Giants Trade Rumors, Ideas and Acquisitions

[love_that_reefer]

Keiichi Yabu has reportedly agreed to a minor league deal with the Giants.

Yabu had a 4.50 ERA in 58 innings for the A's in 2005. The 39-year-old will be a long shot to win a spot in middle relief.

The Giants signed an old ineffective player? Never!! Why can't the Giants get real relievers or any one else for that matter?

[realmofotalk]

Ah, the wins vulture Yabuchi, as coined by Providence A's.

[love_that_reefer]

New Edited Version of Wants and Needs:Haven't posted since we landed Rowand and we still need a lot of help. Prior was signed by the Padres so he is off the list as are some of the others. Some new ones have been posted.

Richie Sexson-1B: Sexson could be the diamond in the rough. He is coming off a horrible season and makes a lot of money so he won't cost much in a trade. We could possibly dump some salary like Aurilia on them if we take on some more salary. He made $14 mil last season and hit just .205/.295/.399 with 21 homers and just 63 RBI. He is owed $14 mil and is a FA after the 08 season. If he does well he can get him a good 3-4 year deal. I think he has a lot in the tank left and he still has an average of 37 HRs a season. Sexson won't cost a lot in a trade if we take on more salary of we can make a trade where they take on most of the salary. Either way it won't cost us anything of importance and gives us a big presence in this weak lineup. Oh yeah, he's right handed which is a huge plus in this ballpark. The Giants were interested in Sexson last season. Sexson would add power and protection to Rowand.

Brian Fuentes-RP: Fuentes has been on the market for some time now but I don't know why. Maybe they feel he will make too much for a setup guy since he is arbitration eligible. Fuentes will be a FA after the '08 season and will be 32 years old. Fuentes had a 3.08 ERA last season to go along with 20 saves. He posts a 3.53 ERA over seven seasons and has 398 SO's in 359 IP. Fuentes would add another proven lefty reliever to go along with Kline if he himself is not traded. Fuentes would battle Wilson for the closing role and give a boost to any bullpen. The biggest problem here is trading with the improving Rockies inside the division. Giants are a couple of seasons away and helping the Rockies improve doesn't help our cause. Giants should at least call and see what they want.

Xavier Nady-OF/1B: The Pirates are trying to move Nady but will not non-tender him. Nady could play LF, RF or 1B for the Giants. Giants could have a Nady/Ortmeier combo at first which could provide 30+ HRs from the position. It would be a major upgrade over Klesko but Nady hasn't played all that much at first. Nady had 20 homers, 72 RBI and a .278 BA last season in 125 games. Pirates look like they are going to hold on to Nady.

Chad Cordero- CL: The Giants are waiting for either Wilson, Walker or Hennessey to emerge as the next closer. I say why wait? Why not get a proven closer now? Cordero averages a 2.70 ERA and 29 saves a year. He had 37 saves last year for a team with a slightly weaker offense than ours. The Nationals are shopping him and we might have some attractive starters for them in Sanchez, Misch or Correia. Cordero will only be 26 years old next year and a proven closer. The Giants bullpen was one of the worst and had the most blowns saves. Matt Cain would love this idea I can promise you that. Cordero isn't a FA until 2010.

Hank Blalock- 3B: Last offseason I wanted the Giants to pursue him but they went with Feliz instead which they might do again this year. Blalock is coming off a season where he had rib surgery so he should be at full health come Opening Day. Blalock is under contract for 08 and has an option in 09 and comes very cheap in today's market. Blalock might have to move to first in a couple of years if we decided to extend him. Blalock averages 26 HRs and 97 RBI over a 162 game season and has a much better OBP than Feliz. Hank alos does well with RISP. He's a lefty who can't hit lefties so Aurilia can play against left handed pitching. Rangers pulled off Blalock trade talks so that causes a problem. Lincecum or Cain will not be in the deal which the Rangers will want. Blalock's road stats are also a downside. That said, Blalock is only 27 and provides more offense than Feliz.

