Giants’ biggest 2026 MLB trade deadline mistake

The Giants were smart to sell rentals for prospects. Even though Miller has years of service left, the team also got great value in trading him for Mayer. However, San Francisco shouldn’t have traded Heliot Ramos to the New York Yankees. The deal returned Henry LaLane and Kaeden Kent.

Those prospects now rank ninth and 22nd, respectively, in the Giants’ farm system. While both prospects have potential, neither are shoo-ins to become big league regulars. Ramos, meanwhile, still has a bright future ahead of himself and years of team control left on his contract.

The 26-year-old outfielder was already an All-Star during the 2024 season. That season, which was his first full season in the majors, saw him blast 22 home runs while maintaining a .269 batting average. Ramos again surpassed the 20-homer threshold last season, and while he has slumped more this year, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the left fielder smashes 20-plus long balls on a year-to-year basis.

While the Giants have struggled this year, they have enough talent on the roster and enough potential in the minors to maintain hope that they can contend sooner rather than later. Ramos would have played a big part in returning the team to winning ways as soon as next year. Instead, the team gave up on the left fielder way too quickly.

The good news is that was just one mistake during a deadline filled with great decisions. On top of all of the trades the team made, the decisions to hold onto players like Rafael Devers, Matt Chapman, and Jung Hoo Lee were smart. Devers, in particular, has rediscovered his form as a superstar power hitter.