Breaking: SF Giants Deal Ross Stripling to A's - Is a Major Move Next?

The San Francisco Giants' very odd and interesting offseason continued Friday, as they sent pitcher Ross Stripling to the Oakland A's in exchange for Jonah Cox and cash. In the deal, the SF Giants save $9.25 million, which is no small sum considering all they gave up was Stripling, who was awful last year, and the Giants also received a prospect in return.

But the deal immediately made it look like a precursor to a bigger deal for the Giants, likely one involving a starting pitcher. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported today that the Giants were one of the teams in on Corbin Burnes before he was traded to the Orioles, and it doesn't seem like a coincidence that this Stripling trade happened the next day. Perhaps the SF Giants are preparing to back up the Brinks truck on last year's NL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, who'd pair exceptionally well with last year's Cy Young runner-up Logan Webb.

But Farhan Zaidi said the trade was mostly about creating more avenues for young pitchers to get opportunities, particularly early in the season, before Alex Cobb and Robbie Ray return from injuries that are expected to sideline them for months. That may well be true, and the Giants do have an impressive pipeline of young arms, but in that case they must trade for or sign significantly more talent for this offseason to be a success. Whether it's starting pitchers or position players, the Giants must do more to improve after fans suffered through two consecutive painfully mediocre seasons.

Find and follow Locked On Giants on your favorite podcast platforms:

🎧 Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/3ycRK3U

🎧 Spotify http://spoti.fi/3Bak0pN

🎧 Google Play https://bit.ly/3D356mr

🎧 Overcast https://bit.ly/3wqZsbg

🎧 Megaphone https://bit.ly/3wGGcXD

The best daily San Francisco Giants podcast. Whether the Giants are winning championships or retooling for another title run, Locked On Giants host Ben Kaspick—a lifelong Giants fan and former contributor for RotoGraphs and Beyond the Box Score—breaks down every game, rumor, and transaction in a way that's data-driven and rational but also simple, passionate, and accessible to all.

Follow Ben Kaspick on X, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the San Francisco Giants and talking with fans.

On X: https://x.com/BenKaspick

#SFGiants #FirstListen

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Factor MealsHead to FactorMeals.com/lockedonmlb50 and use code lockedonmlb50 to get 50% off. eBay MotorsWith all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to turn your car into the MVP and bring home that win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers.

Gametime

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase.

FanDuel

New customers, join today and you’ll get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS if your first bet of FIVE DOLLARS or more wins. Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices