Fangraphs gives the Giants a 17.5% chance to win the NL West. In order to boost that number, they'll have to part ways with these players.
The San Francisco Giants have a real chance to be competitive in the daunting NL West. But, like any contending team, they need to make upgrades at the deadline in order to increase their chances. Their level of urgency is even higher than most teams because of how talented the NL West is.
But for San Francisco, they have a few players on roster that could be DFA'd or traded and replaced over the next two weeks, before the August 1st trade deadline. The Giants could make a ton of different moves, but these three players are spots they definitely need to improve on before the deadline passes and they miss their chance.
Giants rumors: Ross Stripling won't be on the Giants roster down the stretch
Pitching is the name of the game. This idea is only magnified down the stretch of the season and in the postseason. Contending teams will all be in the market for a starting pitcher, especially those with gaping holes in their potential postseason rotation. And if the Giants are serious about making a push for the top of the NL West, as they sit just a couple of games back as of July 20th, they can't continue to send Ross Stripling to the mound every fifth day.
Stripling is the odd man out in the San Francisco rotation. He ranks last among their five active starters in ERA+, FIP, ERA, H/9, K/9 and HR/9. His production is far from sustainable for a playoff push and the Giants will, and probably have already started, exploring options to upgrade over him in the next 11 days. In 2023, San Francisco is 3-6 in games started by Ross Stripling, including three losses in July.
For Gabe Kapler's squad, a fifth starter is crucial. The best case scenario would be for them to find a trade partner that is desperate for a starter as well, moving Stripling in a separate deal than the one they acquire a starter in. This would clear them of his player option in 2024, which he will likely accept.
Giants rumors: David Villar doesn't have the tools to finish the 2023 season in the MLB
The Giants have seen a plethora of injuries to their infielders during the 2023 season. These injuries have left starting shortstop Brandon Crawford and starting second baseman Thairo Estrada on the 10-day injured list, resulting in a few of the minor league guys receiving call ups for depth purposes. The most recent of these call ups was David Villar and his presence on the roster points out the lack of depth in the San Francisco infield.
In 2023, Villar is slashing .155/.244/.336 across over 100 at-bats. The Giants can't afford to have him see any sort of consistent playing time to help them make their playoff push. If the injuries to Crawford and Estrada linger at all, they're going to desperately need infield help at the trade deadline. This lack of depth could see them exploring other options beyond their own injured list.
Whether San Francisco returns their injured infielders, or they add players via a trade, it's obvious that Villar doesn't have a spot on this roster down the stretch of the dog days of Summer. The first addition to the roster will result in Villar being optioned back to Triple-A for the foreseeable future. His Giants career isn't over, but his 2023 days are limited with Gabe Kapler's playoff-hopeful roster.
Giants rumors: Sean Manaea may have numbered days with San Francisco
There are few roles in a major league bullpen that holds as much weight and stress as the high-leverage lefty specialist. This role is brought in late games to face the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto or Bryce Harper and their sole purpose is to get these left-handed hitters out. There's much more room for error with other spots in the bullpen. That's why the Giants can't continue to use Sean Manaea as one of their bullpen lefties, because he just hasn't played up to the bill.
Another team will likely be willing to take on his 2024 player option as a left-handed option in their bullpen, but the Giants shouldn't be that team. The 2023 MLB trade market will have other left-handed relievers available at the deadline for the Giants to upgrade on Manaea's role. In 2023, his ERA is near six and his WAR is -1.2. Yikes.
Whatever the Giants decide to do with their bullpen, Manaea is the obvious weak link. As a whole, they have a tremendous bullpen with a ton of solid late-inning options. If they add another left-handed reliever to replace Manaea, they will be one of the most complete bullpens in the game.
