This SF Giants trade idea would send fan favorite to the Boston Red Sox

It has been reported that the SF Giants are open to trading their fan favorite outfielder Mike Yastrzemski. If they do, it would seem natural to trade him to the Boston Red Sox.

Mike Yastrzemski’s grandfather, Carl, was a legendary left fielder for Boston over the course of his illustrious career. The younger Yastrzemski has had to play in his grandfather’s shadow his entire career, but he has still carved himself out a role as a valuable big league player.

This SF Giants trade idea would send fan favorite to the Boston Red Sox

While Giants fans will still take umbrage with Yastrzemski’s inconsistency at the plate, he has still been a valuable player for the Giants if you take into account his entire game. Last season he hit decently slashing .231/.302/.437 with 18 home runs and 57 RBI in 428 at-bats. But he was nominated for a Gold Glove for his efforts in right field and has great instincts on the base paths. Yastrzemski is a player that does the small things right and plays the game hard which will not make him a superstar but it will make him a valuable member of any big league club.

If the Giants were to trade him, they would have to get a valuable piece in return. The Red Sox would make a good trading partner because they have some intriguing pitchers on their roster. One high risk high reward option would be Lucas Giolito. 

The right-handed Giolito missed all of 2024 due to injury as he was recovering from elbow surgery. He does appear to be on track to be ready for Opening Day 2025 though.

He has had some solid years in the past with the Chicago White Sox where he was an All-Star in 2019. In his last full season in 2023, he had a good year going with the White Sox with a 3.79 ERA in 21 starts but after he got traded to the Los Angeles Angels he struggled mightily to the tune of a 6.89 ERA and was let go.

These are not the most inspiring numbers, but Giolito is still just 30 years old so he has time to turn things around in his career. A fresh start in San Francisco could give him that chance to get back to being the pitcher he once was.

Giving up Yastrzemski would hurt, but it may be necessary as the Giants try to bolster their pitching staff. Plus, it would give Yastrzemski a chance to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps in Boston.