Trade Deadline Approaching

The Giants where shut down by the Braves for 8 2/3 innings on Tuesday night before finally breaking through in the 9th inning by scoring 4 runs to send the game to extra innings. Even though they went on to loose in extra innings, the team showed some life in that ninth inning that I haven't really seen with this bunch all year. Matt Morris also turned in his best start of July (which didn't take much) going 6 innings and giving up 4 runs on 8 hits and maybe put a little stock back in his trade value. It has been widely mentioned throughout the internet sites and sports media that Matt Morris is one of the top starting pitchers available on the market and the other names available don't come close to Morris' talent and experience, especially postseason experience. The other names being thrown out there are guys like Kyle Lohse, Jose Contrares and Steve Trachsel. If Dontrelle Willis isn't put on the block by Florida, which seems the most logical move, than Morris will be the top dog and his next start could make or break what the Giants get in return for him. He is scheduled to go one more start before the deadline on July 29th and if it's a good on, the Giants must pull the trigger.

As bad a season as the Giants have had, they have some other players who have garnered some attention as well. Other Giants who have apparently been asked about are Ryan Klesko and Omar Vizquel. There is talk that the Red Sox would have interest in Vizquel as a replacement for the disappointing Julio Lugo. If there is anyway the Giants could pry Willie Mo Pena away from Boston for a package like Vizquel and Dave Roberts or Randy Winn, I would be all over it and would even send Boston some salary. The Padres among others have contacted the Giants about Ryan Klesko as he seems to be an attractive, cheap option for a team looking for a left-handed bat with pop. This is going to be the first summer in over a decade in which the Giants are heading into the deadline as sellers and they need to take advantage of this. Time to be on the other side of a Pierzynski/Nathan-Liraino-Bonser deal for once.