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