Scouting the 2026 Trade Deadline

The Giants had one of the biggest trade deadline days in franchise history.  Certainly the biggest all-out deadline sale I can remember.  Whent the dust cleared 6 players were traded off the Active Roster for a total of 8 prospects, most of them ranked in the top 10 of organizations they come from and 5 immediately slot into the MLB's Top 30 Giants Prospects.  Here is a list of the players the Giants traded yesterday and today:

Tyler Mahle RHP

Luis Arraez 2B

Robbie Ray LHP

Caleb Kilian RHP

Erik Miller LHP

Heliot Ramos OF

Carlos Gutierrez OF(A+)

We all know who they are so I am not going to go into detail of their strengths and weaknesses.  The only (slight) surprises were Ramos and Gutierrez.  Ramos was traded for the prospect return he could get and because the Giants have several OF prospects they are hight on and need to open up positions where they can play.  Gutierrez was throw-in on a deal for a former #4 overall draft pick.

Let's grind through the prospects the Giants got in return.  I will list them in the order of where I rank them.

Ramon Marquez RHP(Phillies).  DOB:  9/19/2005.  6' 2", 182 lbs.    

2026(A):  3-0, 1.86, 29 IP, 14.59 K/9, 3.10 BB/9, 1.86 GB/FB.  

2026(A+):  3-1, 1.50, 30 IP, 13.80 K/9, 2.70 BB/9, 2.25 GB/FB.

MLB scouting report gives him a FB that sits 94-96 MPH and hits 98, a cutter and a 70 grade changeup that is rated one of the best in the minor leagues.  Some effort in his delivery which could bode for more of a bullpen role.  

Henry LaLane LHP(Yankees).  DOB:  5/18/2004.  6' 7", 211 lbs.  

2026(A):  4-1, 2.74, 62.1 IP, 11.70 K/9, 3.18 BB/9, 1.73 GB/FB.

2025(A+):  0-0, 2.87, 15.2 IP, 9.77 K/9, 2.30 BB/9, 1.06 GB/FB.

Big, tall lefty.  Son of a basketball player.  $350 K international signing bonus.  Lost a couple seasons to a shoulder injury but seems fully healthy now.  60 grade FB sits at 94 and tops out at 98.  Best secondary pitch is a 60 grade changeup.  Slider is a sweeper.  Throws consistent strikes.  

Miguel Mendez RHP(Padres).  DOB:  7/1/2002.  6' 2", 165 lbs.  

2026(AA):  2-2, 4.93, 34.2 IP, 9.87 K/9, 4.41 BB/9, 1.19 GB/FB.

Broke out in 2025 after 4 years in A ball.  Velocity spiked to 95-100 MPH.  Tight slider is a "dynamite" weapon.  Changeup is less developed.  Improved control but still walks too many.  Probably profiles as a RP.  

Joniel Hernandez SS(Padres).  DOB:  3/6/2009.  B-R, T-R.  6' 1", 180 lbs

2026(DSL):  .303/.424/.503, 15 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 4 SB, 16.7 BB%, 16.1 K%, 192 PA.

17 yo SS out of Cuba.  $1.4 M signing bonus.  Loose, whippy swing comes with some length but currently hitting for average in the DSL and showing excellent strike zone judgment.  Projectable power in both the swing and frame.  Run is best tool with a 60 grade.  A lottery ticket, for sure.

Kaeden Kent SS(Yankees).  DOB:  8/29/2003.  B-L, T-R.  6' 2", 200 lbs.

2026(A+):  .302/.359/.433, 20 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 20 SB, 8.2 BB%, 16.1 K%.  

Giants are stockpiling legacy prospects.  Kent is the son of recently inducted HOF'er Jeff.  Profiles more at 2B defensively.  Batted .417 in the 2024 College World Series.  3'rd round draft pick.  High baseball IQ, line drive swing that produces contact but limits power.

Marty Gair RHP(Phillies).  DOB:  7/17/2003.  6' 6", 230 lbs.

2026(A):  2-3, 4.91, 33 IP, 15.82 K/9, 5.73 BB/9, 6 Saves.

Big reliever with a bigger fastball that reaches 102 MPH.  Just what the doctor ordered for a velocity starved bullpen.  Can get a wild hair up his nose.

Marcelo Mayer IF(Red Sox).  DOB:  12/12/2002.  B-L, T-R.  6' 3", 188 lbs.  

