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.
The San Francisco Giants GM Brian Sabean has said the team is not interested in free agents/rent-a-player. Sabean says they are looking for someone that they can control (meaning next year as well). This makes sense so they don’t give up players or prospects for someone that’s going to be gone next year.
“Anybody that fits that mold, “Sabean said, “we are going to be heavy in the scouting side of it and see if it makes sense to explore.”
Jeff Fletcher Senior MLB Writer for Fanhouse says given those parameters, the best fits for the Giants are probably outfielders like Corey Hart, David DeJesus and Josh Willingham. Fletcher also says Prince Fielder would fit as well, but the Giants would have to do some shuffling to fit him since he is a first baseman.
Below is each of the players stats. DeJesus to me is doubtful, because the Giants are still searching for that middle of the lineup bat to drive in runs. DeJesus would be a nice bat at the top of the lineup though.
Prince Fielder is currently hitting .260 with 17 homers, 35 RBI’s and will not be a free agent until 2012.
Corey Hart is currently hitting .278 with 18 homers, 60 RBI’s and will not be a free agent until 2012.
David DeJesus is currently hitting .331 with 5 homers, 35 RBI’s and will not be a free agent until 2012.
Josh Willingham is currently hitting .276 14 homers, 44 RBI’s and will not be a free agent until 2012.
Would you like to see any of these players in Orange & Black?
For those of you that have seen the website FireSabean.com. I thought I would try to give Giants fans a little more insight on the man behind the site. He’s 23 year old Eric Shackelford who was born in southern California and parents are actually Dodger fans. Eric lived down south for his first 3 years. He became a Junior Giants member and the rest is history! Eric decided to start a site online cause there is a lot of Giants fans online with opinions so it makes talking Giants a lot more fun.
Eric says “I just don’t get our front office, and that’s why I’m here. To represent an entire nation of fans who are tired of this management and I hope others choose to engage with me or continue preaching the truth!”.
King: The first question I must ask you about is your parents being Dodger fans. You must have a really bad relationship with them right?
Eric: I burned down our house when I was four years old. Hah, but seriously, I remember going through a closet one day and seeing a stuffed bear with Dodgers gear on. I took it out front and ripped it’s head off and threw it away. They are good people, just a little misdirected when it comes to sports (I was born in Ventura so I guess they felt obligated to like the pathetic Dodgers).
King: What is your favorite Giants memory?
Eric: Oh man, that’s a tough one. I’ll have to say the 1997 Giants vs. Dodgers. Giants were a game back with 9 to play. The game was so intense and back-and-forth, then Rod Beck takes the mound in the 10th inning with the bases loaded and no one out. He gets a strike out then a home-to-first double play. Then the 12th inning… Brian Johnson’s walk off. I remember running up and down the stairs screaming as loud as I could. Giants won the West that year. Good times..
King: Who’s your two favorite past & present Giants players and why?
Eric: Currently I am a huge fan of Brian Wilson. He is the carbon copy of what a closer should be. Cocky, Mohawk, tattoos, hilarious and a flame-thrower. He will be on par with Rod Beck when it’s all said and done. The attitude of this guy is amazing. I’ve always liked closers, from Beck to Rob Nen to Joe Nathan now Weez. Pretty good following.
Past – The obvious answers would be Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Juan Marichal etc. I am 23 years old and I grew up watching Barry Bonds. Go past the steroid drama because that was the era (as seen in the inflation of stats), you can’t take away the mystique and raw talent that man had. He transcended the team and made McCovey Cove what it is. I can’t say enough about him, I remember going to the Stick (Candlestick Park) and being in awe of every single at-bat. He is the home run champion and I was able to witness it — That’s pretty cool.
King: Do you think Barry Bonds will be voted into the Hall of Fame, or do you think he will be on the blacklist?
Eric: I don’t see it happening right now, but in about 10 years there may be a chance. Think about it, if you don’t let Bonds in you can’t let guys like Alex Rodriguez, Roger Clemens and Mark McGwire in either. They did the same thing and I don’t know exactly how those voters will feel in 10 years, but right now there is no chance. Pete Rose was never forgiven, and if you leave names like this off the ballot then I think baseball would have committed a huge mistake. I guarantee you at least 75% of players did it for quite some time, it’s sad, but it was part of the game. That’s just my opinion, though.
King: What was your initial reaction when you heard Bruce Bochy and Brian Sabean were coming back in 2010?
Eric: I rolled my eyes. I knew it was going to happen so I wasn’t too surprised. Where Sabes is Bochy will soon follow — the two are attached at the hip. On any other team if a GM doesn’t produce a World Series title in 10 years max they are gone, yet Sabean keeps hanging around which is pretty disgusting. I think Magowan and Baer are stuck on the fact that he took the team to the Series in ‘02 (with Bonds) and that he has the ability to take them there again. They have goggles on, they have to.
King: Since you think Sabean isn’t doing a great job as the GM. If you had his job. Who would you pursue at the trading deadline, and who would you part with to make that trade happen?
Eric: Prince Fielder. This would be the smartest. Or even Adrian Gonzalez. Then Posey can catch and Huff can play the outfield. There’s a lot of talk about a bunch of different guys but I’m still stuck in Prince. Obviously, they want someone like Cain — which we cannot do. Honestly, I have no idea where we can go for Prince, maybe a Jonathan Sanchez/Madison Bumgarner. Stick with me. Prince is an everyday player, pitchers affect 1 out of 5 games a week. Wouldn’t you be willing to part with a top prospect and a good pitcher for a power hitter who’s 26 years old?
King: If and when Sabean is no longer the Giants GM. Will you keep your FireSabean.com site, start a new site or stop blogging all together?
Eric: I have thought about that before. The site has picked up pace recently and I’ve received pretty good feedback. If people are still following the blog when Sabean is fired then I’ll probably buy a new domain (not sure yet of what) and just have people who type in firesabean.com get redirected to the new blog. I love writing and want to do that for the rest of my life (not blogging, but just writing in general) so this is a lot of fun. Hopefully people like it too.
King: Is there anything you want to let Giants fans know about you that they might not know?
Eric: I may come off pessimistic a lot of the time, but that’s where I get the humor. I have been a lifelong Giants fan and those who know me know how much I love watching this team. It’s kind of a catch 22 with Sabean at the helm, if we do well this year that’s awesome but then Sabean will surely get another extension. Would I take a World Series win even if it means Sabean will get a lifelong contract? Hell yeah, that’s what our goal as a fan is: To witness the ultimate triumph — and whether it comes with him as the GM or Jon Doe, it doesn’t matter. We’re all in this together and one World Series in 14 years of torture? Maybe I’ll purchase IveAlwaysLovedSabean.com next.
King: Thank you very much Eric for taking the time to do this Q&A with SF Giants Rumors. Keep up the great work with your site. It’s always fun to read your posts. It’s nice to see that we both have the same passion for the San Francisco Giants!
Chris Haft of MLB.com gives some insight on the Giants and Prince Fielder saga. Pitching in relief last June 28th at Milwaukee, Sanchez opened up the ninth inning by plunking Fielder, who was seen loitering in the corridor near the Giants clubhouse after the game. Nothing came of that non-incident, though the Giants sought revenge for Fielder’s theatrical game-winning home run celebration last Sept. 6. Barry Zito hit Fielder with a pitch on March 4th, which settled matters according to baseball’s rough yet time-honored etiquette.
King of Cali thoughts: Jonathan Sanchez hit Fielder (yesterday’s game), and then both teams were immediately issued warnings. Umpires are aware of the feud going on between the Giants and Brewers since Fielders walk-off homer in September against the Giants. Zito was the first Giants pitcher to face Fielder since that homer/celebration. Zito plunked him on the first pitch. Fielder just picked up the ball and tossed it back to Zito. Fielder knew it was coming, and just took it. That should have ended that.
Now that Sanchez has hit Fielder again. I’m starting to have a feeling that this feud is far from over. Although Sanchez didn’t appear to hit Fielder on purpose. I’m sure there will be some retaliation coming when the Giants face the Brewers for the first time during the season on July 5th in Milwaukee. Let’s see how this turns out. That July 5th date may end up being a bench clearing brawl waiting to happen. Only time will tell…
Chris Haft of MLB.com reports that the Giants finally get revenge on Milwaukee slugger Prince Fielder. He was plunked in the back by left-hander Barry Zito. This is the first time the Giants have seen the Brewers since Sept. 6, when Fielder upset the Giants with a choreographed home-plate celebration after homering to end a 12-inning, 2-1 Brewers victory at Milwaukee. His teammates fell as if they were bowling pins, as Fielder reached home plate.
King of Cali thoughts: Justice is finally served! I must say, I have a little more respect for Zito now. I honestly didn’t see it coming from him. I’m sure it’s best that it was him, since there was not guarantee that Fielder would still be in the game later when a new Giants pitcher took the mound.
