SF Giants: 3 fan favorites who should be traded at the deadline

Jun 17, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; San Francisco Giants left fielder Joc Pederson (23) celebrates his solo home run with first baseman Brandon Belt (right) against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

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DENVER, CO – MAY 17: Brandon Belt #9 of the San Francisco Giants runs toward first against the Colorado Rockies during the fourth inning at Coors Field on May 17, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images) /

2) Giants first baseman Brandon Belt

Brandon Belt has long been a fan favorite for San Francisco Giants fans, as he has spent part of 12 seasons in a Giants uniform. He’s also one of only two players still on the team from when the Giants won the World Series in 2012 and 2014.

Belt, 34, signed the qualifying offer after last season (one-year, $18.4 million), so he will be a free agent after the end of the season. If they don’t trade him, the Giants risk not re-signing him and not getting anything in return.

He also has struggled with injuries for each of the last two seasons. Entering Tuesday, Belt was hitting .232/.351/.394 with an OPS+ of 110 in 48 games. While that’s still above league average, it is a far cry from his 177 OPS+ in 2020 or his 159 OPS+ last season.

Especially since he has had such a history with the team, it would be extremely difficult for fans to see him go. But, after all, baseball is a business, and business-wise, it’s better if the Giants trade him now rather than possibly lose him on the free agent market.

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