MLB Rumors: Giants Almost Traded 2x Gold Glover This Season

November 10, 2025
San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey swings at a pitch during 2025 game.

The San Francisco Giants briefly considered a Patrick Bailey trade at the deadline, even as the two-time Gold Glove catcher remains one of their most valuable defenders. 

A brutal 2-12 slide forced tough conversations, and league inquiries reportedly pushed the front office to gauge Bailey’s market. Ultimately there was no strong motivation to move him given his pre-arb status, elite glove, and the thin state of the catching market, but the fact they entertained it at all says plenty about their situation.

In his three MLB seasons, the 26-year-old has slashed .230/.287/.340, with 21 home runs, 149 RBIs, and 122 runs scored across 353 games. He finished seventh in Rookie of the Year voting in 2023, and won a Gold Glove in both the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

Why Bailey Came Up And Why He Stayed

Bailey’s defense drives his value. He just won a second Gold Glove and another Fielding Bible Award, and his receiving has saved runs in bulk. 

Offense is the question, and the incoming Automated Ball-Strike challenge system could trim the edge of elite framers. That adds a layer of risk to long-term planning, but the counterpoint is simple. 

Trading Bailey would create a brand new hole at a premium position during an offseason already demanding multiple arms, a right fielder, and middle infield clarity. With cost control through 2029 and no obvious upgrade available, keeping him aligned with a pitching-first winter makes the most sense. 

Catching Plan If They Had Moved Him

If the Giants had pulled the trigger, replacing Bailey would have been complicated. J.T. Realmuto is the top veteran name but is 35 and expensive. Adley Rutschman buzz is more talk than reality. Ryan Jeffers offers thump, not glove. 

Internally, Jesús Rodríguez is intriguing but just returning from injury, better suited as a depth option to push the backup spot. The practical path now is to keep Bailey as the anchor, shop for a proven No. 2, and let the bat-and-ball depth compete behind him while the front office spends its real capital on starting pitching and late-inning relief.

Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images 

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