SB Nation - Julio Borbon

Tuesday a.m. Rangers things

Adam J. Morris — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:44:19 -0000

And the winter meetings continue...

Marlon Byrd turned down arbitration, and T.R. Sullivan writes that the Rangers have a "sliver of hope" that they can bring him back. Pudge Rodriguez will not be back, since he signed a 2 year, $6 million deal with the Nationals.

Jeff Wilson writes about the outfield alignment for next year, with Julio Borbon apparently slated to hit leadoff and play centerfield.

Richard Durrett says that there's a lot of talk about Kevin Millwood being shopped, but he doesn't think the Rangers will move him.

Sullivan says the D-Backs offered Chris Snyder for C.J. Wilson, and were politely told no.

There's also a story up about how popular the Rangers' pitching depth among other teams.

Interview with Derek Carty from The Hardball Times-Part 4

raygu — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:00:19 -0000

Here is the last part of the 4 part interview with Derek Carty from The Hardball Times. Derek provides some insight into his top 5 rankings and some early sleepers for 2010:

Fake Teams: Are there any statistics that you use to evaluate hitters or pitchers that aren't mainstream yet?

Derek Carty: Absolutely. As I've talked about a little bit already, there are some that aren't even super well-known in the sabermetric community because, well, I invented them myself and they aren't really readily available yet. I absolutely love CAPS, David Gassko's LIPS ERA is great, and True Home Runs for hitters is a favorite of mine as well. Chris Dutton and Peter Bendix's xBABIP is great too. And of course, things like BABIP and HR/FB and LOB% aren't really mainstream, but they are pretty well-known in the sabermetric community and are certainly important to look at.

More after the jump:

Fake Teams: Do you prefer auction leagues or straight draft leagues? Mixed or NL/AL-only leagues?

Derek Carty: Auction, without a doubt. It gives everyone a chance at every player and, I feel, allows you to be more creative with how you construct your team and with how you plan your strategy. I used to be a 100% in favor of mixed leagues over AL/NL-only (in theory), although LABR has swayed my opinion a bit (it was the first AL/NL-only league I ever played in). Still, I would have to lean towards something like a 14 or 15-team mixed league, given my druthers. I just feel that one or two big injuries to an AL or NL-only team can derail any hope of a championship, in some instances, and we really are in the infantile stages of trying to predict injuries, so it's not as if some of us can even gain much of a competitive advantage in the area. I was actually quite lucky in LABR this year when it came to the health of my players, which has surely colored my opinion of this league setup a bit. Aside from losing Ramon Hernandez for most of the year and Raul Ibanez, Rich Harden, and Carlos Ruiz for a few weeks, my team stayed pretty healthy. In other leagues, I wasn't as lucky. In the FSIC, for instance, Jose Reyes killed us (although we did manage to finish in second despite a Reyes/Garrett Atkins combo for our first two picks). I think a 15-team mixed league is a pretty good depth and minimizes the amount of luck involved.

Fake Teams: An early look at 2010-who is your top 5 players in NL-only leagues? AL-only leagues? Mixed?

Derek Carty: This'll have to be very early since I haven't completed my projections yet or really tried to make any 2010 predictions, but here's how I'm currently feeling (completely subjectively and without seeing some of the more in-depth numbers I like to look at).
NL: 1) Albert Pujols, 2) Hanley Ramirez, 3) Chase Utley, 4) Ryan Braun, 5) Matt Kemp
AL: 1) A-Rod, 2) Mark Teixeira, 3) Miguel Cabrera, 4)Evan Longoria, 5) Joe Mauer
Mixed: 1) Albert Pujols, 2) Hanley Ramirez, 3) Chase Utley, 4) A-Rod, 5) Ryan Braun

Fake Teams: If you have done this analysis, who are a few sleepers for 2010?

Derek Carty: I haven't really done this analysis yet, so I'll probably have some very different names when asked in a month or two. For now, let's go with Ian Stewart, Julio Borbon, Eric Young Jr., Dallas McPherson (consider him the next Russell Branyan if he finds playing time), Koji Uehara (potential Baltimore closer, though he could succeed as a SP as well), Brett Andersen, and Jorge de la Rosa. And, of course, whether someone is truly a sleeper or a value pick is entirely dependent on context. He'll only derive value if you take him in a round later than where you believe he truly belongs.

