The San Francisco Giants announced that their 2011 payroll will be $120 million. That’s because of player raises andMiguel 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 outfielderScott 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 Sanchezhas 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.
I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving. Now that the ham and turkey stuff is out of the way. Let’s get back to the San Francisco Giants. Booooo-ribe Juan Uribe has took a page out of and Jason Schmidts book by signing with the Dodgers after parting ways with the Giants. Uribe’s contract is 3 years for $21 million. Shortstop Needed
Now that Uribe is gone, and Edgar Renteria not likely to be back. The Giants must really start to kick the tires on all shortstop options. Miguel Tejada is a guy the Giants might start to turn the heat up on, so they can sign him as a free agent and not have to trade anyone for a J.J. Hardy, Jason Bartlett or Marco Scutaro.
Brian Costa of The Wall Street Journal says the Giants have been in contact with Derek Jeter’s agent, Casey Close, who also represents Giants catcher Buster Posey. He also says the Giants are not seriously pursuing him at the moment.
Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe says Emmanuel Burriss, who has dealt with a pair of foot fractures, is one of the best players in the Dominican winter league. He can be an option if the Giants are unable to make a trade or sign a free agent shortstop.
Side Notes
RHP Waldis Joaquin was claimed off waivers by the White Sox from the Giants. Joaquin then rejected the claim and declared for free agency.
Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times says middle infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka’s preferred team is the Dodgers. A source said the 26 year old switch-hitting shortstop wants to play on the West Coast, and is also interested in playing for the San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks. Nishioka led Japan’s Pacific League in hitting this year with a .346 average. World Series MVP Edgar Renteria wants to skip the celebration in his honor in his home country, and wants that money to be donated to Columbia flood victims. ~King of Cali
The San Francisco Giants did it.They are the 2010 World Series Champions! It’s the first Championship for the Giants since moving out west from New York in 1958.
The victory parade is set for Wednesday at 11a.m. The Giants will be given the key to the city by Mayor Gavin Newsom after the parade.
Brian Sabean said Dan Runzler might make a switch from the bullpen to the starting rotation.
Brian Wilson was invited to appear on “The Tonight Show” on Thursday.
Edgar Renteria (World Series MVP) isn’t sure now if he’s ready to retire. His 2 year $18.5 Million contract with the Giants is up. Everyone thought Renteria was overpaid, but he sure earned his money in the World Series. He ended up hitting .412 with 2 homers and 6 RBI’s.
Barry Zito has fallen to the number 5 pitcher in the starting rotation. Sabean said he has no plans to trade Zito this winter. Zito has 3 years and $64.5 Million left on his 7 year $126 Million contract.
It’s a gloomy start to the weekend here in the Bay Area, but not for San Francisco Giants fans! They have a 2-0 lead in the World Series, and are looking for their first World Series Championship since moving to San Francisco in 1958.
Random Stats
The Giants scored 19 runs to get by the Phillies in 6 games, and have started off the World Series by scoring 20 runs in 2 games.
Out of 51 teams to take a 2-0 lead in the World Series, 40 went on to win the World Series. The numbers are on the Giants side, but now they need to go get 2 more wins.
Edgar Renteria who’s been considering retirement is showing he still has some left in the tank. Renteria got 2 hits last night, homer and 3 RBI’s. He has played in 13 World Series games in his career. He has a .321 AVG, 6 XBH and 7 RBI’s.
Side Notes
Jose Guillen has been linked to HGH again. In 2007 it was reported that Guillen purchased more than $19,000 worth of HGH and other drugs. Its now reported that Guillen has had shipments sent to his wife in the Bay Area. Bud Selig did suggest to the Giants to leave Guillen off the roster. I guess we know why Bochy didn’t add him to have his bat ready off the bench.
Barry Bonds said before game 1 of the World Series that he would be interested in being a hitting coach in the future for the Giants.
“I love being home. I love being here,” Bonds said.
“I have a gift a sooner or later I have to give it away. I have to share it. Hopefully I’ll get the opportunity here,” Bonds said.
The San Francisco Giants have finalized the 25 man playoff roster. They have decided to go with 11 pitchers, 2 catchers, 7 infielders and 5 outfielders.
Pitchers (Starting Rotation) Tim Lincecum Matt Cain Jonathan Sanchez Madison Bumgarner (Bullpen) Brian Wilson Sergio Romo Ramon Ramirez Guillermo Mota Javier Lopez Santiago Casilla Jeremy Affeldt Catchers
Buster Posey Eli Whiteside
Infielders
Aubrey Huff Freddy Sanchez Juan Uribe Pablo Sandoval Mike Fontenot Edgar Renteria Travis Ishikawa
Outfielders
Pat Burrell Andres Torres Cody Ross Nate Schierholtz Aaron Rowand
The two big names left off the roster are Barry Zito and Jose Guillen.
Game 1 Matchup
Derek LoweTim Lincecum
GS 33 GS 33 W/L 16-12 W/L 16-10 ERA 3.99 ERA 3.43 HR’s 18 HR’s 18 WHIP 1.36 WHIP 1.27 K’s 136 K’s 231 BB 61 BB 76 IP 193.1 IP 212.1
Manager Bruce Bochy of the San Francisco Giants, said (on KNBR) it’s official that Tim Lincecum will start game 1 Thursday against the Atlanta Braves. It’s 99% chance Matt Cain will get the game 2 start and Bochy says you can assume Jonathan Sanchez is likely to get the game 3 start in Atlanta. Game 4 in Atlanta will likely have Madison Bumgarner on the hill unless the Giants are in a bad spot. Then Timmy may get the start on short rest.
When asked if Barry Zito will make the 25 man playoff roster. Bochy didn’t say one way or another if Zito will be on the playoff roster or not. When asked about Aaron Rowand and Edgar Renteria being on the roster. Bochy said he doesn’t really want to say anything until he talks to the players first.
Bochy said they will know tonight by 5pm which players will be on the roster, but may not announce it yet. They don’t have to finalize the roster until 10am Thursday morning.The Giants are likely to go with 11 pitchers. Which means they will have 14 position players. I know this because 25 players minus 11 pitchers equals 14 position players. Hope you’re ready for an Orange October!
Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says Edgar Renteria might retire after this season. Renteria has had three trips to the disabled list this year. Renteria also acknowledged he didn’t live up to the deal (2-yrs 18.5 Million).
Renteria said, “I’m not proud of what I’ve done. If they pay me to play, I just want to give back, not get injured. that’s me.”
Side Notes
Juan Uribe hit two homers in the same inning. Last time that was done by a Giant was in 2007 by Bengie Molina. Did I forget to mention that one of the homers by Uribe was a grand slam? The last time two homers by a Giants in the same inning and one was a grand slam was hit by Willie McCovey in 1977.
The San Francisco Giants have activated Edgar Renteria and Dan Runzler from the DL. They have also called up the speedy outfielder Darren Ford. It’s not likely that Ford will get much playing time in the outfield but will be a speedy pinch runner when needed.
Eric Hacker of the Fresno Grizzlies has been named to the All-PCL team as the top right-handed starter in the entire league. Hacker has set a new franchise record with 16 wins this season.
Side Notes
The next 14 games are all against the NL West. There is only 29 games left in the season, and 23 of them are against the NL West.The Giants played 28 games in August and went 13-15.
