Middle relievers give Giants room to deal

Young arms give chance to deal

Andrew Baggarly - MercuryNews

The trade market might be materializing a little earlier than normal this year and the Giants are actively shopping several players, according to sources.

But not the names you'd expect.

The Giants have informed other clubs that relievers Tyler Walker, Jack Taschner and Vinnie Chulk are available in fair-value deals. The club also is soliciting offers for Erick Threets and Brad Hennessey, who is starting for Triple-A Fresno.

Closer Brian Wilson is not among the players the Giants are keen on moving.

The sudden motivation to deal relief pitching is twofold: several contenders are in bullpen crisis mode, and the Giants believe they have several younger relievers who are emerging or on the cusp of doing so.

Left-hander Alex Hinshaw is chief among that group. Entering Thursday, he had retired 13 of 14 batters - nine by strikeout - over his six major league appearances.

Right-hander Billy Sadler has impressed since joining the club and right-hander Merkin Valdez is viewed as a prime setup man once he returns from the disabled list. Sergio Romo, Kelvin Pichardo and Osiris Matos are all pitching well for Double-A Connecticut, with Matos posting a 1.37 ERA in 18 games.

The Giants bullpen has regressed in May after starting the season on a collective hot streak. Entering Thursday's game, Giants relievers had combined for a 4.42 ERA, 28th out of 30 major league clubs.

• Hinshaw still can't believe he's in the major leagues, though he'll barely miss fulfilling one of his dreams this weekend when the San Diego Padres visit AT&T Park.

Hinshaw was a high school teammate of pitcher Justin Germano, whom the Padres designated for assignment last week.

"We always dreamed of playing against each other in the major leagues," Hinshaw said.

Hinshaw actually has Germano to thank for making it. He said he was playing center field for Claremont High in Southern California when a scout who went to watch Germano suggested to coaches that they give Hinshaw a tryout on the mound.

"They did and it all worked out," Hinshaw said.

Not before Tommy John surgery in 2002, though. If not for his elbow, Hinshaw might have signed with Giants - the club drafted him three times - but the injury proved to be another good twist of fate. Hinshaw ended up at San Diego State playing for coach Tony Gwynn.

"He's my childhood idol," Hinshaw said. "It was the coolest experience."