Carl Steward of the San Jose Mercury News tells SF Giants Rumors his thoughts on the Barry Zito and Aaron Rowand rumors.
Steward’s thoughts on the Zito rumors is straight and to the point.“Zito’s here, not going anywhere”, says Steward.
Steward thinks any trade for Rowand depends on how much salary the Giants are willing to eat and how much Rowand forces the issue.
“I think they should hold on to him. If Torres gets hurt, they suddenly have no competent CF and he’s also insurance in left if Burrell flops. Sure both Ross and Schierholtz could probably play CF, but it’s a risk.”
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: 2010 World Series Champions, Aaron Rowand, Andres Torres, Barry Zito, Cody Ross, King of Cali, Nate Schierholtz, NL West, Pat Burrell, San Francisco Giants, SF Giants Rumors
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Happy Lincecum Day! Jonathan Mahler of the New York Times has a very cool article on Tim Lincecum. It’s a must read for Lincecum fans. Speaking of “The Freak”, he will take the mound tonight as the Giants face the Padres. The Giants starting lineup will be:
CF – Aaron Rowand
SS – Mike Fontenot
3B – Pablo Sandoval
LF – Travis Ishikawa
1B – Brandon Belt
RF – Nate Schierholtz
2B – Emmanuel Burriss
C – Eli Whiteside or Chris Stewart ( No Buster Posey)
P – Tim Lincecum
Bumgarner Officially Signed for 2011
The Giants have renewed Madison Bumgarner’s contract for 2011. Bumgarner is pre-arbitration eligible.
Cain Is Ready For A Start
Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News says (via twitter) Matt Cain says he feels fine, and he’ll start Monday against Milwaukee.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: 2010 World Series Champions, Aaron Rowand, Brandon Belt, Buster Posey, Chris Stewart, Eli Whiteside, Emmanuel Burriss, Giants Hot Stove, King of Cali, Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, Mike Fontenot, Nate Schierholtz, NL West, Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants, SF Giants Rumors, sfgiants, The Freak, Tim Lincecum, Travis Ishikawa
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The San Francisco Giants beat writer Chris Haft chimes in on the Mark DeRosa rumor. Haft says, he doesn’t think the Giants would trade DeRosa. He does however think Aaron Rowand is someone they would be looking to move.
The outfield is crowded and Rowand became the odd man out last year. When the Giants signed Rowand to a 5-year contract worth $60 million. They were getting a player coming off a season where he hit .309, with 27 homers, 89 RBI, and 105 runs scored.
Aaron Rowand Stats as a Giant (3-Years, 08-10)
Games – 401
Average – .257
Homerun – 39
RBI – 168
Runs – 160
Hits – 355
2B –
3B –
Walks – 90
Strikeouts – 325
At Bats – 1,379
Shotgun Cain Back On The Mound
Matt Cain pitched a simulated game today. Cain has had some right elbow inflammation. John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle said Cain tossed 47 pitches in three innings. Cain faced Travis Ishikawa, Nate Schierholtz, Aaron Rowand and prospect Brandon Crawford.
“I’m not very good at holding back,” Cain said. “Usually if I throw, I’m letting it go pretty much the whole time.”
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: 2010 World Series Champions, Aaron Rowand, Brandon Crawford, Giants Hot Stove, King of Cali, Mark DeRosa, Matt Cain, Nate Schierholtz, NL West, San Francisco Giants, SF Giants Rumors, sfgiants, Travis Ishikawa
The San Francisco Giants began their title defense today in the first game of Spring Training. I know it’s Spring Training and it doesn’t mean anything. I’m just happy to hear baseball on the radio again!
Tim Lincecum got the game started by giving up 3 runs in the first inning, including 4 hits in a row. Miguel Tejada struck out swinging in his first Spring Training at bat in a San Francisco Giants uniform. Should we start to worry, and hit the panic button? No way, it’s just Spring Training! Tejada did end up with an RBI single in his second at bat.
The Giants found a way to get the win. The final score was 7-6 Giants. Yes another torture win for the Orange and Black! Buster Posey was the only Giants player with 2 hits, and he also had 2 RBI’s.
