On paper, the San Francisco Giants have their most well-rounded roster in a long time. There aren’t a lot of holes that need to be addressed at the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline, at least not compared to previous years.
But one glaringly obvious position of need for the Giants is starting pitcher.
The Giants have two elite starting pitchers in Logan Webb and Robbie Ray, and one very good one in Landen Roupp.
But Justin Verlander has been a massive disappointment. This season, he is 0-8 with a 4.99 ERA. His last start, Verlander went only 2.2 innings and surrendered 9 hits and 4 runs.
It has become a liability for the Giants trotting out Verlander every 5 days.
Their fourth starter, Hayden Birdsong, hasn’t exactly had a confidence-inducing season either. At 23 years old and having shown so much promise, the Giants can be more patient with Birdsong.
But the fact of the matter is the Giants need another starting pitcher to make a playoff run. It doesn’t need to be a superstar, but it does need to be someone reliable who can slot into the #3 or #4 spot in the rotation.
Mitch Keller of the Pittsburgh Pirates is the perfect trade target for San Francisco.
Keller is a former top prospect who took awhile to figure it out in the Big Leagues. But, he was an All-Star in 2023 and has a career-low 3.48 ERA so far in 2024. He’s also tied for 16th in baseball with 119 innings pitched.
He’s not a Cy Young contender, but he’s a relatively young, reliable innings eater, which the Giants desperately need.
Would The Pirates Trade Keller?
Given the kind of season the Pirates are having, trading away Keller makes too much sense. In last place in the NL Central with a 39-61 record, the Pirates are in the midst of another lost season.
They need young, superstar talent to build around Paul Skenes. Keller is reliable, but in the midst of a lost season, only superstars like Skenes should be untouchable.
Keller is on the older side to be part of the Pirates future but does still have trade value. This year is the perfect year to move Keller and get some young prospects.
@pirates BreaKing records. Mitch Keller is the all-time leader in strikeouts at PNC Park 👏 #mlb #baseball #pirates #pittsburghpirates
In addition, Keller would probably appreciate the change of scenery. Despite his aforementioned career season with a 3.48 ERA, the Pirates have rewarded him with no run support and as a result, he sports an ugly 3-10 record. That’s a really frustrating season amidst a frustrating several seasons in Pittsburgh.
A trade to a contender with a better offense would be rejuvenating for Keller.
What is Keller’s Fit in San Francisco?
There may not be a better fit on the trade market for the Giants.
Joe Ryan would be ideal, but it’s a longshot that the Minnesota Twins would actually part ways with him. Sandy Alcantara could be great if he returns to his Cy Young form but that’s a big if.
But Keller is reliable, young, and on a great team-friendly contract. According to ESPN, he has three more years and $55.7 million remaining on his deal, which is a steal if he continues to pitch at or above his current level.
Keller hasn’t shown enough for the Giants to depart with a Top-5 prospect from their organization in order to get him, but they can likely get a deal done with a package headlined by a prospect in the #6-10 range.
Keller’s biggest drawback in the current MLB landscape is that his strikeout numbers are down while his hard hit rate is up. That shouldn’t deter the Giants in pitcher-friendly Oracle Park.
Keller is getting outs and eating innings better than at any other point of his career. It’s okay if hitters make contact as long as they are hitting into outs; Oracle Park is the best park in the world for turning loud contact into outs.
What do you think, Giants fans? Would you like to see the Giants make a move for Mitch Keller?
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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