Good News, Bad News

[love_that_reefer]

Let's start with the bad. According the mlb.com, the Giants have ramped up interest in Bobby Howry who was not offered arbitration by the Cubs meaning he will not cost any draft picks. Howry is coming off his worst year in five seasons. The only bright spot is that he won't demand a raise over his $4.5 million salary from last year where he had an ERA of 5.35. Howry is also 34 years old.

Also in the bad news but not as bad is ESPN.com thinks Renteria will be a Giants as soon as the end of the week. Guess what? I agree. Renteria is going to be cheaper than Furcal and a huge upgrade from last year. Hudson is being sought after by many teams and the Giants think they can get Renteria. Best go for the sure thing. ESPN.com also suggests the Giants could then package Burriss in a trade. Giants best hold onto Burriss and try him at second. It is not certain that Frandsen will return to form. Plus Frandsen can always try third base as a new home.

Finally, the good news. The Giants have added some more scouts with good credentials! This is from mlb.com:

the Giants added John Castleberry, Joe Salermo, Ron Merrill and Mike Metcalf to their scouting staff. Castleberry, who becomes the Giants' Northeast scouting supervisor, signed Joey Votto, who was second in last month's National League Rookie of the Year balloting, while working for the Reds. Salermo, who assumes the role of Latin America cross-checker, worked for the Mets' scouting department when they drafted talented prospects such as Scott Kazmir, Lastings Milledge and David Wright.

[Bear]

The bad news really sucks including the signing of Renteria. Howry will be of little use and Renteria will come here to retire. These moves suck!!

[love_that_reefer]

I agree they aren't the best but they are huge upgrades from last year. Renteria best bring his NL #'s to AT&T. He hasn;t had a BA under .280 in the NL since 2001. I don't know what it is but Renteria's offense AND defense is far better in the NL than the AL.

1. Lewis
2. Renteria
3. Winn
4. Rowand
5. Sandoval
6. Molina
7. Ishikawa
8. Burriss

That looks a lot better than last year's Opening Day Lineup

[BoSox34]

I think the Renteria signing for the Giants, if it happens, will be a good move depending on the salary/year(s) he will be given. And I agree with you Reefer, it's safer to go for the marginal upgrade (Renteria) that you know you can get rather than chasing the substantial upgrade (Furcal) and potentially losing out.

[Bear]

I agree they aren't the best but they are huge upgrades from last year. Renteria best bring his NL #'s to AT&T. He hasn;t had a BA under .280 in the NL since 2001. I don't know what it is but Renteria's offense AND defense is far better in the NL than the AL.

1. Lewis
2. Renteria
3. Winn
4. Rowand
5. Sandoval
6. Molina
7. Ishikawa
8. Burriss

That looks a lot better than last year's Opening Day Lineup

I know you are trying to look for the upside of things but if this is the lineup I will not be happy. Youth must be served.

[love_that_reefer]

Youth is being served! Sandoval, Burriss, Lewis, Ishikawa, Burriss and Frandsen will all be keys to the offense not to mention Romo, Lincecum, Cain and Hinshaw pitching. Giants must get a big bat! The West is wide open and the Giants have no reason not to go for it, just like last year when Bochy botched it!

[cjkalt]

Youth is being served! Sandoval, Burriss, Lewis, Ishikawa, Burriss and Frandsen will all be keys to the offense not to mention Romo, Lincecum, Cain and Hinshaw pitching. Giants must get a big bat! The West is wide open and the Giants have no reason not to go for it, just like last year when Bochy botched it!

Does this imply that you think the Giants have a chance to win the division? I can't see them passing LAD and/or AZ

[love_that_reefer]

If the Giants make the right moves (add more bullpen depth and a power bat) I can definitely see them contending next year. AZ, SD and COL are all cutting payroll and losing players. LAD wasn't that great last year and they have lost some keys guys. It is wide open and if Bochy and Sabean made smart decisions last year, they could have been contenders then. The NL West was weak last year and so far it has already lost Matt Holliday and on the verge of losing Jake Peavy. Jury is out on guys like Dunn, Manny, Lowe, Hudson and a few choice others.

[Bear]

I agree they aren't the best but they are huge upgrades from last year. Renteria best bring his NL #'s to AT&T. He hasn;t had a BA under .280 in the NL since 2001. I don't know what it is but Renteria's offense AND defense is far better in the NL than the AL.

1. Lewis
2. Renteria
3. Winn
4. Rowand
5. Sandoval
6. Molina
7. Ishikawa
8. Burriss

That looks a lot better than last year's Opening Day Lineup

I would look for upgrades for Renteria, Rowand & Ishikawa. JMO

[love_that_reefer]

There is a rumor of the Giants shopping Rowand but I think we should hold onto him. He will be forced to move to left in a few years anyway. Only upgrade out there for Renteria is Furcal and he wants more money and more years. I agree with Ishikawa but he should get a bench job.