I keep hearing from a lot of San Francisco Giants fans saying the Giants are fine. They don’t need to add a bat, or bringing in Jose Guillen is a bad idea. I recently read an article by Bob Nightengale (USA Today Sports Weekly Aug. 4-10 edition), and he listed the winners and losers at the trading deadline.
The Giants were no where to be found on the list. They weren’t winners or losers, so I guess that’s a good thing right? They brought in Javier Lopez and Ramon Ramirez right before the trading deadline. It was no secret that the Giants needed some bullpen help which they went out and got. They however still didn’t add a bat that they have been saying they needed.
They scored 7 runs in the 4 game series in Atlanta. That’s less than 2 runs a game. Which tells me the offense can still use a little help. Even the New York Yankees who are already an All Star team added two bats (Lance Berkman and Austin Kearns).
Let me tell you 3 teams that made the winners list. That’s the San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers. This is what Bob Nightengale had to say about the Padres.
“The Padres rewarded their players and fans by giving them every possible chance of winning the National West. They acquired outfielder Ryan Ludwick and shortstop Miguel Tejada, took on $3 million and didn’t give up any prized prospects. Great work by rookie GM Jed Hoyer”.
Now this is exactly what I have been saying about making some moves without sacrificing the farm system. It doesn’t only take a huge splash to get us over the hump. Just get us some pop or some good players that can give other guys a rest and be a threat to come off the bench!
UPDATE
Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle said (via twitter) Jose Guillen to the Giants not completely dead, but it’s not on the front burner either.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Arizaona Diamondbacks, Austin Kearns, Brian Sabean, Giants Baseball Rumors, Javier Lopez, Jose Guillen, King of Cali, Lance Berkman, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miguel Tejada, New York Yankees, Ramon Ramirez, Ryan Ludwick, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Trade Rumors
Mychael Urban of CSNBayArea.com says (via twitter) the Giants are working hard on a deal at this hour. That was around 9:30pm Pacific time last night. Nothing has come of that tweet yet, but I’m sure they got the ball rolling with a potential trade.
Scott Miller of CBSSports.com says the Giants have shown interest in Toronto Blue Jays reliever Scott Downs, and the Washington Nationals slugger Adam Dunn. Dunn talks aren’t to serious yet, as the Nationals are hoping to sign him to an extension.
Miller also says Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jim Edmonds would make sense for the Giants since they are looking for an outfielder who can improve the offense. I would say the Giants will have to pass on that suggestion. If were not adding a bat with some power. We are fine the way we are now.
Giants President Larry Baer was on KNBR last night and said it’s less than a 50% chance that they will make a deal by the trading deadline. I’m sure that was just said, so fans won’t get over excited in case only a minor trade is made (no power bat).
Mike Krukow was on KNBR this morning and said he would love to see the Giants add to the team, but would hate to see them lose some prospects.
The Giants might be starting to feel a little pressure after the Dodgers added Scott Podsednik and the Padres adding Miguel Tejada. I think the Giants will be adding a reliever and probably Jose Guillen.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Adam Dunn, Giants Trade Rumors, Jim Edmonds, Jose Guillen, King of Cali, Larry Baer, Miguel Tejada, Mike Krukow, Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants, Scott Downs, Scott Podsednik, SF Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals
Mychael Urban said (via twitter) that he still likes Miguel Tejada for the Giants.
King of Cali thoughts: I really believe the Giants may make a run at Tejada. It’s been reported that he would likely land with the Cardinals for one year, $8 million. I have received a lot of emails from Giants fans that really like Tejada and think he’s a good fit. He can play third and if Edgar Renteria doesn’t play well. Tejada can move to short and Juan Uribe to third. Giants are still lacking offense even with the Mark DeRosa and Uribe signings. Let’s hope Sabean steps up by getting us another bat. Who’s on board with a Tejada signing?
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Cardinals, Edgar Renteria, Free Agents, Juan Uribe, King of Cali, Mark DeRosa, Miguel Tejada, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors
Mychael Urban of CSNBayArea.com says Jack Cust wouldn’t be a good fit for the Giants. Putting Mark DeRosa, Aaron Rowand and Cust in the outfield wouldn’t be a good idea. Cust strikes out to much to make this a good fit for the Giants as well.
