Giants insider identifies "Willy Adames' best friend" and Twins All-Star as trade targets with Tatsuya Imai off radar

San Francisco Giants insider Susan Slusser believes the team's pitching search is toward the trade market. Giants chairman Greg Johnson had already expressed disinterest in giving a long-term, nine-figure deal to a pitcher.

Johnson's admission seemingly ruled out the Giants' pursuit of Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai, whose bold declaration to take down the Los Angeles Dodgers went viral.

Amid the Giants catching heat for bowing out of the Imai race, Slusser shared her thoughts about the team's offseason targets on Tuesday's episode of "Splash City Territory" with co-host FP Santagelo.

"I think if they do talk about long-term deals, FP, it's not going to be for a pitcher. I think it would be for somebody like Kyle Tucker," Slusser said (Timestamp: 6:58). "We know the rates that pitchers break down. This is not an unusual tactic."

Nevertheless, the Giants require good pitchers to contend in the NL West division, even with Logan Webb and Robbie Ray on their roster. Therefore, Slusser suggested the names of two All-Star pitchers as realistic targets for the Giants.

"One is very obvious - Freddy Peralta," Slusser said. "The Giants love the way the Brewers do things. They love Brewers. Zack Minasian has the Brewers background. Why wouldn't you? Freddy Peralta is also Willy Adames' best friend."

Willy Adames is the Giants' shortstop. Adames signed a franchise record seven-year, $182 million contract last offseason. He was teammates with Peralta on the Brewers from 2021 to 2024.

"And then the one that you and I both really like a lot is Joe Ryan," Slusser said."I think he's a local guy. He's from Marin, and he's been fantastic with Minnesota. Minnesota's obviously making a lot of changes. Go out and get Joe Ryan."

Slusser acknowledged that Japanese pitchers have been more successful than the sluggers in the MLB. However, she doesn't think the Giants would offer him a nine-figure deal, as he is still an unknown.

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Retired Giants slugger has not given up hope on Tatsuya Imai

Like many MLB fans, FP Santagelo knew about Tatsuya Imai after his bold declaration to take down the LA Dodgers. While insider Susan Slusser is all but certain about Imai not joining the Giants, her co-host Santagelo still has hope.

"I'm always skeptical about things. I know you talked to the owner and he said that, but I don't think they were all in on Willy Adamus last year and they ended up signing him," Santagelo said (Timestamp: 4:43).

"So, I know Giants fans are really upset right now based on some reports recently, but until that guy signs with somebody else, and until that deal is in with somebody else, I'm not giving up hope that he's a Giant," he added.

Santagelo played in the MLB from 1995 to 2001. After four seasons with the Montreal Expos, he played a season each for the Giants, Dodgers, and Athletics before retiring.