Giants rumors: The ‘grand plan’ after trading Patrick Bailey to Guardians

The San Francisco Giants shook up their roster when they traded catcher Patrick Bailey to the Cleveland Guardians. They’re hoping the added flexibility allows them to make a major addition to the roster.

The Giants highly covet top 2026 draft prospect Roch Cholowsky. With extra draft bonus pool money to work with, San Francisco could eye a draft deal with Cholowsky, via Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

“Part of the San Francisco Giants’ objective in trading catcher Patrick Bailey to the Cleveland Guardians is to now select UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky in July’s amateur draft,” Nightengale said. “The Giants, who acquired the No. 29 overall pick in the draft in the trade, picked up an extra $3.27 million in slot value, giving them a total of $17.35 million in bonus pool money. That extra money would be used to draft Cholowsky, if all goes according to their grand plan.”

Cholowsky is highly regarded as the best player in the 2026 class. With the Giants holding the fourth overall pick, they would need to offer a signing bonus/slot value that outweighs the Chicago White Sox – who hold the top pick – or any team above them. If San Francisco gives Cholowsky an offer he can’t refuse, and opposing teams are unwilling to spend as much, the Giants may just land their shortstop of the future.

There are a lot of moving pieces for that to happen, but the Giants now have ammunition to make a big draft splash after their Bailey trade. As San Francisco looks to find their footing under first year manager Tony Vitello, perhaps a player like Cholowsky would chaneg their fortune.

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