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.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Dan Uggla, Free Agents, Giants, Jonathan Sanchez, King of Cali, Mark DeRosa, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Trades, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, SF 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?
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Adrian Beltre, Dan Uggla, Florida Marlins, Giants, Jonathan Sanchez, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Trade Rumors, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors
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 Bay and Matt Holliday: The Giants don’t seem to be major players for either of the top two sluggers.
King of Cali thoughts: 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.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Adam LaRoche, Adrian Beltre, Brian Sabean, Dan Uggla, Florida Marlins, Free Agents, Giants, Jason Bay, King of Cali, Mark DeRosa, Matt Holliday, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Trade Rumors, Nick Johnson, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, Scott Boras, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors
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!
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Adrian Beltre, Dan Uggla, Free Agents, Giants, Jason Bay, Jermaine Dye, King of Cali, Mark DeRosa, Matt Holliday, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Trade Rumors, New York Yankees, Nick Johnson, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, Scott Podsednik, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors
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.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Brad Penny, Brian Sabean, Dan Uggla, Free Agents, Garrett Atkins, Giants, Giants Trade Rumors, Jonathan Sanchez, Kevin Pucetas, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Trade Rumors, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors
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.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Dan Uggla, Freddy Sanchez, Free Agents, Garrett Atkins, Giants, King of Cali, Mark DeRosa, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Trade Rumors, Nick Johnson, NL West, Ryan Garko, San Francisco Giants Baseball, Scott Barnes, SF Giants Rumors
King of Cali thoughts: Well I’m just glad that didn’t come from Bay’s agent or Bay himself. I’m sure there is truth to that statement. Giants fans would love to see Bay sign with the Giants. The only way he would come to San Francisco is if the Giants way overpaid more than anyone else. Bay can get what the Giants would offer him in Boston. He would want to go where he can get his money and win. Not to a team where he can get his money and lose and see his batting stats drop cause it’s a pitchers park. With that said… Let’s sign him! =)
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: AT&T Park, Free Agents, Giants, Jason Bay, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Trade Rumors, NL West, Peter Gammons, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, Winter Meetings
Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com says trade talks between the Giants and Marlins for Dan Uggla are getting “warmer”. Dialogue continues between the clubs, but they have yet to agree on names.
King of Cali thoughts: Giants and Uggla rumors were going on since last year. There is no denying the Giants interest in him. The more and more I hear about this trade. The more I want it done. Uggla is not a guy that will hit for average, but he’s a guy that has solid pop. He’s a righty and right handers that pull don’t have a problem at AT&T park. It’s the lefties that hit it to no-mans-land. Let’s see if Sabean can get this deal done.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Brian Sabean, Dan Uggla, Free Agents, Giants, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Trade Rumors, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, Winter Meetings
Posted on December 11th, 2009 by admin in
Q&A
Here is a Q&A that I did with Ann Killion. I’m sure a lot of you out there know who she is. She’s an award winning sports columnist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Here is a little background on her. She’s been a Bay Area sportswriter for the past two decades. She covered the 49ers as a beat writer for a couple of (glory) years in the early 90’s. She’s been a general sports columnist for most of her career. Which means she’s spent a lot of life writing about the Giants, particularly Barry Bonds and his milestones and scandals. Ann says the Giants are definitely her bread and butter. She left the Mercury News last summer and is now working for SI.com and Comcast Sports Net Bay Area.
King: What are your thoughts on Bill Neukom after his first year in charge?
Ann: I haven’t spent that much time around Neukom though I did sit down with him the day he took over. I think he’s very lawyerly – pragmatic and analytic. He might not have the emotional connection to the team that Magowan had, but that could be a good thing. He’s unlikely to make mistakes like giving Barry Zito a ridiculous contract because he looks good or outbidding phantom bidders so as not to “humiliate” Bonds. The team improved during his first year. I think he did the right thing in holding off on contracts for Bochy and Sabean. In terms of spending, I think the jury is still out.
King: Sabean has said the Giants will be after second tier free agents. Who do would you say should be the Giants number 1 target as a second tier free agent?
Ann: I’m not too excited about any of the names. Jermaine Dye peaks my interest a little because he’s local, coming off a decent year and is a great guy. But there’s no one I feel strongly about out there.
What are your thoughts on Tim Lincecum hitting arbitration with two Cy Young’s under his belt?
