Word broke late, late Sunday night that the San Francisco Giants had agreed to a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies that would send Hunter Pence out west. Come Monday morning, Hunter Pence was still a member of the Phillies. It was weird. It seemed like the whole report had been nonsense, but then on Tuesday -- deadline day -- word perked up again. Pence to the Giants, stuff to the Phillies.
What's the absolute latest? I don't know what the absolute latest is, but I know what the latest is on Twitter. Off we go:
hear pence will be 3 for 1. fine young catcher tommy joseph & OF nate schierholtz r in deal. a pitcher may go to philly 2
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) July 31, 2012
All heavy hitters say Hunter Pence to Giants is pending physical, Tommy Joseph to Phils. Dennis O'Donnell leansback in chair, smiles.
— Andrew Baggarly (@CSNBaggs) July 31, 2012
Hunter Pence trade hasn’t been announced yet, but put it this way: Teams that want outfield bats have moved on and are shopping elsewhere.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 31, 2012
Nate Schierholtz reportedly requested a trade recently, although Schierholtz denied it. He would make sense as an addition, though, as the Giants would have no use for him, and as the Phillies most definitely would have a use for him. Joseph would be the big prize going to the Phillies. It looks like it's only a matter of time before this is official.
Pence, 29, is eligible for arbitration after the year, and he'll be looking at an eight-figure salary. The Giants are a wee bit more concerned with 2012 than with 2013 at the moment.