2025(AAA):  .271/.347/.471, 9 HR, 2 SB, 10.4 BB%, 19.7 K%, 193 PA.

2025(MLB):  .228/.272/.402, 4 HR, 5.9 BB%, 30.1 K%, 136 PA.

2026(MLB):  .220/.282/.312, 3 HR, 3 SB, 7.0 BB%, 19.3 K%, 228 PA.

Former #4 overall draft pick whose career hit a wall in the transition from prospect to MLB'er.  Sweet swing but one that produces too much ground ball contact and tends to chase off-speed pitches.  Struggles against LHP's which may limit him to platoon work.  Giants gave up a pretty good lefty reliever and threw in a lottery ticket prospect to get him, so do they see something they think they can fix?

Anthony Molina RHP(Braves).  DOB:  1/12/2002.  6' 1", 170 lbs.  

2026(AAA):  3-2, 3.64, 54.1 IP, 9.28 K/9, 3.31 BB/9, 1 Save.

2026(MLB):  0-0, 5.40, 5 IP, 3.60 K/9, 1.80 BB/9. 

We profiled him in Sunday's Game Wrap after the trade.  Solid velocity and a 3-pitch mix but pitches to contact.

Overall Buster Posey used the trade deadline to stockpile a bunch of high-ceiling arms which at the worst bring added velocity to a velocity-starved bullpen which is exactly what he needed to do.  He did not shed any of the potential "albatross" contracts either by choice or more likely could not find any takers despite rumored interest from the Padres in Rafael Devers.  Perhaps the offseason is more conducive to that type of trade?  

Grade B+.   

Down on the Farm: 8/2/2026

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats blasted the Tacoma Rainiers 9-1.

Jonah Cox CF- 3 for 5, SB(2).  BA= .353.

Scott Bandura RF- 2 for 4, BB, SB(14).  BA= .301.

Will Brennan 1B- 3 for 5, 2B, HR(4).  BA= .336.

Eddys Leonard 2B- 1 for 5, HR(4).  BA= .143.

Matt Wilkinson LHP- 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K's.  ERA= 4.41.

Tristan Beck RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 3.63.

Nice turnaround for Wilkinson after a disaster start.  This was his best start of the season at any level.  His only other 7-inning, scoreless start was May 27 in AA with 3 K's and 0 BB's.  

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the Somerset Patriots 5-1.

Trevor Cohen CF- 2 for 5.  BA= .348.

Gavin Kilen SS- 3 for 4, SB(1).  BA= .327.

Charlie Szykowny RF- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .247.

Maui Ahuna 3B- 1 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .220.

Logan Martin RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 4.21.

Shane Rademacher RHP- 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 4.30.

7 multi-hit games in a row for Cohen.  He and Kilen look like a nice haul from the 2025 draft.  

A+:  Tri-Cities Dust Devils beat the Eugene Emeralds 6-3. 

Jose Astudillo RF- 3 for 5.  BA= .396.

Hayden Jatczak DH- 1 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .290.

Zander Darby 3B- 2 for 5, 2B, HR(13).  BA= .269.

Carlos De La Torre LHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 5.16.

Esmerlin Vinicio LHP- 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 3.14.

A:  San Jose Giants doubled up the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 8-4.

Luis Hernandez SS- 1 for 5, HR(2).  BA= .125.

Cam Maldonado RF- 2 for 2, 2B, HR(13), 2 BB, SB(17).  BA= .264.

Chen-Hsun Lee RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

DSL was idle as usual on Sundays.

Game Wrap 8/2/2026: Padres 5 Giants 4

Home runs by Osleivis Basabe and Rafael Devers were not enough to overcome a subpar start by Landen Roupp as the Giants dropped the final 3 games of the 4-game series against the Padres.  Key Lines:

Rafael Devers 1B- 1 for 3, HR(23), BB, 2 R, RBI.  BA= .250.  Although I acknowledge Devers as the best hitter on the team, is he THE player you lash your franchise to in the raging sea?  My answer is no and that contract is only going to get worse going forward and there is LONG way to go!  So when I read on MLBTR that the Padres are interested I am praying it's true.  I value the future payroll flexibility much more than his current value which is less than his current salary anyway.

Osleivis Basabe 3B- 1 for 3, HR(2), HBP, R, RBI.  BA= .333.  His history suggests he won't sustain anything close to this but it's fun to ride the hot hand.  

