Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News says (via twitter) that he’s hearing that the Giants have re-signed Pat Burrellto a discounted, one -year contract, pending a physical. He’s still working to confirm the story. Must Have Tim Lincecum Book San Francisco Chronicle photojournalist Deanne Fitzmaurice and columnist Joan Ryan are working on a photography book called Freak Season. It’s behind-the-scenes access to his 2010 personal and professional life. You can check out the site at FreakSeason.com, and the book should become available mid-December. ~King of Cali
Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports say the San Francisco Giants have become one of the most serious suitors for Tampa Bay’s shortstop Jason Bartlett. 2010 Stats – .254 AVG, 4 HR, 47 RBI, 71 R, and 11 SB Teams that are trying to trade for Bartlett are hoping he will return back to his 2009 form. 2009 Stats – .320 AVG, 14 HR, 66 RBI, 90 R, and 30 SB Morosi and Rosenthal reported yesterday that the Rays are moving closer to trading Bartlett. Now that Juan Uribe has signed with the Dodgers. Teams that are in need for a shortstop are starting to get serious. They Rays want bullpen arms, so the question is which arms will the Giants have to give up to make this deal happen.
Morosi and Rosenthal mention Chris Ray and Ramon Ramirez, but it’s not clear if the Rays have interest in them.
Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com says (via twitter) Giants are “wide open” on their shortstop options. They’ve done legwork on Bartlett, Miguel Tejada, Orlando Cabrera and Marco Scutaro.
Side Notes
Andres Torres and Sergio Romo will be on the NBC float, and will serve as honorary grand marshals in the San Jose Holiday Parade. The parade starts Sunday at 8:30am in Downtown San Jose.
I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving. Now that the ham and turkey stuff is out of the way. Let’s get back to the San Francisco Giants. Booooo-ribe Juan Uribe has took a page out of and Jason Schmidts book by signing with the Dodgers after parting ways with the Giants. Uribe’s contract is 3 years for $21 million. Shortstop Needed
Now that Uribe is gone, and Edgar Renteria not likely to be back. The Giants must really start to kick the tires on all shortstop options. Miguel Tejada is a guy the Giants might start to turn the heat up on, so they can sign him as a free agent and not have to trade anyone for a J.J. Hardy, Jason Bartlett or Marco Scutaro.
Brian Costa of The Wall Street Journal says the Giants have been in contact with Derek Jeter’s agent, Casey Close, who also represents Giants catcher Buster Posey. He also says the Giants are not seriously pursuing him at the moment.
Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe says Emmanuel Burriss, who has dealt with a pair of foot fractures, is one of the best players in the Dominican winter league. He can be an option if the Giants are unable to make a trade or sign a free agent shortstop.
Side Notes
RHP Waldis Joaquin was claimed off waivers by the White Sox from the Giants. Joaquin then rejected the claim and declared for free agency.
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Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com says there have been indications that the Phils have spoken to the Giants abou Raul Ibanez. Ibanez will make $11.5 million next season and has a partial not-trade clause. He will also be turning 39 in June. I don’t think the Giants will want to give up much for a player that will be in the final year of his contract and pushing his 40’s. Tsuyoshi Nishiokahas been posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines. There is now a rumor going around that the Giants are not going to bid on him. I haven’t been able to get that confirmed as of yet, but I’m still working on that. Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com says the Giants would like to re-sign Juan Uribe, but if that falls through, Red Sox shortstop Marco Scutaro could be an option. Scutaro will make $5 million next season and has a $6 million club option/ $3 million player option ($1.5 million buyout) for 2012. Prospects Pending Charges
Prospect Angel Villalona is out playing ball again. He’s out on bail and the Dominican prosecutors plan to bring Villalona to trial on murder charges.
Darren Ford said he was robbed at gunpoint in November 2009. The Vineland NJ police on the other hand say it was a false report, are charging Ford with 4 felonies alleging he stole $1,500 cash and checks from his job (car dealership). Ford applied for a pre-trial intervention program that will enable him to avoid trial and a potential jail sentence.
