The San Francisco Giants’ rough season is already pushing the front office toward a deadline sell-off, and Tyler Mahle has emerged as one name worth watching.
With about three weeks left before the trade deadline, the Giants are expected to move several veterans, and president of baseball operations Buster Posey is in position to send established pieces to contenders in exchange for prospects. Luis Arraez is described as almost guaranteed to be dealt, but Mahle could also become a trade chip.
Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly pointed to the right-hander on Wednesday as a player the Giants should consider moving.
"Tyler Mahle was essentially the Justin Verlander replacement that president of baseball operations Buster Posey picked this past offseason, with the Giants giving the veteran righty a one-year, $10 million deal," wrote Kelly.
The results haven’t matched the price tag. Mahle has posted a 5.70 ERA across 14 starts, a rough line for the 31-year-old. Even so, Kelly noted that last season’s work with the Texas Rangers could still give teams reason to believe there’s something left to tap into.
"Still, the 31-year-old went 6-4 with a 2.18 ERA in 16 starts for the Texas Rangers last season. That's recent enough success that there will be teams who think Mahle could benefit from getting a new set of eyes on him," Kelly added. "Health has always been the biggest question for Mahle, but he could be an addition for a team that needs a back-end-of-the-rotation starter."
Mahle missed about a month with a left hamstring strain before returning near the end of May. He is set to reach free agency after the season, which gives any team that acquires him a straightforward out if his struggles continue into August and September.
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