The MLB trade deadline is a week away, and the SF Giants have a decision to make with one of their most valuable chips. According to reporting from Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Giants are open to moving outfielder Heliot Ramos, while planning to keep Jung Hoo Lee.
That split tracks for a few reasons. Lee has quickly become a fan favorite in San Francisco, and his contract is more complicated to trade.
Ramos, meanwhile, brings real appeal on the market: he was an All-Star in 2024, he’s a right-handed hitter with power, and he remains under team control for several more years. The Giants also have some outfield help coming up behind him, which gives them a little breathing room if they decide to deal him.
Victor Bericoto has already shown plenty of promise, even though he’s currently on the IL. Parks Harber and Bo Davidson were just promoted to Triple-A and could be in line to debut with the Giants later this season. None of that makes Ramos disposable, but it does mean San Francisco has options if it chooses to cash him in.
And that’s the key here: Ramos isn’t guaranteed to be moved. But if the Giants get the kind of return that changes the look of the organization, it would be hard to turn it down.
One possible deal would send Ramos to the New York Yankees for RHP Carlos LaGrange, SS Kaeden Kent, and RHP Eric Reyzelman.
That would be a strong package for San Francisco. LaGrange is currently injured, which could complicate things, but the 23-year-old was recently shifted from starter to reliever, and the Giants could use bullpen help.
He’s 6-foot-7, has a big fastball, and has the kind of closer stuff that stands out. He’s also ranked as the No. 4 overall prospect in New York’s system.
Kent would bring a familiar baseball name into the organization. He’s the son of recent Hall of Fame inductee Jeff Kent, and the idea of adding another Kent after the Giants drafted another Bonds has its own appeal.
Reyzelman would give San Francisco another minor league reliever from the Yankees’ system. He’s a Bay Area native, though he’s had a rough time in Triple-A this season. A return home might help him reset.
The Yankees could make sense as a partner if they’re desperate for a power bat with Aaron Judge’s uncertain status. In that scenario, LaGrange would be the centerpiece of the return.
Another possible path would send Ramos to the Cleveland Guardians for two young arms and an outfield option. The Giants have already made a deal with Cleveland this year by sending catcher Patrick Bailey there, and the matchup could work again because the Guardians struggle against left-handed pitching, which is where Ramos thrives.
In that framework, San Francisco would get Alex McFarlane, who was just called up for the Phillies after posting a 2.06 ERA in Double-A this season, along with Pan, who has a 3.45 ERA in 26 relief appearances this year. The other piece, Rincones Jr., would give the Giants a possible Ramos replacement. He hasn’t done much in the majors this season, but he hit 18 homers in Triple-A last year.
A third possibility would involve the Milwaukee Brewers, with the younger Chourio - the brother of Jackson Chourio - heading to San Francisco. He’s hitting .283/.385/.438 with eight home runs and 35 RBIs this season. That kind of production would make him an interesting return in a Ramos deal.
The Giants could also look to add another arm in that kind of package. Stephen Wilkinson would fit that mold, especially with San Francisco already seeing Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson thrive in the minors this season. Stephen has a 3.44 ERA in Double-A this year and would add to the organization’s push for promising young pitching.
In the end, Ramos looks like the kind of player who could draw real interest right now. He’s not a player the Giants are eager to dump, but he’s also the sort of former All-Star whose value may never be higher. If the right offer lands on the table, San Francisco may decide the smartest move is to take it.
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