Dream Team

[love_that_reefer]

Could today have been the last days that Bonds, Schmidt and both Alou's wear a Giants uniform? Well hopefully they're not the only ones. Felipe and Moises are both goners. The Giants cannot go through another year with Felipe managing or should I say mismanaging this team. Moises puts up good numbers but cannot stay healthy and he is 40 years old. It might be time for Linden to step up.

Bonds is 43 and will have elbow surgery next week to remove bone chips. He hit .292 after the break and really showed that he had some life left in his bat. With him chasing Aaron, the Giants could sign him to sell the tickets. Problem is Bonds won't sign an incentive based contract. The Giants are better off trying to sign Soriano first and see where it goes from there. A 40/40 guy will sell tickets and a guy you can build around.

Schmidt will demand way too much money for the Giants to try and sign him. Cain with another year under his belt will replace Schmidt is the ace with Tim Linecum possibly replacing Cain as the number three guy. Might have to trade to get a real starter since the market is weak after Zito and Schmidt.

Someone else who should go but probably won't is Pedro Feliz. His 112/33 K/BB ratio makes most managers puke along with his ridiculous .281 OBP. Feliz also struggled defensively this year which is supposed to be his strong point. As long as he keeps hitting 20+ homers and 85+ RBI, they will probably resign him. My solution? Make a trade, maybe Blalock?

Durham has earned a one year deal from the Giants with Frandsen getting the utility role. Durham is not likely to get a multi year deal with his age and history of injuries. Frandsen backing up Durham, Vizquel and most likely Feliz will do him a lot of good for the 2008 season.

Finley and his $8 million contract is gone since he views himself as an everyday player. I doubt anyone else does but hey, weird shit happens.

Hillenbrand should be a keeper as he is a career .300 hitter and Neikro can't be an everyday player. Hillenbrand has taken a liking to San Francisco and found a home in that number 3 hole.

Todd Greene could or could not go depending on Matheny's condition. If Matheny cannot return, sign Rod Barajas and Alfonzo could back up.

My Dream 2007 Team
1B-Hillenbrand
2B-Durham
SS-Vizquel
3B-Blalock
LF-Soriano
CF-Winn
RF-Linden

SP-Cain
SP-Morris
SP-Randy Wolf
SP-Lowry
SP-Linecum

[love_that_reefer]

My new dream team
1B-Hillenbrand
2B-Frandsen
SS-Vizquel
3B-Blalock
LF-Soriano
CF-Winn
RF-Linden
C-Molina

SP-Cain
SP-Morris
SP-Randy Wolf
SP-Lowry
SP-Linecum
CP-Anyone but Benitez

[love_that_reefer]

With Soriano gone, here's my new team


1B-Hillenbrand, looks like we will get Burrell to play first
2B-Frandsen
SS-Vizquel
3B-Blalock
LF-Carlos Lee, can't do any worse than Bonds defensively
CF-Winn
RF-Linden
C-Molina

SP-Cain
SP-Morris
SP-Randy Wolf
SP-Lowry
SP-Linecum/Sanchez, might have to give Linecum a couple ofyears not that I think about it
CP-Anyone but Benitez

[love_that_reefer]

Update: Lee has signed with the Astros and did make it clear that he didn't want to play on the West Coast. There has been some Manny talk but we have no one to protect him and he is no better than Bonds defensively in LF. Drew has signed with the Sox and Wolf has signed with the Dodgers.

1B- Hillenbrand
2B- Frandsen (looks like we will get Loretta)
SS- Vizquel
3B- Blalock (Aurilia looks like who we will sign)
LF- Guillen (had surgery and can no longer play right/ 1yr deal only)
CF- Baldelli (Rays might be willing to trade him)
RF- Winn
C- Molina

SP-Cain
SP- Morris
SP-Lowry
SP- Maddux
SP- Ohka (one year deal only)

RP-Corriea
RP- Hennessey
RP- Gagne (cheap and worth a shot because of Benitez)
RP- Sadler
RP- Weathers (looks like we might get him anyway)
RP- Misch
RP- Sanchez

CP- Benitez

I really like Baldelli's play. He's young and signed through 08 for very cheap. Plus he has speed and some pop in his bat. The Giants aren't going to go overbaord this winter which will give them more money after the 07 to try and get some big time players. Vizquel Matheny and Benitez's contracts will be off the books. There is a lot better talent next offseason than there was this one.

[brewersfan19]

So what is up with Durham. He is NOT in the Giants future plans. The guy had a real good year, IMO, could say that he carried the Giants last season. His reward is the door or what? Inquiring mind here would like to know.

[love_that_reefer]

Durham is looking for a longer deal than the Giants are willing to offer. You're right in thinking Durham was the Giants best hitter but he is getting older and has a history of injuries. The Giants had talks with him early this offseason but made it clear he was looking for a multi year deal.

[brewersfan19]

Thanks.. I always knew about his injury problems and how prone he is to them. I was just curious. He will find a home somewhere, cause when healthy he is a good player.

[FmrFresnan]

Durham is just like Gary Matthews Jr. in the fact that they both had career years in their contract years.

[brewersfan19]

i would have to respectfully disagree with that Fmr. When healthy Durham has been a consistent offensive player. He has done several dofferent roles for both the White Sox and the Ginats. He has always had the injury bug though. That is his only knock against. I would say the only reasons he is not getting a longer extension is because of injuries and age. That is just my opinion!

[love_that_reefer]

Updated as the Giants have re-signed Durham and Feliz and signed Aurilia, Roberts. At least they signed one of the guys I wanted in Molina. Guillen signed with the M's.

1B- Sexson - some trade talks and actually has power. Frandsen could be trade bait for something with Aurilia as utility man.
2B- Durham
SS- Vizquel
3B- Feliz
LF-Roberts
CF- Baldelli- Rays are still looking at trading him and we have young relievers
RF- Winn
C- Molina

SP-Zito
SP- Cain
SP-Lowry
SP- Morris
SP- Ohka-one year only and a career ERA just over 4

RP-Corriea
RP- Hennessey
RP- Gagne-cheap and worth a shot because of Benitez
RP- Sadler
RP- Darren Oliver-he's old enough
RP- Misch
RP- Sanchez

CP- Benitez

The Giants need to make a final offer to Bonds. It looks like it up to $12 million with him now. He also needs to remember he got paid $18 million for 14 games in 2005. Sabean has said that there are still free agents out there and a lot of good looking trades to be had. If we sign Zito, we can afford to trade some of our younger starters like Sanchez.

[love_that_reefer]

Updated again as we have signed Barry to a one year deal.

1B- Sexson - some trade talks and actually has power. Frandsen could be trade bait for something with Aurilia as utility man. Someone has to protect Barry.
2B- Durham
SS- Vizquel
3B- Feliz
LF-Bonds
CF- Roberts
RF- Winn
C- Molina

Bench- Aurilia, Sweeney, Alfonzo, Linden

SP-Zito
SP- Cain
SP-Lowry
SP- Morris
SP- Ohka-one year only and a career ERA just over 4

RP-Corriea
RP- Hennessey
RP- Gagne-cheap and worth a shot because of Benitez
RP- Sadler
RP- Darren Oliver-he's old enough
RP- Misch
RP- Sanchez

CP- Benitez