This is your annual offseason reminder that the Giants have several players with full or limited no-trade clauses.
We mention this because a recent rumor circulating in Chicago has the Giants linked to Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward in a possible trade involving relievers Will Smith and Mark Melancon.
One issue: Melancon has a full no-trade clause as part of his contract that pays him $14 million in each of the next two seasons.
No-trade clauses are tricky because they make any transaction dependent on a player’s decision. And while common sense might suggest Melancon would gladly waive his NTC to leave a rebuild in San Francisco for a contender in Chicago, there’s no guarantee.