Press Release – The Giants have added infielder Ehire Adrianza and outfielder Thomas Neal to the club’s 40-man roster. The Giants currently have 36 players on the 40 man roster. I’m sure the Giants are hoping Aubrey Huff and Juan Uribe can be numbers 37 and 38. Then they still have 2 spots open for maybe 2 free agents.
Congratulations to the National League 2010 Rookie of the Year winner Buster Posey! Rumors Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe says Pablo Sandoval can be a name that is mentioned at the general managers meeting in Orlando. Stock dropped after a huge offensive falloff (.330 to .268), and the Giants have told him he won’t be a starter unless he loses significant weight. Could be a DH. Cafardo also says the Giants and Braves are expressing some interest in the streaky right-handed power hitter Pat Burrell.
Mark Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times says the Cardinals and Giants could be interesting matches if the Rays decide to trade shortstop Jason Bartlett. (.254, 71R, 47RBI, 4HR)
Jerry Crasnick of ESPN says (via twitter) the San Francisco Giants are in on precisely 2 free agents at the moment: Aubrey Huff and Juan Uribe.
Uggla Trade
The Giants have been linked to Dan Uggla rumors for a while. The Braves pulled the trigger that landed him in Atlanta. Uggla will be a free agent at the end of this year when Freddy Sanchez’s contract is up. Which means don’t expect the Uggla rumors to stop next offseason!
Giants manager Bruce Bochy was on KNBR this morning with Murph and Mac. When asked about the blister on Tim Lincecum’s finger. Bochy said, Timmy is fine. He also said Madison Bumgarner will be available in game 1 if the game goes extra innings and they need relief. Bumgarner still is penciled in to start game 4 at AT&T Park.
I was able to catch a little hint from Bochy on reliever Dan Runzler. He said he was throwing really good yesterday in practice. I’m going to take a wild guess and say he’s going to be added to the NLCS roster. He’s a lefty, so I’m sure they want to be ready for big lefty sluggers. The playoff roster needs to be turned in by 10am Saturday morning.
Side Notes
Jonathan Sanchez has been moved up in the rotation. He will pitch game 2 in Philadelphia. Sanchez has had lights out pitching in his last 2 starts. Matt Cain will start game 3 at AT&T Park. Cain is a fly ball pitcher, and pitching in San Francisco may fit better with his pitching style.
Jose Guillen appears to not be with the team anymore. He did not attend yesterday’s team practice.
Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune has the Giants at the top of his power rankings. Yes, at the top! He has them over the Yankees and Phillies. According to the article this was last weeks rankings, but he’s updated as to why the Giants are number 1.
“Bruce Bochy asked too much of Brian Wilson in Game 2 against the Braves. If not for the extra inning loss, San Francisco would have matched the Phillies and Yankees in sweeping their division series. Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez had 31 strikeouts and only 11 hits allowed their first time out in the playoffs. Buster Posey continues to look like a difference-maker in the lineup.”
Side Notes
Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com says San Francisco Giants bench coach Ron Wotus has expressed his desire to be a Major League manager. Langosch said, Wotus would love to return to Pittsburgh. Wotus has not yet received a call from the Pirates front office, but he would jump at the opportunity to interview if given a chance.Wotus was drafted by Pittsburgh in 1979, and had brief appearances with the team in 1983 and 1984. Wotus also has family in Western Pennsylvania.
Tim Sullivan of the San Diego Union Tribune says, Jeff Moorad the San Diego Padres CEO said he wished he would have done more than relay to Padres GM Jed Hoyer that Pat Burrell was interested in going to play for San Diego (after being released by the Rays). Moorad was once Burrell’s agent and is still remains his friend.
Burrell ended up being the big bat that the Giants were looking for. He did provide 18 homers for the Giants and it seemed like they were all huge to decide games.
