Other teams are zeroing in on San Francisco Giants’ rising stars Heliot Ramos and Casey Schmitt.
The San Francisco Giants are expected to be sellers as the trade deadline approaches. Opposing contenders have already begun closely evaluating players who could become available.
According to Susan Slusser from the San Francisco Chronicle, outfielder Heliot Ramos and utility player Casey Schmitt are among the Giants attracting the most attention.
Slusser reported that both the Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners had representatives in attendance for Monday’s game against the Kansas City Royals to evaluate potential trade targets.
Ramos’ trade value
Ramos immediately gave scouts something to watch.
The 26-year-old launched a solo home run against right-hander Michael Wacha, continuing an impressive season whenever he has been healthy.
Although he has appeared in only 63 games, Ramos owns a 110 wRC+ with nine home runs and 31 RBIs across 256 plate appearances.
His defensive versatility also adds to his value. Ramos has experience at all three outfield positions, although he is considered a much stronger fit in the corner outfield than in center field.
Trading him is far from guaranteed. Ramos will not become arbitration eligible until next season, and he has developed into an above-average hitter since establishing himself as a full-time player in 2024.
While his defensive struggles in center field two years ago led the Giants to stop using him there, he has graded below average in left field over the past two seasons. He’s also produced positive defensive results in right field.
Philadelphia and Seattle both have clear reasons for monitoring San Francisco’s outfield options.
The Phillies continue searching for more offensive production after free agent addition Adolis García struggled before suffering an injury, while rookie Justin Crawford has experienced difficulties on both offense and defense.
Seattle also has reasons to explore upgrades despite receiving respectable production in right field from Luke Raley and Dominic Canzone.
Canzone has recently handled everyday duties, although that could be tied to Victor Robles’ struggles.
Ramos would represent a significant improvement for the Mariners’ right field and designated hitter mix.
Schmitt’s upside
Schmitt is another player drawing considerable interest because of both his defensive flexibility and offensive breakout.
Like Ramos, however, he will not come cheaply.
The 27-year-old still has three years of team control remaining and has become one of the few consistent bright spots for San Francisco during a disappointing season.
Schmitt is hitting .273 with a .304 OBP and a .478 SLG while moving around the infield and outfield as needed.
After totaling 23 home runs over parts of his first three MLB seasons, he has already hit 19 home runs in 93 games while adding career-highs with 50 RBIs and nine stolen bases.
Complicated trades
Any team hoping to acquire Ramos or Schmitt may also have to absorb one of San Francisco’s expensive long-term contracts.
Rafael Devers, Willy Adames, and Matt Chapman are all owed significant money through the remainder of the decade.
Devers and Adames are each scheduled to earn more than $30 million annually into the 2030s.
That leaves president of baseball operations Buster Posey with a difficult balancing act.
Moving productive young players simply to reduce payroll commitments would not be an ideal outcome, making the Giants’ deadline strategy one of the more intriguing situations to watch.
Ramos has steadily developed into a well-rounded player whose athleticism and confidence allow him to contribute in multiple ways.
His ability to adjust after early career challenges reflects both resilience and a strong work ethic.
Schmitt has earned praise for embracing whatever role the Giants ask him to fill, demonstrating versatility that every contender values during a long season.
Both players bring energy, competitiveness, and a team-first mindset that extends beyond their individual production.
Their willingness to adapt defensively while continuing to improve offensively has made them valuable pieces of San Francisco’s roster.
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