Fake Teams thanks Derek for taking the time to answer these questions for our readers.

BA's Rule 5 Preview

Adam J. Morris — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:51:29 -0000

In the subscriber section of BA, John Manuel has a Rule 5 preview up. This year's Rule 5 draft occurs a week from tomorrow, and Manuel offers scouting reports on 10 players who are potential selections, including Ranger prospect Chad Tracy. There are also 10 "other guys to watch" that Manuel just lists, which includes Ranger pitcher Brennan Garr, whose big right arm could entice someone to take a flyer on him.

Of the other guys listed, the most intriguing to me is Michael McBryde, a righthanded "tools" guy who put up a .295/.333/.410 line splitting time between AA and AAA, with 22 steals in 34 attempts. Total Zone has him at at least 20 runs above average (per 150 games) in centerfield in two of his four minor league seasons, including 2009, when he was +21 in AA.

Last year was, if not a "breakout" season, at least McBryde's best offensive year, and CHONE has him projected at .259/.300/.359 for 2010. If McBryde can provide plus defense and speed while putting up that sort of line -- and BA says that he's a 70 runner, with some scouts also grading him at 70 on defense and with his arm -- then he would seem to potentially have some value for the Rangers, since he would give the Rangers a righthanded hitter to spell Julio Borbon in center occasionally (assuming Borbon-in-CF is Plan A), along with someone who provides late inning defense and pinch running skills.

If Borbon is going to be the starting centerfielder, you probably need to have someone on the 25 man roster besides Josh Hamilton who is a viable defensive centerfielder. CHONE's projection has McBryde as -27 runs per 150 offensively for a centerfielder, but if he's above average defensively -- even just +10 runs defensively in CF per 150 -- then he's got some value as the 25th man who can give you 15 starts in centerfield against tough lefties that Borbon would sit against and a pinch running option late in games.

Anyway, the Rangers will probably select someone no one here has heard of, but with three open 40 man roster spots, a couple of guys in particular who seemed to be clinging to their 40 man spot by a thread recently, and little chance of signing a bunch of major league free agents, I would be surprised if the Rangers just passed on the Rule 5 Draft altogether.

Saturday a.m. Rangers things

Adam J. Morris — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:02:19 -0000

More photos » by Ted S. Warren - AP

2 months ago: Seattle Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki, right, walks to the dugout as Texas Rangers catcher Taylor Teagarden returns the ball after Suzuki struck out in the seventh inning of a MLB baseball game, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, at Safeco Field in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Browse more photos »

Two games to go. Texas has sole possession of second place locked up, and regardless of what happens the next two days, this season has to be viewed as a success.

Anthony Andro says it was the young Ranger hitters -- Julio Borbon, Taylor Teagarden, Elvis Andrus, and Chris Davis -- that led the way last night.

Brandon McCarthy got yanked in the fifth, and I was surprised he got pulled so soon, given that he appeared to be pitching okay and his pitch count wasn't that high. McCarthy apparently was surprised as well:

"I felt like I threw really well today," he said. "There were a few pitches here and there I’d like to have back, but for the most part there aren’t many pitches I wouldn’t throw going back at them again. I’m out there giving it my all and I’d love to have the confidence put in me."

Julio Borbon is going to play in center the next three games; meanwhile, Ron Washington says he doesn't expect Nelson Cruz to be able to play again this season because of his ankle. Washington indicated he didn't even bother to check with Cruz to see if he could go yesterday.

Among the coaches, only Mike Maddux has a contract for 2010, but Ron Washington says he wants everyone back next year.

Wednesday a.m. Rangers things

Adam J. Morris — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:22:47 -0000

More photos » by Chris Carlson - AP

2 months ago: Texas Rangers' Michael Young throws his batting helmet after striking out against the Los Angeles Angels during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Browse more photos »

Playing out the string, and guys continue to go down to injury. Marlon Byrd got pulled yesterday after injuring his hip, and Chris Davis missed yesterday's game with a hamstring injury.

