Chris Haft of MLB.com says the the Giants and Yorvit Torrealba maintain mutual interest in a one-year contract. Torrealba will be meeting with the Giants soon, but wants to finish his playoffs with his Venezuelan Winter League team. 
“At this time, we are prepared to go to Posey,” Sabean said. “But we’ll keep an open mind.”
Torrealba rejected a two-year, $4.5 million offer from the Rockies, his previous club, earlier this offseason. The Rockies also declined to pick up a $4 million option on his 2010 contract, which made him a free agent.
UPDATE
Valdez now can be claimed by another team.
King of Cali thoughts: Having Torrealba back in a Giants uniform would be nice. Having him would also keep any pressure off Buster Posey of feeling like he needs to step in and be the man. I just can’t see Torrealba wanting to accept a one year contract. He still has teams that are interested that may be willing to offer him two years. The Padres, Rangers and Mariners have all expressed interest.
I’m sure Merkin will be picked up by another team. I really like this kid, so this is some sad new to me. He’s got great stuff, but hasn’t been able to put it all together yet. I’m sure he will be a great pick up for whatever team claims him. Let’s hope all the other teams pass on him, so we can keep him in our system.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Aubrey Huff, Buster Posey, Free Agents, King of Cali, Merkin Valdez, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors, SFGiants Blog, Yorvit Torrealba
Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News says (via Twitter) Aubrey Huff will bat cleanup for the Giants, GM Brian Sabean says.
Baggarly wasn’t done tweeting either. He also had a few followup tweets. He said in his next tweet. Giants Manager Bruce Bochy says he envisions Sandoval-Huff-DeRosa hitting 3-4-5.
The next tweet says No corresponding 40-man move yet to make space for Aubrey Huff. GM Brian Sabean said someone will be designated. Frandsen? Merkin? Lewis?
In his final tweet. Baggarly says Pablo Sandoval has gained weight in Venezuela, “but not enough to worry about,” Giants GM Brian Sabean said.
King of Cali thoughts: This lineup with Sandoval, Huff and DeRosa hitting 3-4-5 does make sense. Your best hitter should be your 3rd hitter. Then the cleanup guy is someone that should be able to clear the bases with one swing.
There has been a lot of mixed reactions regarding the Huff signing. Who else could the Giants have got for so cheap that does have the potential to put up a lot of homers? This signing was only one year for $3 million and we didn’t have to trade Jonathan Sanchez for a bat. Please comment with your thoughts.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Andrew Baggarly, Aubrey Huff, Brian Sabean, Free Agents, Jonathan Sanchez, King of Cali, Mark DeRosa, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors
Chris Haft of MLB.com thinks the Giants offseason efforts to upgrade the ball club may now be done with the Aubrey Huff signing. He does note that some players must rebound from sub-par seasons. Edgar Renteria hit a career-low .250, Huff also recorded his lowest batting average (.241) and hit 15 homers, less than half of what he hit the previous season. Aaron Rowand hit .261, his lowest average since he hit .258 in 2002.
Haft also notes that the Giants lineup can be changed frequently. He did post this lineup as a possible one.
1. Aaron Rowand CF
2. Mark DeRosa LF
3. Freddy Sanchez 2B
4. Pablo Sandoval 3B
5. Aubrey Huff 1B
6. Edgar Renteria SS
7. Nate Schierholtz RF
8. Buster Posey C
King of Cali thoughts: The Giants had a lot of guys get on base last season, but couldn’t drive them in. It seemed like they would get someone on, and then would either strike out or hit a double play ball. With that said I think the Giants do have an improved offense heading into this year. No they didn’t sign anyone worth writing home about, but they did add some bats that aren’t guaranteed outs. Which is all you can ask for when trying to start a rally. Let’s hope we can have a more consistent offense.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Aaron Rowand, Aubrey Huff, Buster Posey, Edgar Renteria, Free Agents, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors
Dennis O’Donnell of CBS 5 told me via email. That during the 5pm news they broke the news that the Giants have signed Aubrey Huff to a 1-year, $3 million deal. The deal is still pending a physical, and that will be taken today. The Giants confirmed the story at about 7pm last night. The Giants were still pursuing Adam LaRoche on Friday, but that deal appears to be dead since Huff can play the corners and some outfield. Obviously, the Giants are hoping Huff can recapture his stroke from 2 years ago when he batted .304, 32 homers and 108 RBI’s.
Chris Haft of MLB.com says the Giants filled their need for a left-handed hitter by agreeing Sunday with free agent Aubrey Huff. Haft believes Huff might fit the description of the No. 5 hitter the Giants wanted in their lineup. He has batted in the middle of the order for most of his career, spending 517 games at cleanup, 300 hitting third and 264 in the fifth spot.
Chris Haft told me via email that the Aubrey Huff signing caught him by surprise.
