By admin 
If the Giants play their cards right, they could end up with one of the best farm systems in baseball by the end of the summer.
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San Francisco used its first two picks last week to beef up its pitching depth. With the fourth overall selection, the Giants selected Pleasanton native Jackson Flora, the best pitching prospect in this year’s draft. At No. 29 they picked left-hander Carson Bolemon, the draft’s highest-rated prep pitcher. The most recognizable name, however, was Barry Bonds’ nephew (and Bobby Bonds’ grandson), who was taken in the third round.
Last year’s trade deadline haul has started to bear fruit. Drew Gilbert is a solid backup outfielder who hits righties well and can play all around the diamond. Rookie Jesús Rodríguez needs refinement as a catcher, but is a defensive Swiss Army Knife with a knack for hitting. Parks Harber is an intriguing prospect who has hit at every level and could earn a cup of coffee by year’s end.
The Giants have the third-worst record in the National League and should be sellers at the Aug. 3 trade deadline. San Francisco’s present outlook might be bleak, but president of baseball operations Buster Posey and general manager Zack Minasian have an opportunity to make the best of a bad situation.
With 66 games left to play, here are the names to monitor ahead of the trade deadline:
Luis Arraez
The Giants couldn’t have asked more from Arraez after signing him to a one-year, $12 million deal. The three-time batting champion ranks second in the majors in batting average. He’s on pace to set career highs in doubles and steals. And, to the surprise of the baseball industry, he’s been one of the best defenders in baseball.
For all those reasons, Arraez earned his fourth career All-Star selection. That’s also why there won’t be a shortage of teams vying for Arraez’s services at this year’s deadline.
Arraez recently told The San Francisco Standard that he’s open to signing an extension, but with numerous long-term contracts already on the Giants’ books, a trade is the likelier proposition. If a bidding war emerges for Arraez, the Giants could wind up with another compelling prospect to add to their farm system.
Robbie Ray
It’s been an odd season for the veteran left-hander. Ray’s 3.38 ERA would be his lowest in a single season since he won the Cy Young Award in 2021, but run prevention alone doesn’t tell the story of his season.
Here’s a quick breakdown of Ray’s season:
- First six appearances: 2.70 ERA, 4.21 FIP
- Next eight: 5.85 ERA, 6.13 FIP
- Last five: 1.08 ERA, 3.49 FIP
Ray has evolved as a pitcher this season, cutting down his four-seam fastball usage while increasing his sinker usage. In April, he threw 278 four-seamers to just one two-seamer. In July, he’s thrown 53 sinkers to 24 four-seamers.
Despite these changes, Ray has seen his strikeout rate plummet (24.6% to 20.3%) and his walk rate spike (9.7% to 11.7%). His stuff is trending down, too. Still, Ray should command some interest given his experience, as well as the fact that no contender is ever satisfied with their pitching.
Heliot Ramos
The Giants have no pressing need to trade Ramos. The 2024 All-Star is having a solid season despite missing a month due to injury (.779 OPS), and he’s 26, and entering just his first year of arbitration.
Ramos’ above-average bat combined with his years of team control are why San Francisco will likely keep him. His above-average bat and years of team control are also reasons why he’d be an attractive player for other contenders.
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San Francisco’s need for more pitching is more pressing than its need for offense from a corner outfielder. Perhaps a team like the Seattle Mariners or Philadelphia Phillies would be willing to part with pitching to acquire Ramos’ talents.
The presence of Victor Bericoto doesn’t by any means make Ramos dispensable , but Bericoto is intriguing enough to demand more run. Ramos will likely remain in San Francisco after the deadline, but the Giants should at least entertain any calls.
Jung Hoo Lee
Lee is in the midst of his best offensive season as a Giant, posting career-highs in batting average (.302), slugging percentage (.429) and OPS+ (116). Lee, though, has yet to really live up to the six-year, $113 million contract he signed ahead of the 2024 season.
The 27-year-old’s value derives mainly from his bat, which still hasn’t been able to provide a ton of pop. He should set a career high in steals yet isn’t an aggressive basestealer, and his defense still hasn’t graded out well even after transitioning from center to right.
Tyler Mahle
Mahle’s first season with the Giants has been awful. He’s got a 5.31 ERA over 15 starts, and the most noteworthy moment of his season was telling reporters he didn’t know he was on a pitch limit during a recent start.
Still, as the saying goes, you can never have too much pitching. That especially applies to contenders, and Mahle, who is in his 10th season in the majors, has enough of a track record to potentially be worth a flier. It was just last year, after all, that Mahle had a 2.16 ERA over 16 starts with the Rangers.
Matt Chapman, Rafael Devers, Willy Adames
In a vacuum, most teams would love to add any one of Chapman or Devers or Adames for a playoff run. Context, however, is everything.
Chapman, Devers and Adames all have a lot of years and a lot of money left on their respective contracts. Realistically, the only way the Giants could trade any of these three is if they’re willing to eat a good amount of money (or attatch some prospect capital).
Of the three, Chapman is the most plausible trade candidate. He’s got four years left on his deal after this year, which isn’t ideal given that he’s 33, but his above-average defense combined with power and patience should allow him to provide value for years to come. He’s also got a no-trade clause, and his agent Scott Boras recently said a trade is not on the radar.
Logan Webb
Barring a dramatic change of heart, Webb will not be traded. Posey said so a month ago, and every indication says that the Giants will not part ways with their ace.
The three-time All-Star would command a haul and beef up an already strong farm system, but a trade of Webb would signal a full-blown rebuild, and the Giants have made no indication that they’d be willing to blow it up.
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This story was originally published July 17, 2026 at 8:38 AM.