Jim Reeves' game story notes that Scott Feldman is running out of gas, with Feldman having his second shaky outing in a row, although Ron Washington scolds Elvis Andrus as well for a mental error that cost Feldman two runs.

Marlon Byrd fell on his face running past first, and then almost collapsed going out to center field, resulting in Craig Gentry coming in and replacing him last night. With just 5 games left, I'd assume that Byrd is going to join Josh Hamilton on the "shut down for the year" list.

That could mean Julio Borbon getting some time in center field, except that Ron Washington says Borbon isn't playing center until the Rangers have clinched second place. Why Washington just doesn't come out and say Borbon isn't going to play center until the last day of the season, I don't know...I have to think there's some real reason that we are getting.

Jim Reeves says that the future of Neftali Feliz -- as starter or reliever -- is a key question for the offseason. He indicates Ron Washington, Mike Maddux, and Andy Hawkins all seem to prefer Feliz out of the bullpen, while Jon Daniels and Nolan Ryan see him as a starter.

Reeves also quotes Washington as saying that Feliz could impact "four or five games a week" as a reliever, and the idea of Washington going to Feliz five times a week out of the pen is enough for me to want to see him back in the rotation ASAP.

Derek Holland gets the start today, and he says he wants to end his season on a high note.

T.R. Sullivan writes that the Rangers show promise for 2010, and has a quote from Michael Young about the necessity of re-signing Marlon Byrd, along with Pudge Rodriguez saying he wants to come back to Texas next season.

Wednesday a.m. Rangers things

Adam J. Morris — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:26:23 -0000

by Mark Duncan - AP

3 months ago: Texas Rangers' Brandon McCarthy pitches against the Cleveland Indians during the second inning of the second game of a baseball doubleheader Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

View full size photo »

And Texas just keeps hanging on in the playoff race...

Jeff Wilson says rookies came up big yesterday, with Julio Borbon's two home run game being one of the big surprises.

Evan Grant notes that Marlon Byrd set a team record for most hits in one day, with 7 over the course of the doubleheader.

Wilson says the defense has been a strength of the team this year.

Elvis Andrus has a new hairstyle.

And Kevin Sherrington says that the Rangers' failure to make the playoffs is the Curse of Juan Gonzalez, since they haven't done anything since trading Juan after the 1999 season.

That Was Exciting: Twins 5, Rangers 3

Jesse — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:41:05 -0000

More photos » by Tom Olmscheid - AP

3 months ago: Minnesota Twins' Brendan Harris, bottom, slides home safely on a squeeze play as Texas Rangers catcher Ivan Rodriquez takes the throw during the eighth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 5-3. (AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)

Browse more photos »

Everyone okay?

Both teams had their share of headaches this afternoon. Hank Blalock running into Ivan Rodriguez in foul territory, Josh Hamilton dropping a ball in the gap, Nelson Cruz letting the ball get by him. Twice. Denard Span getting doubled off second base. Joe Nathan double-clutching to botch a double play. There were a lot of mistakes made; more than the fair share for one game.

The Twins still managed to pull it out.

Elvus Andrus singled to score Rodriguez in the third, but until the seventh inning it was the only damage Texas could land off of Scott Baker. Baker had a tight curve this afternoon, and mixing it in with some good movement on his fastball cruised through six innings. All six of Scott's strikeouts came between the second and the sixth, including a pair each for Blalock and Cruz. Even when he allowed base runners, Baker maintained control, and even though he tired in the seventh he gutted out seven great innings.

Jason Kubel had a great afternoon, including giving the Twins their first lead of the day on a frozen rope of a line drive into the right-center field gap that cleared the fence. It was Jason's 21st home run, scoring Justin Morneau who had doubled, and it gave the Twins a 2-1 lead. Oddly enough, Kubel's smash wasn't the highlight of the inning.

Now leading 2-1 and with two outs, Mike Redmond stepped up to the dish. Redmond, who has struggled for much of the season; Redmond, in twilight. Redmond, who until today, had not hit a triple since 2003.

