**2nd Annual Official '09 SF GIants reg. season Thread**
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Giants G.M. Sabean talks about potential trades: 'We know what we need'
By Andrew Baggarly
Mercury News
Posted: 06/22/2009 10:24:49 PM PDT
Updated: 06/22/2009 10:41:52 PM PDT
The cavalry might come galloping to assist the Giants' offense, but don't expect to hear a reveille any time soon.
Before watching his lineup struggle in road grays yet again Monday night in a 5-1 loss to the A's, Giants General Manager Brian Sabean said he and his staff have identified a "narrow list" of potential trade targets in anticipation of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. But the bunched-up standings leave few teams in sell mode. And those who are willing to deal have the market cornered.
"Not enough teams are completely out of it, which is why I think the market is going to be late-developing," Sabean said. "You can't definitively know who they have available. And those who are (available) have so many suitors. Whoever makes a trade early is going to really have to pay the price.
"The one good thing is we know what we need."
If you find that statement ambiguous for any reason, just scan the handy boxscore included in this section. The Giants managed four hits, struggled to advance runners and failed to create any late opportunities against A's right-hander Trevor Cahill.
Jonathan Sanchez might have pitched his way out of the Giants' rotation, but he hardly had a chance to win.
That's life on the road for the Giants this season.
Entering the game, they were averaging 4.47 runs at home and just 3.4 on the road. They had a markedly better home average (.275 to .244). Even their power numbers had been superior at AT&T Park — more home runs (24 to 18), doubles (66 to 59) and triples (12 to 3) — despite unfriendly hitting conditions at China Basin.
"That's the crazy thing," Sabean said. "We are so much better scoring runs at home, in a pitcher's park. We've got to pick it up on the road, do a better job of scoring consistently."
Back in February, Sabean reasoned that the economy would leave distressed teams looking to dump salary at midseason. The Detroit Tigers, for example, have a bloated payroll and saw their season-ticket base plummet.
Yet the Tigers are in first place and none of their hitters is strewn across their lawn.
Sabean said he is willing to consider trading for an impending free agent, but he is more willing to take on salary than give up young talent of any stripe.
Asked if A's left fielder Matt Holliday was on his short list, Sabean said, "I can't answer that. But I will say the list is more right-handed than left-handed."
The Giants have not spoken with A's officials about Holliday and aren't sure if Oakland G.M. Billy Beane has any appetite to deal with his Bay Area rivals. Considering that Beane traded for Holliday last winter as an apparent gambit to extract a better haul at the trade deadline, it's doubtful the A's would trade the All-Star left fielder to any team willing to eat the remainder of his $13.5 million salary.
For now, the Giants continue to evaluate their own players. Sabean said he wants to continue auditioning second baseman Matt Downs, who remained with the club Monday even though Kevin Frandsen could be brought back from Triple-A Fresno.
"He's a kid that seems pretty relaxed," Sabean said. "It's amazing, really. He's got a hitter's mentality and he's had some good at-bats. I've been impressed. And for a big kid, I'm really pleased with how he's taken to his position. Physically, he's bigger than most second basemen."
While the Giants aren't looking to add to their pitching staff, they still have some internal questions to resolve.
Monday's start was a showcase start for Sanchez, and not just because his name is prominent on the trade-rumor circuit. He also was trying to convince Giants officials who have debated whether to keep him in the rotation.
Before the game, Giants Manager Bruce Bochy stated flatly that the erratic left-hander was pitching to save his job. The manager also said Sanchez shouldn't be distracted by trade speculation.
"We're not putting pressure on him with that," Bochy said. "These are rumors. He shouldn't feel anything from the organization.
"But now, production is part of this game. You produce to stay where you're at. So this is a big start for him. He's got to figure out what it takes to get deep into games and win."
Maybe Sanchez will save that lesson for Triple-A Fresno. He had almost no feel for his breaking pitches and failed to complete six innings for the 11th time in 13 starts.
Sanchez danced out of a few hot spots by throwing his 93 mph fastball at the letters. With runners at first and third in the fifth, Sanchez got ahead of Jack Cust and Holliday but missed badly on 1-2 sliders in the dirt. Catcher Bengie Molina smothered both of them to prevent a run from scoring.
Out of necessity, Sanchez came back with 2-2 fastballs to each hitter and he was fortunate that both resulted in pop-ups.
