The Giants’ firesale appears to be underway.
San Fransiscio made its first move of the trade deadline by sending veteran starter Tyler Mahle to the Braves on Sunday night. Atlanta gave up right-handed pitcher Anthony Molina in return.
The 31-year-old Mahle is 3-9 with a 5.13 ERA in 18 starts for the Giants this season, but has been vastly improved in July when he went 2-1 with a 2.82 ERA, including six shoutout innings against the Brewers.
He joins a roation right now of Chris Sale, JR Ritchie, Grant Holmes, Bryce Elder and Martin Pérez
While the Braves hope the righty can help them hold off the Phillies in the NL East and challenge for the NL’s best record, he could be just the first of numerous Giants to be traded before Monday’s 6 p.m deadline.
Pitcher Robbie Ray and infielder Luis Arraez are both names who had circulated ahead of the deadline.
San Francisco is a disappointing 47-55 under first-year manager Tony Vitello and sits 12 games out of a playoff spot with plenty of expensive veterans on the roster.
Molina has a 3.78 ERA and a 4.14 FIP, with 53 strikeouts and 20 walks in 52.1 innings in the minor leagues, mostly Triple-A this season.
