Within the past week, multiple reports have emerged about the Giants receiving interest on their starting pitchers. There was some thought that San Francisco could deal a back-end starter for help elsewhere on the roster.
President of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi downplayed that possibility when meeting with the SF beat last night (link via Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Area). Pointing to the recent placement of Anthony DeSclafani on the 15-day injured list (plus an injury to Triple-A righty Keaton Winn), Zaidi said the front office is “kind of in a different position than we were even a week ago” with regards to the pitching. As a result, he stated “it’s less likely we explore something there. It kind of feels like we have just enough pitching to be comfortable and to have some options, but we’ll see what happens over the next day.”
At the same time, it doesn’t seem the Giants are anxious to add rotation depth either. Asked about that possibility, Zaidi noted the club’s success when deploying openers and/or bullpen games. He’s also spoken previously about his comfort with the likes of Alex Wood, Sean Manaea, Ross Stripling and Jakob Junis behind staff ace Logan Webb. At the beginning of July, the baseball operations leader said the Giants were likely only to get involved for potential top-of-the-rotation arms — which are generally lacking in supply this deadline season anyhow.
Still, the loss of DeSclafani deals something of a hit to the group. The righty hasn’t had a great season, carrying a 4.88 ERA with a below-average 18.9% strikeout rate. He trails only Webb and Cobb on the team in innings pitched, though. DeSclafani is battling a flexor strain in his throwing elbow. The team announced last night the righty was headed for a second opinion (relayed by Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle). There’s a possibility the injury will end his season, though the results of further imaging will obviously determine that.
While the Giants might be quiet on the pitching front, they’ll surely continue working the phones over the next six-plus hours. San Francisco has been searching for middle infield help for some time. Thairo Estrada is headed out on a minor league rehab stint, perhaps reducing the urgency to add there, but there’s still room for an acquisition given Estrada’s and Brandon Crawford’s recent health concerns.
… and because their starting pitching depth is pretty terrible.
Who is leading the wild card in the NL? Ok then
Their wild card standing doesn’t mean the SP depth isn’t terrible. The two things aren’t mutually exclusive.
I’m tired of the negativity and vitriol towards Zaidi here and on most social media. This past winter people were totally vile. It turns out Zaidi was right about Correa.
Zaidi has turned this team from boring and struggling with nothing on the farm in 2018, to a competitive fun team every year with exciting prospects arriving all the time.
People just want to spread hate instead of the truth. People need to get off the keyboards and treat their neighbors with kindness. Zaidi is a forward thinking, kind man. Anyone who has actually listened to his interviews would hear it. And the team good vibes reflect it too. Yes it’s a work in progress, like all teams, but he works hard each day to make it better
amen agnes, I’m right there w/you and couldn’t have said it any better..just because it’s not the traditional 5 SP starting rotation doesn’t mean mean that the Giants are destin to lose..cognitive dissonance is a bee-otch..knock on wood, but if the Giants make playoffs and even take it far, there would be many who will scratch their head and wonder “but, but, but they didn’t have a starting 5 rotation, how is this possible”
@Agnes
The downer squad gets to me too. I actually deleted the app for a couple months. The Yankee trolls were bad too but look what happened to that team. Giants are in good shape considering all the challenges they’ve faced. Keep up the good vibes!
Thanks dubtastic! Stay strong! The good people are around too, you just have drown out the doomers!
Atta gfan! You are great!
Fans have a right to be upset. Farhan and ownership have pulled the wool over our eyes for years without winning anything and enjoying one of the top 5 revenues in all of baseball. As a fan you deserve more when you give that much support. Every argument I have heard in favor of farhan has included the same sob story about the farm he inherited which is mostly better not because of players farhan drafted but guys the previous regime acquired as teenagers. They promised that once they would get rid of the bad contracts they would sign a superstar which hasn’t happened. If Farhan wants to be different then he needs to win more and win in the post season or else nothing he is doing is actually helping improve this team. Going from bad to average is actually detrimental as you end up with low first rd draft picks that tuen out to be lottery tickets instead of likely future stars. Every team that has won over the last 15 years has done it this way with the exception of the Dodgers who never had to lose a few years before getting better. They also spend more money on better players.
