Injury ravaged and depleted, the San Francisco Giants have done their best to weather the first half of the season. As the MLB trade deadline approaches, their own star players returning from injury could serve as vital reinforcements for a second half run. In that best case scenario for San Fran, quality under-the-radar additions would be all that’s needed at the deadline.

The Giants loaded up an arsenal that was supposed to transform them into contenders in the 2024 season. But sometimes things fall apart; the center(fielder) cannot hold. And while the first half of the season hasn’t been a total collapse, it has certainly been disappointing.

The franchise is now far removed from the incredible success of the 2010s, which included three championships in five years. The Giants did win the division in 2021 before falling to the LA Dodgers in the NLDS. However, that season marked the only time the team finished above .500 from 2017 through 2023.

In an effort to right the ship in 2024, the team tricked out its rotation, adding Cy Young Award winners Robbie Ray and Blake Snell – the Giants snatched Snell away from the division rival San Diego Padres, where Snell won his most recent Cy Young in 2023.

San Fran also added offense, making a splash by signing Korean star centerfielder Jung-hoo Lee to a six-year, $113 million deal. They also brought in third baseman Matt Chapman, DH Jorge Soler and resigned LaMonte Wade Jr.

These additions have pushed the payroll over $200 million, good for the 10th highest in baseball. But the results have been lackluster as the Giants sit four games under .500 and 11.5 games behind the NL West division-leading Dodgers.

If you’re looking for a culprit, injuries have derailed the season. Jung-hoo Lee is done for the year following shoulder surgery, Wade Jr., Snell and Ray are all on the injured list and the Giants who are healthy enough to play have underperformed. Their starting rotation is in shambles. And that’s unlikely to change anytime too soon.

The Giants need to get healthy at the trade deadline

Jun 2, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Blake Snell (7) throws a pitch against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Oracle Park.
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Unlike Ray, Snell has pitched for the Giants this season. But his efforts have been marred by a groin injury that’s plagued his first half, allowing him a mere 23.2 innings over 6 appearances so far.

When he has been healthy enough to pitch, it’s gone poorly as the reigning Cy Young winner has posted a -1.1 WAR and an ERA+ of 40.

Still on the injured list, Snell is attempting to recover his form in the minors. Yet, potentially worse than the injury itself is the pitcher’s mounting frustration as he attempts to work his way back to the Giants’ rotation.

After a rough rehab start in Triple A, Snell made it clear how taxing the situation has been, telling reporters, “I’ve just been fighting to rush back … That’s my take. I’m more frustrated with that. And then you don’t get the product of what I should be. It’s just frustrating. I want to go out there and dominate and pitch how I know I can pitch. But it’s more important that I’m out there. So, yeah … haven’t felt like me yet. It’s ‘All right, c’mon, we need you, we need you, we need you.’ It’s not like, ‘Let’s get him right.’ And then I have to deal with it,” per The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly.

Ray has yet to make his Giants debut but he too recently made a rehab start in the minors as the big lefty continues to recover from Tommy John surgery, which ended his 2023 season in May. If all goes well, he could pitch for the big league club in late July (just prior to the trade deadline).

Wade Jr. is also rehabbing and could rejoin the Giants soon. But what are these players coming back to?

There are a couple ways to look at San Fran’s situation. No, they’re not going to chase down the elite Dodgers. But they’re only three games out of a Wild Card berth. And, they should be receiving heavy reinforcements right around the trade deadline. Should they go for broke?

The problem is, if things don’t improve dramatically over the next month, the Giants could be staring into the void of a lost season. Worse still, two of the team’s big free agent signings – Blake Snell and Matt Chapman – are on one-year deals that include player options for 2025, meaning the Giants could lose both after this season.

Will Snell’s frustration with his rehab treatment drive him out of the Bay Area? Or will his disappointing 2024 performance make his player option the most attractive deal next season? Will Chapman choose to opt out and join a more competitive team? Or will things start to come together, making it clear that the Giants are on the rise?

Obviously questions abound as the trade deadline approaches.

Should the team hit a skid in July, driving them further out of the Wild Card picture, it would be wise to attempt to recoup some value by moving Chapman. Yes, his value is dinged due to that 2025 player option. But Chapman has played well of late for the Giants and could prove attractive to a contender in need of help at a corner infield spot.

While moving Snell would be near impossible unless the team is willing to sell for pennies on the dollar, Wade Jr. is a potentially attractive option despite being on a one-year deal.

Should the Giants heat up and string together some wins in the run up to the deadline, the team could bring in infield help and add pitching depth. It’s extremely unlikely they make any splashy moves, like White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet or the Blue Jays star infielders Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette.

If the Giants somehow become buyers at the trade deadline, the additions will almost certainly be affordable and quality under-the-radar guys as their star players returning from injury will serve as the big name reinforcements (hopefully) arriving in time for a second half push.