ARLINGTON — Giants manager Tony Vitello was 90 seconds into his daily pregame session with beat reporters when his phone started buzzing. Vitello paused for a second and then looked down at his phone. It was Buster Posey.You should probably take a call from your boss in just about any situation, but on this day, it was particularly important for Vitello to step away for a few minutes and chat in a hallway behind the dugout. It was one of the busiest MLB trade deadlines in recent Giants memory, and they’re hopeful it’s one they look back at fondly one day when they’re back in the playoffs.
In five separate trades, Posey and general manager Zack Minasian sent six experienced big leaguers and one prospect out and acquired eight players, only two of whom have any big league experience.
They have known for months that they would likely be trading Luis Arraez and Robbie Ray elsewhere, and in recent weeks it has been clear that Tyler Mahle would have a market. But on deadline day, the front office also found new homes for former MLB All-Star Heliot Ramos and key bullpen pieces Erik Miller and Caleb Kilian.
The first three are...