Report: Giants expected to be sellers at trade deadline
The San Francisco Giants may be packing it in early this year.
The Giants own one of the worst records (28-51) in baseball, as well as one of the oldest teams, and because of this they are expected to be sellers before the July 31 trade deadline, according to MLB.com's Jon Morosi.
Most of San Francisco's roster, not including Madison Bumgarner, Brandon Crawford, or Buster Posey, are likely to be available, according to Morosi, who reports closer Mark Melancon, right-handed starter Johnny Cueto, and first baseman Brandon Belt could be the more intriguing pieces of trade bait.
Despite reported friction between Melancon and the Giants - which was shot down by the 32-year-old and manager Bruce Bochy on Monday - he could be a perfect fit for the Washington Nationals, who appear to be on the hunt for relief help and are familiar with Melancon, who closed for them during the final two months of last season.
Cueto, who is reportedly set to opt out of his deal at season's end, could be a huge grab for any contender in need of starting pitching. Although he's pitched to his highest ERA (4.20) since 2009, the veteran won 18 games for the Giants last year.
Belt could be an intriguing fit for the Los Angeles Angels, Morosi speculates, and with the Angels in need of a left-handed first baseman, there appears to be a match.
The Giants own the sixth-highest payroll in baseball at $186,220,593, according to spotrac.