2019 MLB Trade Deadline

Randolphkeys said:

Of course the most attractive assets the Giants have are the MLB tested pitchers. Even a guy like Samardzija could be an asset if the Indians can convince the Giants to swallow most of the money owed on that bad contract.

For hitting, I'm sure they would attach Pablo Sandoval to a pitcher as a utility infielder and DH. The oft-injured Joe Panik is probably a available as defensive and offensive depth for an infield. Young OF Austin Slater changed his swing in the past year and has been on a tear since being promoted from the minors.

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I wouldn’t call any of those guys upgrades over what the Indians already have at those spots

Derek said:

I wouldn’t call any of those guys upgrades over what the Indians already have at those spots

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The conversation keeps steering toward position players, but I believe the mutual interest would be around a reliever or inning eater at pitcher with a possible corner player/DH bat as the sweetener. Obviously the Tribe thought Hanley Ramirez still had gas in the tank, but has underperformed.

Randolphkeys said:

The conversation keeps steering toward position players, but I believe the mutual interest would be around a reliever or inning eater at pitcher with a possible corner player/DH bat as the sweetener. Obviously the Tribe thought Hanley Ramirez still had gas in the tank, but has underperformed.

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I don’t think the Indians would have any interest in a starter, but yes, a reliever and a hitter would be nice. I just don’t think the Giants have anybody to offer us.

Hanley Ramirez got released in May.

Randolphkeys said:

Of course the most attractive assets the Giants have are the MLB tested pitchers. Even a guy like Samardzija could be an asset if the Indians can convince the Giants to swallow most of the money owed on that bad contract.

For hitting, I'm sure they would attach Pablo Sandoval to a pitcher as a utility infielder and DH. The oft-injured Joe Panik is probably a available as defensive and offensive depth for an infield. Young OF Austin Slater changed his swing in the past year and has been on a tear since being promoted from the minors.

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All you guys do understand that players coming in mean players have to sit or leave or both - correct?

Sandavol plays great hen Bauers or Jose go down

Panik for Kipnis ... you are kidding correct?

Derek said:

I don’t think the Indians would have any interest in a starter, but yes, a reliever and a hitter would be nice. I just don’t think the Giants have anybody to offer us.

Hanley Ramirez got released in May.

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I'm aware, I follow the team. Do you really feel the position he was supposed to cover - namely DH and first/third depth was adequately replaced? I really like Freeman as a utility guy, but they could use some pop. How you feel about Pablo and Slater is subjective, I think they could contribute to a team trying to push into the post-season.

All that said, we agree the meat of the deal would be one of those relievers. Bring home Will Smith.

As for Mr. Hamill, we post in English here, sir. We Also don't communicate in strawman arguments. Please rephrase if you want a response and I will return in kind.

Randolphkeys said:

I'm aware, I follow the team. Do you really feel the position he was supposed to cover - namely DH and first/third depth was adequately replaced? I really like Freeman as a utility guy, but they could use some pop. How you feel about Pablo and Slater is subjective, I think they could contribute to a team trying to push into the post-season.

All that said, we agree the meat of the deal would be one of those relievers. Bring home Will Smith.

As for Mr. Hamill, we post in English here, sir. We Also don't communicate in strawman arguments. Please rephrase if you want a response and I will return in kind.

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Sorry, your phrasing made it seem like you thought Hanley was currently playing for the team.

Freeman has only been playing once per week, so I don’t really care about replacing him.

I am pro-adding a hitter. I said as much in my previous post. I just don’t think Sandoval or Slater are worth acquiring.

I'm with @Derek on this one. The only players who are even competent at the plate right now that the Giants would move are Sandoval, Longoria and Belt. Unfortunately, none of them are upgrades over someone like Jake Bauers. I don't trust Sandoval's current season. He hasn't hit this well since 2011, and sucked last time he was in the AL.

I'm all for finding a bat. I just don't think the Giants are the provider.

I think our need for a reliever is a bit overblown. We have a very, very good bullpen. I think Salazar might actually be a sneaky contributor to our pen come playoff time. And heck, since you're only starting 4 pitchers anyways, expect to see some of our starting pitching talent come out of the pen for the playoffs as well.

I just wish Hentges was being groomed as a reliever this year... I really thought this would be the season he could come up and earn a spot in the pen. Here's to wishing for he and Karinchak next year.

I'll just leave this here:


I'm a casual baseball fan, and less plugged in than I am with football and basketball. I do know that the Giants are going to be sellers who just want some minor league depth, and their offense has been one of the hottest in baseball the past month. If @AZ_ is correct that the Tribe don't plan on going after any big fish at the deadline, I think taking a shot at a position player on a hot streak for cheap isn't the worst idea. Pablo is cheap because he isn't in the future plans, but seems to have pulled his career out of the tailspin of Boston. For cheap, he would intrigue me in a playoff push. And as mentioned, the real targets on the Giants would be Smith, Dyson or Melancon if the Giants agree to eat some of his salary in the deal.