What a moronic comment. Farhan has negatively altered and outright destroyed the giants culture and the results have been horrendous. For the first time in the last 40 years the giants no longer go for it every year, have abandoned their unique identity and tried to become a mix of the A’s and Rays. It’s downright insulting to fans and the attendance proves it.
Farhan isn’t forward thinking, that’s just silly code for sharing your political opinions. The giants will be a bottom dweller until the Farhan/Kap regime is chased out of town, and that time is quickly approaching.
Farhan forced out Boch who immediately transformed the rangers into a contender.
We get it, Farhan is part of a protected class that is supposedly immune to criticism because to do so would be hate or racism. Get off your pedestal and come back to reality.
Giants have nothing to show for the Farhan era. Webb and Yaz… role players miscast as stars.
Even the 108 win season was entirely guys from the previous regime, and everyone knew it was posey last year so they really went for it, despite the front office working against them.
So sick of the comments surrounding Farhan that refuse to acknowledge reality.
Yes, I remember the naysayers — including here, if I’m correct — when the Giants put up their concerns about Correa. It turned out the Giants were right. He’s not burning up MLB. In fact, he’s almost ordinary. Even the deal last night with Pollock — he was pretty good not so long ago. If anyone can revive him, it’s the Giants.
Agnes — AS you know, I’m generally in agreement with everything you say. And I agree about Farhan being (probably) a “kind man.” But not going after a solid starter for this rotation is lunacy.
dubtastic — Trouble is, we only have a starting TWO. And the bullpen is being used daily. Does that bode well for the playoff run? What will happen if Giants reach the playoffs? (Probably ousted in the first round.)
I’m a fan, you have to do it my way or else.
Arrogant, self entitled, know it all BS. Blows my mind that people can be so full of themselves and their opinion.
foppert1 — Is that directed at me?
Not at all. You don’t do the “or else”
Voicing an alternative opinion is fine. Loving it to the point of going with childish names, calls for sacking and ad nauseam repetition of the same old exaggerated negative song and dance is just off the charts arrogance. The harsh reality is Zaidi would have more baseball knowledge, experience and IQ points than every doomer combined. The carry on they indulge themselves in is totally ridiculous.
@highway, if you’re going to call other people’s comments moronic, maybe don’t throw rocks in a glass house? Just stop right there, you’re saying some pretty moronic things yourself.
Your comment is filled with contractions and horrible logic. You’re more than welcome to make critiques of Farhan – he is not infallible, after all. But rather than make a legitimate critique, you are making up things like “the front office working against (the team)” during a season they set a franchise record for wins (in a season that .500 would have been a success), and “Farhan has negatively altered and outright destroyed the Giant’s culture” in spite of evidence to the contrary from the players (and I’ll take their opinion over yours). You call them “bottom-dwellers” in spite of being in second place this season, including outplaying the surprising DBacks or the Padres who were supposed to be a contender. Also, saying things like “just silly code for sharing your political opinions” makes you look like an outright fool (like seriously… how are politics and appreciating a PoBo even remotely linked?).
Here, I’ll help you out with a common critique – the opt-outs in the contracts Farhan has handed opt-out the Giants in a precarious situation when the player succeeds because it means he might leave the following year. While many people may disagree with this, do you think anybody will accuse that comment of containing “hate or racism”? Or do you think maybe you were being hateful and/or racist in your poorly written critiques?
Maybe they tried to get someone but the ask was too high.
Thanks for the clarification. I didn’t think so but I wanted to check in with you. Go Giants!
gfan — I’m sure that’s true. But only Pollack? I see the Dodgers, Padres and D-Backs all making smart moves for a playoff run. Look, I’m not against AJ, I just think we needed a starting arm.
Agreed, but not Verlander.
We’ll never really know who else they went after for sure.
Tires may have been kicked.
