On the eve of the MLB trade deadline, Buster Olney and Jeff Passan of ESPN shared the latest rumblings they have been hearing from sources around the league. While the San Francisco Giants did not feature prominently in the story, Passan did acknowledge the front office is more open to selling their relievers than previously reported.
“Considering the number of teams that desire impact relief help — the Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, both New York teams and
the Los Angeles Dodgers — the ones that have it are understandably holding out for a strong return,” Passan wrote. “There are second- and third-tier relievers, sure, but there isn’t enough elite supply for the demand that exists. Which is why San Diego is dangling Robert Suarez, San Francisco is fielding calls on its back-end guys, and even the A’s could conceivably get an offer they can’t refuse for Mason Miller.”
It’s been speculated that the Giants could shift to selling some relievers given the team’s recent collapse in the standings, but Passan’s note that they are actively fielding calls signals a shift. President of baseball operations Buster Posey had previously signaled the team had no intentions of conceding on contention this season. While they could attempt to sell and buy in separate deals that would still be a clear downshift.
If the Giants end up opting to sell, right-handed relievers Tyler Rogers and Camilo Doval seem like the most likely candidates to be moved.
Rogers will be a free agent at the end of the season and has once again been one of the most consistent setup relievers in the league. He currently leads MLB in appearances (49) with 37 strikeouts, just four walks, and a 1.47 ERA (2.62 FIP) in 49 innings pitched. Rogers is an interesting free agent candidate. He has been one of the most consistent relievers in the league for several years and has a unique submarine delivery that puts much less strain on his arm than a traditional motion. However, he will also turn 35 in December.
If he were younger, the Giants would be in position to offer him a qualifying offer (likely around one-year, $22 million) to acquire some draft capital if he leaves, which would mean the team should have a higher asking price in a trade. At his age, though, it’s a much more difficult decision. If the Giants do not think a qualifying offer is in the card and are hesitant to pay him eight figures a season on a multi-year extension, a trade seems far more likely.
Doval, on the other hand, is controllable for two more seasons via arbitration. However, his track record as a closer has been much more up-and-down. Given his struggles with consistency alongside truly elite stretches of dominance, it’s easy to see why another team (maybe the Mets) could be tempted to offer an impressive package of players that gets a deal done.
The Giants have several other relievers who could entice contenders as well. All-Star Randy Rodríguez would be the crown jewel for any front office, although it seems impossible to imagine San Francisco parting with him. Ryan Walker and Joey Lucchesi both would be more attainable. Walker has regressed significantly since his breakout 2023 season, but is still cheap, controllable, and has sustained dominance in the past. Lucchesi has been surprisingly effective as a left-handed middle reliever since his mid-season call up and will be a free agent at the end of the season.
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