Sabean says Giants 'open for business' heading into trade deadline

The San Francisco Giants are in somewhat uncharted territory.

Owners of the second-worst record in the majors, the Giants are on pace for just their second losing season since 2008 and head into the non-waiver trade deadline as sellers.

"I think needless to say, we're open for business," Giants executive vice president of baseball operations Brian Sabean told Andrew Baggarly of the Mercury News. "I think we have to be. … I think we'll be a lot more open minded to more names than we have been in the past."

It was reported earlier this month that the Giants would listen to offers for anyone other than left-hander Madison Bumgarner, catcher Buster Posey, and shortstop Brandon Crawford. While Sabean didn't officially confirm that those players are untouchable, he did acknowledge that trading the three stars wouldn't be in the best interests of the franchise.

"That's a logical deduction," Sabean said. "You've got a franchise pitcher, a franchise catcher and one of the best shortstops no matter what he's going through this year. Those three animals are divine."

Despite the Giants having placed the sale sign outside the door, Sabean says he has no plans of entering a complete teardown and anticipates his team competing for a playoff spot next season.

"We can't gut this team and say, 'Hey, we'll see you in three years.' Or, 'We're going to flatline to get the draft picks,'" Sabean said.

"But we know the task at hand. We've got to get this turned around to the point where when we start next year's season, we've got the expectation to get back to the playoffs."