The MLB draft and All-Star festivities are over and we San Francisco Giants fans don’t have much to look forward to other than the looming trade deadline.
Of course, the Giants should be one of the busiest teams during the next couple of weeks as they sell away the bitter memories of lost season. Depending on who you believe, we could see a massive fire sale with most of the current 26-man roster available if the price is right. So, it could get wild as San Francisco has a chance to add some real
firepower to an already much improved farm system. Yes, reading updated top 30 prospect lists has become much more enjoyable than scouring the MLB standings.
Still, there are some veteran players I’d like to see the Gaints resist dealing. Lets take a look:
Luis Arráez
I was excited when Arráez mentioned last week that he’d like to stay with the Giants. I’ve been screaming for weeks that Buster Posey needs to extend him, not trade him. Arráez is the type of player who the Giants can easily build around in the next half decade. He likely won’t be unbearable to absorb financially and he is just 29 years old. He is such a special player with the bat and his drastic defensive improvement shows he is still an ascending player who cares. You keep these types of players. Also, I wouldn’t expect another team to part with a top prospect for a non-power hitting middle infielder on an expiring contract. Just sign him now and move forward.
Jung Hoo Lee
The Lee rumors ramped up when ESPN recently included him as one of the more likely players to be dealt at the deadline. I have my doubts the Giants will actively shop him and that’s my hope. He was signed two years ago to be a core player and after some growing pains in MLB and some injuries, that’s exactly what he has become. At 27, Lee has a chance to be a premier hitter for the next several years. Now that he is the player tge Giants envisioned him becoming when the signed him out of KBO. Why would they cut bait now? He and Arraez give the Giants some serious OBP juice. Why mess with that? Let’s see this guy become an all-time San Francisco Giant.
Rafael Devers
Look, I’m as disappointed in the outcome of his trade last year as you are and his body language drives me nuts. But let’s just move on with Devers. Let’s face it; the Giants won’t get much if they give up on Devers either in player return and financial burden relieved. So, they might as well just embrace having him and move forward. Yes, he hasn’t been as good as advertised and he’s been frustratingly streaky in his 13 months as a Giant. But, there is no denying the guy can hit and he will hit for the next decade. Let’s bookend him with Bryce Eldridge for the next several years and enjoy it. Let’s forgive the shortcomings and just hope breaks the streakiness and rakes regularly like he can.