Pretty sure first ask for every team was Luciano. They need to keep him. Couple years ago all calls were for Ramos, and now looks like he should have been dealt.
nah true, I get it..and here we are again..FZ not even trading for a glaring need..good thing I’m pretty much conditioned for failure..Giants are 14-5 in the bullpen game now..prob factored in the decision not to trade for a SP
All good, Pete
Did nothing. I’m surprised. The explanation will be interesting.
Anyhow. Over to the rookies. Be a fun ride is they get us to the playoffs.
gfan — No doubt the first ask is always Harrison or Luciano, but the Giants are not trading those for anyone AND they have plenty of other interesting pieces that teams would have wanted. We’ll never know.
Relax, I’m a Giants fan. But let’s be realistic. Outside of Cobb and Webb, there’s not much there. Their “starting pitching depth” is definitely a case of quantity over quality, which is why they feel/felt thst they could deal from it.
I’m pretty sure the idea was going to be get something for someone like Wood or Junis while opening up for roster spots for Winn and Beck. Well, Winn got hurt and Beck essentially replace Desclafani. Depth in this case absolutely meant quantity, not quality, but it’s still depth.
Farhan said, “It kind of feels like we have just enough pitching to be comfortable and to have some options, but we’ll see what happens over the next day.”
The man is delusional. If AJ Pollack is the only trade they make this season AND they don’t add a substantial #2 or #3 starter, they are not only waving a white flag for this season but they’re putting next season in jeopardy too.
Giants fans love Harrison and Whisenhunt and Winn, but SF needs another anchor in the rotation.
I’m not usually a guy to diss Farhan, but this current approach is beginning to piss me off.
Trade from their starting pitching? LOL!!!
You know what we could do instead. ADD!
that was the idea about trading say a wood – the pitching is at max roster numbers (13) and someone needed to move in order for someone else to come in – eg beck and winn and possibly later harrison – at the same time that you free a pitching spot you are then able to shift someone like schmitt down to get regular ABs in AAA and add a bat
Giants already made their blockbuster deal in getting an ex-dodger who is over the hill – has nothing left and some bench fodder to spell players when they need an 0-3 performance.
It’s honestly impressive they’re nine games over .500, with all the injuries and poor performances. This team is not good and shouldn’t try to win it all this year. The young core will be more ready in ’24
Wow.
ooookaaaaay..ya let’s just tank..even when being 9 gms over .500, leading all of NL in the Wild Card, while we were managing injuries and some poor performances from our FA signings..let’s disregard our efforts of being 9 gms over .500…great logic!
He didn’t say tank, he said focus on next year. Two different things, but what else would one expect from a delusional leftist, you’ve been trained to ignore the real issue and redefine it to fit your narrative.
The giants are not a WS contender and everyone knows it. Not falling for their mid season record as a reason to different.
“delusional leftist” lol some people can’t do anything without forcing in their politics huh
Yeah let’s keep all those scrubs instead of taking advantage of the market. Brilliant.
Having a bunch of crappy “starting pitchers” who don’t actually start games doesn’t equal having starting pitching depth. In reality, they Giants need 2 or 3 additional starting pitchers.
Bingo. We can thank the incredibly friendly Bay Area writers for this non-story of “Giants being willing to deal from SP depth” for the past week. MLBTR routinely passes on these “rumors” originated by “compromised” sources.
Although, in defense of Farhan, when he saw AF get Rosario for Synderguard, he must actually have thought he had a legitimate shot of selling this narrative.
The Giants have the 3rd best team ERA in the NL doing what they’re doing, so I respectfully disagree. They’ve managed to hold on to their wildcard position despite having the worst offensive month of any team, and it’s been due to their pitching. I don’t really care how they use those guys, as long as they keep winning.
guynamedchris — Their BULLPEN pitching has been great. Webb has been good. Cobb excellent. What happens if/when the bullpen runs out of gas, as overused pitchers generally do? Then what?
Stripling has been good since coming back from injury. Manaea has been good since they started using an opener in front. Manaea, Wood, Junis, and Beck are all capable of going multiple innings in relief. I don’t know of any other bullpen with so many long relief guys. They shouldn’t get gassed if they continue to be used efficiently.
