INDIANAPOLIS — THE WINTER MEETINGS are a time of excitement, optimism, and hope for baseball executives and fans alike. But, for the San Francisco Giants, things seem to be less exciting and more sobering.
After a season of surprising resurgence in 2009, the Giants knew one thing — the offense must improve.
But after ruling out the likes of free agents Jason Bay, Matt Holliday, Johnny Damon, Jermaine Dye, and parting ways with catcher Bengie Molina, it seems the Giants may find themselves in a similar predicament in 2010.
While Molina has his flaws, it's going to be a tough pill for Giants fans to swallow if Molina's 20 homers and 80-plus RBIs aren't replaced. But at this early intersection in the off season — and it is still early — the Giants are in a position to return an even more futile lineup next year.
Here are a few interviews with Giants beat writers conducted on KNBR 680 am from Indy.
San Francisco Chronicle's baseball writer John Shea with Gary Radnich, Dec. 9th.
MLB.com's Chris Haft with Rod Brooks, Dec. 9th.
BANG's Andrew Baggarly with Ralph Barbieri and Tom Tolbert, Dec. 8th.
The bullet points:
- Baggs tell Giants fans to keep 'expectations low.'
- Buster Posey has trouble with high-velocity stuff, but with Pudge Rodriguez getting a two-year deal from the Nat's Tuesday, the likelihood of a stop-gap veteran is small.
- The Giants want to remain young, thus will not explore options like Dye or Damon.
- The door is still not shut on acquiring Marlins' second baseman Dan Uggla, but his defense is a big concern.
- The Giants would like to fill the No. 3 or No. 5 spot with Pablo Sandoval penciled in at the cleanup spot.
- Outside of Madison Bumgarner, the Giants younger players aren't garnering much attention from possible trade partners.
- The payroll is going to remain around the low to mid $90 million range. And much of the relief from the contracts of Randy Winn, Randy Johnson, Dave Roberts, and Molina will be absorbed from arbitration cases like Tim Lincecum, Brian Wilson and Jonathan Sanchez.
- A lineup of Eugenio Velez and/or Andres Torres, Edgar Renteria, Freddy Sanchez and Pablo Sandoval would be Bochy's first four hitters on the opening day lineup as of today.
- The Giants have approx. $8 million to spend on free agents.
- Miguel Olivo and Yorvit Torrealba are two possible candidates for the catcher spot, but it's still unlikely either would accept anything except a two-year deal.
- Nick Johnson is a realistic option for first base, as is Adrian Beltre at third, moving Sandoval to first.
Comments
"Miguel Olivo and Yorvit Torrealba are two possible candidates for the catcher spot, but it's unlikely either would except a two-year deal."
Huh???? Yorvit and Miguel each want a multi-year deals & Giants are only going to give 1year contract no matter what... So actually yee they would except a two year deal ....
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