MLB Trade Rumors: 10 Bats the Giants Should Target Via Trade

Led by manager Bruce Bochy, the Giants will enter the 2011 season as the defending World Series champions for the first time since their days in New York, and they hope to find a way to repeat. 

With an exception of the acquisition of shortstop Miguel Tejada and the departures of shortstop Edgar Renteria and second baseman Juan Uribe, the 2011 Giants will have a very similar feel to the squad that won it all in 2010.

Last season, the San Francisco Giants had the best team ERA in all of baseball, and the good news is that nearly their entire pitching staff is coming back next season. Starting pitchers Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez and Madison Bumgarner are all 27 years old or younger, and thus should all be as good, if not better, in 2011.

Meanwhile, the Giants bullpen, which was strong in 2010, will again feature a deep group of relievers, including pitchers Sergio Romo, Jeremy Affeldt, Santiago Casilla, Ramon Ramirez, Javier Lopez and closer Brian Wilson.

With just 73 errors as a team, the Giants' defense was solid in 2010, and may have gotten better. Several young Giants have matured, while aging veterans Edgar Renteria and Juan Uribe should be replaced by the more athletic Mike Fontenot and Freddy Sanchez. 

This leaves just one aspect of the Giants team with room for improvement—putting runs on the board. The Giants ranked in the bottom half of baseball last season in runs, were last in stolen bases, and were were among the teams with the fewest bases on balls. 

While the Giants' managing, pitching staff and defense will likely carry the team again next season, San Francisco needs to add some extra bats in order to significantly improve their chances of making it deep into the playoffs once again next season.

The Giants do not have much money to spend, but they would take on a moderate salary in order to obtain an elite offensive player.

Here are 10 bats the Giants should target via trade.

10. Kelly Johnson: 2B, Arizona Diamondbacks

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PHOENIX - SEPTEMBER 24: Kelly Johnson #2 of the Arizona Diamondbacks hits a single against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning of the Major League Baseball game at Chase Field on September 24, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian

The Arizona Diamondbacks, still in rebuilding mode, may be inclined to trade Kelly Johnson, who is owed $2.5 million in 2011 and will be a free agent after the season. Johnson had a breakout year for Arizona last season, hitting .284 with 26 home runs and 79 walks.

While the Giants have Freddy Sanchez at second base, he doesn't have the power nor the speed that Johnson possesses.

9. Juan Pierre: CF, Chicago White Sox

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CHICAGO - AUGUST 01: Juan Pierre #1 of the Chicago White Sox hits the ball against the Oakland Athletics at U.S. Cellular Field on August 1, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Athletics 4-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

No major league player has stolen more bases over the the last decade than Juan Pierre. Although not a power hitter, Pierre makes contact at the plate, antagonizes pitchers when on base and covers a lot of ground in the outfield.

The Chicago White Sox have become stronger this offseason, and may be trying to avoid having to pay the $5 million they owe to Juan Pierre in 2011. Don't be surprised if the White Sox move Pierre, possibly in a trade involving one of the Giants' relievers.

8. Nate McLouth: OF, Atlanta Braves

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 18: Nate McLouth #24 of the Atlanta Braves rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the New York Mets in the ninth inning of their game on September 18, 2010 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough

Before battling recent injuries with Atlanta over the last season and a half, Nate McLouth looked like one of the emerging stars in the league. As an All-Star back in 2008, McLouth had a breakout year, hitting 26 home runs and an NL-high 46 doubles for Pittsburgh.

Now 29 years old, McLouth is once again healthy and would be a great fit for the third outfield spot for San Francisco. A terrific baserunner, McLouth has stolen 83 bases in 96 career attempts, and will be a free agent after the season.

7. Nick Swisher: OF, New York Yankees

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: Nick Swisher #33 of the New York Yankees runs the bases on his solo home run in the bottom of the third inning against the Texas Rangers in Game Five of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 20, 2010 in

If there is one team that can afford to lose a hitter of Swisher's calliber, it is the New York Yankees.

The Yankees, who have led the majors in runs each of the last two seasons, are in need of more starting pitching. A trade in which Swisher is sent to San Francisco likely would not happen without the Giants having to trade one of their starters.

However, knowing the Yankees, they might even be willing to trade Swisher for veteran Barry Zito, who still has three years left on his contract.

Nick Swisher will be a free agent after the season and can play outfield or first base for the Giants.

One of the great clubhouse guys in the league, Swisher can hit for power and get on base via the base on ball.