The starting lineup was DH Andres Torres, 2B Mark DeRosa, SS Miguel Tejada, C Buster Posey, RF Cody Ross, LF Pat Burrell, 3B Pablo Sandoval, CF Aaron Rowand, 1B Travis Ishikawa and pitching was Tim Lincecum.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: 2010 World Series Champions, Aaron Rowand, Andres Torres, Buster Posey, Cody Ross, Giants Hot Stove, Giants Trade Rumors, King of Cali, Mark DeRosa, Miguel Tejada, NL West, Pablo Sandoval, Pat Burrell, San Francisco Giants, SF Giants Rumors, sfgiants, Spring Training, Tim Lincecum, Travis Ishikawa
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While over 50,000 fans were attending Fan Fest, the San Francisco Giants front office was still thinking about the roster and future arms. John Schlegel of MLB.com says the Giants have signed outfielder Justin Christian to a Minor League deal that does not include an invitation to Major League camp. Christian hasn’t played in the Majors since 2008 (Yankees). Christian went to Aragon High in San Mateo, so he definitely will have a lot of local fans rooting him on.
The Giants are outfielder heavy already with Cody Ross, Pat Burrell, Andres Torres, Nate Schierholtz and Aaron Rowand. Plus they still have Darren Ford who’s waiting in the wings as well. This could mean the Giants might be hoping for a nice spring from Rowand, so they can look to shop him around. We all know the Philadelphia Phillies are still looking for a right-handed bat to add to their lineup since Jayson Werth has departed.
That’s not the only signing the Giants had on Saturday. Spencer Fordin of MLB.com says the Giants also signed Dominican All Star Simon Mercedes. The 18 year-old Mercedes signed for $400,000 and is expected to start out low in the teams farm system.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: 2010 World Series Champions, Aaron Rowand, Andres Torres, Cody Ross, Darren Ford, Giants Hot Stove, Giants Trade Rumors, Jayson Werth, Justin Christian, King of Cali, Nate Schierholtz, NL West, Pat Burrell, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, SF Giants Rumors, sfgiants, Simon Mercedes, Spring Training
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The average shortstop salary for this years free agents is $6.41 million. Miguel Tejada received a one-year $6.5 million contract from the Giants. Which means GM Brian Sabean was on his game with this contract.
Now the first base position is a different story. The average free agent signing thus far at first base has signed for $6.53 million. The Giants re-signed Aubrey Huff (best first base free agent in my book) for a two year $22 million contract. Huff will make $10 million in 2011 and 2012 (2013 $10 million club option or $2 million buyout).
Huff will make a little over $3 million more than the other first base free agents who signed this year. The Giants were willing to give Huff the nice raise for what he did for them last year, and don forget Huff can also play multiple positions. Huff’s a big part of their offense, and some have even said they believe Huff should have tried to get more money. Two years and $10 million a year is a pretty good signing to me. Sabean seems to be back on his game after the Aaron Rownad and Barry Zito contracts.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Aaron Rowand, Aubrey Huff, Barry Zito, Brian Sabean, Giants Hot Stove, Giants Trade Rumors, King of Cali, Miguel Tejada, NL West, San Francisco Giants, SF Giants, SF Giants Rumors
Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com says (via twitter) the San Francisco Giants have discussed a trade with the Cubs. This would be Aaron Rowand for Kosuke Fukudome. Crasnick says it’s a classic bad contract, change-of-scenery deal.
In another tweet Crasnick says he thinks the deal is a long shot. Rowand is still owed $25 million over the next two years, and Fukudome will make $13.5 million in 2011.
In another tweet Crasnick says if the Giants can’t move Rowand, they might entertain offers for Nate Schierholtz. There is a surplus of outfielders in San Francisco. Crasnick tells SF Giants Rumors that he does think it’s a long shot. He says Fukudome isn’t great, but he does only have one more year at $13.5 million. He says without knowing the particulars, he thinks the Giants will be more motivated to make this deal than the Cubs. If the Giants shop Schierholtz Crasnick and myself don’t think the Giants will get much in return unless it’s a package deal.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Aaron Rowand, Giants, Giants Hot Stove, Giants Trade Rumors, Jerry Crasnick, Nate Schierholtz, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors
The San Francisco Giants announced that their 2011 payroll will be $120 million. That’s because of player raises and Miguel Tejada and Aubrey Huff‘s new contracts.
Bruce Bochy has one more year on his contract (2011) so should the Giants reward the first World Series manager in San Francisco history with a contract extension? Possible extension in the works.
The Giants beat writer Chris Haft speculates (In his blog) that the Giants can possibly be eyeing outfielder Scott Podsednik. Sabean would like to add a left-handed bat and it doesn’t have to be a power hitter. He’s a career .279 hitter with 301 stolen bases in 10 seasons.
Carl Steward of the San Jose Mercury News shares with us some insights of the Winter Meetings in Florida.
Aaron Rowand still has two years left on his contract. It’s no secret that the Giants may be looking to trade him for a left-handed bat. If he does stay with the Giants he will be asked to also play some left/right field as well.
The Giants are still looking for a backup shortstop and Edgar Renteria still remains in the loop.