A line drive into the left-center field gap snuck past Cruz just as Redmond rounded first, and as the ball trickled away along the base of the wall, Redmond treated 32,000 fans to something special. He was out of gas by the time he rounded first base, and by the time he turned the corner at second base you could see the mixture of pain and glory in those eyes. Six feet shy of third base Redmond ~~dove~~ belly flopped into the dirt to complete his triple. It energized the fans, it amused the Twins, and there's no doubt it's one of NBP's highlights of the year.

Baker had owned Cruz most of the game, but in the seventh there were some hard-hit balls. Ian Kinsler battled, earning a hard single on the ninth pitch of his plate appearance. Blalock smashed an inside fastball to right field, which Michael Cuddyer caught over his head. Then came Cruz, who homered into the same gap Kubel did, and gave the Rangers their second lead at 3-2.

Jon Rauch's debut was a successful one, giving up a two-out double to Marlon Byrd but logging a scoreless eighth inning with a pair of strikeouts. He did his job, and held the game where it was.

If you missed the bottom of the eighth inning after watching the rest of the game, I pity you. There are certain points in a season that seem pivotal, that are all at once beautiful and magical and perfect, and that's exactly what the bottom of the eighth inning was in today's game. With southpaw C.J. Wilson on the mound, Morneau led off the inning with a six-pitch walk. Gardy chose to leave Kubel in, in spite of his troubles against lefties, and Kubel rewarded his manager's faith with a solid single up the middle.

Cuddyer battled hard, but eventually went down swinging on a wicked slider. Brendan Harris, who had been hitless on the night, then took the first pitch he saw and singled through the hole on the left side of the field to tie the game. Redmond stepped in again, this time half-swinging on a chopper up the first base line. Blalock fielded the ball with no chance to get Redmond at first and went to the plate, where Carlos Gomez (pinch-running for Kubel) slid around the outside of the plate to give the Twins their second lead at 4-3. Nick Punto, who had doubled earlier, showed bunt the whole way and dropped down a brilliant one. No play was possible, Harris scored from third, and the Twins took a 5-3 lead.

It was a gorgeous inning, as entertaining as it was clutch, as it was perfect, and it could only be spoiled by Joe Nathan blowing it in the ninth. Which he nearly did.

Blalock walked and Cruz singled, but when Rodriguez hit a slow chopper right back to Nathan it looked like those mistakes were about to be erased. Nathan fielded, turned and had to double-clutch because nobody was yet covering second base. When he finally threw it was behind Punto, and just like that the bases were loaded with nobody out.

Then the game ended. If you blinked you missed it, but those 11 pitches seemed to take forever. Elvis Andrus down on three pitches; Julio Borbon flying out to Span (now in left); Michael Young grounding out.

This is a long, LONG recap, I know, but the game was over hours ago and I'm still excited by it. Rangers fans probably didn't enjoy the outcome, and it definitely wasn't the most fundamentaly sound contest but it was a great game to watch. The Tigers won, but the White Sox lost, meaning that for the moment our lead for second place in the division is slightly larger.

I could keep going. For now, I'm leaving it here.

Stars
Jason Kubel
Scott Baker
Nick Punto
Mike Redmond
Justin Morneau
Brendan Harris
Joe Nathan (in the end)

Pavano Good, Feldman Better, Rangers Blank Twins

Jesse — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 10:03:56 -0000

More photos » by Paul Battaglia - AP

3 months ago: Texas Rangers shortstop Omar Vizquel, right, throws to first to complete the double play after forcing out the Minnesota Twins' Michael Cuddyer during the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Battaglia)

Browse more photos »

Twins 0, Rangers 3. That was frustrating.

It was an early strike by the Rangers that did all the necessary damage on Saturday night. I'm glad I fell asleep during the fifth inning, because I'm pretty sure my frustration wouldn't have let me sleep.

Carl Pavano struck out Julio Borbon to start the game. Good start. Michael Young followed that up with a single and Josh Hamilton doubled into the left-center gap for a run scoring double on a liner just over the outstretched glove of Orlando Cabrera. It gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead three batters into the game, and ultimately it was all they'd need. Two batters later, Ian Kinsler kicked off his big game with a liner into center field to plate Hamilton, completing a two-run first for Texas.

