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Would the SF Giants consider trading from their bullpen to address rotation?

Or are their bullpen arms just too valuable?
ByNick San Miguel|
Jun 1, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Randy Rodriguez (73) throws a pitch against the New York Yankees during the ninth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
Jun 1, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Randy Rodriguez (73) throws a pitch against the New York Yankees during the ninth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images | Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

The SF Giants have a number of needs going into the July 31st trade deadline, but starting pitching seems to be the most obvious one. Would the Giants consider trading away one of their elite late-innings relievers for a rotation arm?

The Giants have several bullpen arms that contending teams would find attractive. All-Star Randy Rodríguez may be the most attractive of the bunch with his 0.84 ERA in 42 and 2/3 innings pitched. Once the best-kept secret in MLB, he is now firmly on other teams' radar.

SF Giants could consider trading from their bullpen depth for rotation arm

Tyler Rogers remains one of the most underrated relievers in baseball and was snubbed from the All-Star Game. He has a 1.54 ERA on the year in 46 and 2/3 innings and would certainly benefit a contending team in need of a reliable 8th inning man.

Camilo Doval has pitched very well and reclaimed the closer role thanks to the struggles of Ryan Walker. He has looked to be the Doval of old for most of this season. He sports a 2.95 ERA on the year in 42 and 2/3 innings pitched and has converted 15 of 19 save opportunities. Teams looking for a closer would certainly love to have Doval for the 9th inning.

The ideal situation for a trade like this would be a contending team that has solid starting pitchers but is in need of bullpen help. Look no further than the Philadelphia Phillies who are desperate for bullpen help yet have a number of solid starters.

Perhaps trading Doval or Rodríguez in exchange for Jesus Luzardo, a left-handed starter in Philadelphia who has a 4.29 ERA on the season would be a trade that both sides view as beneficial. Maybe San Francisco could even throw Justin Verlander in the deal so the Phillies had a replacement in their rotation and the Giants could get him off their hands.

Of course, San Francisco would have to weigh whether giving up one of their best bullpen arms would be worth it for a mid-level rotation arm. Their bullpen has been a strength all year and is one of the main reasons they are still alive in the National League Wild Card race.

Yet, we have seen in recent years how volatile bullpen arms can be. Camilo Doval was an All-Star in 2023 and then was demoted to Triple-A at one point in 2024. Ryan Walker looked like one of the most elite arms in the game last year and has looked like a shell of himself in 2025.

Maybe selling high on someone like Rodríguez would not be the craziest thing if they feel he could regress in the future.

On the flip side, we also know president of baseball operations Buster Posey was part of all three championship teams last decade and saw with his own eyes how a consistent bullpen with the Core Four at its heart could be a key factor in all of those titles. Bullpen continuity could be something he prizes.

These are not easy decisions, but trading from the bullpen could be one of the better ways for the Giants to try and strengthen their rotation even though it would come at an obvious price.

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