Urban says Adam LaRoche must know something about the market that the rest of us don’t, because he rejected the Giants $17 million two year contract. Urban believes Miguel Tejada has two good years left in him, and the Giants should throw a restructured version of LaRoche’s deal at him. One year at $8 million, with a vesting option for 2011 at another $8 million. If he flops this year, he’s gone. If he kills and hits certain statistical heights, he stays and gets paid great money.
King of Cali thoughts: Now here is someone that’s on the same page as me. That sounds like a good move to offer Tejada that kind of contract. He would sure add some offense to our lineup. If the Giants can sign LaRoche or Tejada our offense will sure look a little better. No one to write home about, but guys that can drive in some runs. Let’s hope Sabean doesn’t sign Cust, cause I would rather take our chances with Nate Schierholtz.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Aaron Rowand, Adam LaRoche, Free Agents, Jack Cust, King of Cali, Mark DeRosa, Miguel Tejada, MLB Hot Stove, Nate Schierholtz, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors
Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com gives us his predictions on some of the top remaining free agents. He does mention that the Braves and Giants could see Johnny Damon as a strong fit. The Giants ranked 11th in the NL last season in on-base percentage out of the lead-off spot. Damon batted second for the Yankees, but his OBP the past six seasons is .366. He hasn’t forgotten how to hit first. With that said Rosenthal predicts Damon will end up with the Braves.
King of Cali thoughts: I really hope Damon does end up somewhere else. I just don’t see him as a good fit in San Francisco. I think his homers were up too because he was at the new Yankees stadium. I see this signing as a typical Sabean signing. A player who is a Big-Name-Player and is on the decline.
Rosenthal did mention other players, but did not link any of them to land in San Francisco. Adrian Beltre is still out there and it’s reported that he’s close to choosing his next team. It’s been reported that the Red Sox are not a front runner as once reported. Which means the A’s are probably the front runners. The Giants can be a mystery team that still has a chance to land Beltre.
Another player still available is Miguel Tejada. I would have to say this would be a good signing, but it would be a typical Sabean move as well. Tejada is going to turn 36 in May. He’s still a good hitter. I can see him helping the Giants. As long as they can sign him for a decent amount. He’s not a guy to get in a bidding war over, or over pay as well.
I have been taking a look at possible free agents out there, and have seen what a lot of writers are saying their possible homes for 2010 will be. It’s not looking good for Giants fans if we go by that, cause most of them don’t have the Giants signing anyone in the top of the free agent class that’s left. With that said there is no need to worry, because some of these people have been off about other free agents that have already signed as well.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Adrian Beltre, Free Agents, Giants, Johnny Damon, King of Cali, Miguel Tejada, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors
Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com says Miguel Tejada might want to consider moving to third base. Tejada can still be an everyday shortstop, but his options are dwindling. Teams with uncertainty at third base are more numerous and better funded. It might be in Tejada’s best financial interest to be marketed as a third baseman. Teams that are looking for help at third are the Red Sox, Angels, Twins, Cardinals and Giants.
King of Cali thoughts: I’m on board for a Tejada signing. Who’s with me? His power has dropped off a lot since his Oakland and Baltimore days, but who’s haven’t since then right? Tejada can still swing a bat thought. He has a career .289 AVG, and hit .313 last season. It’s reported that Tejada is seeking a three year deal worth more than the $18 million that Placido Polanco received.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Free Agents, Giants, King of Cali, Miguel Tejada, MLB, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, Placido Polanco, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors
Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune says the Giants pursuit of a hitter of two has been impeded by the uncertainty over how much two time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum could make in arbitration. They Yankees and Giants are interested in Mark DeRosa, but aren’t giving in to his request for a three year, $20 million deal.
King of Cali thoughts: I do see the Giants trying to hold out as long as possible right now, so they can see how much money they have to pay Lincecum in arbitration. I guess we should be happy, cause this is a good problem to have.
A lot of writers have been reporting how interested the Giants are in DeRosa. This still isn’t the move I have been waiting for. Lets go after someone who can help the offense a little more than DeRosa. I wouldn’t mind falling back on DeRosa. I would rather see Juan Uribe back playing third. He would be cheaper and he does have some pop. Then they can save some money by not signing DeRosa and use that for another player. Another option at third base is Miguel Tejada. Am I the only one that isn’t that excited about a DeRosa signing?
