Which SF Giants veteran left-handed bat is more likely to be traded?

There is reporting out there that the SF Giants are open to trading two veterans on their team. Both LaMonte Wade Jr. and Mike Yastrzemski could be made available in trade talks. Which one is more likely to be traded this offseason?

These two veteran left-handed bats have endeared themselves to Giants fans over the years. Both are Willie Mac Award winners and have had memorable moments in orange and black over the last 5 years. It would not be easy to say goodbye to either of them, but the Giants may have to in the name of improving the team going forward.

Is LaMonte Wade Jr. or Mike Yastrzemski more likely to be traded by SF Giants

Both have key strengths. Yastrzemski is a very solid defender and can get hot at the plate. He hit 18 home runs last season and he is a very good baserunner, seemingly always doing the little things right. Wade is an incredibly patient hitter who draws a lot of walks. He plays decent defense at first and we all know he is good for a clutch hit when the night gets late.

Yet, both have their drawbacks as well. Both have dealt with injuries in recent years and are not particularly quick. Yastrzemski can go ice cold at the plate and struggles with consistency while Wade’s power numbers have fallen off a bit. These weaknesses mean the Giants could try and upgrade at right field, first base, or both positions this offseason.

However, let’s try to determine which player is more likely to be dealt. As of right now, I would say that Wade is the more likely of the two to be traded. First base seems like more of a weakness for the Giants with Wade not having the normal profile for a first baseman. You typically expect your first baseman to provide some pop and Wade has not had a ton of power in his bat as of late, only hitting 8 homers in 2024. Plus, he did miss a good amount of time in 2024, playing in only 117 games. 

Trading Wade and potentially cutting or trading Wilmer Flores would allow the Giants to start fresh at first base. They could sign a veteran like Paul Goldschmidt to a short-term deal with some flexibility to allow top prospect Bryce Eldridge to take over at first if he flourishes in the big leagues.

Meanwhile, an upgrade over Yastrzemski seems less clear. Obviously, if the Giants signed Juan Soto as their right fielder that would be a clear upgrade. But that does not exactly seem to be in the cards right now. Other options out there in free agency include Anthony Santander and Teoscar Hernandez, but we know historically how difficult it is to lure big bats out to Oracle Park. 

Yastrzemski would be a perfectly fine right fielder for the Giants in 2025 and could allow them to try out some younger players like Luis Matos or potentially Marco Luciano in right field if he is injured or if they are out of the hunt by the end of the season.

There is no guarantee that either Wade or Yastrzemski are going to be dealt this offseason. But, it does seem more likely that Wade would be traded at this point in the offseason.