Archive for January, 2010.
Chris Haft of MLB.com told me (via email) that Buster Posey is going to be up here once he proves that he’s ready. On paper, having Bengie Molina bat sixth or seventh might not be all bad. Haft said he’s heard from tons of fans this offseason saying “anybody but Bengie,” and his OBP and more advanced offensive metrics are sub-par. But he should be able to make himself a lower-half-of-the-order presence, which isn’t all bad.
King of Cali thoughts: This signing was a shock to me, and pretty much all of us that follow the Giants. Now that I’ve had time to digest it. I must say I like the signing too. Yeah he’s a free swinger, and he clogs the bases. The only difference this time is he will be lower in the lineup.
Molina did hit 20 homers and had 80 RBI’s. The question we have been asked since the end of the season is who’s going to fill that void? Well now that Molina is back consider it filled. I must admit the Giants lineup is starting to have me excited for the season to start. I know it’s not the Yankees lineup, but it has potential to put us some runs. With our pitching staff and this lineup. We just might have enough to win the NL West. No other team in the NL West has made improvements to their team to separate themselves from the rest.
Possible Starting Lineup
Aaron Rowand
Freddy Sanchez
Pablo Sandoval
Aubrey Huff
Mark DeRosa
Bengie Molina
Edgar Renteria/Juan Uribe
Nate Schierholtz
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Bengie Molina, Buster Posey, Chris Haft, Free Agents, Giants, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors
Dennis O’Donnell of CBS 5 breaks another Giants signing. He’s reporting that the Giants and Bengie Molina have agreed on a one-year contract worth $4.5 million.
Molina’s wife has confirmed the agreement, and said they are excited to be returning to San Francisco.
Molina had rejected the Mets most recent offer. The offer was reported as being $5 million.
King of Cali thoughts: Wow I don’t even know where to start. This signing caught me by surprise! I have so many mixed reactions to this signing as well as other Giants fans out there. I have had fans telling me they want Molina back. I have had others saying lets give Buster Posey the job.
I know I have said it’s time for Molina to move on and it’s Posey time. The Giants still don’t think Posey is ready to start out as the everyday catcher. I think this is a good signing. The reason I’m changing my stance is because it’s not a multi-year deal. It’s just a one year deal and it’s only $4.5 million. As long as they don’t put Molina in the cleanup spot then this is a great move. He can show Posey the ropes and share some time with him. I can’t see Molina batting anywhere higher than 6th in the Giants lineup. I can’t wait to read your comments on this signing, so please leave your thoughts.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Bengie Molina, Buster Posey, Free Agents, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, New York Mets, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors
Chris Haft of MLB.com says the Giants and Jonathan Sanchez have agreed on a one-year contract. The deal is for $2.1 million. Sanchez went 8-12 with a 4.24 ERA in 32 appearances. He did pitch San Francisco’s first no-hitter in 33 years over the San Diego Padres on July 10th.
The Giants are expected to exchange salary figures later Tuesday with their two most pricey arbitration-eligible performers: Tim Lincecum and Brian Wilson.
King of Cali thoughts: We all know that all these arbitration guys are going to get raises. $2.1 million for J-Sanchez isn’t bad. I mean his win/loss and ERA is nothing to write home about, but the potential is there. He gets a lot of swings and misses. Plus he’s also got a no-hitter under his belt. I’m sure he’s going to be pitching with a lot more confidence this year.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Arbitration, Brian Wilson, Free Agents, Giants, Jonathan Sanchez, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, Tim Lincecum
Jon Heyman of SI.com said (via twitter) that he heard filing numbers for Tim Lincecum. Lincecum submitted $13 million and the Giants submitted $8 million.
Heyman tweeted again saying his early prediction: Tim will settle at $10.5 million or slightly above it. That’s the midpoint.
King of Cali thoughts: We all know whatever deal they end up with. It will be well deserved. Lincecum is worth $13 million to me, so that’s a fair submission for team Lincecum. We all knew the Giants would submit something a lot lower. This is so they can have a midpoint, and hopefully get a deal done before the arbitration hearing.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Arbitration, Free Agents, Giants, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, Tim Lincecum
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John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that Eric Byrnes said he’s finally 100% after two injury-marred seasons. The Diamondbacks have designated him for assignment despite owing him $11 million next season. He could sign with another team for the minimum salary, and he’s open to playing for the Giants if the interest is mutual.
“It’s not a real secret (that) I’d definitely be interested,” Byrnes said in a phone interview. “The Giants, of course, that’s the best fit geographically.”
King of Cali thoughts: If the Giants can get him for a league minimum and his willing to platoon in right field. Then lets go out and get him. He can bring a lot of excitement to this team. If he’s hitting then it’s a great signing. If he’s not then it’s at least worth the try since it’s for the league minimum. He would have to battle for time with Velez, Torres, Schierholtz and Bowker. Would you like to see Byrnes sign with the Giants?
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Arizona Diamondbacks, Eric Byrnes, Free Agents, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors
Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports that the Giants and Brandon Medders agreed on a one-year contract for $820,000, avoiding salary arbitration.