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Free Agents, Giants SF Giants Blog, Juan Uribe, King of Cali, Mark DeRosa, Miguel Tejada, MLB Hot Stove, New York Yankees, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors, Tim Lincecum
Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News lists some notable Type “A” free agents who were offered arbitration, and would cost the Giants their first-rounder: Jason Bay, Matt Holliday, Chone Figgins, John Lackey, Marco Scutaro, Rafael Betancourt.
Here’s a list of notable Type “A” free agents that weren’t offered arbitration and making them instantly more attractive to the Giants: Orlando Hudson, Miguel Tejada, Johnny Damon, Jermaine Dye, Octavio Dotel, Darren Oliver, Randy Wolf.
Baggarly says a few guys in the secondary list have been linked to the Giants already, most notably Dye, Damon and Tejada.
King of Cali thoughts:
Jermaine Dye is on the decline of his career. We can’t just pencil him in to be a big bat. He hit under .200 after the All Star Break. He is willing to move to first base which can spark more interest for the Giants. He’s also from the Bay Area, so I’m sure he wouldn’t mind coming back home to play for the Giants.
Johnny Damon to me doesn’t fit with the Giants. It’s already been said that Damon doesn’t want a pay cut. I’m sure his numbers will decline once he puts on a Giants uniform. His homers were up last year, because he was playing and the new launching pad in New York. Knowing that this is the one signing I don’t want. I’m sure this will be the one player we do get. That’s just how my luck goes…
Miguel Tejada is the one guy I really would love to see the Giants sign. He can still hit and he can play shortstop or even move to third. Which allows us to move Sandoval to first. Now we have first and third locked down with good hitters. If Renteria isn’t pulling his weight at short. He can grab a seat next to Fred Lewis on the bench and watch Tejada take over.
Orlando Hudson is another guy that was not offered arbitration and would be a nice fit for the Giants. I wanted the Giants to sign him last year. If we can sign O-Dog. He can play second base and Freddy Sanchez can move to third.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Free Agents, Giants, Hot Stove, Jermaine Dye, Johnny Damon, King of Cali, Miguel Tejada, MLB, NL West, Orlando Hudson, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants, SF Giants Rumors
Jon Heyman of SI.com has some daily scoop. He still has the Giants as a possibility for Milton Bradley.
King of Cali thoughts: I personally don’t think this will happen. Bradley does have a good bat, but he comes with a lot of baggage and is also injury prone.
Heyman also says he was told by one MLB GM that even though the Giants have said they are not going to pursue Jason Bay or Matt Holliday. He’s not going to count them out, despite what they say.
King of Cali thoughts: Despite this rumor that the Giants may still be in it for one of these top two free agents. I don’t see them able to pony up enough $$$ to land either one.
One competing agent suggests he may be able to get a three-year deal for Miguel Tejada, who is thought to be drawing interest from the Cardinals, Astros, Phillies, Rangers and Giants.
King of Cali thoughts: Tejada is a guy that I think would be a good signing for the Giants. Tejada can still hit and we have so many movable parts in the infield. That we can make this signing work and add a nice bat to our struggling offense.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Free Agents, Giants, Jason Bay, King of Cali, Matt Holliday, Miguel Tejada, Milton Bradley, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Rumors, MLB Trade Rumors, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors
Matt Holliday has absorbed two blows when management people with the Angels and Giants said they wouldn’t be pursuing him.
Johnny Damon is looking for a four-year deal. The Yankees are believed willing to give him two years, but it will be interesting to see if they meet at three years. Damon is believed to badly want to stay with the Yankees, but will have outside interest at least from the San Francisco Giants.
Miguel Tejada had a nice year in Houston (.313, 86 RBIs) should draw interest. Philly, Texas and possibly the Giants all make some sense.
King of Cali thoughts: It’s a bummer to hear Sabean say the Giants will not likely pursue Bay or Holliday. I guess that’s just the reality of it since we have some bad contracts on our team. Damon doesn’t seem like a good fit for the Giants. He’s going to start his decline and his homers were up this year because of playing at the new launching pad in New York. Tejada on the other hand would make perfect sense. This guy has a very nice bat that can help spark our offense.
Technorati Tags: Astros, Baseball, Cardinals, Free Agents, Giants, Giants Baseball, Johnny Damon, King of Cali, Matt Holliday, Miguel Tejada, MLB Hot Stove, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, Yankees
