Fansided

5 moves the Giants should make at the MLB trade deadline

By Josh Criswell

May 24, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder Justin Upton (10) hits a two run RBI double in the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder Justin Upton (10) hits a two run RBI double in the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 6, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) pitches during the fourth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Citizens bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) pitches during the fourth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Citizens bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Acquire Cole Hamels from the Phillies

Just like with David Price of the Detroit Tigers, trading for Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels fills two quotas.

It provides the San Fransisco Giants with a second elite pitcher to add to the front-end of their rotation, and it keeps him out of the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Both factors are equally important to the Giants’ playoff hopes in 2015. If the Dodgers are able to acquire Hamels, and San Fransisco cannot add another quality No. 2 pitcher, their postseason chances are all but shot. Likewise, if the Giants can make a major improvement to their starting rotation while leaving their National League West rival empty-handed, they will become the favorite to win the division.

The benefit to signing Hamels over Price is that instead of being a potential one-year rental, he is locked up through 2019.

The downside, however, is that the Phillies’ lefty is owed a lot of money over the next few years, is two years older than price and has thrown nearly 600 more innings in his career than Price. One player you could have the chance to lock up for the remainder of his prime after the season. The other’s production will certainly decline before his contract is up, while still having to pay him upwards of $20 million per season.

Much like Price, Hamels will cost the Giants a combination of the top prospects in their farm system. Premier pitching prospect Tyler Beede and highly coveted catcher Andrew Susac would probably be enough to get a deal done, though, given the Phillies’ needs at both positions.

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