The SF Giants have four arbitration-eligible players in Mike Yastrzemski, LaMonte Wade Jr., Camilo Doval, and Tyler Rogers. It seems fairly likely that all four will be tendered a contract by the Giants but they could still be traded before next season.
This article by Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area gives a helpful breakdown of the case for each arbitration-eligible player on the Giants. There is a strong case to be made for bringing each player back, but that does not necessarily mean they will be on the Giants next season. Let’s break down the case to trade each player.
4 SF Giants arbitration candidates could be still traded
1. Mike Yastrzemski
Yastrzemski has been a solid player for the Giants since he made his MLB debut in 2019, but he has not been as good as some hoped based off his impressive power in his first two seasons when he hit 21 home runs in 107 games in 2019 and 10 home runs in 54 games during the pandemic-shortened season.
While his bat is not always very reliable and he will not hit for a high average, he makes up for it with solid defense and good baserunning. He would be a solid 3rd or 4th outfielder on pretty much every team in the majors. The Giants could try to trade him and some prospects for a younger option like Steven Kwan or maybe they could put together a package that would bring back a starting pitcher.
Yaz is a fan-favorite, but trading him could make sense if the Giants get a good return.
2. LaMonte Wade Jr.
Wade has also had a lot of success as a Giant since he joined the team in 2019, but injuries have prevented his ability to make a key impact in recent years. With top prospect Bryce Eldridge waiting in the wings at first base, it could make sense to deal Wade to make room for the young prospect at the position. That may make the team rely on Wilmer Flores at first base or have to go sign another short-term option which would be risky, so they may opt to keep Wade instead.
3. Tyler Rogers
The right-handed Rogers has been remarkably consistent for the Giants and is a valuable set-up man. But the Giants could decide to roll with Doval and Ryan Walker in the 8th and 9th inning they could trade Rogers to a team in need of a reliever in exchange for a player that would address a need on the Giants. It is unclear who, if anyone, in the bullpen could make up for Rogers’ consistency but his name could be floated as a trade chip.
4. Camilo Doval
Doval may be the most valuable trade chip the Giants have since he is young and supremely talented. He did have a bad 2024 and his work ethic and demeanor have been questioned, but you can bet a team in need of bullpen help and not easer to break the bank would be willing to take a chance on him in exchange for some prospects. The Giants may feel that Doval can no longer be effective in San Francisco after losing the closer role in 2024 and if they do then trading him makes sense.
I would not be surprised to see at least one player on this list traded either before the 2025 season or at some point during it as the Giants try to get back to being a playoff team.