Well, of course I hope you’re right. Stripling does look like he’s righted the ship, and I trust Wood for a couple of innings. I’ve always liked Junis. I have no faith in Manaea.
Pete, They’re not overused. Leading mlb in bullpen innings but not middle of mlb in appearances. Nearly leading in innings per appearance. It was documented in a Grant Brisbee article. Starter goes 2 or 3. A bulk reliever goes 4. 2 pitchers get you to the 7th. How is that overuse? The beauty of it that “fans” don’t get is that if one of those 2 is a lefty and the other is a righty, you force the opposing manager into early substitutions. Maybe platooning and using his bench.
Rise above Farhan! Trust your vision! I love our team, the mix of kids and vets!
Giants were one of the best teams hitting with RISP in June to the worst in July, we are getting Thairo back in a few days, Haniger in another couple of weeks, we can get right back to it!
Gotta love when homers cherry pick stats to make their team seem better than they actually are. Farhan system will never work in the post season. Time to kiss Farhan goodbye, he’s as good as gone.
You’re probably right HM. Good as gone. Know why? Half the league wants to poach him. You and others have ZERO clue how to run a team but that doesn’t stop you stiffs from rudely telling others they’re idiots. Stay away from mirrors.
And in less than 12 hours or so the vaunted starting pitching depth is gone. Huh, Who knew? Knock me down with a feather.
The support for Farhan is understandable, but at times overdone. Yes, their plug and play approach to a rotation has worked so far against the sub .500 teams, but they are in a tough spot in their schedule, and if they pass on adding any depth today, they’ll be banking on this approach carrying them through to October.
It also helps to remember we’ve seen this movie before: team talks a good game about being “buyers”, ends up making small-bore moves and telling fans they’re happy with the crew they already have, and then tank in August because of schedule and a lack of healthy talent.
They actually play better against above .500 teams this year, but whatever.
it’s Pocoroba. Wasting your time with facts with old biffy
What a joke if the Giants don’t get any starting pitching. Time to fire this clown. he’s holding up the Giants from being a great team, and take Kapler with you.. He’s had all this time to make something happen. He should have redeemed himself after the terrible offseason pitching signings. Instead what does he do. Focuses on hitting which we don’t need. I wish both him and Kapler would be fired now. They are terrible. You can’t keep using your bullpen to start games. They are going to get burned out. Stupid management.
This is a seller’s market for SP. There’s no one out there who’s better than our internal options. Don’t bring up Verlander because going over the tax threshold and giving up top prospects for a 40 year old is just stupid. Zaidi will justifiably stand pat.
^ This
Nothing Farhan does is justifiable. He’s the worst GM in baseball. Don’t get started with todays bogus titles, he’s the GM.
MadBum14 — “There’s no one out there who’s better than our internal options. ”
You must be kidding.
Go ahead and list them. If it’s between Flaherty or Eduardo Rodriguez, I’ll take my chances with Stripling, Manaea, Wood and Junis the rest of the way. There’s this thing called regression to the mean and we’re seeing it with our guys already.
This is the 100% opposite from the article posted yesterday. Lol. What they should have said was..due to lack of demand for our low quality pitchers, we wont be trading from out SP depth.
Nobody “said” anything.
Just writers making up crap to stir up the panicky so called fans.
And just like the years before we will make NO splashes in the trade market pool. We got a couple guppies but that’s how we roll. GIGANTES!!!!
My post from 16 hours ago:
“As others have mentioned, the Giants have no rotation depth. Webb & Cobb have been pretty good. DeScafani, Stripling & Wood kind of stink. Walker & Winn are rookies. Alexander has been good, but is primarily an RP.”
It was hardly worth an article to suggest that the Giants were going deal from their rotation depth, when they had no depth to start with. They have about as much starting pitching as the RS.
Rather see them stand pat than trade top prospects to go all in with this year’s team. It would be stupid (and actual malpractice) to trade a Harrison or Whisenhunt for a Verlander.
No one suggests they Giants would trade Harrison or Whisenhunt, or Winn for that matter. But they gotta do something for that rotation cause Sean Manaea isn’t the answer to anything printable.