I think he’s going to be a very rich young man. And – unlike a lot of overpaid athletes – he deserves whatever he’s going to make. I’m a big Lincecum fan.
King: There has been some recent talk that Buster Posey can be the next Joe Mauer or Brian McCann. What type of a player do you see Posey turning into?
Ann: I think if he could be the next Mauer the Giants would be very lucky. I think he shows a lot of promise but is still about 12 years old.
King: We all know Bonds was the poster child for the steroids era. Do you think he will get voted in to the Hall of Fame, or do you think he will be on the black list?
Ann: I’m a Hall of Fame voter and I can’t tell you. I think all the guys from the steroid era are on the black list right now. I think Bonds will likely have to wait a few years. I’ve written in the past that I think baseball needs to take some responsibility for its own legacy, rather than just foisting it on the writers. Maybe a blue-ribbon committee with Hall of Famers like Hank Aaron could provide some guidance. I think overlooking the “morals” clause is ridiculous – it’s part of the voting guidelines. Everyone says, ‘well Bonds was a Hall of Famer before he cheated.” My response to that is: doesn’t that make it even worse? It’s a problem.
King: What do you think the Giants really need to improve this team?
Ann: Get a bat. Just like last year and the year before.
King: You have covered a lot of sports, so what’s your greatest sports memory of all?
Ann: That’s a hard one. Most of my goosebump moments have come at the Olympics – I’ve covered the past eight and seem some crazy things. Covering the Tour de France in 2004 was amazing – especially the time trial up the Alpe d’Huez. The 2002 World Series is definitely up there on the list of memorable events. My favorite assignment of all time was covering the 1998 World Cup in France – incredible!
King: Do you see the Giants turning into a force in the NL West in the near future with the pieces they currently have in place?
Ann: Yes. Their pitching is so fantastic. And the Dodgers appear to be headed toward chaos, thanks to the divorce of the MCourts. If some of the Giants prospects, like Posey, turn into the real deal, I think they’ll be back in contention.
King: Giants fans are desperate for a World Series Championship. I’m telling myself that McGwire and Canseco were probably on the juice in 89, so I will take that as a forfeit. Giants are now the 1989 World Series Champions. =) Would you agree with me?
Ann: Hmmm, if I follow that logic I’m pretty sure there wouldn’t be any teams to award a championship to in the past decade-plus. Including those Red Sox championships…But I agree that McGwire and Canseco were on the juice – everyone talked about it even back then.
King: Thank you very much for taking the time to do this Q&A for us Giants fans. Is there anything that you would like to let Giants fans know about you?
Ann: My late father was so excited about the Giants moving to San Francisco he stood on Market Street in the tickertape parade welcoming them, with my older brother on his shoulders. He was a die-hard Giants fan and I grew up with Giants games as the background noise to my childhood. He didn’t like it when I became infatuated with the Swingin’ A’s in the 70s. Sharing Giants games with him late in his life was a real pleasure – I am happy that he lived long enough to see the new ballpark. One of these days he might look down on his team winning a World Series. Maybe.
King: Ann does have her own site. You can check it out at annkillion.com, and you can also follow her via twitter.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Ann Killion, Barry Bonds, Baseball, Free Agents, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Trade Rumors, NL West, Q&A, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, Tim Lincecum, Winter Meetings, World Series
Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News reports that the Giants have offers on the table to more than one free agent. Sabean said “Nobody at this time is close to saying yes.” Baggarly believes the players are Mark DeRosa, Nick Johnson and Scott Podsednik, but he hasn’t been able to confirm that.
The Giants also spoke with the agents for catcher Rod Barajas. When asked about a trade for Dan Uggla. Sabean said “I’ll make a blanket statement: We’re not in any trade discussions that are close to happening as compared to the free agents.”
King of Cali thoughts: DeRosa, Johnson and Podsednik are not sexy names, and sure aren’t the big power bats that we need. Anyone of them would sure help though. Our offense needs help anyway we can get it. By Sabean going after 2nd tier guys. He would need to make a couple moves to boost our offense.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Dan Uggla, Florida Marlins, Free Agents, Giants, King of Cali, Mark DeRosa, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Trade Rumors, Nick Johnson, NL West, Rod Barajas, San Francisco Giants Baseball, Scott Podsednik, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors, Winter Meetings
