At 38-63, the San Francisco Giants have the second worst record in Major League Baseball. Perhaps as alarming, is the club’s current ineptness in the minor leagues, with affiliates at the AAA, AA and A level each either in last place, or second to last place in their division standings.
That said, it’s no surprise that other major league teams aren’t exactly foaming at the mouth to add many of the Giants’ current prospects at the upcoming trade deadline, something general manager Bobby Evans told Tolbert & Lund on Tuesday afternoon. On the contrary, it is the Giants who are looking to add at least one prospect at the deadline if they can swing it.
“For the most part we’re not really engaged in discussions of our prospects because we’re looking at everybody else’s prospects,” Evans said. “In some ways that pays benefits to us because our (farm) system has been depleted and we are struggling in the minor leagues and so perhaps having a chance to replenish that — whether that’s one trade or two trades whatever the case may be — that will help us up the line if we can add to our system.”
The Giants currently only have one player on Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospects of 2017 list, with right-handed pitcher Tyler Beede ranked 89th overall. Evans says that the Giants are far more likely to add someone who might find themselves on that list come next year, as opposed to an impact player for 2018.
“I think it will be hard to add to the 2018 club at this trade deadline, but in many cases what you’re looking to add depends on who you’re giving up,” Evans said. “The more you give up the more you can anticipate there might be somebody there that can help you in the near future, but for the most part you are talking about prospects that are going to take some time, and you’re gonna find ways to improve your club for next year for what you have internally, and maybe from some guys externally during the offseason.”
Listen to the full interview below. For Evans’ comments on the offseason, skip to the 4:00 mark.