Jung Hoo Lee RF- 2 for 3, 2B, HBP, SB(7).  BA= .301.  Is it just me or are there too many times when players on this team put up a multi-hit line including XBH's and yet do not figure in the scoring?

Landen Roupp RHP- 4.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 BB, 6 K's, 5/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 4.34.  Roupp may have reached his wall as he approaches 120% of his career innings max.  

Logan Webb RHP takes the mound this evening against the Rangers and TBD.

The first shoe dropped as the trade deadline approaches with Tyler Mahle going to the Braves for Anthony Molina RHP.  Molina is 24 yo, throws a FB 96-97 MPH and has 4 pitches he throws at least 16% of the time.  

Anthony Molina RHP.  DOB:  1/12/2002.  6' 1", 170 lbs.  

AAA:  3-2, 3.78, 52.1 IP, 9.11 K/9, 3.44 BB/9, 1 Save, 9 GS.  

MLB:  0-0, 5.40, 5 IP, 3.60 K/9, 1.80 BB/9.  

MLB(Career):  2-2, 6.89, 99.1 IP, 6.07 K/9, 2.63 BB/9.  

Swingman in the minors.  Has a pitch mix that could work as a SP.  Giants probably see him as more of a reliever.  Trade target was probably the velocity which is at least the right idea for rebuilding the bullpen. Despite the velocity and the pitch mix the strikeout rates come up short.  

Down on the Farm: 8/1/2026

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats conquered the Tacoma Rainiers 7-2.

Turner Hill RF- 2 for 5.  BA= .345.

Parks Harber 3B- 2 for 4, 2 HR(4), BB.  BA= .377.

Thomas Gavello 2B- 1 for 4, HR(6).  BA= .192.

Seth Lonsway LHP- 4.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 6.62.

Ryan Walker RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 2.00.

Michael Fulmer RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 2.98.

With Matt Chapman's rehab setback, do the Giants give Parks Harber a shot at 3B?

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the Somerset Patriots 10-4.

Trevor Cohen DH- 2 for 6, 2B, HR(1).  BA= .344.

Dayson Croes 3B- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .261.

Charlie Szykowny RF- 2 for 4, BB, 2 SB(8).  BA= .244.

Jack Payton LF- 2 for 4, HR(3), BB.  BA- .272.

Will Bednar RHP- 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 3.67.

6'th consecutive multi-hit game for Trevor Cohen.  I think he must have heard us talking about the lack of power.

A+:  Tri-Cities Dust Devils outscored the Eugene Emeralds 9-6.

Carlos Gutierrez DH- 1 for 3, 2 BB, 2 SB(26).  BA= .276.

Hayden Jatczak 1B- 2 for 4, SB(1).  BA= .296.

Ubert Mejias RHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's, 4/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 6.56.

A:  Rancho Cucamonga Quakes topped the San Jose Giants 9-6.

Josuar Gonzalez SS- 1 for 3, SF, SB(2).  BA= .300.

Junior Barajas C- 1 for 3, HR(11), BB.  BA= .251.

Andy Polanco CF- 3 for 4, 2 3B(9), SB(29).  BA= .262.

DSL:  Giants Black edged out Giants Orange 7-6.

Brandon Vasquez RF- 2 for 4, BB.  BA= .310.

Keiberg Camacaro DH- 2 for 3, BB, SB(25).  BA= .357.

Jesus Lopez RHP- 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 6/1 GO/AO.  ERA= 5.29.

Delvis Heredia RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 5.49.

Game Wrap 8/1/2026: Padres 6 Giants 5

The lineup got a boost from newcomer Osleivis Basabe but it was not enough to overcome a less than Quality Start by potential trade target Tyler Mahle and another bullpen failure.  Key Lines:

Osleivis Basabe 2B/3B- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(1), R, 4 RBI.  Basabe last played in a MLB game in 2023 with the Rays.  Prior to tonight's game he batted .268/.344/.388 with 5 HR and 12 SB in 311 AAA PA's.  Hey!  It's always a good thing to catch lightning in a bottle.  Too bad it wasn't enough to get a win in this game.

The Giants had 4 other batters with 2 hits each.  Those 8 hits produced just 2 Runs and 0 RBI's.  12 hits plus 4 BB's should produce more than 5 runs.  Lack of power and poor sequencing(random chance?) suppress run production.  

Tyler Mahle RHP- 5.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 9 K's.  ERA= 5.13.  Did Mahle hurt his chances of being traded?  At first glance yes, but the K/BB and mid-90's velocity may have helped his....or the Giants cause.  He also came within one out of getting through 6 innings.  

