Three Bold Trades Needed to Make Giants True NL West Contenders

Newsweek

a day ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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With the Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres expected to fight it out all season long atop the NL West, the San Francisco Giants were a bit lost in the mix.
San Francisco has taken that personally and through 66 games. The Giants boast a 38-28 record, 6 1/2 games better than fourth-place Arizona, tied with the Padres and just one game behind the Dodgers for the division lead.
They have played well above the mark already this season and because of their outstanding play, here are three players they should go after on the trade market.
BOSTON, MA - MAY 24: Cedric Mullins #31 of the Baltimore Orioles makes a sliding catch on Ceddanne Rafaela #3 of the Boston Red Sox during the seventh inning of game one of a doubleheader...
BOSTON, MA - MAY 24: Cedric Mullins #31 of the Baltimore Orioles makes a sliding catch on Ceddanne Rafaela #3 of the Boston Red Sox during the seventh inning of game one of a doubleheader at Fenway Park on May 24, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. MoreCedric Mullins, Baltimore Orioles
Mullins is one of two Orioles players on this list, and he may be the more likely of the two to be traded before the trade deadline passes.
He is on the last year of his contract and will most likely be playing elsewhere before the season ends.
His .232 average with 10 home runs and a .771 OPS could help improve San Francisco's 0.9 Wins Above Average from all three outfield positions this season.
Along with having a decent season at the plate, Mullins' Outs Above Average total of two is more than any outfielder for San Francisco has this season. A change of scenery for Mullins and his addition to the Giants could do wonders for both parties involved.
71% of the Earth's surface is covered by water and the other 29% is covered by Cedric Mullins. pic.twitter.com/HLUstmwsOy — Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) May 15, 2025
Ryan O'Hearn, Baltimore Orioles
O'Hearn will be a hot commodity for teams when he is made available.
He is putting together the best season of his career in his eighth season in the big leagues. He has a .316 average with nine home runs, 24 RBI and a .897 OPS.
He could help the Giants improve at first base, where they rank 27th in Wins Above Average at minus-1.6. LaMonte Wade saw much of the action at first base this season but was recently DFA'd after hitting just .167 across 144 at-bats.
The addition of a power bat like O'Hearn to the San Francisco lineup could be massive down the road when it is facing some of the best right-handed pitching in the entire league.
Ryan O'Hearn delivers a 3-run blast to put the @Orioles ahead 😤 pic.twitter.com/LkvgQ7cdM4 — MLB (@MLB) May 28, 2025
Jake Bird, Colorado Rockies
Bird has been one of very few bright spots on a Rockies team that is headed toward the worst season in MLB history.
Bird has appeared 27 times and has pitched to a 1.49 ERA and 45 strikeouts across 36 1/3 innings pitched. He has struggled in the walks department as he's allowed 15 free passes, but he's kept the ball in the ballpark with just one home run allowed.
It feels almost certain Colorado will try and capitalize on his value, and the division rival Giants could be an excellent landing spot for the hopeful first-time All Star this season.
Jake Bird was PUMPED UP after recording three straight strikeouts to strand the bases loaded for the @Rockies 😤 pic.twitter.com/eVNB4haf31 — MLB (@MLB) June 7, 2025
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