Fansided

MLB Trade Deadline: 1 trade every team shouldn’t make

By Nathaniel Reeves

Apr 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder A.J. Pollock prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies during Opening Day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder A.J. Pollock prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies during Opening Day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
25 of 31
Next
Apr 25, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Hunter Strickland (60) throws against the San Diego Padres in the eighth inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Hunter Strickland (60) throws against the San Diego Padres in the eighth inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

San Francisco Giants: Overpaying for a reliever 

With a couple of key offseason acquisitions, the Giants jumped right back into contention and looked poised to continue their streak of winning the World Series every other year. After a bit of a rough start, the Giants have won seven games in a row and lead the NL West at 24-18.

That record shows how inconsistent the Giants have been this year, although they own a 2.5 game lead thanks to the Dodgers’ struggles. However, there are a couple of holes on the roster that must be addressed at the deadline.

One issue has been the bullpen, typically a strength for San Francisco. Jeremy Affeldt retired last offseason, Sergio Romo was injured, and the other members of the “Core Four” has struggled.

However, the Giants should keep their faith in Romo, Santiago Castilla and Javier Lopez rather than panic and pay a huge ransom for one of the top relievers on the market. One intriguing internal option to take over the late-inning role could be Hunter Strickland, who has tremendous raw stuff and has struck out over a batter per inning for his career.

Paying for a reliever might not move the needle enough for the Giants to overtake the top four teams in the stacked NL. Instead, every resource should go towards fixing the back of the rotation, as Jake Peavy and Matt Cain both need to be replaced.

Next: Seattle Mariners: Dealing James Paxton

Home/Arizona Diamondbacks