The San Francisco Giants are battling in the NL West this season after winning the World series and as the summer starts heating up, the team could start laying the groundwork for trades for names like Cliff Lee or David Price, as a number of areas have come up for the team in 2013, especially with its starting pitching.
The team is 30-27 as the schedule turns to June and now sits two games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks in the division after defeating the Cardinals 4-2. The Giants are ranked 14th in runs scored and fifth in batting average while ranking 11th in on base and 15th in slugging percentage in the league. Madison Bumgarner has been the most consistent starter with the team and after dealing with an injury to Ryan Vogelsong, the team could be looking for some depth. Brian Sabean has never been afraid to make a move, much like he did over the past two seasons with Hunter Pence and Marco Scutaro last year along with Carlos Beltran the year before. The Giants gave up their best pitching prospect in Zach Wheeler in that deal and they could make a similar move again.
The team is also dealing with the possibility of moving Tim Lincecum to the bullpen and while the former Cy Young winner said he was open to it and wanted to help the team win in any way that he could, that is still something that the Giants need to figure out. According to Jon Heyman at CBS Sports, some names that the team could go after includes Cliff Lee, David Price and R.A. Dickey, as all three could end up on the trading block as the deadline approaches. The Giants needs more starting pitching depth and after winning the World Series for the second time in three seasons, one big trade could be all they need to get over the top again.
Lee is an intriguing option since the Phillies have a ton of money tied up in their starting pitching and with the team not performing up to snuff quite yet, he could end up on the block. The Giants may be weary of bringing in a guy that is making with $25 million this season, but since both Barry Zito and Lincecum are coming off of the books next season, they might bite the bullet and take some of that money anyway. The Phillies have Roy Halladay on the DL and Sabean could also look at names like Price, Dickey or even a Ricky Nolasco with the Miami Marlins.
The Giants have the makings of a dynasty right now with a chance to win three titles in four years and as shown by how move with Wheeler, Sabean will make deals and not worry if they will hamper the team. Pence and Scutaro ended up helping the team win a World Series and as the team moves deeper into summer, the depth could be an issue and adding a quality arm like Lee's or Price could be the one move to get back to the World Series. The Giants have a serious ace in Matt Cain and while they have put a ton of money into him, they may not feel the same about Lincecum, who has broken down over the past few years. Lee could be an effective starter as a number two (while possessing number one skills) and that could take some pressure off the rotation and Lincecum himself. The Giants still have a ton to consider before making a move like that, but if they do, Sabean won't think twice about it.
