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Report: Giants open to trading Jeff Samardzija, Johnny Cueto

Johnny Cueto San Francisco 49ers

Even with a 38-61 mark and the second-worst record in baseball, the San Francisco Giants are not fully prepared to go into rebuild mode.

Instead, the team is looking at potentially trading off a few veteran assets while reloading during the winter. It’s in this that it shouldn’t be a surprise that starting pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Johnny Cueto are reportedly available on the trade market heading into next week’s deadline.

For his part, Cueto plans to opt out of his contract and become a free agent following the season. The 31-year-old former All-Star has indicated that he’s willing to re-sign with the Giants, but it’s not yet known whether the team feels the same way (more on that here).

He’s pitching to a 6-7 mark with a 4.59 ERA and 1.40 WHIP on the season. If these numbers stand, it would represent Cueto’s worst statistical performance since his rookie campaign back in 2008. Adding to the issues here, Cueto is currently on the disabled list with blisters on his right hand. Needless to say, San Francisco would have to sell low on Cueto if it were to move him.

Samardzija is in a bitter different of a situation. He has three years remaining on his deal at under $20 million per season. The 32-year-old righty has also struggled on the season to the tune of a 4-11 mark with a five-plus ERA.

These two players likely won’t net a huge return. But once the likes of Sonny Gray and Yu Darvish are either traded or taken off the block, expect interest to ramp up on San Francisco’s duo of available trade pieces.

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