King of Cali thoughts: This is also a deal that I didn’t see coming. I must say I really like this signing. Huff does have a very nice bat. He’s a career .282 hitter with a lot of pop. This is what the Giants need in the middle of their lineup. Yes, he had a down season last year, but that’s how he can turn into a steal deal for us. It’s a low-risk contract (1 year, $3 million) with high rewards for the Giants. What are your thoughts on this signing?
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Adam LaRoche, Aubrey Huff, Chris Haft, Free Agents, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors
John Manuel of Baseball America has an article on SI.com. He has listed his the top 20 prospects. I’m not going to run through the list, but did want to pass along to Giants fans. That number 9 and number 10 on the list are Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner. Below is what he had to say about each player.
Buster Posey, C, Giants
Why he’s here: The 2008 College Player of the Year, Posey combines athletic ability and hitting prowess with playing a premium position.
What he’ll be: Remember Russell Martin before Joe Torre played him 150 games a year? Posey may not have Martin’s fiery leadership, but he’ll be a similar catcher with better hitting ability.
When he arrives: As soon as he shows he can receive effectively for pitchers such as Brian Wilson and Matt Cain, who have premium velocity. Then he’ll have to take it up another notch to handle Tim Lincecum.
Madison Bumgarner, LHP, Giants
Why he’s here: No pitcher has had Bumgarner’s sheer results the last two seasons, when he went 27-5. He did it in 2009 with diminished velocity but it didn’t seem to matter as he mowed down Double-A competition at 19.
What he’ll be: Bumgarner’s mound presence and ability to pitch off his fastball evokes Cliff Lee. He has similar mound presence and could match Lee if he regains some of his slider’s lost bite.
When he arrives: The Giants have enough other rotation options to keep Bumgarner on the farm for at least part of 2010, and perhaps until late in the season, when he could get another bullpen cameo.
King of Cali thoughts: Now this is good to know that we have two of our top prospects in the top 20 list. Fans had said to me they would rather have Bengie Molina back, and aren’t confident in Posey. I hope this post changes their mind a bit. No he’s not going to come in and just be the best catcher in the Majors, but he does have a nice upside. I think he’s ready to get his feet wet in the pro’s and see what he can do out there.
Sabean wanted to re-sign Brad Penny and leave Bumgarner in Triple-A for more seasoning. He has recently said that Bumgarner does have a shot to be the teams No. 5 starter. Yes, he’s young, but he’s shown that he can dominate the minors. I think Bumgarner is ready to be a starter for the Giants. I’m not saying he’s going to be lights out, but I’m sure we will see him grow into a front of the rotation guy right before our very eyes.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Bengie Molina, Brad Penny, Brian Wilson, Buster Posey, Cliff Lee, Free Agents, Joe Torre, King of Cali, Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, MLB Hot Stove, Prospects, Russell Martin, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors, Tim Lincecum
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 the Giants have made contact with Jack Cust’s agent. The Giants have made it clear they want a left-handed power bat. Cust has average 28 homers in Oakland from 2007-2009. He also has an average of more than 190 strikeouts in 2008-2009. Defensively he’s considered by scouts to be a liability, and has spent much of his time with the A’s as a designated hitter.
King of Cali thoughts: Now this is one signing that better not happen. We are not in the AL, so no DH over here for Cust. He’s going to have to stick to the AL. I can’t see to many teams trying to sign him in the NL if he can’t play the field.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Free Agents, Giants, Jack Cust, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, Oakland A's, 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
Buster Olney of ESPN.com said via twitter. Sources: Giants offered Adam LaRoche 2 years, $17 million but that was turned down; that offer may now be off the table.. (cont.)
Then in a followup tweet. Olney said: Looks like LaRoche has 2 possible landing spots, now that Seattle is getting Kotchman: Either Baltimore or San Francisco – but Giants discussing alternatives.
King of Cali thoughts: A lot of Giants fans have kept bringing up a possible signing of LaRoche. I never seen the Giants even stepping in that direction. He bats lefty and will lose a lot of homers at AT&T park. Which is probably the reason why he declined the Giants offer. How would Giants fans feel now if he signs with us after declining the best offer he may receive this offseason?
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Adam LaRoche, AT&T Park, Free Agents, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors
Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com says in the Latest Buzz article that Randy Johnson will hold a conference call with reporters on Tuesday night. A source confirmed that Johnson would retire. Johnson has won five Cy Young awards, 303 wins, 4,785 strikeouts and a 3.29 ERA. Johnson is second all-time in strikeouts behind Nolan Ryan.
King of Cali thoughts: I wish Johnson wouldn’t have got hurt. It was nice to see him pitch every 5th day. Even at age 46 he could still bring it. No, he wasn’t the same Johnson as before, but he was still a gamer. I’m glad he was able to reach 300 wins in a Giants uniform since he is from the Bay Area. If I had a vote. Johnson would get my vote for the Hall of Fame. Even though we all know he doesn’t need my vote. He’s getting in hands down on the first ballot.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Big Unit, Free Agents, Giants Baseball Blog, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors
