured players will impact what the plans are for the trade deadline.

Third baseman Matt Chapman is starting baseball activity in San Francisco but there is not a clear timetable for his return. Manager Tony Vitello said he does not expect a rehab stint for Chapman but even if he returns ahead of the August 3 trade deadline it’s hard to see him being dealt.

Even if he had been healthy and playing regularly it would be hard to get another team to take on his large contract in which he is owed over $100 million. While Chapman’s defense still provides value, his struggles at the plate make it hard to see a team be willing to take his contract on especially if his health is in question. That is why Luis Arraez is much more likely to be dealt.

Harrison Bader is continuing baseball work but he has not played in a game since late May. He seems like an obvious trade candidate since the Giants’ outfield is already pretty crowded as it is. 

Bader is similar to Chapman since he is an above average defender but his offensive numbers have been dreadful on the year as he’s hitting just .170/.198/.358 with five home runs and 14 runs batted in.

He is owed $10.25 million next season which seems like a lot so the Giants would likely have to pay some of his salary down in a deal but given how banged up he’s been it’s questionable if a team would be willing to roll the dice on him.

Even Victor Bericoto’s injury could impact the team’s deadline plans. He was looking like a guy who could replace Heliot Ramos if the Giants were to trade Ramos away but with Bericoto on the shelf the Giants might be less willing to part with Ramos.

Giants bullpen injuries could impact whether they add or sell relievers

Then there are some bullpen arms who are on the way back but still seem a ways off. Jose Butto is starting to throw more and more, Matt Gage is rehabbing, and Joel Peguero is scheduled to throw a bullpen.

Those reinforcements coming could give the Giants more confidence to trade away some of their bullpen arms, especially pending free agents like JT Brubaker and Sam Hentges.

We’ll see how the Giants choose to operate at the trade deadline, but their current injuries are going to make things harder and could prevent them from moving some of the players they’d like to move.

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