Giants remain open-minded about trades

SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants general manager Bobby Evans sounded like a man ready to bargain Wednesday, indicating the club will remain active in negotiations with other teams until the non-waiver Trade Deadline passes at 1 p.m. PT Friday.

The Giants believe they need a quality starting pitcher to further their bid for the postseason and a second straight World Series title. To that end, they have contacted the Phillies about left-hander Cole Hamels and are believed to be eyeing Detroit lefty David Price. A Giants scout was present at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg to watch Price pitch Tuesday. Chicago White Sox right-hander Jeff Samardzija also has been mentioned as a potential option. Together, the trio has made nine All-Star teams.

"We're going to stay aggressive," said Evans, who also repeated that any trade the Giants might engineer "would have to make sense."

He added, "You have to be open to a number of options. But being open to those deals and making those deals are two different things."

Evans said the Giants would not part with players from their everyday lineup but would be willing to "trade from depth." Thus, San Francisco would appear to be offering a select handful of its Minor League pitching prospects and possibly catcher Andrew Susac, who's stuck on the big league depth chart behind three-time All-Star Buster Posey.

Evans, in the middle of his first full year as the Giants' GM, suggested the team would not execute a trade for appearances' sake.

"We have a team that we're proud of," Evans said. "I think not making a deal is an option. But if you can make a deal that makes sense, you'll do it."