SF Giants' roster - who won't be back in 2012?
-- In modern baseball, the stability of the Giants' roster from 2010 to 2011 was unique. Juan Uribe left for Los Angeles and Edgar Renteria for Cincinnati. Aside from that, the bulk of the World Series championship team returned.
This winter will be different. Though key players such as Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, Brian Wilson, Aubrey Huff, Freddy Sanchez, Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval are locked in, because they already have 2012 contracts or are not eligible to leave via free agency, some familiar and popular faces from the title team might not be back.
Nine regular-season home games remain, starting with tonight's matchup of Lincecum and the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw.
"There are a lot of guys who are probably playing their last games here because they can't bring everybody back," said Jeremy Affeldt, one of eight potential free agents who might bid San Francisco adieu. That list also includes Carlos Beltran, Pat Burrell and postseason hero Cody Ross.
The Giants also have 13 players eligible for salary arbitration, led by Lincecum and Pablo Sandoval. This baker's dozen goes into the offseason under team control, but some will not be offered 2011 contracts - "non-tendered," in baseball parlance - because the Giants cannot afford to pay them all. Non-tendered players become free agents, able to negotiate with all 30 teams.
Health will play a role in some decisions.
Burrell signed for $1 million this year and could do so again. On the other hand, he might have to retire because of a rare and debilitating foot injury that one doctor told him occurs mostly in car accidents.
"I'm one of those guys, I'll play until they tell me I can't," Burrell said. "I just enjoy it so much. That being said, I've got some limitations with this, and I don't know if I'll be allowed to play with this foot thing."
DeRosa, playing again after wrist injuries derailed his career, hopes to strengthen his wrist further this winter and let teams know he can produce.
Otherwise, the decisions will come down to dollars and need. Winter trades and free-agent acquisitions also could impact these players. So view the following as one reporter's embryonic analysis of the 21 potential free agents and arbitration-eligible players, listed with their 2011 salaries:
Free agents
Carlos Beltran, $18.5 million: Times have changed since he signed his seven-year, $119 million deal with the Mets. Now 34, he will have to take less money. Still, he remains an elite hitter, agent Scott Boras is going to demand a lot of years, and nobody yet knows whether Beltran even wants to stay in San Francisco.
Cody Ross, $6.3 million: The popular outfielder might test the waters in his first bid at free agency. If he seeks a raise or long-term deal, it's hard to imagine the Giants biting, given his struggles.
Mark DeRosa, $5.5 million: He'll probably have to sign a minor-league deal ("I've done it before. I ain't too damn proud") and is hoping to get closer to his Atlanta home.
Jeremy Affeldt, $4.5 million: The Giants paid the left-hander top setup-man money for the past two seasons, but he has not approached his 2009 success. Still, the club almost certainly will take a run at this workhorse after they probably decline his $5 million option.
Javier Lopez, $2.38 million: Also a first-time free agent, Lopez is a valuable commodity as a lefty specialist, and for now the Giants have no other options.
Pat Burrell, $1 million: He can still take a walk and hit a home run, and he is motivated to be a Giant in 2012 if health allows.
Orlando Cabrera, $1 million: The Giants might want another stopgap at short until Brandon Crawford, Ehire Adrianza or Joe Panik is ready. But who knows? Maybe they'll take a run at Jimmy Rollins.
Guillermo Mota, $925,000: The long man has been extremely valuable, so why not bring him back?
Arbitration-eligible
Tim Lincecum, $13 million: Now that Lincecum has shown a commitment to preparation, it might be time to explore a long-term deal that buys out some free-agent years, which begin in 2013.
Jonathan Sanchez, $4.8 million: General manager Brian Sabean covets starting depth. Even so, given how high Sanchez's salary could go in arbitration, and how poor his 2011 season was, he is a non-tender candidate.
Andres Torres, $2.2 million: Given his 2011 downfall, and with Gary Brown on the horizon, the Giants would have to think hard before they offer Torres arbitration and give him a raise.
Jeff Keppinger, $2.3 million: Keppinger was a solid pickup. With Freddy Sanchez's health still in question, the team needs Keppinger, who at least can be a valuable backup who kills left-handed pitching.
Ramon Ramirez, $1.65 million: The right-hander has gotten the team out of some tough spots, but the Giants might feel they can slip rookie Steve Edlefsen into this slot and save at least $2 million.
Santiago Casilla, $1.3 million: With his arm and stuff, Casilla is valuable at double his 2011 salary. He seems like a keeper.
Mike Fontenot, $1.05 million: A guy who can play second, third and shortstop in a pinch is valuable. The team will have to weigh him against another arbitration-eligible infielder, Emmanuel Burriss.
Ryan Vogelsong, (estimated less than $1 million): If the Giants offered him a two-year deal to buy out his last year of arbitration and first free-agency year, Vogelsong, who has never had job security, might jump out of his shoes to accept.
Pablo Sandoval, $500,000: The Panda is going to get a huge, well-deserved raise in his first year of eligibility. Probably too early to talk long-term deal.
Sergio Romo, $450,000: A no-brainer. One of the league's best right-handed setup men gets a contract offer.
Nate Schierholtz, $432,500: Schierholtz finally took a big step toward everyday play in 2011. It's hard to imagine the Giants cutting him loose now.
Eli Whiteside, $425,000: Chris Stewart passed him on the depth chart, and with prospect Hector Sanchez's rise, Whiteside is a non-tender candidate.
Emmanuel Burriss, $420,000: See Fontenot above.
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