Despite all the injury’s this year, and key players slumping. The San Francisco Giants are still 5 games (46-35) better midway through the season than last year (41-40).  

Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News says Brian Sabean shoots down the Juan Uribe rumors. The rumor was the Giants were talking to the Dodgers GM (Ned Colletti) about a deal for Uribe.  

Mark DeRosa has been hitting off a tee, and now is taking some cuts in batting practice. He’s not expected to come off the DL anytime soon.

~King of Cali

Technorati Tags: Brian Sabean, Giants Hot Stove, Giants Trade Rumors, Juan Uribe, Mark DeRosa, Ned Colletti, NL West, San Francisco Giants, SF Giants Rumors, SFG Rumors

Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times says Ex-Giant Juan Uribe was moved by how the Dodgers pursued him, calling his agent almost every day.   “They were really interested in having me here,” Uribe said. “When a team wants you that much and tells you that you’ll be a key part of their team, it’s extremely moving.”  

Juan Uribe Stats as a Giant (2years, 09-10)

Games – 270

Average – .266

RBI – 140

Runs – 114

Homeruns – 40

Hits – 244

2B – 50

3B – 6

Walks – 70

Strikeouts – 174

Uribe deserves the standing ovation when he has his first bat at AT&T Park. After that, the only chants he will get is Booooo-Ribe! Once he hangs up his spikes and calls it a career. I will then cheer for Uribe and welcome him back to the Giants family like Jeff Kent. I will never forget what these guys did for the Giants when they had the Black and Orange on!

Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says Buster Posey and the Giants reached an agreement on a 1-year contract. It’s under a million (no exact figure yet) but higher than the league minimum. Posey still is pre-arbitration eligible which means he has no leverage and could have had his contract renewed at whatever salary the team choose. The team however did negotiate the one year deal with Posey.

Schulman also says that Pablo Sandoval’s contract (2011 salary) is a done deal too, but doesn’t have the details. Madison Bumgarner’s is still not finalized at this time.

~King of Cali

Technorati Tags: 2010 World Series Champions, AT&T Park, Buster Posey, Giants Hot Stove, Jeff Kent, Juan Uribe, King of Cali, Madison Bumgarner, NL West, Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, sfgiants

Now that the San Francisco Giants have won the World Series. I’m sure there are a few of you that wish you went back in time like Marty McFly and did some Sports Betting. The Giants are not having a loud offseasn. They are quietly trying to keep the core team together, and mix and match a few players.
 
They succeeded in their top offseason priority and that was re-signing Aubrey Huff. He was a big piece of the Giants success. The Giants tried to bring back Juan Uribe, but he decided that he wanted to go down south to the hated Dodgers. The Giants were quick to sign Miguel Tejada to replace Uribe. Tejada is on the decline, but still a nice replacement for Uribe. Pat Burrell also re-signed for a hometown discount of $1 million.
 
Now you ask what’s left that the Giants are trying to do? It’s find a backup shortstop. Yes, they have Mark DeRosa and Mike Fontenot. That’s just not going to cut it if Tejada goes down, so the Giants are hoping that Edgar Renteria will return in a backup role for $1 million.
 
The 2011 lineup is starting off better than it did at the start of the 2010 season and they won the World Series. Only time will tell how the 2011 Giants finish.

~King of Cali

Technorati Tags: Aubrey Huff, Edgar Renteria, Giants Hot Stove, Juan Uribe, King of Cali, Mark DeRosa, Miguel Tejada, Mike Fontenot, NL West, Pat Burrell, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors

Gary Peterson of the Contra Costa Times tells me that the most important part of the Miguel Tejada signing is it’s a one year deal. He says he cringes when he looks at advanced defensive stats that indicate he has lost considerable range over the past few years. “The Giants are a team built on pitching, and you hate to see good pitching compromised by below-average defense.”
 
Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com tells me that Tejada is a high energy guy, so he’ll give the Giants what they lost with Juan Uribe’s departure. Crasnick likes what Teada brings to a clubhouse, and says he will be motivated on a one-year deal. He still swings an okay bat, but his power and OBP keep declining every year, and he doesn’t think that’s going to change since Tejada is close to 37 years old..
 
“His range in the field is also slipping, and I don’t think the Giants are doing their pitching staff much of a favor with a Tejada-Panda left side  of the infield.  They better hope for a lot of strikeouts and fly balls out of Lincecum & Co. in 2011.” Crasnick on Tejada Signing
 
The Giants beat writer Chris Haft tells me that players the Giants tried to acquire in trades cost too much in terms of players.  Hafts says Tejada may have been the clubs best alternative, and appears to have some game left.
 
~King of Cali

Technorati Tags: 2010 World Series Champions, Chris Haft, Gary Peterson, Giants Hot Stove, Giants Trade Rumors, Jerry Crasnick, Juan Uribe, King of Cali, Miguel Tejada, NL West, Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Trade Rumors, Tim Lincecum

Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports say the San Francisco Giants have become one of the most serious suitors for Tampa Bay’s shortstop Jason Bartlett.
 
2010 Stats – .254 AVG, 4 HR, 47 RBI, 71 R, and 11 SB
 
Teams that are trying to trade for Bartlett are hoping he will return back to his 2009 form.
 
2009 Stats – .320 AVG, 14 HR, 66 RBI, 90 R, and 30 SB
 
Morosi and Rosenthal reported yesterday that the Rays are moving closer to trading Bartlett. Now that Juan Uribe has signed with the Dodgers. Teams that are in need for a shortstop are starting to get serious. They Rays want bullpen arms, so the question is which arms will the Giants have to give up to make this deal happen.

Morosi and Rosenthal mention Chris Ray and Ramon Ramirez, but it’s not clear if the Rays have interest in them.

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com says (via twitter) Giants are “wide open” on their shortstop options. They’ve done legwork on Bartlett, Miguel Tejada, Orlando Cabrera and Marco Scutaro.

Side Notes

Andres Torres and Sergio Romo will be on the NBC float, and will serve as honorary grand marshals in the San Jose Holiday Parade. The parade starts Sunday at 8:30am in Downtown San Jose.

~King of Cali

Technorati Tags: 2010 World Series Champions, Andres Torres, Chris Ray, Giants Hot Stove, Jason Bartlett, Juan Uribe, King of Cali, Marco Scutaro, Miguel Tejada, NL West, Orlando Cabrera, Ramon Ramirez, San Francisco Giants Baseball, Sergio Romo, SF Giants, SF Giants Rumors

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.

~King of Cali

Technorati Tags: Buster Posey, Derek Jeter, Edgar Renteria, Emmanuel Burriss, Giants Trade Rumors, J.J. Hardy, Jason Bartlett, Juan Uribe, King of Cali, Marco Scutaro, Miguel Tejada, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants, SF Giants Rumors, Waldis Joaquin

As everyone is getting ready for Thanksgiving that doesn’t mean the rumor winds will stop swirling. Let’s get caught up with the latest SF Giants Rumors, so you can be ready to talk Giants baseball with family/friends during Thanksgiving.
 
The San Francisco Giants have taken care of their top offseason priority by re-signing Aubrey Huff. It’s a $22 million dollar contract. Huff will make $10 million in 2011 and 2012 (club option for $10 million in 2013 or $2 million buyout). It’s a nice raise from the $3 million Huff made last year.
 
Giants GM Brian Sabean said he got clearance to match that deal that was also offered to Huff by another team. Now that Huff is signed. He has expressed his wish for the Giants to re-sign outfielder Pat Burrell. Sabean that remains possible, but Burrell’s fate is not an immediate priority.
 