Joe Crede- 3B: Crede is probably going to make around $5 mil next season, his last season before free agency so he is worth the risk. Crede averages 25 HRs and 85 RBI but doesn't his average is slightly better than Feliz's over a 162 games season. Crede is a good fielder and is a guy who should have won WS MVP back in 2005. He made great plays at third in big situations and also had some big hits. He doesn't walk a lot or strike out a lot so he puts the ball in play. Crede would be an ideal #5 hitters if we ever got some big boppers. Crede in a contract year would be worth the risk.

Matt Clement-RP: The Giants should try and sign Clement to become a reliever much like the Cubs did with Wood. Clement might want to try it himself just to try and ease back into the rotation. Clement isn't exactly a control artist but he could benefit from staying as a reliever. Giants don't have much to lose. If Correia goes to the rotation, Clement could step in as the new long reliever. If we were to sign him, I would not want him to start. He hasn't been a successful starter so try him as a reliever. It's worth the risk. Hell, we signed Russ Ortiz last season so why not Clement?

Tony Clark-1B: Clark is what the Giants love and that's old. Clark last year at the age of 35 hit 17 HRs in 221 ABs and drove in 51. Clark would help platoon with Ortmeier much like he did with Conor Jackson in Arizona. A one year deal should be all that is offered. With Clark and JT Snow working with Ortmeier, he should be ready to start everyday in 09 if the Giants choose to go that route. Clark shouldn't make that much which will help us save for next offseason or earlier at the trade deadline.

Akinori Otsuka-RP: Otsuka has a career 2.44 ERA and 39 Saves in his short Major League career. He was a good setup man for the Padres for Hoffman and was a good closer for the Rangers in '06. Either was the Giants want to try and use him, it would help upgrade this bullpen. The Rangers non-tendered him after missing the second half with elbow problems. So far reports have been positive about his rehab. He would compete with Wilson, Walker and Hennessey for the closer's job. He is 35 but has had success wherever he has pitched. Otsuka is used to the NL West so that is a big plus. Giants haven't addressed this bullpen yet unless you count the signing of Keiichi Yabu which I do not. Otsuka could be huge for this team and allow Wilson more seasoning. It worked for Joe Nathan who will still miss.

[love_that_reefer]

Shea Hillenbrand says he has been working out all winter and though he has had feelers from just one club, the San Francisco Giants, he's confident the phone will begin ringing in the next couple of weeks. "Something will come up," he says. "I've got about 10 years to go."

What do George W. Bush and Brian Sabean have in common? Neither learn from past mistakes.

[GiantsFanatic]

To be honest, if we can get Hillenbrand for million or less, its like a low risk/high reward kind of a deal, he has proven in the past that he can hit. He does have 20 hr/ 80 rbi/ .310 avg. potential/quality.

[hot_corner_gurl]

He's also got 9 HR/29 RBI/.248 avg potential. He'll be 32 in the summer too.

[love_that_reefer]

Shea does us no good. We have tried this already and it failed. We need guys with big bats who can drive in runs. Right now we have either Molina or Rowand batting cleanup. That is pathetic!!!

[love_that_reefer]

New Edited Version of Wants and Needs: Clement was signed by the Cardinals. Players have been added.

Richie Sexson-1B: Sexson could be the diamond in the rough. He is coming off a horrible season and makes a lot of money so he won't cost much in a trade. We could possibly dump some salary like Aurilia on them if we take on some more salary. He made $14 mil last season and hit just .205/.295/.399 with 21 homers and just 63 RBI. He is owed $14 mil and is a FA after the 08 season. If he does well he can get him a good 3-4 year deal. I think he has a lot in the tank left and he still has an average of 37 HRs a season. Sexson won't cost a lot in a trade if we take on more salary of we can make a trade where they take on most of the salary. Either way it won't cost us anything of importance and gives us a big presence in this weak lineup. Oh yeah, he's right handed which is a huge plus in this ballpark. The Giants were interested in Sexson last season. Sexson would add power and protection to Rowand.

