These 7 Deadline options could boost Giants

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The Giants weren’t big players at last year’s Trade Deadline, as their hopes of making a playoff push largely cratered after they lost seven in a row to the Dodgers and D-backs to start the second half. The ill-timed downturn left San Francisco on the fringes of contention, prompting president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi to trade away four veterans -- Darin Ruf, Curt Casali, Matthew Boyd and Trevor Rosenthal -- rather than pursue major upgrades.

The Giants appear to be better positioned to seek out reinforcements this year, as they entered Saturday tied for second place with the D-backs in the National League West with a 54-44 record. With a promising wave of young talent beginning to coalesce in the Majors, the Giants will have to strike a balance between prioritizing the present and the future, but here are seven players they could potentially target if they decide to push their chips in at the Aug. 1 Deadline.

1. Shohei Ohtani, RHP/DH, Angels

2023 stats: .305 AVG, 35 HR, 76 RBI, 11 SB, 1.076; 3.71 ERA over 111 2/3 innings

The Angels are reportedly in “listening mode” on Shohei Ohtani, but landing the two-way superstar won’t come cheap, whether it be on the trade market or in free agency this offseason. If they decide to pursue Ohtani at the Deadline, the Angels are expected to ask for multiple Top 100 prospects in return, which would likely require the Giants to dangle exciting youngsters like Kyle Harrison, Marco Luciano, Luis Matos or Carson Whisenhunt.

It remains to be seen if the Giants are willing to pay that price for a rental who isn’t guaranteed to re-sign, but it’s hard to imagine another addition being as impactful as Ohtani, who could slot into the top of the rotation and fortify the lineup with his powerful left-handed bat.

2. Marcus Stroman, RHP, Cubs

2023 stats: 10-7, 3.09 ERA, 1.144 WHIP, 105 SO, 46 BB, 122 1/3 IP

The Giants and Cubs lined up to make a blockbuster deal at the 2021 Trade Deadline, with San Francisco sending prospects Caleb Killian and Alexander Canario to Chicago in exchange for Kris Bryant.

Could they link up for another big trade this summer?

Marcus Stroman certainly seems like an ideal trade target, as he’s spoken highly of the Giants’ front office in the past and considered coming to San Francisco before signing a three-year, $71 million deal with the Cubs prior to the 2022 season. Like co-aces Logan Webb and Alex Cobb, Stroman excels at suppressing home runs and keeping the ball on the ground, ranking second in the Majors with a 57.8 percent groundball rate. The two-time All-Star is owed $25 million this year and has a $21 million player option for the 2024 season.

3. Lucas Giolito, RHP, White Sox

2023 stats: 6-6, 3.96 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 122 SO, 39 BB, 116 IP

Lucas Giolito is an impending free agent, making him an obvious trade chip for the underperforming White Sox. A one-time All-Star who received American League Cy Young Award votes from 2019-21, Giolito, 29, is earning $10.4 million this year and could be one of the most sought-after arms at this year’s Deadline, as the rival Dodgers and Reds already rumored to be among his potential suitors.

4. Jordan Montgomery, LHP, Cardinals

2023 stats: 6-7, 3.14 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 101 SO, 29 BB, 109 IP

After a rough first half, the Cardinals appear poised to sell at the Deadline, leaving Jordan Montgomery as another attractive trade target for contending teams. The 30-year-old veteran is making $10 million in his final season before free agency, though he departed his final start before the All-Star break with right hamstring irritation, so his health will be worth monitoring in the weeks to come.

5. Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP, Tigers

2023 stats: 6-5, 2.69 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 88 SO, 18 BB, 83 2/3 IP

Eduardo Rodriguez missed five weeks with a ruptured pulley in his left index finger, but he came off the injured list earlier this month and has continued to look like a frontline starter for the Tigers. The 31-year-old Venezuelan has the ability to opt out of the remaining three years and $49 million on his contract at the end of this season, so the Tigers will likely be motivated to trade him at the Deadline. It should be noted that former Giants general manager Scott Harris is now the head of baseball operations in Detroit, which could help facilitate talks between the two side

6. Tim Anderson, SS, White Sox

2023 stats: .236 AVG, 0 HR, 16 RBI, 9 SB, .553 OPS

Tim Anderson, the 2019 batting champion, has been mired in a season-long offensive funk and hasn’t hit a homer since July 15, 2022. Still, injuries to Thairo Estrada and Brandon Crawford could compel the Giants to seek out another middle infielder like Anderson, who has expressed confidence in his ability to turn it around at the plate. A two-time All-Star, Anderson is earning $12.5 million this year and has a $14 million club option (with a $1 million buyout) for 2024.

7. Paul DeJong, SS, Cardinals

2023 stats: .236 AVG, 13 HR, 32 RBI, 4 SB, .730 OPS

After back-to-back down seasons, Paul DeJong is enjoying a resurgent campaign with the Cardinals and could help beef up the Giants’ right-handed power now that Estrada and Mitch Haniger are on the injured list. The 29-year-old is making $9.1 million this season and has two club options for 2024 and ‘25.