Entering Friday's game in Washington, the Giants have 46 games remaining in the 2017 season.
But with the team 24 games under .500, 36 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West and 19 games out of a Wild Card spot, Larry Baer and the front office has already turned the page to 2018.
Appearing on KNBR 680 on Thursday, Baer was asked if the Giants could make any trades during the August waiver period and in his answer, provided a window into the franchise's mindset.
"We could. We could. I don't think that's necessarily in the offing. Our big thing now is to look at moving guys through the system and doing 2018 planning. The way we look at it, 2018 started now. It may be August 10th, but it's 2018," Baer said. "We're focused on what we can do now to finish strong and get ourselves set up for 2018. That's why Jarrett Parker, Ryder Jones and Kyle Crick [are playing], and there will be others that we want to get a look at, there will be others in September when rosters expand. We're going to take a good hard look and then figure out where we go on the outside in the offseason via trade or via free agency."
The Giants made one trade prior to the July 31st deadline, sending Eduardo Nunez to Boston for two minor leaguers.
Baer and Co. head into the 2018 seasons trying to figure out who will be the everyday third baseman. Christian Arroyo saw time there earlier in the season before being optioned back to Triple-A and breaking his hand while playing for the River Cats. Following the trade of Nunez, Jones has been splitting time with Pablo Sandoval.
Parker started the 2017 season as the Giants' left fielder, but a broken collarbone in mid-April sidelined him for two and a half months. Now healthy, Parker is hitting .417 with five doubles, one home run and eight RBI in six games since coming off the disabled list.
Sports
The Giants let the Pirates have veteran reliever George Kontos on a waiver claim on August 5 in order to get a long look at former top prospect-turned-bullpen-arm Crick. In 14 appearances with the Giants, the 24-year-old has a 2.60 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 17.1 innings pitched.
