After reading about all the love for Curtis Granderson, I thought I would check in and see who everybody's favorite Non-Giant player is.  Who knows, maybe you think the Giants have a chance of obtaining him this offseason?  

We are all settling in for the long-haul from now until Spring Training, so good luck with whatever it is your guys do other than blog!

I'll start us off: Derek Jeter.  Hardest working, and most determined athlete to play in my lifetime.  I love watching him give everything he has for his team.  I wish Bonds had been given that gene in his Baseball phenotype.  

Why do people not really talk about Abreu being a real option for the Giants?  He would have to switch to Left field, and he would be a joke out there, but no worse than Barry Bonds was for about 5 years, and his offense would make up for it.  He hits around or over .300, always battles, is almost impossible to strike out, and although he doesnt have as much "pop" as he used to, he can drive in a ton of runs if the .300 hitting Sanchez (God willing he stays healthy) gets on in front of him, and he will be protection for Pablo.  

This would also allow us to keep Posey in the 5 spot and have a wicked 3-4-5 spot going into next year, both average wise and RBI wise.  We still wont add to our Homerun total like we might if we added Jason Bay or Matt Holliday, but he will come cheaper, and he will come for less years.  

We could get him for 2 years/18 Million Dollars and have enough to get another Starting Pitcher (Bring back Penny?) and maybe even sign Chone Figgons or bring in JJ Hardy like some analysts think we will.  

What say you? 

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This is absurdly early, but after the Yankees win the 2009 World Series (*knock knock knock knock knock*) they will have to replace some free agents and move on from Matsui who has been on a monster run this season.  I say that they should offer him Arbitration, since he will still sign with another team, but who knows.  

So here is the team that I see coming back next year.  

Starting Lineup

SS Jeter

DH Damon

1B Texiera

3B Rodriguez

LF Holliday

C Posada

2B Cano

RF Swisher

CF Figgins

Starting Pitching

SP Sabathia

SP Burnett

SP Pettite

SP Chamberlain

SP Hughes

 

The bench will have Molina, Melky, utility infielder.  The bullpen will look very similar, but maybe the Yankees will look for another lefty reliever and probably a better setup man now that hughes and Joba are in rotation. 

What do you guys think?

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If you still are wondering who it should be.  I hope this clears it up a little.  A bum being forced to pay 4k which should go to the food the man needs to survive.  Sure the man was wrong, but they were friggin flower pots.  Really Tom? 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4318919

BOSTON -- A man who unwittingly stole two flower planters worth $8,000 from behind Tom Brady's Boston condominium said Friday he has to panhandle to pay restitution.

Dennis Paiva told the Boston Herald he scours the streets for trash to sell. He said he took the planters from behind a condominium because they were next to the trash and sold them for $450.

Police caught him on surveillance video. The 61-year-old convicted bank robber, who got out of prison five years ago after serving a 10-year term, said he had no idea they belonged to the New England Patriots quarterback, the Herald reported.

"I saw these two stainless steel metal containers behind a garage next to the trash," Paiva told the newspaper. "Scrap metal was really high at the time so I grabbed them and put them in my truck."

Shortly thereafter, Paiva said he received a call from a Boston police detective.

"The guy mentions I took some flower pots," Paiva recounted for the Herald. "I said, 'I don't know what you're talking about.' He said, 'We got you on the security camera.' And I said, 'Yeah, I took them, but they were out with the trash.' He said, 'You gotta get them back. You don't even want to know who they belong to!' "

Paiva agreed to pay $4,000 restitution to Brady's real estate trust. But he said he can't work after recent surgery so he begs passers-by for money.

A photograph on the Herald's Web site pictures Paiva on a street holding up a sign that reads, "I'm not a drunk or a bum. I had an aneurism [sic] followed by brain surgery. I lost every thing. I'm trying to get my life back. Any help you could give I'd appreciate very much. Denny"

A Patriots spokesman said he doubts Brady is aware of Paiva's situation.

As expected, the Yankees have signed Dominican catcher Gary Sanchez, according to Kiley McDaniel of Baseball Prospectus. Sanchez will receive a bonus of "basically $3MM," though the details aren't yet clear.

McDaniel hears that the Yankees will spend an additional $1MM on a shortstop and a pitcher. Damian Arredondo is expected to be the shortstop and some expect the pitcher to be Jose Osuna. If he signs, Arredondo would likely receive about $850k of the $1MM the Yankees are expected to spend on the pair of players.
[According to MLBTradeRumors.com] We already talked on this cite about the Cuban pitcher defecting.  This could be the bolt to our system we needed.  I am excited about having a farm system again.  What do you all think about the moves the Yankees have done?  Enough?  Or would you have rather seen Sano signed?  I am a Pirates fan too, so I am glad they will (hopefully!) get him, but I like what the Yanks got. 

Who are you rooting for more in the Cy Young chase?  Or even the chase to start the All- Star game.  Answer both and don't take the easy way out and say either one is fine with you.  Think of a logical answer for why you would support on (ie Lincecum would get his second Cy Young in a row or chance to redeam his failed attempt to start last year's allstar game/ Cain is a first timer and the Giants would have an amazing young set of competative duelers for the future - plus Cain is now worth more for those TRADE CAIN guys). 

Let's look at the Stats:

Cain - W-L 9-1

ERA 2.39

K 68

Walks 34

WHIP 1.26

Lincecum - W-L 6-1

ERA 2.66

K 103

Walks 26

WHIP 1.17

 

All the real stat guys can feel free to add their other information, but I am sticking with the basics.  Who are you rooting for Giant Fan?

SP: Zito 18.5 M

SP: Cain 4.25 M

SP: Lincecum Higher than 650k from 2009

SP: Sanchez Higher than 455k from 2009

LF: Lewis Higher than 440k from 2009

CF: Rowand 12M

OF: Schierholtz Higher than 402k from 2009

1B: Ishikawa Higher than 402k from 2009

2B: Burriss Higher than 404k from 2009

SS: Renteria 9M

3B: Sandoval Higher than 402k from 2009

RP: Affeldt 4M

RP: Wilson Higher than 480k from 2009

RP: Hinshaw Higher than 402k from 2009

RP: Romo Higher than 402k from 2009

RP: Sadler Higher than 402k from 2009

RP: Valdez Higher than 402k from 2009

RP: Sosa Higher than 402k from 2009

 

According to projections from ESPN, Baseball Prospectus, and Baseball America:

Buster Posey, Tim Alderson, and Madison Bumgarner are all set to arrive in the majors in 2010.

 

This list leaves us with surpluses and MAJOR holes.  Let’s run through our surpluses and holes before we move on:

Surpluses:

1) Starting Pitching: Lincecum, Cain, Zito & Sanchez will all return.  Johnson could for much cheaper, but I doubt it.  Plus, if they major baseball “experts” are right, Madbum and Tim2 will join them.  That gives us 6 starters.  And if you think Zito will finish with an ERA under 4.00: that could be 6 pretty good starters. 

2) Relief Pitching: Lots of relievers in the minors and the majors, and you can always sign some/find some surprises in your own system.  Trades in this group can always net useful pieces.

 

Weaknesses:

1) Left side of our infield:  Burriss, Frandsen, Ishikawa, Bowker, Aurilia, Uribe.  You name them, we have tried and failed to put them in on the left side.  Im not sure if there are any studs (I think Orlando Hudson might be an FA) in this upcoming FA class, but this is definitely a weakness until Crawford/Noonan/AnVil/et al get promoted. 

2) Outfield: Winn will probably be allowed to walk as a FA this offseason. 

 

My Question:

What do we do between now and then for our 2010 team.  This is not a TRADE MATT CANE, or TRADE SANCHAS request.  I’m not throwing in the towel on this season.  I just want to know, what can be done between this moment and the start of 2010 to put us in the best position to win. 

I am not counting on the Giants to make a play for a game-changing bat.  I really think Dan Uggla will be a Giant sooner or later (too many rumors just lead me to believe he will move at some time, and likely for Sanchez).  

 

So, with a big trade unlikely to happen, let's explore the two best Free Agent Outfielders for the upcoming offseason: Matt Holliday and Jason Bay.

 

I would rather the Giants sign Bay.  The Red Sox need him, so the bidding will have to be larger, but I think the Giants need him more.  If any player out there is worth 15-20 million dollars to the Giants it is the consistent Bay.  Look at it this way: He was traded for Manny Ramirez essentially straight up.  I am from Pittsburgh, and I know that city was heart broken when he left.  The Giants can make the soft spoken Bay the face of the Franchise (offensively) and have a counter to Lincecum that the media will pay attention to.  Bay is good for .300 and 25 HR a year, plus defense, and walks/brings leadership.  The one area we have too many players, but none great, is Outfield.  We will have money from letting Winn and Molina leave in anyway possible.  I think this could lead to a great time for Giants Baseball that we will see from 2011 on for a long time.  

