The San Francisco Giants and Milwaukee Brewers rumors always seem to be swirling in the Bay Area wind. Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says Giants GM Brian Sabean and Lee Elder (Giants scout), were watching the game from the press box. Schulman believes they were scouting potential trade targets Corey Hart, Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun.
Hart: AVG .288, HR 19, and 61 RBI’s
Fielder: AVG .264, HR 18 and 36 RBI’s
Braun: AVG .291, HR 11, and 51 RBI’s
Anyone of these guys will be a great addition to the Giants lineup. The question is what are the Giants willing to give up to land one of these bats. Travis Ishikawa has been getting a few starts recently, and I believe it’s to showcase him. He can be part of a package deal to land one of these guys from the Brew Crew.
The Giants may also be willing to part with a couple players in Triple-A Fresno. Players like John Bowker and Eugenio Velezwho seem to tear it up in Fresno, but can’t secure a spot on the Giants roster. Yes, it will take more than these players to land a big bat, but they may end up part of a package deal.
Bowker: AVG .321, HR 9 and 25 RBI’s
Velez: AVG .303, HR 3, 14 RBI’s and 22 SB
If you have any doubts that the Giants will not make a move… DON’T! Sabean will make a move, because he knows another extension depends on it. He’s not going to be okay with throwing up the white flag and calling it a year. If they don’t go out and get a bat to make a run at the playoffs, he’s going to be going, going, gone! The Sabean era will probably be ending in San Francisco with no trades to get the Giants train rolling.
Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News says Fred Lewis future remains in limbo. The Giants have indicated to Lewis that he will be activated or traded by the weekend, Baggarly says.
The Giants have no need for Lewis. They already have six outfielders on the roster. Lewis does retain some trade value because of his athleticism and on-base skills and the Giants do not want to just give him away. The Padres and A’s have been interested but the Blue Jays might be the most likely destination.
Side Notes
Buster Posey played first base for Fresno on Sunday. “You’ll see him at first base one a week to keep his legs fresh, “Evans (Giants vice president Bobby Evans) said.
May 1st is still the target date for Freddy Sanchez to return to the Giants. “he hasn’t had any setbacks,” said Bochy.
King of Cali thoughts: It was pretty obvious that the Lewis experiment was over. I couldn’t see the Giants bringing him back. They have some guys that are already fighting for playing time in the outfield. Stone-hands Lewis got his shot and wasn’t able to make the best of it. It would be nice to see if we can part with him via trade, so we can get something for him.
Lewis still does have potential. He’s a very fast guy and has a nice swing (when he swings). I don’t know if it was just me or it was reality, but Lewis seemed to strike out like every other at bat last year. I really think he needs a fresh start with another organization. Just needs to work on his defense, and figure out a two strike swing to get the ball in play and use his legs to get him a few extra hits.
Although the deals haven’t been officially announced by the San Francisco Giants. It’s been reported by multiple news outlets. That the Giants have reached an extension with two of their big arms in the bullpen. Wednesday USA Today reported that the Giants reached a two-year deal with Jeremy Affeldt. Thursday Comcast SportsNet Bay Area reported the Giants and Brian Wilson had agreed to a contract extension.
Side Note
Kevin Frandsen has been dealt to the Boston Red Sox for a player to be named later or cash.
“I think Kevin is going to benefit from a change of scenery,” Sabean said.
King of Cali thoughts: This is good news for Giants fans. It’s nice to see that the Giants are trying to take care of their players that have performed well for them. Both of these guys has great season last year. Affeldt had a career year and was the show stopper in relief. He was able to keep the lead intact and pass the ball to Wilson in the ninth to close it out.
These extensions have not been made official yet, so more details on these signings will be coming once they’re available.
I’m sure most Giants fans knew the day was coming when the Giants would be parting ways with Frandsen. Sabean said they have other options internally that they have identified. Which is what makes Frandsen expendable.
Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle lets us know two Giants that are currently on the trading block. Schulman says the Giants have been shopping infielder Kevin Frandsen and outfielder Fred Lewis, but have not gotten a nibble on either.
Matt Downs seems to have passed Frandsen in the backup middle-infield competition, and the team likes Eugenio Velez and Andres Torres as backup outfielders, says Schulman.
