Report: Giants looking to add starting pitcher, SS during deadline

Jul 25, 2023, 10:29 AM | Updated: 4:18 pm

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 20: Marcus Stroman #0 of the Chicago Cubs delivers a pitch during the seco...

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings Beat Writer

If you were hoping that the San Francisco Giants would be aggressive during next Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline, it’s looking like you’ll get your wish.

According to a former MLB front office executive and current baseball insider for The Athletic, San Francisco wants to add a “significant” starting pitcher and a shortstop to its roster for the final stretch.

In his MLB Trade Deadline Q & A that was published on Monday, Jim Bowden shared the following about the Giants’ plans to make a splash on August 1st:

[Farhan] Zaidi and his general manager, Pete Putila, are buying at this year’s deadline. The Giants have a legitimate shot at the division and a wild-card berth.

I’ve heard their priority is to acquire a significant starting pitcher and a shortstop. They are playing at the top of the starting pitching market, talking to all the teams (Mets, Cubs, Cardinals, and White Sox) who have made those types available. Expect a splash from the Giants’ front office.

The Athletic’s Jim Bowden – July 24, 2023

https://t.co/viS6iaio2q

— Jim Bowden⚾️🏈 (@JimBowdenGM) July 24, 2023

Trade Deadline Possibilities for the San Francisco Giants

Over the weekend, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported that San Francisco was “evaluating” New York Mets star pitcher Justin Verlander ahead of next week’s deadline.

Another starter that is expected to receive plenty of attention on the trade market is Chicago Cubs’ All-Star right-hander Marcus Stroman.

Stroman, a 32-year-old that is currently in the final year of his contract with Chicago (has a player option for $21 million in 2024), holds a 10-7 record with a 3.09 ERA and 105 strikeouts over 122.1 innings pitched.

While it remains to be seen if the Giants will have enough of a return to win the Stroman sweepstakes, expect San Francisco to be at the front of the line once the Cubs begin taking calls on the All-Star.

As for the shortstop market, the Chicago White Sox is reportedly open to trading impending free agent Tim Anderson during next week’s trade deadline.

Tim Anderson hits a beautiful double play to secure the win for the #whitesox & hand Atlanta their first loss at home since June 11th ‼️ pic.twitter.com/SlnHPmFm7Z

— Top Bunk Sports (@Topbunksports) July 16, 2023

Anderson, 30-year-old shortstop that has made two All-Star teams and won a batting title, is having a down-year at the plate in 2023 (.241 avg, 0 HR, 17 RBI over 76 games). If the White Sox sell low on Anderson, should the Giants attempt to acquire Anderson while Brandon Crawford and Thairo Estrada deal with injuries?

As Bowden also mentioned, San Francisco is at the top of the starting pitching market. Chicago also has starting pitchers Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn that are expected to be on the move.

While the trade deadline is just one week away, several teams are still deliberating their stance for the summer:

To sell, or to buy?

Bowden outlined what many of us already expected–for the San Francisco Giants to be buyers.

Following Monday’s loss to the Detroit Tigers, the Giants (54-47) have lost six-straight games and fallen to third place in the NL West standings, four games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers.

San Francisco also has seen its third and final spot in the NL Wild Card fall into a tie with the Philadelphia Phillies and Miami Marlins.

The Giants are buying this summer. Now, we must wait and see which teams fall further out of the MLB playoff picture over the next seven days and hit the ‘sell’ button.