Tsuyoshi Nishioka is not going to be wearing a Giants uniform next season. A source told me that the Giants were not going to make a bid on him. Which means the Giants have to look for other options. Now that Huff is signed the top priority is shortstop help. Juan Uribe is still on their radar, and can also play 3rd base.
 
Miguel Tejada may also be an option for the Giants who can also play shortstop or 3rd base. The Cardinals, Padres and Giants are the teams that are currently showing interest in him at this time.

Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says the Giants may have competition from the Dodgers for Juan Uribe.

Shortstop Trading Block

Sabean has also been looking into trades. Possible targets are Tampa Bay’s Jason Bartlett and Boston’s Marco Scutaro. Another name that has been starting to surface is the Met’s Jose Reyes. The Mets are seeking payroll relief, so they seem willing to trade him. It’s reported that they want 3-4 players/prospects in return. Which sounds like the Giants will pass. Maybe Jonathan Sanchez and a prospect will be enough?

Schulman says the Giants really want Arizona’s Stephen Drew, but GM Kevin Towers will not deal him.

Panda Losing Weight

Pablo Sandoval has decided to stay in Arizona this offseason to work with a commercial training outfit (Triple Threat). He will be working with them all winter. Sandoval was told that he needs to meet weight requirements by the Giants or he will start off in the minors next season.

Miller/ESPN

Carl Steward of the San Jose Mercury News says Jon Miller has decided to just focus on Giants games, and turned down ESPN’s job as the voice on the radio for Sunday Night Baseball. ESPN announced last week that Miller and partner Joe Morgan would not be retained on the network’s Sunday Night Baseball telecasts.

~King of Cali

Technorati Tags: 2010 World Series Champions, Aubrey Huff, Brian Sabean, Giants Baseball, Giants Trade Rumors, Jason Bartlett, Joe Morgan, Jon Miller, Jonathan Sanchez, Jose Reyes, Juan Uribe, King of Cali, Marco Scutaro, Miguel Tejada, NL West, Pablo Sandoval, Pat Burrell, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, Stephen Drew, Tsuyoshi Nishioka

Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com says there have been indications that the Phils have spoken to the Giants abou Raul Ibanez. Ibanez will make $11.5 million next season and has a partial not-trade clause. He will also be turning 39 in June. I don’t think the Giants will want to give up much for a player that will be in the final year of his contract and pushing his 40’s.
 
Tsuyoshi Nishioka has been posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines. There is now a rumor going around that the Giants are not going to bid on him. I haven’t been able to get that confirmed as of yet, but I’m still working on that.
 
Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com says the Giants would like to re-sign Juan Uribe, but if that falls through, Red Sox shortstop Marco Scutaro could be an option. Scutaro will make $5 million next season and has a $6 million club option/ $3 million player option ($1.5 million buyout) for 2012.
 
Prospects Pending Charges 

Prospect Angel Villalona is out playing ball again. He’s out on bail and the Dominican prosecutors plan to bring Villalona to trial on murder charges.

Darren Ford said he was robbed at gunpoint in November 2009. The Vineland NJ police on the other hand say it was a false report, are charging Ford with 4 felonies alleging he stole $1,500 cash and checks from his job (car dealership). Ford applied for a pre-trial intervention program that will enable him to avoid trial and a potential jail sentence.

Press Release – The Giants have added infielder Ehire Adrianza and outfielder Thomas Neal to the club’s 40-man roster. The Giants currently have 36 players on the 40 man roster. I’m sure the Giants are hoping Aubrey Huff and Juan Uribe can be numbers 37 and 38. Then they still have 2 spots open for maybe 2 free agents.

~King of Cali

Technorati Tags: 2010 World Series Champions, Angel Villalona, Aubrey Huff, Darren Ford, Ehire Adrianza, Juan Uribe, King of Cali, Marco Scutaro, NL West, Raul Ibanez, San Francisco Giants Baseball, San Francisco Giants Trade Rumors, SF Giants, SF Giants Rumors, Thomas Neal, Tsuyoshi Nishioka