Matt Johnson
The San Francisco Giants made the first significant trade of the 2026 MLB season, dealing Gold Glove Award winner Patrick Bailey to the Cleveland Guardians. In a season where so much has already gone wrong, it appears other moves could be on the horizon.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the Giants “would love to unload” first baseman Rafael Devers, third baseman Matt Chapman, shortstop Willy Adames and outfielder Jung Hoo Lee. It would be part of an effort to “start over” and retool ahead of the 2026 MLB Draft.
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According to FanGraphs‘ payroll tracking, the Giants have the 11th-highest payroll in MLB at $230 million. Despite investing more than $200 million into the roster, San Francisco has the third-worst record in the National League (17-24) and the worst run differential in MLB (-42) through 41 games.
Will the Giants Be Sellers at MLB Trade Deadline?
If the Giants are going to make another move months out from the MLB trade deadline, the likeliest candidate to be dealt would be starting pitcher Robbie Ray. He’s on an expiring contract and it would seem probable that he’d walk in MLB free agency. Dealing him would also save money, as he’s still owed more than half of his $25 million salary this season.
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After that, things get murkier. Adames is under contract through 2031, his age-35 season, with an average annual value of $26 million. Given his defensive limitations and that he only has a .223/.304/.405 triple-slash line in his last 200 games, there would be a very thin market for him and San Francisco would likely need to cover a significant portion of the remainder of his
Trading Devers would at least open up first base for top prospect Bryce Eldridge and create a more viable path for Casey Schmitt to receive at-bats every game. However, he has compiled just a .237/.330/.438 triple-slash line since being traded to San Francisco.
Meanwhile, Chapman is under contract through 2030, when he’ll still be making $25.166 million per year as a 37-year-old third baseman. Lee, who has a .692 OPS this season, is owed $22 million annually over the next two seasons and then holds a player option for 2028.
In all likelihood, San Francisco won’t have much luck trading Devers, Lee, Adames, or Chapman, and a deal is even unlikelier because all four hitters are struggling at the plate. If the team continues to struggle, Ray, starting pitcher Tyler Mahle, and outfielder Harrison Bader are the likeliest trade candidates.
