The SF Giants could be aggressive buyers at this year’s MLB trade deadline. MLB Network’s Mark Feinsand of the league has listed 10 potential trade candidates who have improved their stock recently. He listed the Giants as having top potential suiting up for both New York Mets outfielder Tommy Pham and Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger.
Mets outfielder Tommy Pham hit a double against the SF Giants. (2023)
Gregory Fisher-America Today Sports
Bellinger signed a one-year, $17.5 million contract with the Cubs last offseason and has had a productive campaign since winning the National League MVP in 2019. In 59 games, he worked in the middle of the field with an elite defense. With the Cubs out of postseason contention and Bellinger potentially eligible for free agency, a trade seems likely.
The Giants reportedly “were going to pursue” Belger at one point last offseason before he signed with the Cubs, and it’s clear he has a history with San Francisco’s top decision-makers. Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zadi and manager Gabe Kapler both worked for the Los Angeles Dodgers when Bellinger was a young star with the team.
With all that said, advanced numbers cast doubt on Bellinger’s resurgent season. He’s hitting a career-low, although his strikeout rate is down significantly from the past two seasons, suggesting he may have had too much unsustainable luck in the first half.
Pham signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Mets last offseason and is currently enjoying his most impressive season since 2019. Fam is hitting .271/.345/.476 with 14 doubles and nine home runs in 70 games. Defensively, however, Pham has been confined almost entirely to left field.
Despite Feinsand’s comments, neither Pham nor Bellinger appear to be a good fit for San Francisco. The Giants’ outfield is crowded with Mike Yastrzemski, Michael Conforto, Austin Slater and top prospect Luis Matos all alongside starter Blake Sabol. Additionally, cornerback Mitch Haninger is likely to return from the injured list in September. It’s unclear whether Pham or Bellinger are upgrades over those players.
Moreover, adding Pham to the San Francisco clubhouse seems like a great idea, especially given his history with SF Giants shortstop Joc Pederson. Pham slapped Pederson in the face before a game last season in a fantasy football league dispute.
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