Couldn't resist, sorry guys.

1. Resign Aubrey Huff, Pat Burrell, and Juan Uribe

2. Trade Aaron Rowand, Jeremy Affeldt, and Travis Ishikawa for Chone Figgins

3. Outbid for and sign Tsuyoshi Nishioka

Not sure if we have the salary cap to resign all of the big 3 with the growing market demand.  Also not sure if Seattle would consider eating that much salary and/or giving up Figgins for that return.  Lastly, not sure if we'll be able to afford adding Nishioka, especially for a platoon/utility role.  But a boy can dream, right?

If we can though, I do feel like this would be an absolutely dynamite lineup, with a ton of positional flexibility and more than capable backups at every  position.  I think it will be important for the Giants to guard against the fragility and potential/probable regression of their veterans. 

3B Chone Figgins

2B Freddie Sanchez

C Buster Posey

1B Aubrey Huff

LF Pat Burrell

SS Juan Uribe

RF Cody Ross

CF Andres Torres

Eli Whiteside

Pablo Sandoval

Tsuyoshi Nishioka

Mark DeRosa

Nate Schieurholtz

What are everyone's thoughts on Tsuyoshi Nishioka?  From what I've read, he's a speedy, young shortstop with a decent glove and some pop.  He's also mentioned his desire to play on the West Coast and specifically mentions San Francisco.  Of course it'll come to what type of posting fee/contract would be needed to land him, as well as how well his numbers/skills translate to MLB ball, but I thought it'd at least be something worth discussing.  

First and foremost, congratulations to all!  Couldn't be happier, and I'm sure you're all with me.  Who's going to be at the parade tomorrow?

Doesn't seem like the Giants are going to need to add a lot this offseason to be right back in contention next year.  In the second half of this year the Giants were 51-30, and, over the course of an entire season, I see no reason why this team can't turn around a 100+ win season next year.  More so than power, I feel like the team's achilles heal is still their overall lack of speed.  Would love to see either Jason Bartlett or Chone Figgins in the 2011 opening day roster.

Jason Bartlett

should be had for a B level prospect, and could fill our everyday SS position.  He should be able to add a .330 OBP and 20-30 steals to the offense, and we all saw in Burrell (excuse the playoffs) how a guy can take his game to the next level playing in his hometown. 

Chone Figgins

has lost favor in Seattle and has a team unfriendly contract.  But what about an Aaron Rowand + b prospect for Chone Figgins deal?  I don't see both Schieurholtz and Rowand on the roster in 2011, and I think we'd all prefer the former.  If we can do a bad contract for bad contract, we might just find ourselves with a goldmine.  Figgins brings a.340+ OBP and 40+ steals, and could turn money allocated towards a marginal bench player into a contributing starter.  Plus it'll allow us to keep Nate on the roster, which with DeRosa coming back, I don't see possible with Rowand taking up a space.  Figgins could play 3rd (and provide positional flexibility) with Uribe at SS.

First and foremost, congratulations to all.  Still a bit in shock myself.  Giants Victory = Crown Royal.

With homefield advantage, we'll be playing games 3-5 in Texas, which means DH.  Who do you all think will be DHing for us in the series?  Pablo Sandoval seems like the odd man, does he get the DH starts?  Aaron Rowand?  Is there a chance that Jose Guillen makes this round's roster to take over the duties?  Here's a long shot, in early september the front office was threatening a post season return of Mark DeRosa.  Is there a chance we see him starting as a DH in any game?  Ishikawa at first with Huff as the DH?  Speaking of defensive replacements, what about Schieurholtz in RF, Ross in LF, and Pat Burrell as our DH?  Would love to hear everyone's thoughts on this.

We're in the fuckin world series!

Call this a two part post: First, who would you like to see in the hole for the Giants in 2011?

**Hint: The only wrong answer starts with an Edgar, and ends in disappointment

Second, I'd like to interject my opinion.  I love the speed that Torres has brought to the lineup and would love to see the trend to continue.  Based on the glut of OF it looks like we'll have in 2011, I assume that speed will have to come from the infield.  What do you think the chances are that we land Jose Reyes in the offseason.  Seems like the Mets are fed up with the injuries, and it seems like Reyes could use a change of scenary.  Would love to see one of the most electric players in the game at the top of our lineup.  Obviously all contingent on the Mets not exercising their option, which is a big question mark in itself.  Thoughts?

