http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081107&content_id=3669623&vkey=news_sf&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf&partnerId=rss_sf Good. I'm all for improving the offense, but none of those names jump out as players I really want. I'm an Adam Dunn fan but I don't want him on my team. He strikes out way too much for a team that stresses speed on the basepaths, and his power numbers would take a huge dip playing in SF. The Giants definetly need help here. But I don't want to add a closer. Brian Wilson can do that. And I'd prefer Sergio Romo as the 8th inning guy. For a team that's supposedly rebuilding, you need to give the kid a chance to pick himself up when he makes a mistake. He showed at the end of the year that he has talent. Let him grow up on the mound in the major leagues.
Something I saw that could be potentially a great pickup for the Giants- http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&page=rumblings (Listed under the Seattle Mariners) They need not one but two outfielders. The only given is Ichiro (obviously) in right field. Why not let them have their choice of Randy Winn or (preferably) Aaron Rowand? Swap the contracts, maybe give them a prospect to sweeten the deal (though not a top ten prospect or anything crazy like that). They may sign a guy like Crede , so this trade would essentially take care or two spots for each team. Mariners save money, get a center fielder, and can sign the new third baseman they want. Giants open up right for Nate Schierhotlz and finally get a stinkin' third baseman. They can then put Pablo at first, which is probably the best position for him as long as Molina is still catching- LF: Lewis CF: Rowand/Winn RF: Schierhotlz (he's out of options, so it's either with the big league club or let him sign somewhere else). 3B: Beltre (where he just got his second gold glove) SS: Burriss 2B: Frandsen 1B: Sandoval C: Molina P: Timmay! Then they sign a reliever or two, and call it a day until a GM gets drunk enough to trade for my buddy Dave Roberts.
Been a while since I heard that one. Their outfield is set. He's essientially a DH. It just doesn't make sense for either party anymore, as much as people in California want it to happen. Seems they are going to sign Furcal to play short. I'm not so sure I want him on the team. I know I don't want him if it's for more than two years or more than $10 million a year. I know Burriss is still far from a sure thing, but Furcal doesn't really give them a lot that they don't already have.
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/extrabaggs/2008/11/17/giants-sign-lhp-jeremy-affeldt/ Giants signed Jeremy Affeldt to a two year deal.
A great move by Sabean. Affeldt pitched great in a hitters ballpark the last two years for the Reds and Rockies. He's a left hander (even better considering the current top set up man, Romo, is a righty.) He's only 29. And they didn't pay a ton of money to get him. This was their biggest weakness, and they didn't take long at all to improve it. LOVE this move.
Forget Furcal, why would he be a good fit here? I think they should platoon Burriss/Velez/Frandsen at ss/2B and find which 2 stick. It's not even like Furcal brings anything that Burriss and Velez don't. He's listed at 31 years old and I personally think he's more than a few years older than that. His glove has never been great. He doesn't run as much as he used to. It's not as bad as bringing in Aurilia or Roberts, but it does nothing to help rebuilding.
Furcal (when healthy) is an elite leadoff hitter. The Giants need offense any way they can find it. Given how weak the division looks these days, with the Dodgers not a slam dunk to keep Manny, and the Padres and Rockies holding firesales, this is a division that can be won next year (for SF). A leadoff bat like Furcal and a power hitter such as Ibanez/Burrell would complement their pitching staff beautifully.
A lot of Giants fans agree with you. I wouldn't mind signing Furcal, but would hate to pay him what he's going to get (assuming there really are six to ten teams interested in him). His back problems worry the hell out of me. And as much as I want to see the team be competitive, that shouldn't be the plan. "The Dodgers might lose Manny, if we sign Tex we can win the division!" is a horrible approach, imo. They should look at their everyday position players and realize that right now they aren't legit world series contenders. In two to three years they very well could be, though. Rebuilding takes time. As long as they are paying Rowand and Zito, they can't afford another 10 million dollar (plus) a year mistake. I'd rather wait for the right guy to get, then to just get someone for the hell of it. -Next years potential free agent class isn't too shabby, btw.
I didn't advocate signing Tex, I suggested a leadoff man (you can't deny that SF is just starving for one), and one of a couple of cheaper bats with some pop in Ibanez/Burrell. After the Barry Zito experiment, I don't think Sabean's going to overpay for players again anytime soon.
I hope you guys don't sign Manny. I'll kill myself. As for Furcal, he's great when he's healthy. with the dodgers he was never healthy he always managed to get hurt. he has some serious back issues. Plus he wants a lot of money for a guy that can't stay healthy.
Giants have a history of not doing well signing injury prone guys so ++++++++++++++++ (crosses to keep them away).
