General manager Zack Minasian completed one of the biggest trades in Giants franchise history last season by acquiring Rafael Devers.
To do so, Minasian and the Giants sent a player package including Kyle Harrison and 2024 first-round draft pick James Tibbs. Not often do teams part ways with young pitchers they evaluate highly, nor do they typically trade their first-round pick from the year before.
So, are there any players that the front office deems untouchable? Minasian joined KNBR’s “Murph and Markus” to discuss his position.
“I think you try to enter all of these things being open-minded,” Minasian explained. “I’m not one to say there are untouchables in any scenario.”
Beyond their core of proven major league players, the Giants have a plethora of intriguing prospects that could be used as trading chips.
Minasian pointed to an example during his time with the Milwaukee Brewers, saying that the team considered giving up Ryan Braun to acquire Rich Harden.
“I think there are certain players that it’s very hard to imagine trading them, both in terms of fit and ability,” Minasian said. “So, you try to stay open-minded as to not limit your player pool of who you can potentially access.
“But obviously, there are certain players who are very difficult to move because of the fit, because of their ability, what you think they will be at the major league level.”
Bryce Eldridge, the Giants’ top prospect, comes to mind as a potential asset if San Francisco were to attempt to trade for a star player. However, considering the anticipation of Eldridge playing at the major league level, coupled with how highly the organization evaluates him, he would be one of those players that is hard to imagine the Giants parting ways with.
Nevertheless, there are no “untouchables” on the Giants.
“I’m not one that’s going to shut down any avenues,” Minasian said, reaffirming his open-mindedness. “But, the likelihood it obviously varies from player to player.”
In a follow-up question, Minasian was asked if the Giants would consider moving either Eldridge or Devers, considering that the two are both left-handed, power-hitting first basemen.
The Giants GM reaffirmed that they try to keep an open mind, but he also added that there’s a difference between being receptive and trades actually taking place.
“There are some players where – is it realistic?” Minasian posited. “And it’s tough to say this is a realistic thing to happen.”
It’s not realistic that the Giants would move a star they recently acquired or their most-anticipated prospect in recent history.
But that doesn’t mean the Giants aren’t listening.
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