King of Cali thoughts: Frandsen is a guy that I seen expendable once Freddy Sanchez came to the Giants (via trade), and then again when they signed Sanchez to a two-year contract. Frandsen does have a lot fans in the Bay Area that would love to see him in a Giants uniform. Frandsen graduated from Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose and later attended San Jose State. Frandsen left San Jose State as the all-time leader in hits. His road to the Giants just took a few detours, and he may end up trying to make another big league club if he’s traded.
Lewis is someone that still shows some flashes of being a very good player, but when he got his chance last year. He didn’t do anything to win the fans and coaching staff over. I have heard fans call him stone-hands Lewis, and he seems to always strike out in clutch situations. The Giants gave him his fair shot, and he didn’t capitalize on it. Now a new start somewhere else may be what he needs to get back on track.
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald says since the Giants are reluctant to trade pitcher Jonathan Sanchez for Dan Uggla, Florida will need to reengage Baltimore, Texas and Atlanta on Uggla talks. He says the Marlins also haven’t ruled out keeping Uggla if they can’t get good value. Florida is eager to stay just below $40 million in payroll.
Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe says There was a lot of early talk about Dan Uggla going to the Giants, but that seems to have quieted down. Some scouts believe Uggla is best suited for the American League as a DH or someone you can move around, like Mark DeRosa.
King of Cali thoughts: A lot of Giants fans that have visit this site have voted that they would trade for Uggla. With that said it seems like trade talks for Uggla have quiet down. This isn’t really a bad thing if you think about it. Sabean isn’t rushing in and giving up the farm for the deal. He’s seeing what free agents he can snag first before having to make the trade for Uggla. He could be hoping the Marlins just want to dump him so they don’t have to pay him and will take less for him. I’m sure we haven’t heard the last of the Uggla to Giants rumors.
Chris Haft of MLB.com who’s the Giants beat reporter answers fans questions. When asked about the Jonathan Sanchez and Dan Uggla rumors. Haft said his Florida counterpart Joe Frisaro has suggested that the Marlins might be willing to “sweeten” a potential deal by offering to send a player or two along with Uggla.
When asked about Adrian Beltre. He said there’s almost no way the Giants or any other team will pay Beltre $10 million annually, and it’s unlikely any suitor will offer him a four year deal. If you would like to read more of the questions and answers in this article click here.
King of Cali thoughts: I’m curious as to which players the Marlins may be willing to add to the Uggla deal. If the Giants don’t land Beltre, DeRosa or Tejada any time soon. They will end up forcing themselves into pulling the trigger on the Uggla deal. Which isn’t a bad thing, cause he does have the power that we need. It just depends how desperate Sabean gets and what he parts with in the deal that’s kind of scary. I know a lot of Giants fans are back and forth with trading for Uggla. Do you think we should move forward with the trade or sign DeRosa, Tejada or Beltre?
Chris Haft of MLB.com says the Giants short list of hitters they’d consider acquiring has become shorter. Nick Johnson’s tentative agreement with the New York Yankees could signal to the Giants that the time to make their first major player move of the winter has drawn closer.
Haft says he head reports that Mark DeRosa has dropped his reported salary demand to three years and $18 million from three years, $27 million.
Haft chimes in on the following free agents:
Adrian Beltre: He thinks the Giants can take their time with him, because no other clubs appear to meet Beltre’s reported with for a four year, $40 million deal.
Mark DeRosa: If the reports on DeRosa lowering his demands. Then the Giants will have to act quickly. Twelve teams were reported interested in DeRosa, but that has since dwindled as most teams have balked at his request for a three year deal.
Adam LaRoche: Teams may try to court LaRoche more ardently. Since Johnson has already signed with the Yankees. He also says teams could resist offering him a deal with an average annual value far exceeding Johnson’s.
Dan Uggla: Haft does believe the Giants could have made this trade by now. Even though Uggla has averaged 30 home runs and 90 RBI’s in four Major League Seasons. Giants still are concerned with his sub-par defense and second base and they’d have to part with Jonathan Sanchez. The Giants are hoping that the Marlins will back off it’s desire for Sanchez as time passes. Giants might have to consider Uggla more seriously if they’re unable to sign a free agent.
Jason BayandMatt Holliday: The Giants don’t seem to be major players for either of the top two sluggers.
