The San Francisco Giants are 31-25 and part of a tight race atop the National League West. They are one game back of the San Diego Padres and three games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dodgers are not running away with the division like many expected. The Giants have gotten a 3.74 ERA from their starters, which is better than both of the teams in front of them in the division. They could lean on their pitching to try and win the NL West, and CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson tabbed them as a fit for Ryan Weathers of the Miami Marlins.
“Weathers has the potential to be one of the deadline’s biggest wild cards,” wrote Anderson. “He’s only pitched a few times so far this season, but he’s captured attention with his improved stuff and velocity. Weathers won’t even qualify for arbitration until after this winter, giving the Marlins the option to hold and let him gain value. I’m including him anyway because teams in need of another above-average starter might be willing to make a speculative play for his services.”
He has made just three starts this season, but is showing why he can help a contender. He has a 1.15 ERA and 15 strikeouts. However, he is so young that the Marlins may actually want to hold on to him. He is under club control through 2028, so it may take a heavy package to land him.
Weathers was traded from the Padres to the Marlins in a deal that sent Garrett Cooper and Sean Reynolds to San Diego. Last year, he had a 3.63 ERA in 16 starts, but this year, he has been a bright spot for the team. He has only thrown 15 2/3 innings this year, so there is room for improvement in terms of getting deep into games.
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Although there is not a huge sample size this season, he is looking like a valuable starter. The Giants could add him to their rotation alongside Logan Webb and Robbie Ray in hopes of creating a dominant group that can carry them to a division title.
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