SS Jose Reyes

CF Andres Torres

C Buster Posey

1B Aubrey Huff

LF Pat Burrell

RF Cody Ross

3B Pablo Sandoval/Juan Uribe

2B Freddie Sanchez

So I've tried not to rosterbate over the past couple weeks...but it came out in my sleep anyway.  Here's a fresh creamy batch of rosterbation for you all to pick apart and defile.  Enjoy:

Trade for Ryan Doumit

Sign Xavier Nady

Resign Juan Uribe

I know these aren't the splashy moves we all want, but maybe they're exactly what the Giants need: signing contributing players with positional flexibility to short term, budget friendly contracts.  The Pirates seem willing to trade any of their established contributors for any minor leaguer with a pulse (see Nate McLouth), and Xavier Nady could be had for a short term, high incentive based deal.  Based on the dwindling market for Mark DeRosa, I can only assume that Juan Uribe will also be negatively affected and could be had for a fair price.  Assuming the Dodgers don't make any serious upgrades (doesn't look like it), the Giants seem to be only moderate upgrades away from the postseason; in which they should shine - compliments of our pitching staff.  I already think our offense will be better than last year (addition by subtraction: Randy Winn), and I feel like the above mentioned moderate upgrades might just be enough to push our offense into the realm of respectability.  I'd much rather see a few situational players added that make the team better as a whole, rather than a single player locking up several millions and several years and putting further strain on our longer term payroll flexibility.  Nick Johnson was not our savior.  Chone Figgins was not our savior.  Milton Bradley was definately not our savior.  But they would have been paid like they were, so realistically I'm glad they're gone.  Worst case scenario, a guy like Nady doesn't work out: we don't pay him much and he's gone after the year.  Best case scenario, he's a contributing player in 2010 and potentially beyond. 

Furthermore, the above mentioned additions give our team a covetable amount of positional flexibility.  I believe this opens up some great position battles and will better enable the Giants to put the best eight on the field, rebound from injuries, and accomodate any "breakout players" (ie Bowker realizing his potential, Posey getting a midseason callup):

C Ryan Doumit/Buster Posey

1B Travis Ishikawa/John Bowker/Xavier Nady/Ryan Doumit/Pablo Sandoval

2B Freddie Sanchez/Eugenio Velez/Juan Uribe

3B Pablo Sandoval/Juan Uribe

SS Edgar Renteria/Juan Uribe

LF Eugenio Velez/Andres Torres/Xavier Nady/John Bowker/Freddie Lewis/Ryan Doumit

CF Aaron Rowand/Andres Torres/Nate Schieurholtz

RF Nate Schieurholtz/Xavier Nady/Andres Torres

I think that the addition of Ryan Doumit and Xavier Nady, as well as the reinstatement of Juan Uribe, would be a marginal offensive upgrade over Bengie Molina and Randy Winn.  That, combined with the further development of the Giants young players (specifically Sandoval) and the weak NL West, should be enough to take us to the 2010 playoffs.  It will also provide multiple position players and positional upgrades within our limited budget, and cover us against season ruining injuries.  Lastly, it will give the Giants another year to evaluate their young talent and make better personnel decisions next offseason.  Thanks for reading.

LF Andres Torres/Eugenio Velez

2B Freddie Sanchez

1B Pablo Sandoval

3B Juan Uribe

RF Xavier Nady

C Ryan Doumit

CF Aaron Rowand

SS Edgar Renteria

And if the Giants ever get over their man crush on Velez and Renteria...

LF Fred Lewis

2B Freddie Sanchez

3B Pablo Sandoval

SS Juan Uribe

1B Xavier Nady

C Ryan Doumit

CF Aaron Rowand

RF Nate Schieurholtz/Andres Torres

Which, if any, non tendered player should the Giants consider signing? 