I have been going back and forth on this stunt since it happened in September. I didn’t like it cause it was done to the Giants. I’m sure I would have loved it if the Giants did it to them. I would have probably justified it and said they are just a team that is having fun out there!
I have received emails from Giants fans saying how happy they are that Zito plunked Fielder, and he got what he deserved. Yes, Fielder did get what he deserved. Any guy that pulls a stunt like that is going to get payback sooner or later. I just don’t know if I’m set on saying it should have never happened. These guys are entertainers/athletes and they do whatever is going to keep the money flowing in their pockets. Do you think this stunt was something that should have no place in baseball?
Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News reports that the Giants have signed Guillermo Mota to a minor league deal and invited him to be league camp. Mota becomes the third right-hander with big league time to ink a minor league deal with the Giants in the past 48 hours.
Baggarly says a clubs spokesperson is telling him that Byung-Hyun Kim and Horacio Ramirez will not be invited to big league camp.
King of Cali thoughts: Not sure if you guys remember, but Mota was the one that hit Prince Fielder last year. The after the game Fielder tried to rush the Dodgers clubhouse. This can be a good and bad thing. I mean I hope he doesn’t get the Giants in fights out there on the field, but he does bring some of that attitude to the mound that can give the Giants some fire out there on the field. Only time will tell if he makes the team.
Hey Giants fans here is a Q&A that Dan Dibley was willing to do for us. As most of you reading this know Dibley works for KNBR. The Giants Flagship Station. Dibley is the Sports/Traffic Anchor. He has been a part of the KNBR Morning Show and Gary Radnich Experience since 2005.
King: What’s your thoughts on Bruce Bochy and Brian Sabean coming back in 2010?
Dibley: I think Bruce Bochy did a nice job by enlarge of making that collection of players successful in 2009. I don’t think many skippers would have gotten 90 wins out of the group of hitters. I’m glad to see him back. As for Sabean, while some of his free agent signings are questionable, I applaud him for “trying” to upgrade the offense with Sanchez/Garko. That said, this is his last contract, unless they make a big run in the next 2 years.
King: Who is your favorite player, current and all time?
Dibley: My current favorite player is probably Brian Wilson. He has really nasty stuff and just an odd-enough personality to succeed as a closer. I’d put Affeldt and Velez as my two runners-up, though I have a big soft spot for Freddie Lewis and Randy Winn. My all-time favorite would have to be Willie McCovey. He was in his heyday while I was growing up.
King: What is your best Giants memory?
Dibley: I’d have to say my best memory, and I cannot recall the exact date, was the night of the double-header with the Dodgers back at the Stick when anarchy ruled. I was in the outfield seats when fans began jumping over the wall, clamoring for home run balls, even on short pop ups. It was the last night they allowed fans to leave the seats and chase down HR balls. The crowd was unruly a bit but it was an awesome night.
King: What free agent player out there would you like to see the Giants go after?
Dibley: I would like them to go after Jason Bay, a power hitter who will not totally kill the Giants defense.
King: There has been rumors about a Cain, Fielder trade. If you were the GM would you make this trade?
Dibley: Initially, I would have made that trade but something about the deal does not feel right for me. Maybe it’s the fit of Fielder with the Giants but my gut says don’t do it.
King: There are some 09 Giants players that are now free agents. Which players would you like to see brought back?
Dibley: I would love for them to bring Bengie Molina back, but for only one year, a pipe dream I realize. Aside from that, it’s good that Freddy Sanchez is coming back but aside from that, they can all pretty much go away.
King: There is a lot of people that want to see Posey as the starting catcher next season. Do you think Posey is ready for that role?
Dibley: I don’t think he is ready to be the everyday catcher. The inside word is that he needs to get more musculature. Once he gets bigger he will tear it up.
King: What’s your thoughts on the NL having a DH?
Dibley: Hate the DH. Always have, always will. Baseball is a game of 9 on 9. We teach kids the ethos of playing the field and getting rewarded with an AB. The DH ruins that.
King: For the record… Who do you enjoy working with more.. Murph and Mac or Gary?
Dibley: Murph and Mac are the main course and Gary is the dessert. I get a well balanced meal from 5-9 then I get a terrific, varied “treat” from 9-10:30ish. I’m the the luckiest broadcaster in the market to be able to span two great, yet different shows.
King: Is there anything you want to let Giants fans know about you that they might not know?
Dibley: I love my job at KNBR and it is a partial culmination of my dreams. The fact that a mediocre student who never played professional sports can be such an integral part of a 50,000 watt sports station is testimony to the fact that dreams come true. I want people to know that dreams do in fact come true so keep believing and don’t give up, don’t ever give up.
