ESPN insider seems certain Giants will trade their $115 million lefty ace

The San Francisco Giants are one of the more obvious trade deadline sellers this season, as things have gone very wrong during Tony Vitello's first season as manager.

While there are questions about Willy Adames, Matt Chapman, and Rafael Devers potentially being on the move, there are two players who seem very likely to be dealt this summer. One is Luis Arraez, and the other is a $115 million left-handed starter.

That left-hander, Robbie Ray, was someone that ESPN insider Jesse Rogers had a strong conviction would be dealt this summer. Rogers seems certain that Ray is on the move, and the only question is where he winds up.

ESPN Insider is certain Giants will trade Robbie Ray

"Luis Arraez seems like a candidate who could move, but Robbie Ray might be the more important player," Rogers writes. "... but Ray is a playoff starter when he's going at his best. He'll be moved."

This conviction from Rogers shouldn't come as a huge surprise. The Giants left-hander is in the final year of his five-year, $115 million contract.

Players on teams that are clear sellers in the final year of their deals are very likely to be traded. For Ray, the 34-year-old lefty, he will hit free agency after the season comes to a close.

There is zero reason for the Giants to hold onto him, as trading him by the August 3 trade deadline makes more sense for the team in the long-term.

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He has a 3.38 ERA this season with an 8-6 record and 1.5 bWAR, including a 1.84 ERA in his last seven starts. While he has just 31 strikeouts in the 44 innings during those outings, Ray is clearly one of the better pitchers available this summer.

If the Detroit Tigers don't trade Tarik Skubal, Ray is probably the best pitcher who could be on the move. That should give the Giants even more reason to trade him: Ray could spark a legitimate bidding war.

Rogers is certain Ray will be traded this summer, and considering Ray's situation and where the Giants stand as a franchise, Rogers' conviction is likely correct. Ray should be on the move, and if he's not, something would have gone very wrong for the Giants.

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