My vote is for Kelly Johnson.  He can play anywhere around the IF (and LF), and is one year removed from back to back .350+ OBP and .800+ OPS seasons.  He should also be good for a dozen or so dingers and SBs.  He never quite got going last year and was replaced by Martin Prado in the starting Atlanta lineup, but I think that Johnson should still be able to put up a respectable line.  He can most likely be had for little to nothing, and would serve as a top notch super utility option off the bench.  Could be the Juan Uribe of 2010.

PS: I did  not include Ryan Garko on this list.  Don't get me wrong, I'm upset about the decision, but it seems like that rant has been pretty thoroughly covered in another post.

Man, I'm sure you guys are going to tear me apart for this one, but I had the idea of the Braves making the trade for Freddie Lewis or Juan Pierre.  Maybe it's because I'm from California, but I feel like both players would have their place in Atlanta.  Argument below:

For whatever reason Brucy Bochy absolutely hates Fred Lewis.  Case in point: Randy Winn, Nate Schieurholtz, and Eugenio Velez ALL got more at bats in 2009 than Lewis, despite Lewis having a superior line.  Furthermore, Brian Sabean and Bochy have come out and already said that Andres Torres and Eugenio Velez will be the LF platoon for SF in 2010.  It seems pretty clear that Lewis is the odd man out, and could be had for little more than a bag of baseballs and a Kelly Clarkson album.  Lewis will provide a decent OBP and above average speed for the position until one of the Jason's is ready.  Once they are, Lewis will serve as an above average 4th outfield option.  If he doesn't work out for the Braves, he will not bogg down the salary cap and, well to be frank, I don't like Kelly Clarkson anyway. 

Derek Lowe for Juan Pierre?  The Dodgers need pitching and Lowe's obviously pitched well for them in the past.  Seems like a reasonable swap of bad contracts.  Again, Pierre would add an above average speed and OBP element to the Braves game.  They'd also save what, 25mm over the course of the next 3 years? 

Either Lews or Pierre could replace McLouth at the top of the lineup, and allow him to slip into a run producing spot in the lineup.  Also, because of the money saving element of either deal, we'd be in a better position to resign Adam LaRoche.

Now, before any of you guys jump down my throat on this one, I'll be the first to admit that I'd rather have a Mike Cameron in the OF, too, but I'm concerned that that would hurt our chances for respectable production from the 1B position.  I'd rather have Lewis/Pierre and LaRoche over Cameron and, I don't know, Nick Johnson?  Basically the same offensive production only younger, cheaper, and with less injury risk. 

All this, btw, is on the assumption that Soriano doesn't accept arbitration.  Who saw that one coming?  If he does accept, would anyone else rather see them trade Wagner than Soriano?  For the same price, I'll take the guy who's the sure bet.  Too many ?'s with Wagner's age and injury recovery.  Oh yea, if we make the trade for Lewis or Pierre, we could most likely afford to keep Soriano...not bad, huh? 

Oh no! Rosterbation!  I know it's against the "talking chop" code of conduct, but hopefully you'll agree that I've raised enough points, good or bad, to merit this being a fanpost:

RF Freddie Lewis/Juan Pierre

2B Martin Prado

3B Chipper Jones

C Brian McCann

CF Nate McLouth

1B Adam LaRoche

SS Yunel Escobar

LF Matt Diaz

Bullpen:

Peter Moylan

Takashi Saito

Rafael Soriano

Billy Wagner

Last thing, on a non-baseball note, if any of you play the market, watch XMDC and ADLS, both should be moving in the next week or two.  Feel free to do your own DD for validation of that.  Maybe we can all get filthy rich and buy the Braves ourselves, or at least some nice Christmas presents.


Thanks for your time all, hope everyone's Christmas season is a merry one. 

So it looks like Bengie won't be back, and Posey's going to start the year in AAA.  It's still clear that Posey will be our catcher by or before 2011, but who should be our backstop come opening day?  Do we sign another decent powered, low OBP option like Rod Barajas or Miguel Olivo?  Make the trade for a Ryan Doumit or Chris Snyder?  Sit tight with Eli Whiteside?  Let the battle begin...