In spite of Carlos Gomez slipping twice in the outfield, Pavano had a solid night. After those two runs scored, he settled in, largely kept Texas off the bases and tallied a few strikeouts.

The offense blanked itself last night as much as the Rangers did it to them. In the first, Joe Mauer grounded into a double play to end the inning. Brendan Harris grounded into another one in the second to end a possible threat. Harris doubled to lead off the fifth but was stranded there. Cabrera and Mauer ended up on second and third with one out in the sixth--Scott Feldman got Jason Kubel to pop out before Neftali Feliz got Michael Cuddyer to strike out on a wicked curveball low and away. Gameday insists it was in the strike zone, but I don't believe it.

After the sixth the Twins were retired in order, nine up and nine down. Feliz knocked them down in the seventh, C.J. Wilson pitched a perfect eighth and Frank Francisco looked every bit the stud while striking out Morneau, Kubel and Cuddyer to lock it up.

Chicago and Detroit did the Twins a favor by losing on Saturday, but these are the games this team needs to be winning. Saturday was a gift day, and it went to waste.

Sunday is another day, and another chance to win. I'll see you for the game.

Stars
#3: Jesse Crain (1.1 IP, 1 K 0 R, .048 WPA)
#2: Orlando Cabrera (0-for-2, 2 BB, .018 WPA)
#1: Carl Pavano (6 IP, 6 H, 7 K, 1 BB, 2 R, .058 WPA)

Duds
Justin Morneau -- Not a good day at the dish.
Alexi Casilla -- A pair of strikeouts, also nicht good.
Jose Mijares -- Gave up a home run to Ivan Rodriguez.

Texas Rangers Top 20 PRE-SEASON Prospects in Review

John Sickels — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:00:12 -0000

More photos » by Tony Gutierrez - AP

Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus, (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Browse more photos »

Texas Rangers Top 20 PRE-SEASON Prospects in Review

This list was originally published December 18, 2008. This is a REVIEW of the PRE-SEASON list for 2009, not a revision of that list. This is a REVIEW of the old list. I'm not doing new grades or lists until I start working on the 2010 book.

1) Neftali Feliz, RHP, Grade A: 3.49 ERA with 75/30 K/BB in 77 innings for Oklahoma City, 0.55 ERA with an amazing 21/1 K/BB in 16 innings in the majors so far. An outstanding young pitcher.

2) Justin Smoak, 1B, Grade A-: Excellent in Double-A (.328/.449/.481), not so good in Triple-A (.240/.359/.350). Hampered by a strained oblique. I think he'll be fine.

3) Elvis Andrus, SS, Grade A-: Hitting .269/.334/.384 with 24 steals in 26 attempts for the Rangers. Looks like he'll be an excellent player to me.

4) Derek Holland, LHP, Grade B+: 4.95 ERA with 86/35 K/BB in 109 innings for the Rangers, 118 hits allowed. He was rushed, but is holding his own.

5) Taylor Teagarden, C, Grade B: Hitting .194/.263/.375 in 144 at-bats for the Rangers. I think if he got regular playing time that he'd do a lot better than this.

6) Julio Borbon, OF, Grade B: .307/.367/.386 with 25 steals for Oklahoma City, hitting .415/.478/.537 with nine steals in 14 major league games. That won't last, but he's made a lot of progress refining his tools.

7) Engel Beltre, OF, Grade B: Hitting .227/.281/.317 with 17 steals in 24 attempts for Class A Bakersfield. Great tools, but still very very raw.

8) Michael Main, RHP, Grade B: 7.33 ERA with 45/36 K/BB in 54 innings for Bakersfield. On rehab assignment in rookie ball right now. Disappointing season.

9) Max Ramirez, C, Grade B: hitting .234/.310/.332 for Oklahoma City, hampered by a wrist injury all year.

10) Martin Perez, LHP, Grade B-: 2.31 ERA with 105/33 K/BB in 94 innings for Class A Hickory. Promoted to Double-A at age 18, pitched poorly in his first two starts but well in the third.

11) Kasey Kiker, LHP, Grade B-: 3.86 ERA with 120/66 K/BB in 126 innings for Double-A Frisco, 108 hits. Very good stuff, command is still erratic.

