According to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News, Giants GM Brian Sabean held court today. Baggarly learned that Sabean is actively seeking a bat on the trade market, and the GM has even begun considering hitters who are headed toward free agency (a change from his earlier stance).
Baggarly believes Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson has to be near the top of the list. Johnson has been linked to the Mets and Red Sox, the Mets perhaps more in a speculative sense. Nats GM Mike Rizzo has to love the multiple suitors, but he might want to move Johnson while his stock is high.
The Giants are nine games out in the NL West, so the sooner they add offense the better. The team is dead last in the NL in both OBP and SLG. Speculating on other acquisition targets: Aubrey Huff, Dan Uggla, Mark DeRosa, Paul Konerko, Matt Holliday, and Felipe Lopez. Other ideas? One factor to consider is that the Giants are not willing to trade their top prospects.