3 last-minute Max Scherzer trades partners Nationals need to get on the phone with right now
By Josh Hill
2. San Francisco Giants
Of the teams the Nationals can trade Scherzer to, the Giants offer perhaps the most fruitful return in terms of its farm system. San Francisco has long prided itself on being able to scout, acquire, and develop young talent over the years, winning three World Series titles as a result.
As San Francisco races to win a fourth title, they might be willing to mortgage some of their developmental talents to land an ace like Scherzer.
It was reported earlier in the week that the Giants had engaged in trade talks with the Cubs regarding the services of Kris Bryant. In those talks, it was revealed the Cubs had asked about Joey Bart and the Giants didn’t immediately shut it down. San Francisco eventually pulled Bart off the table, but the fact that they were willing to at least entertain the thought of dealing him for Bryant should cause ears in the Nationals front office to perk up.
Even if the Giants don’t trade Bart — which, if they are willing to deal him for Scherzer the Nats should make a one-for-one deal since he’s potentially going to be that good — their willingness to think about it means other top prospects like Heliot Ramos, Hunter Bishop, or Seth Corry could be in the mix.
It all depends on how badly San Francisco wants to go all-in on a World Series. Scherzer could potentially turn the Giants into World Series favorites for a couple of years, so it’s a tempting trade to make even if it might cost them some of their top future talent.
Who Nationals Could Get: Joey Bart is a pipedream, but Corry could be a fantastic way to replace Scherzer — and potentially Stephen Strasburg — down the road.