While the Giants missed out on MLB free agent stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, San Francisco may use the trade market to address team needs.
But acquiring a big-time player to improve the roster and excite fans would require the Giants to let go of one of their promising young players, like pitcher Kyle Harrison, and President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi. intends to retain this player.
In a conversation with The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami on the TK Show podcast, Zaidi explained why he was reluctant to offer Harrison in trade talks.
“I can’t imagine a plausible scenario for moving Kyle,” Zaidi told Kawakami. “I mean, he’s everything we are. He kind of embodies what we’re hoping for in the next few years.
“Young players who not only have a clear path to the big leagues, but are actually on the roster and play prominent and important roles on the roster, like guys like Kyle, if this If something like that happens, it’s a bit like taking money from Peter to pay Paul.” You’re dealing with someone like that. ”
Harrison, 22, is a top prospect in San Francisco.
During the 2023 MLB season, Harrison appeared in seven games with the Major League club, pitching 34.2 innings with a 4.15 ERA, 35 strikeouts, and a 1.154 WHIP.
San Francisco will likely be able to acquire Harrison as a proven star, but Zaidi revels in the idea of developing Harrison into a star. The left-handed pitcher has spent the offseason honing his craft with Giants ace Logan Webb and is on the right track.
“He’s a local,” Zaidi emphasized. “He’s a raw talent that was drafted and developed in our organization. He’s made it to the big leagues, he’s a great kid, he’s a great competitor, and he’s a great addition to our All-Star and Cy Young potential.” They hold it in their hearts and work really hard. Again, it’s people like them that we want to build around.
“I think any team in the situation we’re in, we can compete where we want to be even better in 2024, and then we’re looking at the possibilities a year or two ahead and maybe being blocked. When you start looking at a team, the players with major league degrees are probably the ones you’re most willing to trade, even if you have to swallow hard. ”
There’s no doubt the Giants are interested in upgrading their pitching staff, but Zaidi doesn’t want to part with a potential homegrown star.
Harrison, a Bay Area native, is one of San Francisco’s most promising pitchers since Madison Bumgarner.
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