Report: Giants trade talented key man

A key member of the Giants’ starting rotation might be on the move soon.

San Francisco has an abundance of starting pitchers, and with the MLB trade deadline only five days away, they may look to trade some of their assets.

Veteran left-handed pitcher Blake Snell is attracting “significant” trade interest, according to The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly, who cites industry sources.

“The most important contract wrinkle involves left-hander Blake Snell, whom industry sources say is drawing significant trade interest after returning to his 2023 NL Cy Young Award-winning form over his past three starts,” Baggarly wrote.

Baggarly believes the Giants are open to trading Snell, but not for financial reasons.

“All indications are that the Giants will listen to offers for Snell, who might be the most scouted player in the big leagues when he pitches the front end of a scheduled home doubleheader Saturday against the Colorado Rockies,” Baggarly added. “But if the Giants are motivated to move him, it won’t be for financial reasons.

“It’d be to recoup the prospect talent they sacrificed when they surrendered a third-round draft pick to sign him. And it’d be because they surmise there’s a decent chance that he’d opt out after the season, anyway.”

After signing a two-year, $62 million contract with the Giants in the offseason, Snell had a rough start in the first half and went on the injured list twice with separate groin injuries.

However, in three starts since returning from the injured list on July 9, Snell has regained his Cy-Young form. The 31-year-old has allowed just six hits and two earned runs in 18 combined innings pitched.

With his success on the mound, Snell might be pitching his way into a midseason trade.