“He’s going to see what’s out there, and I don’t blame him. But we definitely have interest.” – Bochy on Renteria
Mark DeRosa will be taking over at the super utility role. He can play all the infield positions (not catcher/pitcher) and left field. He’s coming off wrist surgery.
Darren Ford will likely start the season in Fresno. Bochy says Ford needs to get more consistent with the bat.
Pablo Sandoval has lost a little over 10 pounds. Brian Sabean has said if Sandoval doesn’t meet weight requirements then he will start the season in the minors.
“He’s got a little ways to go. I don’t want to put a number on it, but he’s still probably got 15 or so somewhere in there.” – Bochy on Sandoval
Freddy Sanchez has had shoulder surgery on his left shoulder and is expected to be ready by opening day. He won’t be ready by Spring Training, but should be able to get some exhibition games in before the season starts.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: 2010 World Series Champions, Aaron Rowand, Aubrey Huff, Brian Sabean, Bruce Bochy, Darren Ford, Edgar Renteria, Freddy Sanchez, Giants Baseball, Giants Hot Stove, Giants Trade Rumors, King of Cali, Mark DeRosa, Miguel Tejada, NL West, Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants, Scott Podsednik, SF Giants, SF Giants Rumors
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The San Francisco Giants GM Brian Sabean hopes the World Series Championship will make San Francisco an attractive place for free agents this winter.
The Giants will look to upgrade in one of the corner outfield spots. Pat Burrell will only come back in a platoon or backup role.
Crawford/Werth Sweepstakes
It’s not clear at this time if the Giants will be players in the Carl Crawford or Jayson Werth sweepstakes. I really don’t think the Giants will pull the trigger on any of these guys. I would love to see Crawford in a Giants uniform. Sabean doesn’t think they can compete for top free agents like Crawford.
The Giants are looking to get more left-handed, so Werth is more than likely not even on their radar.
Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle speculates that Sabean will monitor the Yankees negotiations with shortstop Derek Jeter. Schulman does say this is pure speculation on his part, and would bet a good chunk of change on it. Sabean was the head of the Yankees scouting team when they drafted Jeter in 1992. Everyone knows Jeter and the Yankees will work out a deal soon.
Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News says Sabean has already reached out to Aubrey Huff and Juan Uribe’s agents.
Pablo Sandoval was told he may find himself playing in the minors next year if he doesn’t shed some pounds. Sandoval will train with a specialists in San Diego, and has weight benchmarks he must hit at various times this winter. Sandoval will also report to Arizona a month early for spring training.
Aaron Rowand appears to be on the trading block, but may be hard to trade. He has 2 years/$24 million left on his contract.
Hot prospect Brandon Belt will likely be brought up midseason like they did with Buster Posey.
“That would be the conservative and old-school approach” Sabean said. “But sometimes you can’t hold somebody back.”
2011 Payroll
Sabean is interested in retaining all 8 of his arbitration-eligible players. He also has clearance to take the payroll over $100 million for the first time in franchise history.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: 2010 World Series, Aaron Rowand, Aubrey Huff, Brandon Belt, Brian Sabean, Buster Posey, Carl Crawford, Derek Jeter, Giants Baseball, Giants Trade Rumors, Jayson Werth, Juan Uribe, King of Cali, Pablo Sandoval, Pat Burrell, San Francisco Giants, SF Giants Rumors
Pat The Bat Burrell
Now that the San Francisco Giants are the World Series Champions. It’s now the start of Hot Stove time!
Giants Free Agents
LF – Pat Burrell
SS – Edgar Renteria (Giants will decline the $10.5 Million club option)
SS – Juan Uribe
1B – Aubrey Huff
RP – Guillermo Mota
RF – Jose Guillen
Arbitration Eligible
OF – Cody Ross
CF – Andres Torres
SP – Jonathan Sanchez
IF – Mike Fontenot (possible non-tender)
RP – Javier Lopez
RP – Santiago Casilla
RP – Ramon Ramirez (Possible non-tender)
RP – Chris Ray (possible non-tender)
Rumors
Aubrey Huff said he wants to come back, and the Giants want him back. Now it’s just a matter of how much he gets paid and how many years.
Jon Heyman of SI.com said he’s hearing the Phillies might consider ex-Phillie Aaron Rowand. (If the Giants pay most of the salary.)
Mychael Urban of CSNBayArea.com says the Giants should sign Eric Chavez to a minor league contract.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: 2010 World Series Champions, Aaron Rowand, Aubrey Huff, Brian Sabean, Bruce Bochy, Cody Ross, Edgar Renteria, Eric Chavez, Giants Trade Rumors, King of Cali, NL West, Pat Burrell, San Francisco Giants, SF Giants Rumors
