San Francisco Giants 2011: 5 Potential Trade Targets at the Deadline

It is no secret that the San Francisco Giants struggle to score runs. The 2011 Giants have won 27 one-run games and lost 12 one-run games. In 58 of their 102 games played to date they have scored three or fewer runs.

They have an excellent record in one-run games but a hit or an error at any time could change that record significantly, and quickly. As the trade deadline approaches, the Giants must try to address their offensive offense by trading for a run producer.

I've identified five players who have been widely rumored to be available leading up to the non-waiver trade deadline. I have also identified the worth of each player by the average number of runs that they are directly responsible for per game played. 

I've added each player's RBIs and runs scored, subtracted the number of home runs they have hit and divided that number by the number of games they have played. This gives you a rough estimate of their offensive worth in regards to run production.

As a point of reference, here are the numbers for the Giants best hitter, Pablo Sandoval, and two of the consistently productive hitters in baseball, Prince Fielder and Adrian Gonzalez.

Pablo Sandoval is directly responsible for 56 runs in 60 games played for an average of .933 per game played.

Prince Fielder is directly responsible for 107 runs in 103 games for an average of 1.03 runs per game played.

Adrian Gonzalez is directly responsible for 135 runs in 98 games for an average of 1.37 runs per game played.

Michael Cuddyer, IF/OF, Minnesota Twins

The Giants have been rumored off and on to have interest in Cuddyer. He is a versatile player who can play the outfield as well as a couple of infield positions. His versatility fits in well with one of the trademarks of this Giants team. While it is still unknown if Minnesota will actually trade Cuddyer, he is someone that Brian Sabean will most likely keep on his radar throughout the trading season.

Cuddyer has driven in 48 runs while scoring 48 runs. Subtracting his 14 home runs from that total gives you 86 runs that he is responsible for. He has played in 96 games so Michael Cuddyer is responsible for .085 runs per game played on average.

On a team like the Giants that plays so many close, one-run games could make a fairly significant difference.

B.J. Upton, Outfielder, Tampa Bay Rays

B.J. Upton's name has been mentioned more and more of late and it appears that the Giants have had discussions about him if you believe everything you read. Upton is an interesting case, as he is loaded with talent but is experiencing a down year in 2011. Or is he?

If you look at run production and runs that he is directly responsible for, he has 52 RBIs and 47 runs scored. If you take his 15 home runs and subtract that from the total of the previous numbers (99), and he has been responsible for 84 runs this season. Upton has played in 95 games, which averages out to .88 runs per game played that Upton is responsible for on average.

Upton is still controllable for one season after this one which makes a GM feel better about giving up a prized prospect in a trade than if they were getting a true rental player in return. Just like Cuddyer, B.J. Upton's run production would make a difference for the San Francisco Giants.

Hunter Pence, Outfielder, Houston Astros

Hunter Pence is young, super talented and could be available because of the sale of the team he plays for, the Houston Astros.  The new ownership has asked the outgoing ownership to trim approximately 17 million dollars off the payroll.  Pence is their 4th highest salary, so it is conceivable that he could be moved.  It would take a huge package to get him most likely, nonetheless here is what Pence is worth to his team as a run producer.

Pence has 62 RBI's and 47 runs scored, subtracting his 11 home runs and he has been responsible for 98 runs in 2011 to date.  Taking into account that he has played in 95 games, Pence is directly responsible for 1.03 runs per game played on average.

Pence cannot be a free agent until after the 2013 season which, coupled with his run production is going to make it very difficult for the Astros to move him.  He would make a nice offensive impact on the moribund Giants offense.

Melky Cabrera, Outfielder, Kansas City Royals

I had been hearing Melky Cabrera's name for a few weeks and to be honest, it didn't excite me. It still doesn't excite me as much as Carlos Beltran or Hunter Pence but once I went through this simple exercise of calculating his worth in regards to runs scored, compared to other players, I changed my tune a little bit.

Cabrera has 57 RBIs and 63 runs scored. He has hit 12 home runs, so he has been directly responsible for 108 runs. He has played in 98 games, meaning he is responsible for 1.10 runs per game played on average.

Needless to say, Melky Cabrera could allow Giants fans to breath a little bit at the end of games as he could potentially be the difference between a one-run save by Brian Wilson and a two-run save.

Carlos Beltran, Outfielder, New York Mets

Carlos Beltran remains the prize among available hitters. Beltran has great numbers for a player who will be traded but it really is his intangibles that separate him from the rest.

He is a switch-hitter and although he has slowed over the years, he is still a threat with his bat and his legs while still an excellent outfielder. He has also been to the postseason and knows what it takes to win. Beltran is a quiet leader which would fit very well into any locker room, including that of the reigning World Series champs.

Beltran has 64 RBIs and has scored 58 runs, and subtracting his home runs from the sum of those two gives you 107 runs that he is directly responsible for this year. Beltran has played in 96 games so on average, he is responsible for 1.11 runs per game played.

Carlos Beltran would positively impact the Giants winning chances significantly.