By Morris Phillips

Of course, in the season the Giants enter the MLB trade deadline market as unrepentant sellers, a buyers market has developed that could leave the club with few, attractive options for its most desirable assets.

Madison Bumgarner and Will Smith are the biggest names the Giants have to offer. But they will also listen if teams show interest in Tony Watson or Pablo Sandoval. Wishful Giants fans thinking others like Brandon Belt, Evan Longoria or Joe Panik could be dealt for something of value are just being wishful.

Simply, on a team that’s currently 10 games below .500 (21-31) and on pace to lose 95 plus games–again–a market doesn’t currently exist for players who have underperformed or have contracts that can easily be termed an albatross.

So that brings us back to Bumgarner, Smith, Watson and Sandoval. Can any of those four in some combination bring the Giants the youthful, high-level prospects that they desire? That remains to be seen. One thing’s for certain: the offers currently being tossed about aren’t blowing GM Farhan Zaidi out of his office recliner.

The biggest factor in creating interest for any teams looking to off load veteran talent is a buyer’s market that’s robust. And take a look at the current Memorial Day standings, the number of teams that consider themselves contenders for a playoff spot or a World Series title is dwindling fast.

In the American League especially the playoff picture is–like last season–reaching clarity early. The Yankees, Twins, Astros, Rays all seem playoff worthy, and everyone outside of the Red Sox and A’s do not. That leaves one notable club, the Indians, as a likely seller, and in direct comparison to the Giants, Cleveland would appear to have more desirable starting pitchers in Trevor Bauer and Cory Kluber (currently on the injured list) than the Giants do in Bumgarner.

Of the six AL clubs that appear to have postseason resumes, few have holes in their rosters at this time that would force them to consider a big deal prior to the July 31 trade deadline. The A’s, Rays and Yankees especially are currently content to see what pieces they can add from within, as all three have pitchers that could regain their health and be significant additions from the injured list.

The Twins, Astros and Red Sox–at least to this point–haven’t generated many rumors regarding their needs, and while that could change dramatically in the next 60 days, their situations don’t appear to be headed toward a deal for a big ticket item like Smith or Bumgarner.

In the National League, two clubs, the Padres and Phillies, have expressed interest in adding a high level starter or reliever, but two clubs don’t form a competitive buyer’s market. And a deal with the Padres could be disadvantageous to the Giants, who may not be interested in strengthening a divisional rival, even for the short haul.

Another factor looms over the entire trade market, affecting any deals that are consummated, and that is the premium all 30 clubs place on their prospects, as baseball trends heavily toward younger players with controllable deals. Just look around the league, or just look at the Giants’ opponents thus far this season that have visited Oracle Park. Young pitchers are dealing, and youthful sluggers are raking all across major league baseball, and that trend makes it less likely a team will part with a top 100 prospect to add a Bumgarner or a Smith.

Finally, the July 31 trade deadline for the first time is a hard deadline. New rules prohibit any waiver wire trades after that date, limiting the time and circumstances that could trigger a significant trade. While players will still be available after July 31 through the waiver wire, that would only allow a club to shed a hefty salary as opposed to adding a desirable asset.