SF Giants Rumors – Sabean Chats With Fans
Posted on December 9th, 2009 by admin in SF Giants Rumors
Today Giants GM Brian Sabean did a chat with fans on MLB.com. Here is the script of the chat log.
Sabean: Hello everyone, coming live to you from the winter meetings in Indianapolis! Thanks for joining me today. Lets get started with your questions.
treal_jay: Brian, position player-wise, what are the Giants most critical needs in order of high to lowest priority?
Sabean: Regardless of position we need to improve our offense. Pablo will be the fourth hitter and we will need to be able to place someone in back and in front of him.
k90sdrk: Do you think posey is ready to catch at the major league level and how consistent will he be in a 162 game season?
Sabean: We are not sure. Having said that he is ahead of his own development schedule and has been named the minor league player of the year so it may come to that with him being our catcher and if so we are willing to take that risk. Because he’s played so little professional baseball it’s hard to predict what he will do in his first major league season.
dbgiant21: Do you expect to pick up a “Juan Uribe” this off-season, such as Nick Greene, or would it be preferred to use homegrown players?
Sabean: We consider Juan a super utility type of talent at this time, we don’t know of our ability to re-sign him. If he does not re-sign we will look internally at people like Burriss or Rohlinger who can play the middle of the infield.
mescalbean: Mr. Sabean, thank you very much for the opportunity to ask a question; my question is this: on the basis of the 2009 season, have the Giants seen enough of Bowker, Ishikawa and Schierholz to determine whether they can be starter-calibre ballplayers?
Sabean: Short answer is probably not. Having said that they will be given ample opportunities in spring training to distinguish themselves.
eddiesf: Which team in our division do you think will be the biggest challenge to our ball club in 2010?
Sabean: I’m not sure but the West seemingly has a shot gun start every year. From recent history it’s usually up for grabs every year. Our goal is to be in position to win the division.
nomobonds: If both Bumgarner and Posey are on the major league roster next year who in your opinion will be the organizations top minor league prospect?
Sabean: Runzler, Joaquin and Martinez have a chance to make our 12-man staff. I’m going to monitor very closely the progress next year with Crawford, Peguero, Neal and Kieschnick.
nomobonds: Performance wise, which Giant impressed you most last season?
Sabean: Sandoval because of the fact that he met our needs and expectations and actually surpassed our expectations.
sucio1: Hello Brian, my question is are you confident that if the Giants are not able to fill their needs via free agency and/or trades that you could field a competitive ball club in 2010?
Sabean: Yes, by virtue of our pitching staff and it’s depth.
Sandals: Since losing Brad Penny to the Cardinals, do you plan on looking for a starting pitcher this off-season? Or would you be comfortable with a rotation that contains both Sanchez and Bumgarner come April?
Sabean: Because of Bumgarner’s talent alone he is very capable of being our fifth starter, but much like the Posey situation we want to be sure that we are not rushing him. As a result we will continue to look at other options. Bumgarner very well though could be the fifth starter.
Sandals: Are you looking into signing Tim Lincecum to a long term deal this year? Or if not, could it be done next off season?
Sabean: At this time we are going to wait until January and us filing our number for arbitration and then view their filing number to decide if there is a window or opportunity for more than a one year deal. Or decide it’s more prudent this year to go with a one-year contract and if that’s means going to arbitration then we are prepared to do so.
gintssoxfn: I’m a Giants season ticket-holder and look forward to the upcoming season. What are plans to strengthen lineup, especially at LF and 1B? Any interest in players just a level below the top dollar guys – players like Blalock, Nady, etc.
Sabean: We are exploring opportunities to upgrade at 1b and in the OF from a run production standpoint.
APeeler: Your best guess as to what level Thomas Neal will start next season.
Sabean: Probably double-A at the beginning of the year. Who knows at the end of the year where he’ll end up. He played very well in the Arizona Fall League against older and more experienced players.
APeeler: What is the best part of the winter meetings?
Sabean: The Fellowship.
strakman1: how are the health issues with renteria and sanchez?
Sabean: They seem to be doing fine with their off-season rehab programs and will be thoroughly evaluated at the first of the year to get a time table to start baseball activity.
bond1942: Will Garko be tendered a contact this week?
Sabean: We have until Saturday at 9pm to make that decision and as of now we have not made that decision yet.
Sabean: We feel that these meetings are productive at putting our roster together. We don’t feel pressure of having to do something while we’re here. We are prepared to act in a timely fashion when the right opportunities present themselves.
Sabean: Thanks everyone for joining us today. Happy Holidays and we will talk to you again after the first of the year.
~King of Cali
King of Cali , great updates and giant info now lets hope we can get the offense going with some good signings because we need more than 1 bat.
Mr. B,
Thanks for your support with this site. Lets tell all the Giants fans we know to check it out and comment. It’s nice to get everyone to comment with their opinions.
~King of Cali