The San Francisco Giants were built to win this year.That’s a statement that seems almost silly to consider now that they’ve plunged to the depths of the National League and looked bad while doing it. But their intentions were clear at the end of last season when they fired a three-time Manager of the Year, Bob Melvin, for finishing 81-81. His replacement, Tony Vitello, is an entry-level hire who is being paid near the top of his new cohort. Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that, under the management of a college coach with zero professional experience, it’s been amateur hour all season.Giants president Buster Posey has no interest in a complete teardown, and he’s already dismissed the notion of trading right-handed ace Logan Webb, who is signed through 2028 and might be the one player who could bring back a difference-making haul at the deadline. Jung Hoo Lee, who is batting over .400 in June, is another fan favorite who isn’t going anywhere. Even if the baseball ops folks were interested in exploring a fire sale, the attendance this season has just been too robust — they’re on pace to draw 3 million for the first time since 2018 — for ownership, which includes Posey, to get on board with that.It might be a different story if they can find a taker for Rafael Devers or Willy Adames without paying most of the freight. Given their contracts, good luck to Posey and GM Zack Minasian on that.
Ahead of MLB trade deadline, here’s where the Giants stand
Unless they find surprise takers for their most onerous contracts, the Giants are likely to focus on dealing their impending free agents.










