Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald says since the Giants are reluctant to trade pitcher Jonathan Sanchez for Dan Uggla, Florida will need to reengage Baltimore, Texas and Atlanta on Uggla talks. He says the Marlins also haven’t ruled out keeping Uggla if they can’t get good value. Florida is eager to stay just below $40 million in payroll.
Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe says There was a lot of early talk about Dan Uggla going to the Giants, but that seems to have quieted down. Some scouts believe Uggla is best suited for the American League as a DH or someone you can move around, like Mark DeRosa.
King of Cali thoughts: A lot of Giants fans that have visit this site have voted that they would trade for Uggla. With that said it seems like trade talks for Uggla have quiet down. This isn’t really a bad thing if you think about it. Sabean isn’t rushing in and giving up the farm for the deal. He’s seeing what free agents he can snag first before having to make the trade for Uggla. He could be hoping the Marlins just want to dump him so they don’t have to pay him and will take less for him. I’m sure we haven’t heard the last of the Uggla to Giants rumors.
Buster Olney of ESPN.com says via twitter that Mark DeRosa is leaning toward taking the two year offer from the Giants. Not a done deal, though.
King of Cali thoughts: This isn’t the biggest present under the tree, but it’s still a good gift. With all the rumors about DeRosa and the Giants close to signing Juan Uribe. It’s starting to feel a lot like Christmas. I would like to see DeRosa play left field and the Giants still go after Tejada, Beltre or Uggla. Uribe can still play the super utility role and I’m sure he would get a lot of playing time at short. These moves would sure get the offense going in the right direction since the chances of the Giants landing Bay or Holliday isn’t that great.
It’s expected that Uribe will remain in a super utility role. The Giants are still looking for a regular first or third baseman.
King of Cali thoughts: Now this is nice to hear on Christmas Eve. At least we know the Giants are still planning on trying to make this team better. Let’s hope Sabean gets on a role and starts handing out contracts like Santa hands out gifts.
Even though this is just bringing back a player from last year. I see this as a big signing. Uribe keeps the Giants going on and off the field. This guy has this guys having fun in the dugout. He keeps the team loose. Uribe also is valuable in case Freddy Sanchez goes down, or if Edgar Renteria isn’t pulling his weight. I can see Renteria turning into the utility role if his bat doesn’t come around. Now lets hope this deal becomes official soon, so we can have at least one deal done for Christmas.
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Cardinals have identified Mark DeRosa as their preferred Plan B if they don’t re-sign Matt Holliday. It’s also been reported that DeRosa has interest from the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants. DeRosa’s agent said it’s fair to characterize DeRosa’s market as evolving, because teams such as the Cardinals were looking at other moves first.
King of Cali thoughts: If I really wanted DeRosa to be a Giants. I would say this is really good news. Sounds like he’s tired of playing the waiting game to see if the Cardinals want him back or not. Which means any team that really wants him. Just has to throw out a offer right now that he likes and he’s yours. Let’s just hope that doesn’t get Sabean jumping out of his bed this morning to get this deal done.
DeRosa is not the player the Giants need. He’s a compliment player. Our needs are much more than that. We do have a lot of holes to fill, so lets start by getting a big piece for our puzzle. We need a big bat to bat in-front or behind Sandoval.
UPDATE
Jon Heyman of SI.com said via twitter. He heard the Giants offered Mark DeRosa $12 million for two years, but is the ex-Brave and NJ product waiting for Atlanta, Mets or Yankees?
Chris Haft of MLB.com who’s the Giants beat reporter answers fans questions. When asked about the Jonathan Sanchez and Dan Uggla rumors. Haft said his Florida counterpart Joe Frisaro has suggested that the Marlins might be willing to “sweeten” a potential deal by offering to send a player or two along with Uggla.
When asked about Adrian Beltre. He said there’s almost no way the Giants or any other team will pay Beltre $10 million annually, and it’s unlikely any suitor will offer him a four year deal. If you would like to read more of the questions and answers in this article click here.
King of Cali thoughts: I’m curious as to which players the Marlins may be willing to add to the Uggla deal. If the Giants don’t land Beltre, DeRosa or Tejada any time soon. They will end up forcing themselves into pulling the trigger on the Uggla deal. Which isn’t a bad thing, cause he does have the power that we need. It just depends how desperate Sabean gets and what he parts with in the deal that’s kind of scary. I know a lot of Giants fans are back and forth with trading for Uggla. Do you think we should move forward with the trade or sign DeRosa, Tejada or Beltre?
Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com says the Giants still looking to add some pop. The Giants have already lost out on Nick Johnson to the Yankees and could lose Mark DeRosa to the Yankees, Braves or Cardinals too. The Giants still remain confident that they will get a free agent hitter.
One source with knowledge of the teams (Giants) thinking says they wouldn’t say it’s impossible for the Giants to land Matt Holliday or Jason Bay. The Giants believe Holliday and Bay will receive more attractive offers from other clubs, the source said. They also might prefer to distribute their money to several players rather than allocate most of it to just one.
Rosenthal believes Adrian Beltre is a logical fit, because defense remains a priority for the Giants. The Giants still want to add a catcher and fifth starter as well as a big bat.
King of Cali thoughts: I’m sure a lot of Giants fans out there would love to see the Giants sign Bay. I just don’t see this happening. If they did sign Bay or Holliday. They would have a lot of money tied up into a few players. We still have Zito, Rowand and Lincecum that are going to take a big chunk of this year’s payroll.
