The report Thursday was that the Giants are still commited to buying at the trade deadline, despite being mired in a season-high seven game losing streak. That was confirmed by MLB insider and former general manager Jim Bowden, who said on KNBR that the Giants are commited to holding onto their expiring contracts, and are looking to improve their defense.
“The only thing that matters is what the people who are running the franchise think,” Bowden told “Papa & Lund”. “For example, Farhan Zaidi and Scott Harris are out in the marketplace buying. They’re not selling. Carlos Rodon is not avaliable. They are out there trying to improve their defense. That’s their focus. That’s what they’re trying to do, that’s what they want to accomplish. They still think they can get into a wild card in the playoffs.
“The one thing I respect about Farhan Zaidi since he got to San Francisco is he always wants to win period. He doesn’t believe in rebuilding, he doesn’t want to go through the pain and suffering that teams like the Orioles and Cubs are willing to do to turn things around. He feels like in his marketplace — like New York, like LA — you’re not allowed to do that. You’ve got to find a way to keep building, keep adding.”
As far as specific players are concerned, Bowden mentioned A’s centerfielder Ramón Laureano as a potential target.
“In the Giants’ case, they’re trying to improve their team. They’re trying to improve their outfield defense, specifically team defense. That’s the goal. Ramon Laureano is one player they’ve been linked to to improve the outfield defense as an example. That’s what they’re trying to do. The odds on that changing between Monday are slim.”
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