Lineup:

RF Lewis

SS Renteria

LF Bay

2B Uggla

C Posey

3B Sandoval 

CF Rowand

1B Ishikawa? (we really need to address this position unless Anvil is ready soon)

This Lineup could challenge the Dodgers, especially if the Giants get a serious upgrade at 1st and CF.

 

The next candidate is Holliday, who is quietly posting a decent season, but not by his "future 20+ Million dollar" standard.  If his stock drops enough that the A's cant trade him for much, or if he hits the market, I would be happy with 12-15 Million on him.  He wont hit .300 like Bay (probably around .280), but will offer 5-10 more home runs per year, and he is a little younger (I think).  I am not expecting this move to happen.  The Giants are on record as not being interested in trading for him, which doesn't surprise me since Billy Beane can easily swindle Sabean.  If he comes to the Giants, I would be thrilled, but no where near as much as with Bay, who I believe is better suited for the NL and a quieter market.

Lineup: Switch Bay with Holliday, and maybe move Posey to 4 and put Uggla at 5.  

 

What do you guys think?  Anyone you would like to see the Giants sign (instead of trade for)?  Do you think Uggla will be a Giant by next season?  

Craig from Akron writes: Why is every year a rebuilding year for the Browns? I am so disgusted that I am about to become a Steelers fan, at least they know what they are doing. I am getting sick just thinking about the Browns. At least we have the Cav's now. I really don't know who is worse Art Modell, or Romeo Crennel.... Why are we always rebuilding I guess is my question? Will my disgust ever be relieved?

This is from James Walker's ESPN AFC North blog.  As you can see, this man is leaning towards jumping ship and joining the Steeler Nation.  How do we deal with these newcomers?  Welcome them like the Yahoo! guys?  Or should we use them to infiltrate Cleveland and destroy the city once and for all?  

Oh, If we destroy Cleveland we should probably take the Cavs and some of the Indians players too.  

Courtesy of Steeler Mike.  I am moving it here so people dont have to rummage through our old Mock to find it.  Great write-up man.  This write up is the first thing I have read to really get me excited about this pick.  

The Selection: Evander "Ziggy" Hood DT Missouri

Chargers need defensive help. With the departure of Igor Olshansky via free agency they are in need of a quality DE. Yes, I know Tyson Jackson of LSU, is still available and most mock experts have them scooping him up. Not me. Big, strong, and extremely athletic Jackson can be a beast. However, he never really seemed to reach his potential at LSU. Writers who cover the LSU program admit, while he had some flashes of dominance, he could just as easily be labeled an underachiever. Too much risk at #16 for me. LT Michael Other, Ole Miss, could be a possibility but it just didn't feel right.

Rey Maualaga was actually my first choice. Would have been the perfect selection for SD on many levels. I was all set to draft him...Ooops...

Ziggy (you just gotta draft a guy named Ziggy!) can fill their biggest need for a DE in the 3-4. At 6'3" and 300 Lbs he has good size and bulk and is equally good in stopping the run and putting pressure on the QB. The term non-stop motor is often overused with draft prospects but with Ziggy it really applies. A natural athlete with great instincts and awareness. He displays great explosiveness with an initial burst and closing speed that allows him to continually make plays in the opponents backfield. Extremely tough, aggressive and enjoys the physical aspect of the game...won't ever back down. Three year starter in the Big 12 with tons of experience and production to match.

For me, it's all about a players intangibles. By all accounts, Ziggy is a good kid, hard worker, very coachable, and a team leader. Most importantly, he is passionate about the game and he showed that in 2006 when he broke his foot but returned to play the final 7 games with a screw inserted to hold the bones together.

Some will consider him a reach at 16. That's OK. To me, he is not a reach for SD as much as it is a "safe" pick. You know what your getting with Ziggy and he delivers. You win Championships with solid, passionate players like Ziggy. Give me "safe" picks like him all day long. With the out-of-control rookie salaries, teams who miss on round 1 picks really hurt themselves. This kid can step in and start from day one. He is going to be a high quality DE for a long time.

Sources: ESPN, NFL Network, Draftcountdown.com, Imperial Valley News, Walterfootball.com