I think it's legit to ask: who are we replacing here? in connection with any suggested trade for a position player. Bauers? Luplow? Naquin? Jose? Kipnis?

Bauers and Jose are finally hitting, Naquin is raking and Luplow kills left handers. Sure we could replace Kipnis but that won't sit well in the clubhouse IMO.

daddywags said:

I think it's legit to ask: who are we replacing here? in connection with any suggested trade for a position player. Bauers? Luplow? Naquin? Jose? Kipnis?

Bauers and Jose are finally hitting, Naquin is raking and Luplow kills left handers. Sure we could replace Kipnis but that won't sit well in the clubhouse IMO.

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The vacant DH spot.

Someone had a post earlier about our position flexibility. Find the best bat, because we have lots of guys who cover multiple positions.

Out of the Rafters at the Q said:

The vacant DH spot.

Someone had a post earlier about our position flexibility. Find the best bat, because we have lots of guys who cover multiple positions.

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Agree with that, but if we bring in a bat we have to send out (or down) a bat unless Tito's williing to shorten the bullpen. I'm just asking who draws that short straw.

daddywags said:

Agree with that, but if we bring in a bat we have to send out (or down) a bat unless Tito's williing to shorten the bullpen. I'm just asking who draws that short straw.

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So suddenly Plesac is a critical member of the team?

I'd happily see a legit setup man and Sandoval come in for that iffy last spot and a guy like Luplow optioned for a mid-level 18 year old who is three years away like George Valera.

Randolphkeys said:

So suddenly Plesac is a critical member of the team?

I'd happily see a legit setup man and Sandoval come in for that iffy last spot and a guy like Luplow optioned for a mid-level 18 year old who is three years away like George Valera.

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We need 5 guys to start every 5th day. So right now that's Beiber, Bauer, Clev, and, well, Plesac makes 4. He can't go anyplace unless he's replaced by a starting pitcher. And I don’t get what you're saying about Valera. You want to trade him now? I don't think that would be very popular around here.

daddywags said:

Agree with that, but if we bring in a bat we have to send out (or down) a bat unless Tito's williing to shorten the bullpen. I'm just asking who draws that short straw.

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I have no problem sending one of the bullpen arms down, or sending Greg Allen back down. But here's the roster I guess:

C: Perez
1B: Santana
2B: Kipnis
3B: Jose
SS: Frankie
RF: Naquin
CF: Mercado
LF: Bauers
DH: ???
Bench: Plawecki, Freeman, Luplow, Allen

SP: Bauer, Bieber, Clevinger, Plesac, Plutko
RP: Hand, Cimber, Perez, Clippard, Wittgren, Cole, Olson, Goody

Eventually you bring Kluber back and we never have to see Plutko again. I don't think you can count on Cookie pitching this year, but who knows. If Salazar comes back, I hope to god it's in the bullpen and not as a starter.

I think we eventually shorten the pen to 7 arms. It bumps back to 8 in the playoffs because you're only using 4 starters.

Randolphkeys said:

So suddenly Plesac is a critical member of the team?

I'd happily see a legit setup man and Sandoval come in for that iffy last spot and a guy like Luplow optioned for a mid-level 18 year old who is three years away like George Valera.

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I mean, Plesac's our fourth starter right now. That's a pretty critical role. With Kluber, Cookie, Salazar, McKenzie, Jefry etc all down our starting pitching depth is shaky.

I don't think there's any market for Jordan Luplow, and if there were, a lefty specialist OF like him probably has more value to us than to anyone else right now. He's your new and improved Guyer. Embrace him.

Even if there were a market for a guy like Luplow, no organization would move a top prospect like Valera for him.

If you want to bring in a bullpen arm and a bat, I don't think many people would disagree with you. It just depends what the price is, and how long they're signed for. I want to maximize our 3-year window (this year through 2021) moreso than buying marginal upgrades who are only signed for this season.

If there aren't any better options, I guess I'm fine bringing in a veteran like Sandoval to DH this season... but at that point, I'd rather just let Bobby Bradley try and find his way at the major league level. If his contract weren't atrocious, I'd be interested in kicking Longoria's tires.

People keep bringing up the Giants bullpen, but Dyson/Smith/Watson are the only guys pitching well this year that might be available. I'm sure Will Smith will be one of the most in-demand relievers this deadline, and I'm not really willing to pay his price in prospects. As for Dyson/Watson? Sure. But I doubt they'd come cheap.

Okay so I guess you're suggesting sending Allen down and bringing in a legit DH type (preferably RH). That's a valid option. I think it makes Bauers-Luplow into a platoon because Luplow's OPS vs lefties is 1.080. I wouldn't do it, but I think that's a valid option depending on the target and the price. Thanks for the response.