The SF Giants could be heading toward a trade deadline that changes the look of the roster in a hurry, and if that happens, the organization may have no choice but to turn to its younger players.
A full teardown still doesn’t seem likely, especially with attendance remaining strong, but if San Francisco moves a meaningful number of veterans, the openings will be there. And given the Giants’ recent track record of developing homegrown talent, the deadline could become a real chance for a few minor leaguers to get extended looks in the majors.
Carson Whisenhunt is the clearest name to watch. With Robbie Ray set to become a free agent after the season and coming off a strong stretch, he looks like a likely trade candidate.
If that happens, Whisenhunt could be next in line for a rotation spot. The left-hander has been sharp at Triple-A Sacramento, posting a 3.98 ERA in 15 appearances in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.
He also already showed he can handle a major league spot start, throwing five innings and allowing two earned runs against the Atlanta Braves despite having taken a red-eye flight and getting very little sleep. He should be in the mix for the rotation after the deadline.
Another possible opening could come at second base. Luis Arraez is also a free-agent-to-be and is playing well enough to draw interest.
If the Giants moved him, Casey Schmitt would likely handle second, though a deal involving Matt Chapman or Willy Adames could shift Schmitt elsewhere and create even more room. That’s where Nate Furman comes in.
Acquired in the Alex Cobb trade with the Cleveland Guardians a few years ago, Furman has moved quickly through the system. He is hitting .280/.373/.407 this season with six homers and 30 runs driven in, and his contact-heavy profile could make him a mini-version of Arraez if San Francisco decides to trade him.
The pitching staff could also create openings beyond Ray. Tyler Mahle and Adrian Houser are trade chips, and some teams may even have interest in a few Giants bullpen arms.
If that happens, Carson Seymour could get a chance either in the rotation or as a long reliever. The Giants already gave him a look last season, and the results were uneven.
He has looked good in the minors this year, but his two big league appearances went very poorly, so he would be trying to show more if called back up.
Grant McCray is in a trickier position. Several players have moved ahead of him on the depth chart, so he would probably need Heliot Ramos to be traded and possibly even Harrison Bader to go as well before there’s a real lane for him.
He also hasn’t played since May because of a wrist fracture, so he needs to get healthy first. Still, his speed and defense would make him a useful addition if the Giants clear space.
Tidwell could be in the same boat as Seymour if San Francisco trades away some of its right-handed pitchers. He could fill either a relief role or start, and his time playing for Tony Vitello at Tennessee only helps his case.
If the Giants really do decide to sell, the “let the kids play” crowd may finally get what it wants over the next few months.
In Other News...
Giants Just Moved On From Buddy Kennedy And It Says Plenty
Buddy Kennedys stop with the Giants was short and fairly ordinary, which is part of why the move was easy to read. The 27-year-old veteran infielder had been used around the diamond this season, and his limited run in San Francisco never gave the club much reason to keep him in the mix after a handful of quiet games. His major league track record has been that of a depth piece more than a fixture, and the Giants have now chosen to clear the spot.
What makes the move worth noting is the contrast between his big-league struggles and the bat he showed in Sacramento, where he put together a much better stretch at Triple-A. Kennedy has bounced through several organizations since Arizona drafted him in 2017, which makes this latest change feel more like another turn in an already winding career than a surprise. Still, the timing suggests the Giants were ready to pivot, even if his next opportunity now belongs to another club. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Rookie Drew Cavanaugh Delivers A Debut Fans Will Absolutely Love
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Cavanaugh also checked off the first-hit box in the fifth inning, giving his debut the kind of finishing touch that tends to stick with a clubhouse and a fan base. After the game, he handed the authenticated ball to his mother, a simple gesture that fit the moment and made the whole night feel a little bigger than a standard roster move. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Grind Out Another Tight Home Win To Take The Series
Robbie Ray gave the Giants exactly the kind of start they have been leaning on during this home stretch, working deep enough to keep the game in their hands and limiting Atlanta to one unearned run. San Francisco did just enough behind him, with Luis Arraez picking up a run scored and an RBI and the Giants turning two Braves errors in the sixth inning into the lead they would not give back in a 3-2 win.
The finish still had plenty of tension. Atlanta kept pushing late enough to force San Francisco to guard every pitch, but Caleb Kilian handled the ninth and closed it out as the Giants continued to stack one narrow home win after another. It was the kind of series-clinching result that can quietly matter in the bigger picture, especially for a club that keeps finding ways to win games that stay tight deep into the night. [Read more 🡒]