We all want to win, we all want to go to the playoffs.  But it seems to me this is not the year to pull out the stops and make major trades in an effort to get to the playoffs. 

  I think the Giants have shown vision - a plan - over the past 3/4 years and it is starting to pay dividends - even if a little early.  The fact that we are winning here in '09 should not lead us to go for broke this year.  In fact, in my opinion, we have so many unanswered questions, we should continue to give our young players experience and evaluate them  - and, in that context, try to get to the playoffs - ie without any trades.  I think, as we look ahead to '10, '11, '12, it is important to see which of our many near prospects can be productive MLB players.  Bringing in a "Bat" only takes away ABs for guys like Ishi, Schierholtz, Lewis, Frandsen, Downs, Bowker.  I would rather clear space to get these guys as much playing time as possible over the next three months, which will allow us to make judgments about 1b, 2b, LF, RF.  As an aside, I think we will be every bit as competitive with these guys playing as we are likely to be with whoever we are likely to end up with in trade.  This prepares us much more for the coming off season as we will have a much better idea which positions we have covered and we will still be in possession of our prospects (trading chips) and cash.

to read on the S F Giants team blog that 1) the Giants are serious and expect to entertain C C in S F next weekend and, 2) they are, compared to what is available (Cantu, EE, Blalock, etc), inclined to keep Sanchez and go with Pablo and TI.  All thi ngs considered, it se ems pr etty inte lligent, for ward loo king, and sane.  Hurrah.

  I would be happy to go into ST with this team (with or without C C)

Ishi-K is quoted in the Chron (Shea's article tomorrow):

"I'm just maturing as a hitter," said Ishikawa, whose approach is noticeably improved from his first go-round with the Giants. "When I came up two years ago, even though I had some good at-bats, I felt like a deer in the headlights. I just hoped the ball would find the bat."

Interesting and encouraging.  Wouldn't it be fantastic if this guy is really ready???

No, this is not my rant that Sabean didn't trade Omar for Manny, David Wright, CC Sabathia, AND Evan Longoria. 

I was going to drive down to S D to see the G I A N T S - but you know who is pitching...  Let's see, 150 mi RT + 300 mi @ 20 MPG = 15 gal @ $4 / gal + parking + tickets = $200/250 to see a rerun of "The Nibbler strikes for the 43rd time." I can't, I just can't.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/indexn?blogid=22

He will be taking all 75, that is, yes, 75 ABs from Horwitz. 75 ABs, whether including walks or not or maybe it is 75 ABs and 75 chances in the field.  At any rate, he is, reportedly, on his way back to town.  Well, that is untrue in 75 ways; he is actually on his way to New 75 York.  75 New York 75.

Hot off the press.  Hot off the press.  Well, accord ing to SF Gate - and no follow -up story.  Maybe, with only 4 star ters and Zi to taking up space it becomes nece ssary to start him since it is too cum ber some to bring up some one from Fre sno. 

  This 75 word thing is  a ch a ll e ng e.

Hott off the press.  According to SFGate, Zito to start Wed nes day.

I know it wasn't conventional, but I'm not too committed one way or the other on Timmy's coming out to pitch the 5th inning.

There WAS something I did notice last night.  To go back to last year, I thought Tim was kind of scared, kind of uncertain, and kind of in shock that major league hitters were hitting him.

Last night was a complete turn around.  It is like he matured 6 years over the Winter.  He was much more confident, much more focused and had none of the whining when a call went against him.  I was really impressed and pleased.  'Gamer' is bullshit, but attitude, especially on the mound, is critical (see, Tomko, B).  I think this is a fantiastic development.

I discovered this by accident while reading Lefty Malo's site.  Using his contract numbers (which he posts at the far right on his page), and adding .5 mil for the rookies who have yet to make the team, I calculate that the Gmen will spend $77.5 mil (and I admit, every time I add it up I come up with a different number).  Thus, they are roughly $25 mil below their budget.  This can only be good.  It gives them flexibility to: a) eat Durhams salary, b) spend more on the draft (ie, draft Boras' clients), spend more in Latin Am and Asia.

