Trade Deadline: 6 Pitchers Who Can Save The Giants Bullpen
The Aug. 1 MLB trade deadline is fast approaching and after a 2-8 stretch since the All-Star break, the San Francisco Giants are looking for some pitching help.
It's been no secret the Giants are interested in pitchers, the team ERA since June 21 is 4.60 (it was 3.38 until then) and their record was 15-14 in that span.
While Samardzija hasn't pitched like he did the first couple months into the season and Matt Cain and Jake Peavy have been up and down, the Giants biggest weakness is actually the bullpen. A 3.92 bullpen ERA puts them ninth in the NL, while their starting pitchers have the NL's fourth-best ERA (3.73).
Plus, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN tweeted this Wednesday:
It appears the Giants need relief pitching, but are also aware of their shaky end of the rotation with Cain and Peavy - they want some insurance, too.
So, let's get into it. If there are pitchers the Giants are pursuing - starter or reliever - here are six trade candidates from around the league that can help turn this pitching staff around:
6. Andrew Miller - RP, New York Yankees
Let's get this one out of the way first. Yes, Miller is a really good pitcher. Yes, he would fit in perfectly at AT&T Park (or any park, for that matter). Yes, he is for sale. And, no the Giants are not going to trade for him - at least that's what it looks like.
The Giants saw what the Yankees got for Aroldis Chapman from the Cubs and that asking price could be higher for Miller. The Giants see a window to win another World Series this year, but aren't willing to trade their top prospects for a year and a half rental for a relief pitcher. Keep dreaming, Giants fans.
5. Luke Hochevar - SP/RP, Kansas City Royals
Crasnick is on this one again:
Hochevar is an interesting trade target and I can see the Giants pulling the trigger on the starter-turned-reliever. He is 32 years old, but in his ninth season, his ERA is a tame 3.86, but he did put up a 2.79 ERA in about 10 innings in June.
Is he going to completely blow guys away? Probably not, but he's a decent reliever who has the ability to start a game if needed.
4. Andrew Cashner - SP/RP, San Diego Padres
Cashner has been a Giants killer. The Giants don't want to face anymore Giants killers.
Simple solution: Giants trade for Cashner.
The Giants would put the former reliever in the bullpen assuming Cain and Peavy are healthy, but reports have said Cashner wants to remain a starter. If the Giants trade for him, would they be able to convert him back to relief, or will it be an issue?
The 29-year-old has an unimpressive 4.76 ERA in 16 starts this year, but he's only a couple years removed from his 2013-2014 stretch of 2.87 ERA spanning 45 starts.
3. Huston Street - RP, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
This would be the most Giants-y trade of the year, however, a 32-year-old Street is not the same as the 30-year-old Street.
He's had a rough season in Southern California, putting up a 4.79 ERA after posting just 3.10 in 2015 and 1.37 in 2014. He's a 12-year veteran who has the ability to close games - the Giants may just want to buy low.
The biggest problem is his contract. He's owed $9 million next season and if he can't rebound from this season's first half slump, the Giants may have to cough up the money for a buyout. However, if he turns his pitching around, the Giants would be getting a bargain.
2. Jeremy Jeffress - RP, Milwaukee Brewers
Ah, now we are getting somewhere. Jeffress has been a tremendously talented reliever for the Brewers and the Toronto Blue Jays over the past few years. This season he's thrown 41.1 innings and has kept his ERA to a low 2.18.
His price will be heavy - he's under team control until 2020 and has been one of the best relievers in the NL this season. If the Giants want to invest in a guy in his prime, but won't be in the top tier with Miller, Jeffress is their guy.
1. Will Smith - RP/FP (Fresh Prince), Milwaukee Brewers
Smith is a cheaper, younger option to Jeffress. His numbers aren't as good this season (3.72 ERA, 19.1 IP) but he's only 27 year old, throws left-handed, and can strike people out.
He's averaged more than 11 strikeouts per 9 innings for the past three seasons and has a pretty cool name. I'm already looking forward to the Fresh Prince of Bel Air jokes in the advertisements and fans buying flat top wigs on the concourse of AT&T.
Make it happen, Bobby Evans.
