Giants trade rumor reveals huge first step towards potential deals

The San Francisco Giants are a team that's very likely to be a trade deadline seller by the August 3 deadline later this season.

Tony Vitello's first year hasn't gone to plan, and it would not be a surprise if some players were dealt this summer, as the 29-43 Giants are trending towards a sell-off.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the expectation seems to be becoming already, as the Giants are reportedly starting the trade process by putting out feelers on their top trade candidates this summer.

Giants putting out feelers on trade candidates

"In recent days, the Giants have put out feelers on some of their players, testing the waters for potential deals, according to people briefed on their discussion," Rosenthal reports.

This is a significant update from Rosenthal, as it's revealing the Giants are already opening the door to trades this season, despite the trade deadline being over a month and a half away.

But the Giants, 16 games back in the NL West already by June 15, are likely to sell some players this summer. The question now is who could be on the move.

Robbie Ray and Luis Arraez are the two obvious trade candidates, as they're both in the final year of their deals and would bring back something decent in a deadline deal rather than losing them for nothing at the deadline.

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All of the other players who could be rental trade targets will be worth keeping tabs on this summer, but looking around the roster, there are a few others worth paying attention to.

Matt Chapman appears to be a legitimate trade target, while Rafael Devers, Willy Adames, and Heliot Ramos could get moved for the right price.

Harrison Bader, if healthy, might also make sense as a trade chip for Buster Posey and the Giants this summer. Adrian Houser, Tyler Mahle, and many of their relievers could be on the move as well.

Logan Webb and Casey Schmitt seem safe, but outside of those two, it seems like most of the Giants' roster could be had for the right price this summer. They've already put out trade feelers, which is the first step towards conducting a fire sale by the trade deadline.

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