Why MLB trade deadline is becoming Logan Webbs least favorite time of year

ARLINGTON, Texas — It’s Logan Webb’s least favorite time of year.Or, at least, it should be.Imagine, a week on the calendar, year after year, that made your friends disappear.It’s like the purge, except only for some teammates with whom the Giants’ ace shared his closest bonds.Farewell, Alex Cobb.

So long, Tyler Rogers.And this year, well wishes to Robbie Ray.“It’s not my first time,” Webb said.

“It just means we’re not winning.That’s not fun.”That was all Webb was in the mood to say on the matter, even after tossing six strong innings to lead an undermanned Giants squad to a 5-1 win to open their series against the Rangers.Usually, he is only terse after losses.But, in a way, Monday represented another loss for Webb, just not on the scoreboard.He said goodbye to six teammates off to greener pastures and playoff pushes.

Here, in San Francisco? Hello, eight more weeks of meaningless baseball and a much more youthful roster.Sure, it’s part of the business.It’s also been the cold reality three years running for the Giants’ longest-tenured player.Webb signed a team-friendly contract extension at the start of 2023 that should have allowed the Giants to build a contender around their homegrown ace.Instead, three-and-a-half years into the five-year deal, he is the only player left on the roster from the time he put pen to paper.This year’s group played itself so far out of contention that, for the first time, it was reasonable to wonder whether tearing it all down — trading Webb — might be best for both parties.By now, the Giants’ farm system is better than their major-league roster, and a realistic window to contend probably begins around the time Webb’s current deal expires in 2029.President of baseball operations Buster Posey quickly put the kibosh on that idea and, according to USA Today, turned down entreaties about Webb from the Braves and Astros.“He’s a guy that I think we all see as somebody who can mentor the next wa...