It’s been all quiet on the trading front for the Giants with less than two weeks until the MLB trade deadline. But ask anyone who’s in the know on such matters, and they’ll tell you that’s not likely to last long. It’s almost certain that last-place San Francisco will make some moves to head in one direction or another – either retool or rebuild.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale joined The Audible on 1050 Tuesday morning and said he thinks the Giants really don’t have a choice in the matter.
“I think you bring in guys,” Nightengale said. “I mean, you’re exactly right, with the guys they have, you can’t do a total rebuild when you’re on this kind of fanbase and TV ratings, there’s no way they can do a rebuild. Nobody would have the stomach for it.”
Nightengale was by no means saying the Giants should make moves to contend this season, but rather a reloading effort for 2018 and beyond. He went on to say that with the current stars the Giants have (see: Posey, Crawford, Bumgarner), it would be somewhat ineffective to carry them on the major league roster while loading up their farm system with teenage prospects.
Other topics discussed included possible fits for Johnny Cueto, and what kind of player the Giants could seek in return for their number two pitcher.
The full interview with Nightengale is available below. To listen to his comments on the decision to rebuild or not, skip to the 6:05 mark.