San Francisco Giants: What Will Their Rotation Look Like Post-Trade Deadline?

June 1, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (left) talks with starting pitcher Barry Zito (75) during game one of a doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. St. Louis defeated San Francisco 8-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Stable is one word to describe the San Francisco Giants rotation, and it has earned that label.

Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, Ryan Vogelsong, Tim Lincecum and Barry Zito started 160 of the team’s 162 games in 2012.

In 2013, stability has been harder to come by for San Francisco. Vogelsong fractured his right pinkie on May 20 after being hit by a pitch. That has caused the team to use Mike Kickham for one start and Chad Gaudin for four more.

Not only has stability been hard to come by, but the general effectiveness of the rotation hasn’t been nearly as good as it’s been in recent years. The Giants have the seventh-worst starters ERA (4.57) in baseball. That puts them in the same category as the Miami Marlins, Houston Astros and Minnesota Twins, which, well, isn’t great, to say the least.

The season-long struggles has prompted the team to starts its search for a starter. Danny Knobler of CBS Sports reported on June 11 that officials close to the club says they’re “on” anyone that’s trading pitching.

With that said, let’s speculate what the Giants’ rotation will look like after the July 31 trade deadline.