'Underproducing' Giants predicted to trade $115 million Cy Young winner for prospects

The San Francisco Giants have struggled under first-year manager Tony Vitello. 

The NL West club is at or near the bottom in most offensive categories. However, the good news is that the season remains young, and the Giants are nowhere near out of the postseason race. 

If the organization decides to sell at the deadline, president of baseball operations Buster Posey has a left-handed pitcher he should move, writes ESPN's David Schoenfield. 

"The Giants should not be written off; this season is too jumbled to do that, and there is still plenty of talent here," Schoenfield wrote Monday. "However, they're a mess now, with an overpaid, underproducing roster and a rookie manager still trying to figure out the major leagues." 

One of the players who is not underproducing is starting pitcher Robbie Ray. The former Cy Young Award winner posted a 2.86 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 28.1 innings through his first five starts. He's held opponents to a .176 batting average against his fastball, which has averaged just 93.5 mph. 

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"Ray and fellow pending free agent Luis Arraez are the obvious trade candidates if things don't turn around," Schoenfield added. "Ray has more trade value, especially if the Giants pay down some of his $25 million salary to get a better prospect." 

It would be wise for Posey and the Giants to trade Ray if they fall out of the race. There will be several postseason contenders searching for arms, and Ray makes sense as a half-season rental. 

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