King of Calithoughts: Now this is the stuff Giants fans should want to see. Now Brian Sabean and the Giants are feeling the pressure. The time is now to make a move. We know Scott Boras will try to keep Beltre on the free agent market for a while. He doesn’t like to let his clients sign fast. That could help the Giants. If other teams fill their needs and Beltre’s options dwindle. He can fall right into the Giants laps.
I don’t think the Giants have much interest in LaRoche. He’s a lefty and we know how AT&T Park plays for left handed hitters. The Giants wanted Johnson to play first. Now that he’s off the table. I’m sure they would like to find a third baseman and move Pablo Sandoval to first base. If the Marlins continue to want J-Sanchez for Uggla. The Giants will hold off until Beltre is off the table before making that trade. If they end up signing Beltre. Then they will pass on Uggla and keep Sanchez.
Jon Heyman of SI. com chimes in on big teams that still have moves to make. Heyman says no team could use a big hitting star more than the Giants. Even though the organization is doing well financially, they don’t appear t be aiming as high as they could. Baseball executives keep wondering whether they’ll jump in on one of the big stars, but for now it appears they are more seriously looking at Nick Johnson, Dan Uggla, Jermaine Dye, Scott Podsednik, Mark DeRosa, Adrian Beltre and others.
King of Cali thoughts: The Giants front office doesn’t feel the pressure of needing to go out and sign a big player. They have a nice stadium and loyal Giants fans that are just happy to get out to the park and see their team. Fan’s out here don’t demand a World Series. In New York the Yankees want a World Series every year or it’s a bad year. Here the Giants are just happy with competing in September and let it turn into a crap shoot if they make the playoffs. If they are doing well financially. Then it’s time to bump that payroll a little bit and get a Super-Star-Slugger!
Chris Haft of MLB.com answers some questions from Giants fans. He does say that Jonathan Sanchez is a keeper, and if the Giants wanted to trade Sanchez. The other GM’s of the 29 other teams would pull muscles by reaching for their cell phones so quickly to call Brian Sabean.
When it comes to Garrett Atkins. Haft says “Let’s not and say we did”. Atkins overall batting average has declined steadily. Since hitting .329 in 2006, Atkins finished at .301 in 2007, .286 in 2008 and .226 last season. He has hit .230 (35-for-152) at AT&T Park.
King of Cali thoughts: Well now that Brad Penny has signed with the Cardinals. I would say J-Sanchez is a keeper as well. Although I would be willing to part with him for the right deal. If he can get us a pretty good bat that will be around for a while. Then I would pull the trigger on that deal. The Giants do have some pitching prospects that can step up to the challenge. I’m excited to see Kevin Pucetas get his shot and see what he’s all about.
As for thoughts on Atkins. He is a lot cheaper than other free agents that us Giants fans would like to see signed. He has been dipping in AVG. as well. If we can get a an outfielder with good pop. Then Atkins wouldn’t be a bad signing as well. We would just be hoping his AVG will start to rise. With that said, I’m waiting for a Dan Uggla trade to happen. His AVG. isn’t great but he sure does have the pop that we need.
Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune says if the Giants don’t trade for Dan Uggla. They could sign non-tendered Rockie Garrett Atkins and leave Freddy Sanchez at second base.
King of Cali thoughts: Atkins I’m sure is someone that Sabean is kicking the tires on. He would be a fall back guy. If the Giants decide to spend a little more money on a free agent in the outfield. They can also add Atkins in the infield. I just see the Giants trying to get Nick Johnson at first or Mark DeRosa at third right now.
Chris Haft of MLB.com reported over the weekend that the Giants declined to tender first baseman Ryan Garko a 2010 contract, casting him into free agency. Garko being eligible for salary arbitration, which would have virtually guaranteed him a significant pay increase from his 2009 salary of $445,100.
King of Cali thoughts: We all know Garko pressed once he was traded to the Giants. I still think he could give the Giants more. He would be a good player to spot start at first and provide some pop off the bench. The Giants have said they are targeting a first baseman, so that’s what makes Garko expendable to them. I thought this was a good trade for Garko last season. Now that they are not bringing him back. It was a wasted move and they basically just gave Scott Barnes to the Indians for free.
Although the deals haven’t been officially announced by the San Francisco Giants. It’s been reported by multiple news outlets. That the Giants have reached an extension with two of their big arms in the bullpen. Wednesday USA Today reported that the Giants reached a two-year deal with 
