MLB Rumors: San Francisco Giants

by faketeams on Dec 30, 2008 4:15 PM EST in Baseball

LHP Randy Johnson has signed with the San Francisco Giants. With 2008 CY Young winner Tim Lincecum and bulldog Matt Cain, the Giants now have the best top of the rotation in the weak offensive environment of the NL West. With Barry Zito and Jonathan Sanchez in the four and five holes, the Giants now have one of the best rotations in the National League.

Before visions of rotation sugar plums begin dancing in the heads of Giants fans, MLB.com reports Jonathan Sanchez could be available in a trade but only for a player who will not be a free agent following the 2009 season. (Sorry, New York Yankees.) One can look at the Giants infield and easily conclude Sanchez's left arm is being used as bait to upgrade the Giants' offense from there. Since the team invested $18MM in SS Edgar Renteria, the targets would be one of the other infield positions.

With the 2009 condition in place, one is lead to believe Giants' GM Brian Sabean is looking for non-Aubrey Huff type and that may be partially true. With RF Randy Winn, OF Dave Roberts and C Bengie Molina free agents following the 2009 season, don't be shocked to see near-major league ready OF or C be the main target with an Aubrey Huff tagged-on.

Poll

How many more bats would the San Francisco Giants need to be the favorites in the NL West?

None. Randy Johnson makes the rotation so strong, the weak NL West is theirs for the taking.

7 votes

One. Pablo Sandoval is the other already

27 votes

Two. A team can't win with an outfield filled with 15 HR hitters and no 1B.

31 votes

More than two. Bengie Molina led the team in HRs with 16. It ain't just a single offensive black hole.

26 votes

91 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 4 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

whoa

Should Manny sign with LA, and all indications say he will, since he has no other offers at this time, does anyone in the West have a better lineup than:
Furcal
Martin
Ethier
Manny
Loney
Kemp
Blake
Dewitt

I don’t think so. I want to see how the Unit handles the cold nights in April and May with the bad back.

raygu

by Ray Guilfoyle on Dec 30, 2008 4:47 PM EST reply actions

If the sign Manny, they definitely have the best lineup in the West. Their pitching is a lot more problematic though, even if Billingsley comes back normal as they say he should. Kershaw is still very young, though has a ton of potential, but you have to expect him to be a bit erratic, though not as much as last year. Kuroda was about as good as can reasonably be expected from him, though he’s getting up there in age.

After that, it’s a hodgepodge of guys: Stults and McDonald would compete, but they really need to find a FA starter. Peavy would be a good target, but they’re probably not willing to give up what it takes to get him and big intra-division trades come at a premium. In any event, they’d probably want the Manny issue cleared up before making that kind of trade.

Also, the bullpen doesn’t seem as strong without Saito and Beimel and Chan Ho.

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on Dec 30, 2008 5:55 PM EST up reply actions

LA bullpen

Take a look at the stats for the 7th-9th inning bullpen in LA:
Cory Wade
Hong Chih Kuo
Jonathon Broxton

Kuo has closer stuff, as does Broxton. They have Scott Elbert as their 2nd lefty out of the pen to replace Beimel, and he has closer stuff also, but has command issues coming off the injury in 2007. LA’s 7th-9th inning bullpen is better than what the Giants have to offer.
Keep in mind that LA won the division last year without Manny in LF, Blake at 3b, Furcal at SS, an injured Penny and his 6.32 ERA, an injured Saito, and Andruw Jones starting for at least half the season in CF. This year, they get a full season of Manny and Blake and Furcal, should they sign MAnny and Furcal stay healthy.
I admit, the rotation worries me a bit, and Kershaw has to prove himself. I am confident he will. I am worried about Billz coming back off the broken leg. Kuroda will be fine-he’s alot younger than the Unit. They are targeting Garland and Wolf as their 4th starter, I believe. Colletti has stated that pitching is his priority right now. Maybe they decide to go after Peavy…wouldn’t surprise me.

raygu

by Ray Guilfoyle on Dec 30, 2008 6:07 PM EST up reply actions

as it stands, the solid rotation and improved bullpen makes the Giants near contenders in a weak division…but not quite as their offensive ineptitude will likely prevent them from winning the division.

On the other hand, it only took 84 wins to take the division last year, so the Giants, if they catch some breaks, avoid crippling injuries, get unexpected (yet, realistic) performances and maybe make a deadline trade, that wouldn’t be out of reach.

What I’d recommend they do is trade Randy Winn and move Fred Lewis over to RF and sign Pat Burrell to play LF. That might give the Giants just enough offense to able them to contend assuming those other things go right.

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on Dec 30, 2008 5:45 PM EST reply actions