Well let me tell you, if they weren’t willing to give up any of their top prospects then they weren’t getting anyone better than what Manaea has done for them. Who do you think they should they have gone after? Lance Lynn? Rich Hill? No thanks.
It would have been great getting another arm better than Manaea, And it’s easy to criticize not seeing who the Giants would have had to trade to get one.
What about Jack Flaherty? Is he really that much of an upgrade? Over the past 2 seasons he has a 96 ERA+. But the Orioles gave up 2 of their top 30 prospects, #s 27 and 29, plus a 3rd guy. They have a top rated farm system. The Giants would have needed to send a couple of their top 15 to 20 to match that deal. Keaton Winn is in that general category, along with guys like Beck and Mason Black..
Look at what the Astros gave up for Verlander, They sent their 3rd, and 5th overall prospects to NY. That’s like the Giants trading Bailey and Whisenhunt. If Zaidi didn’t acquire another arm you can bet the ask was too high.
The giants are maddening. They’re really the best bad team every year. They have guys that know how to preform every year but they aren’t going to peak all at the same time very often, but it happened in 21’. It hurts as a fan to see them be decent but not good every year. The lack of a coherent and always applied plan makes it confusing. Like if you’re not going to add let the kids play some. Play Ramos, let Stripling start, let beck and Winn(when healthy obv) start some games. I understand pollock was most likely a salary add to receive Mathias but what’s his real upside besides a 1 in 100 Ross/Burrell fireworks. Just confusing man
WOW, you think accepting Pollocks salary was so they could acquire Matthias?? Well you did say you were confused. That’s the only thing you said that makes sense
It’s simple. Players acquired replace the players getting valuable experience. Any whiner watch the game tonight? No Rogers. No Doval. No Jackson. Cobb 3 homers. Manaea first mlb save. Sub 4.00 era in last 2.5 months. Stripling is hotter than Manaea. Harrison will be up in 2weeks. Beck pitched his butt off to win Sunday. Rotation could be Webb Cobb Beck Stripling Harrison by mid August. But why no Lynn? No Lorentzen? No Manny MO or Jack? Eras in the 5s and 6s. Really. Better than in house? 14 and 5 with openers but bad formula? Wont work in postseason? Game 7 in 2014 series. Hudson Affeldt and Bumgarner. Opener and 2 bulks. Won’t work?
Matos critical run scoring double. Over the hill Crawford hits game tying bomb off Gallen who was rolling. Sabol strike to gun down base stealer. Bailey nails 2 runners. Mix of vets and rooks–who might lose playing time if acquisitions made. Cobb worst home game of year but they still won. Some of you don’t see the tree for the forest. Wake up
Watch out
You’ll get called a homer for stating facts like these…
Great post !
Love your work, Claude.
And the clubhouse is tight.
I somewhat doubt Harrison is up this year. Got hurt/command issues. Obviously stuff is there and probably could miss bats and be the fourth best starter on the team but they can wait with him. Let him figure out how to locate everything for a full year and start camp with the team next year. If this team makes the playoffs it’s great give the kids and the vets a taste. Anything can happen but without a crazy hot streak it’s hard to see this team going deep and I love them.
Zaidi recently told the media that Harrison will be coming up basically as soon as he is healthy. It would seem that the approach has shifted from adding pieces at the deadline to filling holes internally. Time will tell if that works enough to keep the team in contention.
Look guys the Gigantes are about to become the ONLY MLB team in the Bay Area with the A’s heading to Vegas (also pull in fans from Sacto (Rivercats) even from Fresno so they are going to be at the TOP of the $ market. MLB is about ENTERTAINMENT and not just moving around the chess pieces with no real chance of winning another Series. Webb and Cobb are solid but they needed to sign another top starter for the playoff series so that they would have at least three and a very good bullpen. Also another impact bat to put in the middle of the lineup they are among the worst runs per game offense in all of MLB. With a 110 million dollar bank wad for next season lets just hope they sign big like an Ohtani or Alonso (rumors Mets might want to move him) someone to truly get excited about on an entertainment level. For now would like them to sign Mancini a real inspiration story and I think would fit in really well with the squad.