I’m sure the Giants are going to try to spread the money out a little bit to get multiple players. I can see them trying to sign Beltre, but that won’t be until next month. Once Beltre brings down his contract demands. Then the Giants might try to zero in on him. They still have the Uggla deal to fall back on if other players sign elsewhere.
Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.comsays Miguel Tejada might want to consider moving to third base. Tejada can still be an everyday shortstop, but his options are dwindling. Teams with uncertainty at third base are more numerous and better funded. It might be in Tejada’s best financial interest to be marketed as a third baseman. Teams that are looking for help at third are the Red Sox, Angels, Twins, Cardinals and Giants.
King of Cali thoughts: I’m on board for a Tejada signing. Who’s with me? His power has dropped off a lot since his Oakland and Baltimore days, but who’s haven’t since then right? Tejada can still swing a bat thought. He has a career .289 AVG, and hit .313 last season. It’s reported that Tejada is seeking a three year deal worth more than the $18 million that Placido Polanco received.
Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune says the Giants pursuit of a hitter of two has been impeded by the uncertainty over how much two time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum could make in arbitration. They Yankees and Giants are interested in Mark DeRosa, but aren’t giving in to his request for a three year, $20 million deal.
King of Cali thoughts: I do see the Giants trying to hold out as long as possible right now, so they can see how much money they have to pay Lincecum in arbitration. I guess we should be happy, cause this is a good problem to have.
A lot of writers have been reporting how interested the Giants are in DeRosa. This still isn’t the move I have been waiting for. Lets go after someone who can help the offense a little more than DeRosa. I wouldn’t mind falling back on DeRosa. I would rather see Juan Uribe back playing third. He would be cheaper and he does have some pop. Then they can save some money by not signing DeRosa and use that for another player. Another option at third base is Miguel Tejada. Am I the only one that isn’t that excited about a DeRosa signing?
Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com says Johnny Damon’s time in New York may be over. Sources told Rosenthal that Damon lowered his price to the Yankees to two years, $20 million. By that time the Yankees were already close to a one year deal with Nick Johnson.
The Nationals, Braves and Giants are among the teams that could be interested in Damon says Rosenthal.
King of Cali thoughts: Everyone knows that Damon wanted to stay in New York. He’s even said the Yankees are the best organization he’s played for so far. Well I guess you will have to find someone else that needs your services. The Giants don’t need Damon. He’s not the player he use to be. Plus his homers went up this year, because he’s playing in the new launching pad they have their in New York. I’m glad the Giants are committed to a young team, so I’m hoping that will keep them from signing Damon.
Jon Morosi of FOXSports.com says via twitter. That the Royals, Tigers and Giants are among the clubs showing interest in Jack Cust. He homers, walks and whiffs with the best of them.
King of Cali thoughts: Now this is another guy we can pass on. Yes he does provide some good pop. He has a career .239 AVG. Plus he bats from the left side. His power numbers would take a big dip at AT&T park. Lets go after Xavier Nady instead of Damon and Cust.
Chris Haft of MLB.com says the Giants short list of hitters they’d consider acquiring has become shorter. Nick Johnson’s tentative agreement with the New York Yankees could signal to the Giants that the time to make their first major player move of the winter has drawn closer.
Haft says he head reports that Mark DeRosa has dropped his reported salary demand to three years and $18 million from three years, $27 million.
Haft chimes in on the following free agents:
Adrian Beltre: He thinks the Giants can take their time with him, because no other clubs appear to meet Beltre’s reported with for a four year, $40 million deal.
Mark DeRosa: If the reports on DeRosa lowering his demands. Then the Giants will have to act quickly. Twelve teams were reported interested in DeRosa, but that has since dwindled as most teams have balked at his request for a three year deal.
Adam LaRoche: Teams may try to court LaRoche more ardently. Since Johnson has already signed with the Yankees. He also says teams could resist offering him a deal with an average annual value far exceeding Johnson’s.
Dan Uggla: Haft does believe the Giants could have made this trade by now. Even though Uggla has averaged 30 home runs and 90 RBI’s in four Major League Seasons. Giants still are concerned with his sub-par defense and second base and they’d have to part with Jonathan Sanchez. The Giants are hoping that the Marlins will back off it’s desire for Sanchez as time passes. Giants might have to consider Uggla more seriously if they’re unable to sign a free agent.
Jason BayandMatt Holliday: The Giants don’t seem to be major players for either of the top two sluggers.
King of Calithoughts: Now this is the stuff Giants fans should want to see. Now Brian Sabean and the Giants are feeling the pressure. The time is now to make a move. We know Scott Boras will try to keep Beltre on the free agent market for a while. He doesn’t like to let his clients sign fast. That could help the Giants. If other teams fill their needs and Beltre’s options dwindle. He can fall right into the Giants laps.
I don’t think the Giants have much interest in LaRoche. He’s a lefty and we know how AT&T Park plays for left handed hitters. The Giants wanted Johnson to play first. Now that he’s off the table. I’m sure they would like to find a third baseman and move Pablo Sandoval to first base. If the Marlins continue to want J-Sanchez for Uggla. The Giants will hold off until Beltre is off the table before making that trade. If they end up signing Beltre. Then they will pass on Uggla and keep Sanchez.
