San Francisco Giants Trade Deadline Overview

Bullpen

Pitching is typically the cornerstone of any great Giants team, but this year’s staff has run into a little trouble in the later innings. San Francisco relievers currently own a 4.01 ERA as a unit, good for just 18th in baseball. With the bullpen such a vital part of any postseason run, look for the Giants to try to improve there.

Santiago Casilla notched 38 saves last season, and on the surface it looks like the closer is having another strong year. He boasts a 2.96 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and impressive 11.5 K/9 rate over 24.1 innings. However, despite earning 12 saves so far, he has also blown four opportunities. Overall, the Giants have a 60 percent save percentage; only three major league clubs are worse.

Though every closer goes through rough patches, the Giants might consider upgrading from the 35-year-old Casilla for the stretch run. They have already been linked to the Yankees’ Andrew Miller. The lefty has been absolutely lights-out this year, allowing only three earned runs (1.01 ERA) on 15 hits and three walks (0.68 WHIP) in 26.2 frames. As is his trademark, Miller has also been mowing down hitters at a rapid clip, 48 in total for a 16.2 K/9.

With experience as both a setup man and closer, Miller could slip into whatever role the Giants want to put him in. And he might not be the only elite reliever the Yankees put on the market either. Flamethrower Aroldis Chapman‘s name has come up frequently as well, and as an impending free agent, he might not cost quite as much as Miller, who is still under contract for two more years at $9 million each.

All things considered, the bullpen might be the Giants’ most pressing need if they’re serious about their World Series aspirations. Fortunately for them, this year’s trade deadline should feature a fairly deep relief market.

Next: Another Starter?