In early May, it appeared like the San Francisco Giants would need to be sellers at the MLB trade deadline. Now that San Francisco is turning things around and surging up the MLB standings, it’s time to examine potential trade targets who can help this club compete for a playoff spot.
San Francisco has just looked different as of late. Since May 12, the Giants lineup leads MLB in runs scored (92) and only trails the New York Yankees in OPS (.793). All of this is being done despite the team ranking 16th in ERA (4.03), with a bullpen (3.78 ERA) and starting rotation (4.57 ERA) that both have room to improve.
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Let’s dive into our Giants trade targets heading into June.
Jesus Luzardo, starting pitcher, Miami Marlins
Blake Snell (10.42 ERA, .318 BAA and 2.00 WHIP) has been disastrous in the San Francisco Giants rotation, Jordan Wicks (58 IP) has never thrown more than 78 innings in a major-league season and Alex Cobb (shoulder) keeps suffering injury setbacks. In short, the Giants’ rotation needs help.
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Jesus Luzardo, who is under team control through 2026, is a high-end option for San Francisco. Only 26 years old, the southpaw is a lot better than his 4.14 ERA would indicate. Luzardo’s .214 batting average allowed and 25.3 percent strikeout rate are more reflective of a front-line starter. Assuming Snell returns to form, San Francisco would have three lefties with electric stuff in its starting rotation for years to come.
Bo Bichette, shortstop, Toronto Blue Jays
Brett Wisely, a former 15th-round pick, has been drawing the starts in the Giants lineup at shortstop as of late. It’s part of the reason why San Francisco is nearing June with its shortstops ranking 17th in FanGraphs’ Wins Above Replacement (1.0) and 18th in wRC+ (96).
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After a slow start to the season, Bo Bichette is now responsible for a .291/.330/.442 slash line in May with 12 RBI and a .772 OPS. He’s also shown a consistent ability to put the ball in play, lowering his strikeout rate to 13.2 percent this month. Only 26 years old, Bichette is a two-time All-Star selection who would provide San Francisco with a little more star power to boost run production and put more fans in seats. Plus, the Giants would have him under team control through 2025 and could pursue an extension with him if they land him.
Jazz Chisholm Jr, outfielder, Miami Marlins
Both Jesus Luzardo and Jazz Chisholm Jr make our list of Giants trade targets, however, they don’t have the farm system to acquire both. if Farhan Zaidi determines improving the lineup is more important, especially in light of the season-ending injury to Jung Hoo Lee, then Chisholm should be the priority.
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Like Bichette, Chisholm got off to a slow start this season with a .239/.331/.334 slash line entering May. Over the last month, the Miami Marlins outfielder sports a .286/.342/.552 slash line with a 150 wRC+ 6 home runs, 6 doubles and 2 triples in 114 plate appearances. Chisholm, who is arbitration-eligible through 2026, could play center field or shortstop for San Francisco.
Dylan Floro, relief pitcher, Washington Nationals
Pretty much every team that is trying to contend could use an upgrade in the bullpen. The Giants bullpen is receiving outstanding production from Ryan Walker (2.25 ERA), Tyler Rogers (0.36 BB/9), Camilo Doval (2.78 ERA) and Taylor Rogers (3.20 ERA). Of course, you can never have enough depth.
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Washington Nationals veteran reliever Dylan Floro is exactly that. He would only be a half-season rental, but the 33-year-old has been brilliant out of the pen this year for Washington. He sports a 1.03 ERA in 26.1 innings pitched, holding opponents to a .208 batting average with a 7.7 percent walk rate and 0 home runs allowed to 104 batters faced. He would be a relatively cheap reliever to acquire and would just provide Bob Melvin with another reliable arm in the bullpen.