6. Grady Sizemore: OF, Cleveland Indians

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KANSAS CITY, MO - MAY 13: Grady Sizemore #24 of the Cleveland Indians bats during the game against the Kansas City Royals on May 13, 2010 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Prior to multiple knee injuries over the last few seasons, Sizemore was one of the true talents in the game.

A five-tool player, Sizemore led the league in extra base hits in 2006, has won multiple Gold Gloves and consistently gets on base.

The Cleveland Indians are still several years away from contending and will likely attempt to trade Sizemore, who is owed $7.5 million next season. Sizemore, 28, is expected to be back by Spring Training, and would immediately make the Giants offense much stronger.

5. Aramis Ramirez: 3B, Chicago Cubs

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 05: Aramis Ramirez #16 of the Chicago Cubs hits his 22nd home run of the year, a two run shot in the 3rd inning, against the New York Mets at Wrigley Field on September 5, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Mets defeated the Cubs 18-5. (Ph

The Giants do not know what to expect out of third baseman Pablo Sandoval, who had a great OPS of .943 OPS in 2009, but just a .732 OPS in 2010. With many scouts and fans coming to the realization that Sandoval may have been a one-year wonder, the Giants should try to pick up a bat at third base

When healthy, Aramis Ramirez can be one of the better hitters in baseball. Ramirez has knocked in over 100 RBI six times and has averaged about 31 home runs per 162 games during his career.

Ramirez has missed over 100 games over the last few seasons due to injury, but at age 32, should still have some very productive years left. The Cubs, in a tough division, may want to shed some of Ramirez's salary. He is owed $14 million in 2011 with an option in 2012 worth $16 million.

4. Jose Bautista: 3B, Toronto Blue Jays

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TORONTO - SEPTEMBER 23: Jose Bautista #19 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats during the game against the Seattle Mariners on September 23, 2010 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays defeated the Mariners 1-0. (Photo by Brad White/Getty

Third baseman Jose Bautista shocked the baseball world last season by hitting a major league-high 54 home runs in 2010, in essentially just his second full season.

While Bautista probably won't duplicate that total in 2011, he is certainly of the premier power hitters in the game and will be a free agent after the season. Stuck in an extremely competitive division with the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays, Toronto should trade Bautista while his trade value is still very high.

3. Jose Reyes: SS, New York Mets

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 18: Jose Reyes #7 of the New York Mets in action against the Atlanta Braves during their game on September 18, 2010 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Although Reyes is very popular in New York, he is owed $11 million in 2011, he is set to become a free agent in 2012, and the frustrated Mets have averaged just 75 wins over the last two seasons.

Reyes would be a major upgrade at shortstop for the Giants over Miguel Tejada or Mike Fontenot, as he could could bat leadoff, provide much-needed speed, and can hit for power.

2. Prince Fielder: 1B, Milwaukee Brewers

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MILWAUKEE - OCTOBER 05: Prince Fielder #28 of the Milwaukee Brewers runs the bases after his home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in game four of the NLDS during the 2008 MLB playoffs at Miller Park on October 5, 2008 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Ph

While the Giants may have just shelled out $22 million to first baseman Aubrey Huff, there is very little chance that he will produce anywhere near to the extent as some of the superstar first baseman in the league.

Still just 26 years old, Prince Fielder is a beast at the plate, having averaged 38 home runs through his first five full seasons in the majors. Fielder, a free agent after this season, is also very patient at the plate, earning 224 walks over the last two seasons.

The Giants would benefit tremendously from Fielder's hitting, as well as his long at-bats, which force opposing pitchers to work harder and allow teammates to observe more pitches.

The Milwaukee Brewers are trying to win now, not several years down the road, as Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder are both heading into their prime. However, there are still a lot of question marks on their roster, and Fielder's trade value is at an all-time high.

1. Albert Pujols: 1B, St. Louis Cardinals

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 24: Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a single in the 9th inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on September 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cardinals defeated the Cubs 7-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty

Albert Pujols is arguably the best hitter in the game, and at 31 years old, he should remain great for the better part of this decade. A virtual guarantee for at least 35 home runs, 110 RBI and a .400 OBP every year, Pujols would also be a major upgrade on defense over Aubrey Huff.

The entire city of St. Louis idolizes Pujols, but at the same time his contract is up after the season and he is owed $16 million in 2011. Though the idea may be considered far-fetched, if St. Louis is out of playoff contention by the July 31 trading deadline, the Giants just might be able to work out a trade for the popular superstar.