Brian Fuentes-RP: Fuentes has been on the market for some time now but I don't know why. Maybe they feel he will make too much for a setup guy since he is arbitration eligible. Fuentes will be a FA after the '08 season and will be 32 years old. Fuentes had a 3.08 ERA last season to go along with 20 saves. He posts a 3.53 ERA over seven seasons and has 398 SO's in 359 IP. Fuentes would add another proven lefty reliever to go along with Kline if he himself is not traded. Fuentes would battle Wilson for the closing role and give a boost to any bullpen. The biggest problem here is trading with the improving Rockies inside the division. Giants are a couple of seasons away and helping the Rockies improve doesn't help our cause. Giants should at least call and see what they want but looks like he will stay.

Xavier Nady-OF/1B: The Pirates were trying to move Nady but will not non-tender him. Nady could play LF, RF or 1B for the Giants. Giants could have a Nady/Ortmeier combo at first which could provide 30+ HRs from the position. It would be a major upgrade over Klesko but Nady hasn't played all that much at first. Nady had 20 homers, 72 RBI and a .278 BA last season in 125 games. Pirates look like they are going to hold on to Nady.

Chad Cordero- CL: The Giants are waiting for either Wilson, Walker or Hennessey to emerge as the next closer. I say why wait? Why not get a proven closer now? Cordero averages a 2.70 ERA and 29 saves a year. He had 37 saves last year for a team with a slightly weaker offense than ours. The Nationals are shopping him and we might have some attractive starters for them in Sanchez, Misch or Correia. Cordero will only be 26 years old next year and a proven closer. The Giants bullpen was one of the worst and had the most blowns saves. Matt Cain would love this idea I can promise you that. Cordero isn't a FA until 2010.

Hank Blalock- 3B: Last offseason I wanted the Giants to pursue him but they went with Feliz instead which they might do again this year. Blalock is coming off a season where he had rib surgery so he should be at full health come Opening Day. Blalock is under contract for 08 and has an option in 09 and comes very cheap in today's market. Blalock might have to move to first in a couple of years if we decided to extend him. Blalock averages 26 HRs and 97 RBI over a 162 game season and has a much better OBP than Feliz. Hank alos does well with RISP. He's a lefty who can't hit lefties so Aurilia can play against left handed pitching. Rangers pulled off Blalock trade talks so that causes a problem. Lincecum or Cain will not be in the deal which the Rangers will want. Blalock's road stats are also a downside. That said, Blalock is only 27 and provides more offense than Feliz.

Joe Crede- 3B: Crede is probably going to make around $5 mil next season, his last season before free agency so he is worth the risk. Crede averages 25 HRs and 85 RBI but doesn't his average is slightly better than Feliz's over a 162 games season. Crede is a good fielder and is a guy who should have won WS MVP back in 2005. He made great plays at third in big situations and also had some big hits. He doesn't walk a lot or strike out a lot so he puts the ball in play. Crede would be an ideal #5 hitters if we ever got some big boppers. Crede in a contract year would be worth the risk.

Tony Clark-1B: Clark is what the Giants love and that's old. Clark last year at the age of 35 hit 17 HRs in 221 ABs and drove in 51. Clark would help platoon with Ortmeier much like he did with Conor Jackson in Arizona. A one year deal should be all that is offered. With Clark and JT Snow working with Ortmeier, he should be ready to start everyday in 09 if the Giants choose to go that route. Clark shouldn't make that much which will help us save for next offseason or earlier at the trade deadline.

