SF Giants Rumors – Torrealba In, Merkin Out?
Posted on January 14th, 2010 by admin in SF Giants Rumors
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
John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle says Merkin Valdez was designated for assignment, clearing room on the 40-man roster for Aubrey Huff.
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
Wait what happened with merkin valdez/?
I would have put frandsen on waivers and kept Valdez this is bad move. I really think Valdez has lots of potential plus he throws 95 to 96 mph there will be plenty of teams ready to claim him.
Well, I hope everyone is ready for the “Brian Sabean Bad Decision Era” which started with him DFAing Merkin Valdez. Now he is looking to pick up Yorvit? HORRIBLE. I’d rather have some payroll flexibility to pick someone up during the season based on performance rather than throwing money at a crappy, over-the-hill catcher who will bitch about playing time. Even if Torrealba starts off the season behind the dish, is there any doubt that Posey will take over at some point in 2010? This can’t get much worse. I totally agree that Fransden should have been the casualty, not Valdez. Please can someone take the team away from Sabean?
Just to clarify, this is by no means the start of the “Brian Sabean Bad Decision Era”. He has been going strong for years. AWFUL.
I liked Valdez but he was always kinda questionable after he had Tommy John surgery. And it’s hard to forgive him after he let up the game-winning Grand Slam to Spilborghs in that heartbreaking extra-inning game against the Rockies. I would’ve liked to see him stay but they had to do it to somebody.
I am glad we still have Frandsen.Does he have options left,if so,he should play some outfield at Fresno.Maybe he could be a super-utility guy.He reminds me of F.P.Santangelo.
A lot of people throw 95-96…the problem is thats all he pretty much throws. Our bullpen will be fine without him…Merkin had plenty of time to prove himself. Quit blaming Sabean.
Waldis Joaquinn,Runzler,Medders,Wilson,Romo,affeldt…maybe J. mart for Long Relief. a FA? Our Pen is fine…Merkin isnt a major loss. quit whining. Frandsen is a ball player..glad they havent let him go yet.
wow are you guys seriously bashing Sabean for DFA’ing Merkin?
we have an exact clone of him on the team already, his name is Waldis Joaquin he can throw 100 mph and doesn’t know where it’s going just like Merkin
I don’t see any reason to be mad over this
OK, I agree Nate is the future, but couldn’t we *really* use Dye or Ankiel as one other “proven” bat? One more bat and I feel a lot better in 2010. Nate subs and plays as regular if injury. One other one year deal? Why would that e so tough?
why would you want Dye or Ankiel
Dye’s offensive numbers in the 2nd half last season were ugly and his defense is horrible
Ankiel just flat out stunk last year
I hear the D’Backs might release Eric Byrnes I’d rather take a chance on him since he would cost nothing
The D’backs just released Byrnes so he now is available this is someone I would like in a giants uniform and he has been injured but when healthy he can rake and I believe that he will and I like him on a 1 year cheap deal.