I apologize if this has already been discussed, but I thought we could talk about the Braves remaining free agents and the potential of arbitration and compensation picks.  Below is a list of our 4 Type A and B free agents for this offseason, as well as the minimum qualifying arbitration offer (80% of 2009 salary) and the provided draft pick compensation should this player depart for free agency.:

Garret Anderson - 2,000,000 - 1 Supplemental Round Draft Pick

Gotta let him go.  At 2mm a year, Anderson would most likely accept arbitration, and we'd be stuck with an injury proned, overpriced 4th OF.

Mike Gonzalez - 2,760,000 - 1 First or Second* Round Draft Pick, 1 Supplemental Round Draft Pick

A great candidate for arbitration, he'll naturally decline.  If he winds up resigning with the Braves, we'll have stabilized the back of the bullpen.  If he departs, we'll be 2 draft picks richer. 

Adam LaRoche - 5,640,000 - 1 Supplemental Round Draft Pick

If he accepts, great.  We've got a strong 1st Baseman at a fair market price for another year while Freeman develops.  If he declines and the Braves can't renegotiate a contract with him, we'll be the beneficiary of a supplemental round draft pick.

Rafael Soriano - 5,080,000 - 1 First or Second* Round Draft Pick, 1 Supplemental Round Draft Pick

See Gonzalez.

Most likely, the team will be resigning 1-2 of our 4 Type A/Type B free agents.  With the rest of them walking, we should be able to pick up 1-3 additional 1st and supplemental round draft picks. 

* It's a First Round Pick if the free agent's new team finished in the top 14 of the standings It's a Second Round Pick if they finished in the bottom 16 of the standings

Couple questions on this one:

I know Sabean came out and non officially nixed the Bradley for Rowand deal, but was that because of his disinterest in Bradley? Or his infatuation with Rowand?  If the latter, this whole post is mute and I apologize.

Does anyone know the length of Pierre's contract?  I thought it was up at the end of this year which, if that's the case, would save the Giants the 10mm we owe Rowand for 2011.

Is this trade doable?  Would either team need to absorb salary or include mid level prospects? 

Can anyone stomach a trade with Dodger Ewww?

Is this trade worth it?  On one hand, we get the speed and OBP.  On the other, we get stuck with Pierre's defense and we lose Rowand's Grrrrr Sabean Grit.

Why do I feel like I'm going to be eaten alive on this one?

What's this?  Some Rosterbation?

LF Juan Pierre

C Buster Posey

2B Freddie Sanchez

3B Pablo Sandoval

CF Mike Cameron

1B Ryan Garko/Travis Ishikawa

RF Nate Schieurholtz/Andres Torres/John Bowker/Eugenio Velez/Freddie Lewis

SS Edgar Renteria

Bench:

Yorvit Torrelba

Juan Uribe (Did I just go over budget?)

Who should the Giants try and acquire to play OF in 2010?  I think if there is one thing we can all agree on, it is that the Giants need some help in the OF.  Below is a poll of at least most of the popular names brought up in recent posts on the subject.  I have excluded Matt Holliday and Jason Bay to flatten out the curve.  Sorry to all if I left someone off.

This past offseason, the Giants struck pay dirt with the signing of Juan Uribe to a relatively low cost contract.  In exchange, Uribe exceeded expectations and was arguably the best acquisition of the offseason (fair due credit to Jeremy Affedlt).  With many positions likely up for grabs on the 2010 roster, who would you like to see the Giants sign to a low risk, high incentive styled contract?  Who do you think will be the Juan Uribe of 2010?

Hey guys, So Freddie Sanchez will be a starter in a San Francisco Giant uniform in 2010.  So will Pablo Sandoval.  Love it or hate it, the two will be making up half of our infield next year.  How do we see the rest of the offensive lineup shaping up?  Thoughts on resigning Bengie Molina?  Juan Uribe?  First/Third Base?  Corner outfield spots? Aaron Rowand/ Milton Bradley?  #5 Spot in Rotation?  Noah Lowry?  Free agent wish list?  Starting 2010 lineup preditions/ aspirations: