MLB Trade Rumors: Marlins Ricky Nolasco Wants to Pitch For San Francisco Giants

For the past five years or so, the San Francisco Giants and elite starting pitching have become synonymous with each other. Two World Series trophies later and the Giants have become a year in, year out force but injuries and sub-par first halves for the vast majority of their rotation has the Giants struggling – at least to their standards.

Help for their starting rotation might be on the way though.

Yesterday, Houston Astros ‘ace’ (and that term is used loosely) Bud Norris said it would be a “dream come true” to pitch for the Giants and today, according to Giants beat writer Henry Shulman, Miami Marlins pitcher Ricky Nolasco would also prefer to be traded to the Bay, if a move is made.

Per Schulman:

"What I’ve heard: If the Marlins were to trade starter Ricky Nolasco, his first choice is to come to the #sfgiants. Makes sense on many levels. He’s a California boy. He has a big contract, so the Giants could take on money and not give up big prospect. Has an 0.87 ERA in four starts at AT&T. Plus, since he wants to be here, chances of re-signing him as a free agent would increase. I also understand he’s a good friend of Sergio Romo. Nolasco is 30."

In win now mode, the Giants could try to make a move for both Norris and Nolasco, two fantastic additions considering they’d be moving from the top of their respective rotations down to three and four (maybe even five) for the Giants.

A starting five of Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, Ryan Vogelsong (when he returns), Ricky Nolasco and Bud Norris with Tim Lincecum moving into a bullpen role might put the Giants atop the National League again.