12) Neil Ramirez, RHP, Grade C+: 4.33 ERA with 47/36 K/BB in 60 innings for Hickory, 50 hits. I thought he was a breakthrough candidate, but it hasn't happened. Components aren't too impressive at this point.

13) Guillermo Moscoso, RHP, Grade C+: 3.27 ERA with 90/29 K/BB in 107 innings between Frisco and Oklahoma City. I think he can be a useful swingman type.

14) Kennil Gomez, RHP, Grade C+: 5.71 ERA with 118/63 K/BB in 123 innings for Bakersfield, 140 hits. Not exactly a great season, but still has interesting potential.

15) Blake Beavan, RHP, Grade C+: 4.42 ERA with 28/11 K/BB in 79 innings for Frisco, 102 hits. He throws strikes and is just 20 years old, but his K/IP is very low and he gives up a huge number of hits.

16) Wilfredo Boscan, RHP, Grade C+: 3.35 ERA with 58/16 K/BB in 97 innings for Hickory, 95 hits. Good command, strikeout rate is low, just 19 years old.

17) Tim Murphy, LHP, Grade C+: 7.24 ERA with 82/53 K/BB in 123 innings for Bakersfield, 175 hits. I thought he'd do a lot better than this. Even considering California League environment, this is pretty dismal.

18) Wilmer Times New Roman Font, RHP, Grade C+: 3.32 ERA with 92/53 K/BB in 95 innings for Hickory, 80 hits. Just 19, loads of potential but sneeds to sharpen command.

19) Tommy Hunter, RHP, Grade C+: 2.85 ERA with 41/22 K/BB in 66 innings for the Rangers. Can't complain about that.

20) Eric Hurley, RHP, Grade C+: His arm fell off.

21) Robbie Ross, LHP, Grade C+: 2.98 ERA with 68/16 K/BB in 63 innings for short-season Spokane. Looks like a breakthrough guy for 2010. Note 3.41 GO/AO ratio.

22) Omar Poveda, RHP, Grade C+: 4.45 ERA with 59/46 K/BB in 115 innings for Frisco, 119 hits. Don't like the low strikeout rate.

23) Joe Wieland, RHP, Grade C+: 5.52 ERA with 63/21 K/BB in 73 innings for Hickory, 91 hits. Throws strikes, gets some grounders, just 19, could still develop.

24) Jose Vallejo, 2B, Grade C+: hitting .248/.291/.324 between Frisco, Oklahoma City, and Round Rock, just traded to Astros. Not too impressive this year with the bat, but a slick glove.

The Rangers entered 2009 with an outstanding farm system. Andrus has been terrific all season, Feliz and Borbon have been awesome since being promoted, and Holland is coming along nicely considering that he was rushed pretty fast. I still think Teagarden could be a very good player if given a full opportunity. Injuries have hampered the development of Smoak, Ramirez, and some of the pitchers, but there is still a lot to like here even with the graduation of Andrus and Holland beyond rookie status. The failure to sign Matt Purke in the 2009 draft hurts, and I'm not sure what is going on with Tanner Scheppers, with rumors that he could end up in Japan. The club needs to resolve its financial problems, but clearly the baseball development personnel know what they are doing if given the resources.

Marlon Byrd likely to leave via free agency

Eli Greenspan — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:58:25 -0000

More photos » by ED ZURGA - AP

Browse more photos »

The Rangers' crowded outfield situation has not changed in anyway over the course of the season, which could mean the end for impending free agent Marlon Byrd in Texas.

The team controls the contracts of Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, David Murphy and rookie Julio Borbon. Byrd's situation is different. He's making a little more than $3 million this year, which is a lot for a team that's watching every dollar.

Byrd is hitting .283 with 15 home runs and a .325 on-base percentage, 15 points below his career average. He is striking out more and walking less, but both home runs and RBIs are up.

Byrd will likely command 6-8 million dollars annually. The Giants would be a good fit for Byrd. The corner outfield spots are definitely up for grabs, and the Giants probably can't afford a huge contract. Taking a low cost chance on Byrd could really pay off for them.