It was reported over the weekend that San Francisco Giants executive VP Brian Sabean was at Citi Field watching the series between the New York Mets and Washington Nationals to perhaps scout Daniel Murphy. Oakland Athletics' starter Scott Kazmir can also be added to the trade speculation now.
While there has been nothing to confirm the Murphy trade rumors, they make sense because the Giants' incumbent third baseman, Casey McGehee, is batting .181/.234/.264 with five runs scored, one home run and three RBIs and has been part of the problem for the club's struggling offense. But that's not all San Francisco has to worry about.
Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle thinks another type of deal makes sense for both teams and he provided further insight on the matter. He specifically mentioned how the Giants and Mets have needs each club can fulfill for the other.
"The Mets seem to need catching depth in light of Travis D'Arnaud's fractured throwing-hand finger. They are bringing up nonroster journeyman catcher Johnny Monell from Triple-A," Schulman wrote on Monday.
"The Giants have catching depth with Andrew Susac and Hector Sanchez, one of whom likely goes when any one of Travis Ishikawa, Hunter Pence, Jake Peavy or Matt Cain comes off the disabled list.
"The Giants need rotation depth, and the Mets were accepting offers for starter Dillon Gee over the winter. It's hard to break up a rotation when a team is playing as well as the Mets are, but their top starting prospect, Noah Syndergaard, is coming fast. The Mets might have a surplus of arms."
Those surplus of arms also include youngsters Rafael Montero and Steven Matz, but it's unknown if New York would be willing to part ways with them.
If San Francisco is considering going after a starter and the Mets aren't lending an ear, the Giants could look toward their neighbors, the Oakland Athletics.
Starting pitcher Scott Kazmir will become a free agent after the season and the A's probably won't be able to afford his services because of the way he's been pitching since the beginning of last year, which means general manager Billy Beane likely won't hesitate to explore trade options for the left-hander. As a result, ESPN Insider Jim Bowden suggests the Giants trade prospects Kyle Crick and Adam Duvall to the Athletics in exchange for Kazmir, if he were to be made available.
"Crick has been one of the Giants' best pitching prospects since being drafted in the first round of the 2011 free-agent draft. However, his command and control has yet to be harnessed ... Duvall, 26, is a first baseman-third baseman power bat with a high OBP who fits Oakland's wish list.," writes Bowden.
"Although the Giants have shown great patience with [Crick], a chance to acquire Kazmir and improve their chances of getting back to the World Series might be tempting -- especially if they can sign him to a multiyear deal at the time of a trade."
It all depends on what happens with injured starters Jake Peavy and Matt Cain as well as the struggling Ryan Vogelsong. Nonetheless, if the club's starting pitching and offensive woes continue, the Mets and Athletics are realistic trade partners as June and July approach us.