PITCHERS
Cain (.7 M)
Lincecum
Zito (14.5 M)
Lowry (2.25 M)
Correia
        Total:  17.45 + $1.5 mil for Lincecum & Correia

Walker (.75 M)
Wilson
Hennessey (1.6 M)
Kline (1.75 M)
Chulk
Misch
Capellan
Messenger
        Total:  4.1 + $2.5 mil (.5 mil for each remaining roster spot)
                Total:  $25.5 mil

Taschner
Matos
Pichardo
Sadler
Sanchez
Threets
Valdez

CATCHERS
B. Molina (6 M)
El. Alfonzo
G. Rodriguez
            Total:  6  + .5

INFIELDERS
Aurilia (4.5 M)
Durham (7.5 M)
Vizquel (5 M)
Ortmeier
Frandsen
            Total:  17 + .5 + .5

Ishikawa
Velez
Denker

OUTFIELDERS
Roberts (6.5 M)
Rowand (12 M)
Winn (8 M)
Lewis
Davis

Schierholtz
Timpner

            Total:  26.5 + 1

OTHER Bonds ($5 M deferred from '03 + interest)
Matheny ($2 M club buyout)

The following comment comment is lifted from the Tony Clark diary:

    Re: Seriously, why all the hatin' on Tony   Clark?
    He's thirty F*ing five years old...that's why all the hatin'. One more season of Sabean's     LIES! about going with youth. One more season of patching a team together with     people that will be out of baseball in '10. One more season of not finding someone under thirty     to man one GODDAMN position on this team. Clark might help the Giants go 72-90     instead of 70-92. F*ing typical Sabean.

  While, perhaps, overstating the position of the 'Fringe,' it still seems to typify the Fringe response to anything and everything Sabean does.  This response is not only tired, but it is inaccurate and, George Bush-like, ignores all the inconvenient facts and trots out as truth the same tired assumptions and conclusions.  So, some facts are in order:

  1)  The team has cut ties with at least 5 older players in less than a year:  Feliz (33), Klesko (37), Benitez (34), Bonds (dirt), Atchison (32)
  2)  Less precise (because of 25 man vs 40 man issues), the team has added several young players within the last year: Frandsen (27), Rowand (30), Davis (27), Ort (27), Lewis (27), Schierholtz (24).
  3) Neither Sabean nor Magowan have ever said the team was going to get "young."  They have said they are going to get younger and healthier.  On its face, looking at no's 1 & 2 above, that statement is happening.  We have a young pitching staff, 2b (or is it 3b) in Frandsen, 1b in Ort, and backups in the OF who have a chance to play themselves into the lineup.  

  I don't think anyone can complain about our OF.  We have two 27 year old starting IFs.  

  Is it fair to be disappointed in the lack of movenent/improvement at 1b and 3b?  Of course.  But, while Sabean gets routinely raked, the suggestions offered on here are comical in the breadth and depth of how unrealistic they are.  Sure there are certain players some Fringites would like.  But where is the indication that any of these players are actually available?  And, more importantly, available at the prices you all are proposing?  [ie, why in the hell would Cinci give us Encarnacion for Lowry?  How is that a good trade for them?  Where is there any indication that Cinci is looking to trade this lazy, stone handed, bad attitude?]

Anyway, there are definitely numerous improvements that have been made to the team, just in the past year.  Once, of course, is assembling a very young and very good SP staff.  Second is the development of several current RP staff pitchers and RPs in the system on the verge of being able to help.  Three, is that the team has, while not on a straight, unvariable line, gotten younger and healthier - and amny other contracts are about to run out.    

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/marlins/content/sports/epaper/2007/11/29/a2c_marlins_1129.html