Hot Stove Update: Scouting Starting Pitcher Trade Targets

It's impossible to list every possible trade target, but there are two MLB teams, the Reds and A's, widely believed to be intent on reducing payroll with pitching they are willing to trade.  Given the trade incentive is mainly to reduce payroll, the cost in prospects may not be as prohibitive as we might think.  Here are six pitchers from the Reds and A's.

Tyler Mahle RHP, Reds:  DOB:  9/29/1994.  6'3", 210 lbs.  Arbitration Eligible(MLBTR Projected $5.6 M).  FA 2024.

2021:  13-6, 3.75, 180 IP, 10.5 K/9, 3.20 BB/9.  

Mahle is a workhorse innings eating SP who will take a prospect or two to pry loose given he has 2 years of team control on his contract.

Luis Castillo RHP, Reds:  DOB:  12/12/1992.  6'2", 200 lbs. Arbitration Eligible(MLBTR Projected $7.6 M).  Free Agent 2024.

2021: 8-16, 3.98, 187.2 IP, 9.21 K/9, 3.60 BB/9.

Castillo got off to a terrible start in 2021 but turned his season around with a 3.18 ERA in the second half.  2 years of salary control via arbitration will also increase his price in prospects.

Sonny Gray RHP, Reds:  DOB:  11/7/1989.  5' 10".  195 lbs.  3yr/$31.5 M(2020-2022, $10 M in 20222 with 2023 club option for $12 M).

2021:  7-9, 4.19, 135.1 IP, 10.31 K/9, 3.33 BB/9.    

Gray's contract is really a bargain but might be too much for the Reds to maintain so they may be willing to part with him for a lesser prospect haul to get salary relief, yet he is eminently affordable for the Giants.  He would be a nice fit in their rotation though not quite the upgrade that Mahle or Castillo would be.

Frankie Montas RHP, A's:  DOB:  3/21/1993.  6'2", 255 lbs.  Arbitration Eligible(MLBTR Projected $5.2 M).  Free Agent 2024.

2021:  13-9, 3.37, 187 IP, 9.96 K/9, 2.74 BB/9.  

Montas is a stud but has some injury history and a PED suspension in his rearview mirror. 

Chris Bassitt RHP, A's:  DOB:  2/22/1989.  6'5", 217 lbs.  Arbitration Eligible(MLBTR Projected $8.8 M M).  Free Agent 2023.

2021:  12-4, 3.15, 157.1 IP, 9.10 K/9, 2.23 BB/9.  

Expensive enough that the A's may want to dump him but affordable for a team like the Giants.  Giants would probably not want to give up too much in prospects for essentially a 1 year rental.

Sean Manaea LHP, A's:  DOB:  2/1/1992.  6'5", 245 lbs.  Arbitration eligible(MLBTR Projected $10.2 M).  Free Agent 2023.  

2021:  11-10, 3.91, 179.1 IP, 9.74 K/9, 2.06 BB/9.  

Most expensive salarywise which might make him the least expensive in prospects for trade.  

Any of these 6 pitchers would meet the Giants need for another frontline SP.  None of them are quite aces but they all could be as much as a #2 behind Logan Webb.  It just comes down to how much FZ is willing to part with prospects to fortify the rotation for another run in 2022.