There have been a lot of threads recently about signing a relatively big-name middle infielder. As is probably clear from my comments, I don't like the idea at all. Everybody seems to think I'm crazy to want to play Burriss, so I'll talk a little about why.

$$$-San Francisco is a big market team-kind of. Ultimately, payroll is going to be what Neukom says it will be. At the moment, I'm working from the assumption that we'll probably be around $90-100mil next year. According to Grant's nifty spreadsheet from a few days ago, 77mil is committed to next year, and 44 commmitted in 2010. Realistically, that leaves us around 13-23million more to spend on FA's for next year, and much more in 2010. If we sign Furcal, we're committing around 12mil for a leadoff hitter, which we already have in Winn or Lewis. This takes us to 90mil, which leaves maybe 10 to spend on next year. We probably can't get the 'middle of the order bat' we so desperately need, if we spend money on a middle infielder.

Our middlie infield prospects: Burriss, Frandsen, and Velez. 2008. Velez-nobody likes him, but I love the guy. His glove is still a bit scary, but his bat came a long way last year. His August line was .300/.317/.475/.792, and his September line was .341/.367/.458/.825. He was a completely different batter after his stint in Fresno. He has a great winter ball line, but only played five games. Not sure why he isn't playing. Franny didn't have a 2008, but we all know what he did in the minors and in 07. He has put up a respectable .331/.392/.421/.813 in Zona's fall league. Burris had a good season, and really blossomed when he was given playing time. He hit .299/.402/.345/.747 in August. He got hurt and didn't play as much or as well in Sept.  Franny and Burris have poor power numbers, but get on base well and play good defense. Velez has a scary glove in the field, but he's speedy, and his power numbers really jumped late in the season.

I would really like to see us platoon the three guys. There should be 1200+ AB's to be had from 2nd and SS. I'd love to see the G's aim to give each guy 400+ AB's. If one of the guys falls off a cliff, then it's down to two players. If two or more of the guys are deemed a failure at the end of 2009, we can sign a FA or trade for middle infield help knowing more about our farm system and with considerably more payroll flexibility.

What I'd like to see the Giants do this offseason? Sign another reliever or two. Then, sign Jason Giambi to a 2-3 year deal at 10-15 million a year that is incentive heavy. He's on the decline, but he can still wallop the ball, and he will still get on base. I think he has a floor of around .250/.350/.450/.800, and he should hit at least 20 homers. I think a line of .260/.375/.475/.850, with 25 homers and near 100 RBI's is most likely.  Put a lot of incentives into the contract so that if he's hurt, we're not out a ton of money. We should absolutely be able to squeeze a reliever and Giambi into 15-20mil of contract next year.

I think signing Giambi makes a lot of sense. He gives us a power hitter, and would probably sign a short term contract. Give him 2-3 years, and he'll take us right up to the Angel Villalona era.

Anyway, I doubt this will be a popular idea. But I honestly think it'sa good compromise of playing youngsters, keeping our eye on the horizon, and improving in the short term. It's no more risky than signing an aging, fragile middle infielder, and it shores up our weakest point-power hitting. I see Giambi as about as risky as Furcal, but with more upside for our particular team. It also doesn't compromise our future by blocking Villalona (ala Winn/Rowand with Nate) or losing draft picks.