But the jams kept coming and the A's got their big hit in the sixth when Bobby Crosby hit a two-run double.
By Andrew Baggarly
Mercury News
Posted: 06/22/2009 10:24:49 PM PDT
Updated: 06/22/2009 10:41:52 PM PDT
The cavalry might come galloping to assist the Giants' offense, but don't expect to hear a reveille any time soon.
Before watching his lineup struggle in road grays yet again Monday night in a 5-1 loss to the A's, Giants General Manager Brian Sabean said he and his staff have identified a "narrow list" of potential trade targets in anticipation of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. But the bunched-up standings leave few teams in sell mode. And those who are willing to deal have the market cornered.
"Not enough teams are completely out of it, which is why I think the market is going to be late-developing," Sabean said. "You can't definitively know who they have available. And those who are (available) have so many suitors. Whoever makes a trade early is going to really have to pay the price.
"The one good thing is we know what we need."
If you find that statement ambiguous for any reason, just scan the handy boxscore included in this section. The Giants managed four hits, struggled to advance runners and failed to create any late opportunities against A's right-hander Trevor Cahill.
Jonathan Sanchez might have pitched his way out of the Giants' rotation, but he hardly had a chance to win.
That's life on the road for the Giants this season.
Entering the game, they were averaging 4.47 runs at home and just 3.4 on the road. They had a markedly better home average (.275 to .244). Even their power numbers had been superior at AT&T Park — more home runs (24 to 18), doubles (66 to 59) and triples (12 to 3) — despite unfriendly hitting conditions at China Basin.
"That's the crazy thing," Sabean said. "We are so much better scoring runs at home, in a pitcher's park. We've got to pick it up on the road, do a better job of scoring consistently."
Back in February, Sabean reasoned that the economy would leave distressed teams looking to dump salary at midseason. The Detroit Tigers, for example, have a bloated payroll and saw their season-ticket base plummet.
Yet the Tigers are in first place and none of their hitters is strewn across their lawn.
Sabean said he is willing to consider trading for an impending free agent, but he is more willing to take on salary than give up young talent of any stripe.
Asked if A's left fielder Matt Holliday was on his short list, Sabean said, "I can't answer that. But I will say the list is more right-handed than left-handed."
The Giants have not spoken with A's officials about Holliday and aren't sure if Oakland G.M. Billy Beane has any appetite to deal with his Bay Area rivals. Considering that Beane traded for Holliday last winter as an apparent gambit to extract a better haul at the trade deadline, it's doubtful the A's would trade the All-Star left fielder to any team willing to eat the remainder of his $13.5 million salary.
For now, the Giants continue to evaluate their own players. Sabean said he wants to continue auditioning second baseman Matt Downs, who remained with the club Monday even though Kevin Frandsen could be brought back from Triple-A Fresno.
"He's a kid that seems pretty relaxed," Sabean said. "It's amazing, really. He's got a hitter's mentality and he's had some good at-bats. I've been impressed. And for a big kid, I'm really pleased with how he's taken to his position. Physically, he's bigger than most second basemen."
While the Giants aren't looking to add to their pitching staff, they still have some internal questions to resolve.
Monday's start was a showcase start for Sanchez, and not just because his name is prominent on the trade-rumor circuit. He also was trying to convince Giants officials who have debated whether to keep him in the rotation.
Before the game, Giants Manager Bruce Bochy stated flatly that the erratic left-hander was pitching to save his job. The manager also said Sanchez shouldn't be distracted by trade speculation.
"We're not putting pressure on him with that," Bochy said. "These are rumors. He shouldn't feel anything from the organization.
"But now, production is part of this game. You produce to stay where you're at. So this is a big start for him. He's got to figure out what it takes to get deep into games and win."
Maybe Sanchez will save that lesson for Triple-A Fresno. He had almost no feel for his breaking pitches and failed to complete six innings for the 11th time in 13 starts.
Sanchez danced out of a few hot spots by throwing his 93 mph fastball at the letters. With runners at first and third in the fifth, Sanchez got ahead of Jack Cust and Holliday but missed badly on 1-2 sliders in the dirt. Catcher Bengie Molina smothered both of them to prevent a run from scoring.
Out of necessity, Sanchez came back with 2-2 fastballs to each hitter and he was fortunate that both resulted in pop-ups.
But the jams kept coming and the A's got their big hit in the sixth when Bobby Crosby hit a two-run double.