I just want to say thank you very much to Dan Dibley for taking the time to do this Q&A for us. You can check out Dibley’s blog at dandibley.com and you can also follow him on twitter (twitter.com/dandibley).
What If that we know Part 2 Cain for Fielder By Darrin Reyes
Matt Cain for Prince Fielder Comparing contracts. Matt Cain is signed until next year for 4.25 Mil with a club option for 2011 for 6.25 mil. Prince Fielder is signed until 2010 and will be making 10.5 Mil for the Brewers. The Giants should be willing to take the additional payroll for a player that is well worth the amount. Agreeing to pay the extra amount should be fine with all the extra money coming off the Giants payroll in 2010.
Giants need a big bat desperately but is it worth the cost of losing one of their big arms? Prince Fielder is ahead of every Giant in all category except for Pablo Sandoval’s batting average and total hits.
How the Numbers compare
In 2009 Fielder had 46 Hrs, 141 RBIs, 103 Runs, 110 BBs and 138 SOs.
Bengie Molina 20 HRs +Pablo Sandoval 25 HR would match up to Fielder’s 46 HR
Bengie Molina 52 Runs + Juan Uribe 52 Runs would be behind Fielder’s 103 Runs
Randy Winn 47 BB + Edgar Renteria 39 BB + Juan Uribe 25 BB barely passes Fielder’s 110 BB
Prince had 138 SOs in 2009 and only Aaron Rowand had over 100 SOs last year.
The input of Fielder would give an instant surge to the Giants line up. The home runs increase would be great but I believe that the bigger stats that he would bring to the Giants are the RBIs and the walks. The Giants players are a bunch of table setting players and they really don’t have anyone that can close the deal. Last year the Giants got shut down over 2 dozens times with no runs when they had bases loaded with no outs. Most Giants fan still have nightmares about this true story. Prince Fielder had 51 RBIs more than Pablo Sandoval last year. Looking back, that many additional runs could have given the Giants more than 10 more wins. If the Giants had that many more wins they would’ve made the playoffs and led the National League in wins.
Matt Cain had his best year in 2009 with 14 wins and a 2.89 ERA. His numbers do validate his worth for the trade to be a possibility for the Brewers. He would be among the leaders on Brewers if on there staff. If the Giants sign Brad Penny it could increase the possibility of putting Matt Cain on the trading block. The Giants do have a few good young arms to add to their rotation in case of a trade.
Projected Line up with Fielder (with current Giants roster) Velez LF Sanchez 2B Sandoval 3B Fielder 1B Schierholtz RF Molina C (if resigned) Rowand CF Renteria SS
Bruce Jenkins of the San Francisco Chronicle says there is a list somewhere in Brian Sabean’s office, a list we’d all like to see. It’s a rundown of power hitters potentially available to the Giants as they try to resurrect a tired, unacceptable offense. What follows is not that list, merely one writer’s partial survey of the landscape. Not surprisingly, it begins with…
Prince Fielder: His left-handed power (46 homers, 141 RBI’s) is immense, and he’d have no problem with the challenging dimensions of AT&T Park.
The Giants are considered a near-future threat for two reasons:pitching and character. Trade Cain for Fielder and you take a serious hit on both counts.
Fielder is a guy who couldn’t use the clubhouse to settle a personal issue with a teammate (pitcher Manny Parra); he shoved Parra in the dugout, in full view of the television cameras, and caused an ugly scene. He also tried to charge his way into the Dodgers clubhouse to fight with Guillermo Mota.
Jason Bay and Matt Holliday: These are the two prime free agents, but the Giants’ payroll limitations – not likely to significantly change, from all we’ve heard – will prevent any serious bidding.
B.J. Upton: Remember the guy who hit seven homers in last year’s postseason for Tampa Bay? Disruptive speed, great arm, spectacular glove? There’s nothing he can’t do. The Rays are trying to sign Carl Crawford long-term, so they may be willing to part with Upton. Upton recovered slowly from offseason shoulder surgery and had a down year. AVG .241 with 11 Home runs.
Chris Young: You wouldn’t trade the house for him, but this is a graceful, multi-talented outfielder who hit 32 homers for Arizona two years ago. He signed a five-year deal the following spring and since been on a downslide, featuring way too many strikeouts and terrible on-base percentage. Big Talent that could be stolen.
Jermaine Dye: Do you see him as the right fielder who hit 27 homers, or the 35-year-old guy who slumped to .179 in the second half? There’s always a risk of acquiring a player too late in his career. Sabean will be wary of taking that route again.
