San Francisco Giants: 10 Players Who Could Become Trade Bait by July Deadline
The Giants are champions, wow, that never gets old.
The Giants are going to make another run at the title this year, but if things do not go according to plan by mid-season, we may see some movements by the trade deadline.
The following list does not necessarily mean that the Giants are looking to trade these guys, but they are the most vulnerable to become trade bait if things do not go according to plan.
The only hole that I see in the Giants is the presence of a dominant power bat, and even though the Giants managed to win the World Series without one last year, it never hurts to add a bat.
10. Aaron Rowand
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There are a lot of rumors surrounding Rowand, that even GM Brian Sabean had to step in and declare that Rowand would be at Spring Training, but for how long?
Andres Torres ran away with the center-field position last year, and Rowand struggled with a .220 batting average last year.
Let's remember that Rowand began the season very hot last year up until the hit he took from Vicente Padilla.
I am not saying that hit had a lasting effect on Rowand, but since that hit, he was never the same.
There were rumors that he was on his way back to Philadelphia and that Giants would receive Raul Ibanez, since their contracts were very similar and both struggled last season, but that never happened.
The Giants might be expecting a big Spring Training from Rowand, to make it easier to trade him.
9. Travis Ishikawa
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Travis Ishikawa has been a very good late-inning defensive replacement, but he has not ran away with the first base job. He was a difference maker in the postseason with his defense, but also came up with a HUGE walk in the NLDS.
Travis Ishikawa is a good baseball player, his averages hover around the .260's, he is even better at home, but how long do the Giants wait until he becomes an every day player?
He is 27 years old, how long before the Giants completely give up on Ishi?
8. Pat Burrell
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I am very thankful for the excellent regular season that Pat Burrell gave the Giants last year, but we cannot forget the World Series.
Pat is a true professional, but the outfield is already crowded. There is a reason that the Giants only signed him to a one-year deal. Now, it is more likely the Giants release him, but if Pat is still hitting similar to last year, he can also become trade bait.
If the Giants are struggling as a team with Burrell excelling I see this happening, even though it is unlikely, the Giants would rather get something in return for Burrell.
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7. Nate Schierholtz
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Nate Schierholtz appeared in 137 games for the Giants in 2010, but it was mostly as a defensive substitution.
His .242 batting average did not help his cause, and his average has been declining considerably since his debut in 2007.
With the declining numbers, Nate might just find himself in Fresno instead of on another Major League roster.
6. Mike Fontenot
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Mike Fontenot was a good late-season pick up. He provided some key plays for the Giants down the stretch, but he never took command of a position.
He had the opportunity to put more pressure on Pablo Sandoval last postseason, but even he faltered defensively down the stretch.
The infield is also getting a bit crowded and Fontenot might be the first man out, his .270 career batting average makes him excellent trade material.
5. Ryan Rohlinger
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Ryan Rohlinger would be a prospect thrown in the middle of a trade. He has never shown any true potential in the Majors, but is a decent minor league player with tremendous upside.
It's true he has never played more than 21 games in a season for the Giants, but he only batted .094 in that opportunity back in 2008. He is also playing in a very crowded infield, with the expected emergence of Brandon Belt, Rohlinger just might find himself fighting for a position on another club.
4. Emmanuel Burriss
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Burriss is a very talented prospect who has been hampered by injuries during his tenure with the Giants.
Had the injuries not happened to Burriss, we might not even be talking about Freddy Sanchez, but the Giants are now settled at the second base position, so Burriss might become excellent bait.
He started the 2010 season at second base for the Giants in 2010 and was batting a cool .400 before going down with an injury. He has tremendous upside, making him a good candidate to lure a big bat to the Bay Area.
3. Pablo Sandoval
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I know I am going to be taking some heat for this one, but let's take a look at this.
Pablo struggled last season and according to reports he has slimmed down to avoid that this year, but what if he does not return to the 2009 form? Pablo has the talent to bat into the .330's which we saw in 2009, but what if that was a fluke season?
it wouldn't be crazy to take a look at offers that we might receive for Panda, we might be able to get a lot from another team.
On a personal note, I hope Panda has a career year in 2011, he is one of my favorite players to watch.
2. Miguel Tejada
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This is another guy that I see the Giants trading if they are sellers come the trade deadline.
It is not likely for them to be sellers at the deadline, but we must take everything into account. Tejada is still a productive shortstop with a little bit of pop.
I don't believe the Giants can get a lot for him, but anything we can get will be a positive.
1. Jonathan Sanchez
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Sancho had a very good year in 2010, but his walk total was still too high. Yes, his strikeout total cancels out the walks most of the time, but he (with Barry Zito) are the weak links in the starting rotation.
You never know what you are going to get when Sanchez is on the mound, he can be great, then he can be downright scary.
His inconsistency is what bothers Giants fans the most, he can bring a lot in return if the Giants were to trade him.
Hopefully the Giants do not have to make any moves, but it is always good to see what you have available to give up.
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