Medders went 5-1 with a 3.01 ERA and 1 save in 61 games while earning $475,000.
King of Cali thoughts: Medders did a great job last year, so his raise is well deserved. It’s always better for teams to sign players before the arbitration hearings. I just don’t like the idea of a player submitting his worth and the team saying his worth less. Just seems like only bad feelings can come of that no matter who wins the hearing. The Giants still have three players that are arbitration eligible. Those players are Jonathan Sanchez, Brian Wilson and Tim Lincecum.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Arbitration, Brandon Medders, Brian Wilson, Free Agents, Jonathan Sanchez, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, Tim Lincecum
Jon Heyman of SI.com says Giants people are hurt that Adam LaRoche turned them down to take a lower offer from the Arizona Diamondbacks. It remains a mystery to them why LaRoche chose Arizona. The Giants wound up signing Aubrey Huff for $3 million instead but still wouldn’t appear to have enough offense to go with their deluxe pitching.
King of Cali thoughts: I’m glad LaRoche chose the D-Backs. Now it gives us someone to really boo hard when the D-backs come to town. I’m actually glad the Giants turned around and signed Huff. Huff has a lot of power and I’m sure he would love to prove himself by having a bounce back year. The Giants got him for a cheap deal, so this can turn out to be another steal deal for Sabean in two consecutive years. Juan Uribe was the steal deal of last year. He was signed for one year, $1 million. Why do you think LaRoche turned down a two-year $17 million contract and sign for less with the D-Backs?
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Adam LaRoche, Arizona Diamondbacks, Aubrey Huff, Brian Sabean, Free Agents, Giants, Juan Uribe, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors
Mychael Urban of CSNBayArea.com says the Giants are still in the mix for free agent pitcher Kiko Calero. Urban had it confirmed by vice president of baseball operations Bobby Evans. Evans seems to think Calero will get a more lucrative and/or longer offer from another team. Evans says the Giants aren’t going more than two years with anybody.
Kiko Calero pitched in 69 games with a 1.95 ERA, and 1.10 WHIP.
King of Cali thoughts: Calero would be a very nice piece to add to our bullpen, but that deal is not likely going to happen. Let’s hope no other teams are willing to offer him more than the Giants. Then he might be willing to come back to the Bay Area and be a Giant. Calero spent four seasons (2005-08 in Oakland.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Florida Marlins, Free Agents, Kiko Calero, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, Mychael Urban, NL West, Oakland A's, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors
The Razor & Mr. T (Ralph & Tom) did a phone interview with Aubrey Huff. Huff said he’s excited to come play in the NL West. He’s been in the AL East pretty much his whole career. Huff knew he was coming off a bad year, and was just hoping teams would look past that and look at his career numbers.
He’s played with or against only two players (Aaron Rowand & Mark DeRosa) on the Giants, so he’s going to have a hard time getting to know all his new teammates.
Huff said he was told that he would be playing first base and a little outfield. He will be in the cleanup spot in the lineup. He said he’s not a homers guy. Most of his homers have been line drives, so he thinks this park is good for him. He’s a doubles guy, so it’s a perfect park.
Huff said he loves the cool weather, so that won’t be a problem for him playing in San Francisco.
King of Cali thoughts: I must admit… I’m pretty excited now to see Huff play. I think this signing is going to be like the Uribe signing last year. We are getting him for dirt cheap. I think my Garlic Fries and beer cost more then what we paid for Huff. He’s out of the AL East, so he doesn’t have to face Beckett, Sabathia, Burnett and Matsuzaka. We all know the AL East teams are always trying to revamp their pitching, so I think being in the NL West will only help Huff at the plate.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Aaron Rowand, AL East, Aubrey Huff, Free Agents, Giants, King of Cali, Mark DeRosa, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors
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Chris Haft of MLB.com says the the Giants and Yorvit Torrealba maintain mutual interest in a one-year contract. Torrealba will be meeting with the Giants soon, but wants to finish his playoffs with his Venezuelan Winter League team. 
“At this time, we are prepared to go to Posey,” Sabean said. “But we’ll keep an open mind.”
Torrealba rejected a two-year, $4.5 million offer from the Rockies, his previous club, earlier this offseason. The Rockies also declined to pick up a $4 million option on his 2010 contract, which made him a free agent.
UPDATE
Valdez now can be claimed by another team.
King of Cali thoughts: Having Torrealba back in a Giants uniform would be nice. Having him would also keep any pressure off Buster Posey of feeling like he needs to step in and be the man. I just can’t see Torrealba wanting to accept a one year contract. He still has teams that are interested that may be willing to offer him two years. The Padres, Rangers and Mariners have all expressed interest.
I’m sure Merkin will be picked up by another team. I really like this kid, so this is some sad new to me. He’s got great stuff, but hasn’t been able to put it all together yet. I’m sure he will be a great pick up for whatever team claims him. Let’s hope all the other teams pass on him, so we can keep him in our system.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Aubrey Huff, Buster Posey, Free Agents, King of Cali, Merkin Valdez, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors, SFGiants Blog, Yorvit Torrealba
