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.