Giants' Pence Is Top Outfield Trade Target
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS Sports) - The outfield trading market, once bordering on woeful, looks a bit better with Hunter Pence available and hitting well. Giancarlo Stanton, Michael Cuddyer and Jose Bautista remain all but certain to stay put, but Pence is a big add to a fairly thin group.
A year ago, Pence became an instrumental deadline-day acquisition for the San Francisco Giants, helping them to a second World Series title in three years, thanks to his "triple-double" hit, inspiring speeches and more. He could become a key pickup again.
The Giants are cast in an unfamiliar role as seller now, but they have to understand that is their lot. After a four-game sweep at home (all one-run losses) at the hands of baseball's biggest sellers, the Cubs, the Giants dipped to last in the NL West (46-58). But beyond the fact that they are just about out of it, they look like they could badly use a rest. Their great rotation is just worn out after so many extra October games last year.
With Pence a free agent after the season, it's logical for him to go. "He's available," one rival GM said. "But they're not going to give him away."
READ MORE on the trade market from CBS Sports.
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