SAN FRANCISCO -- After the Giants won Thursday to complete another series victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers, shortstop Brandon Crawford was asked what he thought about the upcoming trade deadline. Crawford pointed out that the first-place Giants were in a good position, but that there were also probably guys who could help them.
"If we add, great," he said. "If we don't, great."
A lot happened over the next 21 hours.
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Shortly after the Giants won, the Dodgers went out and swung a deal for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner. The Giants countered by trading for Kris Bryant and bringing Tony Watson back. If there were any doubts about the path forward after the Dodgers' blockbuster, they seemed to be wiped away by the knowledge that the team with baseball's best record is adding a former MVP and a very popular former teammate.
During Farhan Zaidi's first deadline in charge, he honored the clubhouse's hot streak by keeping Madison Bumgarner and Will Smith around. Zaidi and GM Scott Harris did something similar Friday, adding to a group that deserved a boost.
"They're smart guys and they know what they're doing. They can see that we have a real chance this year at doing something special," Crawford said. "I think they saw an opportunity to get a couple of players that can help us even more and that we can benefit from."
Zaidi wanted the players to feel supported, and he said Friday that he got good feedback as he walked through the clubhouse after the deadline.
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"It's always kind of a nice jolt in the arm," he said. "Sometimes it can kind of kickstart you when you're a little bit in the doldrums from a team standpoint. We've been playing really good baseball, so it's kind of fun to carry that momentum through the deadline. I think it's really meaningful to players. We have so many guys who have contributed and done such a great job. It's kind of an endorsement from the front office and from ownership that they believe in this group."
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Zaidi said ownership signed off on taking on the rest of Bryant's deal, a little more than $7 million, to add the impact bat. He's someone who has spent his whole career in the NL Central but does know some of the veteran Giants well.
Crawford first met Bryant at the 2015 All-Star Game and has talked to him over the years during series between the teams. He said he chatted with Bryant at this year's All-Star Game in Denver and noted that he'll bring "versatility and athleticism" to the Giants.
"I think he'll fit in great," Crawford said. "He plays the game hard. He's a great player, quiet, goes about his business just like a lot of other guys in the clubhouse. I think he'll fit in great."
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