Dylan Smith RHP- 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 2.89.  Smith has been really good but not tonight as the Padres walked him off in the 9'th inning.  

Landen Roupp RHP tries to salvage a split of the 4-game series today facing Michael King RHP who comes in with a 3.38 ERA.

The Giants are a hot mess off the field.  The Apple TV broadcast on Friday implied, or maybe came right out and said, that Willy Adames SS was less than enthusiastic about working with Ron Washington on his defense prompting a defense from Manager Tony Vitello.  Apparently Adames has been playing with a bad back which limits his abilty to play the position in an the exaggerated crouch that Washington favors.  IDK.  If the back is what caused Adames defense to crater, maybe he should take some time off to try to get it into some semblance of playing shape?

Matt Chapman 3B's return from the IL is delayed due to continued abdominal muscle pain which limits him when trying to run the bases.  I suspect this may require surgery in the offseason.  Meanwhile, does this open an opportunity for Parks Harber 3B/OF to audition at 3B?

Harrison Bader OF has a 2-year contract but has probably played his last game as a Giant.  The Giants took the step of suspending payments on his contract while investigating the circumstances of a scooter injury which it turns out happened at 2 AM outside a bar and Bader crashed into the back of a fire truck.  

Down on the Farm: 7/31/2026

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats smashed the Tacoma Rainiers 10-1.

Jonah Cox CF- 1 for 4, BB, SB(1).  BA= .250.

Scott Bandura DH- 1 for 3, HR(6), 2 BB.  BA= .303.

Parks Harber 3B- 1 for 2, HR(2), 2 BB, SF.  BA= .368.

Bo Davidson LF/RF- 2 for 5, SB(3).  BA= .232.

Turner Hill RF/CF- 2 for 5.  BA= .344.

Eddys Leonard 1B- 2 for 4, 2 HR(3).  BA= .158.

Trent Harris RHP- 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 3.12.

Joe Whitman LHP- 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 4.34.

Spencer Bivens RHP- 2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 4.17.

Nick Zwack LHP- 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 6.35.

Eric Cerantola RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 12.27.

AA:  Somerset Patriots smacked the Richmond Flying Squirrels 9-2.

Trevor Cohen CF- 4 for 5, 2B, 3 SB(8).  BA= .345.

Gavin Kilen SS- 1 for 4, 2B, BB.  BA= .292.

Jean Carlos Sio RF- 1 for 4, 2 SB(3).  BA= .219.

Trevor Cohen has 5 consecutive multi-hit games and stole 8 bases in his last 4.

A+:  Tri-Cities Dust Devils edged out the Eugene Emeralds 3-2.

Nate Nabholz RHP- 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Matt Dunaway RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 5.49.

A:  Rancho Cucamonga Quakes shut out the San Jose Giants 3-0.

Keyner Martinez RHP- 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 4.62.

Ben Bybee RHP- 3 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 4.72.

Josuar Gonzalez and Luis Hernandez went a combined 0 for 8.

DSL:  Giants Black topped Giants Orange 6-5(8 innings).

Ricardo Crespo RF- 1 for 1, HR(1), BB, HBP, SF.  BA= .286.

Djean Macares CF- 1 for 3, 2B, 2 BB.  BA= .285.

Luis Padron C- 2 for 4, 3B, SB(1).  BA= .357.

Alexander Camacaro 2B- 3 for 4, 2 SB(15).  BA= .292.  

Game Wrap 7/31/2026: Padres 7 Giants 0

The Padres rolled out a weird bullpen/opener pitching configuration in which their apparent starting pitcher entered the game in the 5'th inning.  I'm not sure why these schemes seem to work for other teams and not the Giants but their lineup was shut down, as it two hits all game, one from the leadoff batter and one from the 9'th batter.  

Carson Whisenhunt LHP had poor command of a below average fastball and got smacked around by a Padres lineup that can still do some damage.  Adrian Houser allowed just 1 run in 4.2 innings of relief and seems ready to move back into the rotation depending on how the trade deadline plays out.

Not much more to say about this one, folks! At least I didn't waste an evening watching it because it was streamed on Apple TV.  

Tyler Mahle RHP is the listed starter for this evening's game facing Walker Buehler RHP who comes in with an ERA of 5.13.

 Oh, and I completed 70 revolutions around the Sun today.  Hope to have a few more.