Eric Chavez-3B: Chavez thinks he will be traded and Beane does look like he is in rebuilding mode after trading Haren and Swisher. Chavez will come at a high price which the A's will have to eat. Chavez averages $11.5 mil through 2010 and hasn't been that prodcutive the last two seasons. I would prefer him over Brandon Inge who is another possibility at third. Chavez provides more offense than Feliz by averaging 29 HRs and 98 RBI a season plus he still plays good defense. Eric is right across the Bay so fans know who he is and will be reunited with Zito. Sabean needs to see if Chavez is available and for what.

[hot_corner_gurl]

From what I've heard, Chavez isn't going to be moved...yet. Beane wants to keep him as a mentor for the young guys (plus he's under contract until '10 I think), but he'd be willing to shop him around to see what he could get. I honestly don't think the Giants will sign him (yet), as he is recovering frorm 3 different surgeries and I dunno if they want to take a risk like that. Then again, they could surprise me.

[love_that_reefer]

Paul Konerko has been rumored to be on the block to the Angels. Konerko would be just the big bat the Giants would need and was a teammate with Rowand on the White Sox. Angels have a ton more to offer but they aren't as desperate as the Giants. Sabean should cal and see just what they are looking for.

[love_that_reefer]

Contract talks between the Giants and incumbent third baseman Pedro Feliz appear to be stalling. Sources said the team offered Feliz a contract of less than the three years he is believed to be seeking, and no deal was struck despite a deadline imposed by the team. Contract length appears to be one significant stumbling block. General manager Brian Sabean said last month he would agree to a deal of less than three years. Before the 2007 season ended, Feliz hinted he was hoping for a longer deal. A passing deadline does not necessarily mean Feliz is gone, but does mean that with five weeks before spring training, the Giants might have to intensify trade talks for Scott Rolen, Joe Crede or any other third baseman who might be available.

Giants just need to cut ties with Feliz. He is going to magically get better in SF. Rolen would add a fresh face and awesome defense. His shoulder would have to be top notch.

[love_that_reefer]

Otsuka will have surgery on his elbow so I took him off the wish lost. The only reliever really worth getting is now off the market. Dotel looks to be the best available reliever now.

[love_that_reefer]

Giants invited RHP Victor Santos, RHP Keiichi Yabu, RHP Bartolome Fortunato, C Steve Holm, C Pablo Sandoval, C Jackson Williams, INF Brian Bocock, INF Emmanuel Burriss, 1B Brett Harper, 3B Justin Leone, 1B Scott McClain, INF Ivan Ochoa, OF Ben Copeland, OF Brian Horwitz and OF Mike McBryde to spring training.
Santos is the best bet of the group to break camp with the Giants, but there isn't much upside there. Leone is probably the organization's best option at third base at the moment, but it's been four years since his last opportunity. Harper, a former Mets prospect, would be a deep sleeper at first if the Giants fail to upgrade.

In other news, the Astros signed Lance Niekro to a minor league contract. He could have been useful this year since we have only Aurilia and Ortmeier as first basemen.

[Yankee Man]

In other news, the Astros signed Lance Niekro to a minor league contract. He could have been useful this year since we have only Aurilia and Ortmeier as first basemen.

Why did the Giants let Niekro go? He was the best player they had to play first base!

[love_that_reefer]

Niekro could never hit at the MLB level and was always hurt. Niekro and Linden just never made the switch from AAA to the big leagues. Ortmeier has shown he can hit at the MLB level and even Bonds worked with him. Which brings me to this:

With 1B Chris Shelton's future uncertain, the Rangers are preparing to look at OF-DH Jason Botts, INF German Duran and possibly 3B Travis Metcalf as right-handed hitting backups to Ben Broussard. If Shelton, who was designated for assignment last week, clears waivers, he would be also be a strong candidate for the backup job.

Might as well sign this guy to a minor league deal. Ortmeier will hit from the left side, Shelton from the right. Shelton has power but just not consistent at all which is why the Rangers of all people are letting him go. Sign him and see what he can do.

Welcome to the forum Yankee Man and enjoy!!