The official SF Giants off-season thread
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^^^^ Boras is demanding way too much! 4-5 years at $25M per season? Boras is smoking rocks. He is over playing his cards. I can understand if Manny was 33, but he's not. If he wants a long term contract- he needs to go back to the AL where he can DH. I don't see any team giving him a long term deal at $25M per season. $20M? Maybe. These are come greedy people. Baseball contracts are gauranteed no matter what happens to you. Have a leg amputated. You're still getting paid.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3814396
Sources: Giants can't afford Manny
By Jayson Stark, ESPN.com
As hard as Scott Boras may be trying to portray the San Francisco Giants as serious bidders for Manny Ramirez, it's even harder to find executives in baseball who believe that.
Ramirez
According to one source familiar with the Giants' thinking, just about every recent rumor connecting the Giants with Manny is "unfounded" or "baloney."
"If a million things came together over the next few weeks, would it be possible? Maybe," the source told ESPN.com. "But for where [Boras] is right now and where the team is right now, it doesn't make sense economically and it doesn't make sense for how the team fits together."
Sources tell ESPN.com that in a conversation with the Dodgers last Friday, Boras continued to talk about five-year and four-year deals worth upward of $25 million a year. That caused the Dodgers to turn their attention away from Ramirez and back to the bullpen market, where they're pursuing a group that includes Trevor Hoffman, Juan Cruz, Dennys Reyes and Guillermo Mota.
And the Giants, according to multiple sources, have no interest in pursuing Ramirez or any other free agent looking for large dollars and multiple years. Even reports connecting them with free-agent third baseman Joe Crede, another Boras client, have been exaggerated, sources say.
Industry sources estimate that the Giants' payroll, with no other additions or subtractions, is already likely to be north of $85 million -- and would be more than $90 million if you include deferred money owed to Barry Bonds. That's already significantly higher than last year's payroll (about $77 million) and close to the highest in team history.
So signing Ramirez would push them well beyond $100 million. And multiple sources indicate there is virtually no scenario that would allow them to maintain a payroll in that range.
"They fit because they need the bat," one NL executive said. "They're one hitter away from being a real good team. But how do they go to $100 million to add that bat? I don't think there's any way that happens."
Jayson Stark is a senior baseball writer for ESPN.com.
Sources: Giants can't afford Manny
By Jayson Stark, ESPN.com
As hard as Scott Boras may be trying to portray the San Francisco Giants as serious bidders for Manny Ramirez, it's even harder to find executives in baseball who believe that.
Ramirez
According to one source familiar with the Giants' thinking, just about every recent rumor connecting the Giants with Manny is "unfounded" or "baloney."
"If a million things came together over the next few weeks, would it be possible? Maybe," the source told ESPN.com. "But for where [Boras] is right now and where the team is right now, it doesn't make sense economically and it doesn't make sense for how the team fits together."
Sources tell ESPN.com that in a conversation with the Dodgers last Friday, Boras continued to talk about five-year and four-year deals worth upward of $25 million a year. That caused the Dodgers to turn their attention away from Ramirez and back to the bullpen market, where they're pursuing a group that includes Trevor Hoffman, Juan Cruz, Dennys Reyes and Guillermo Mota.
And the Giants, according to multiple sources, have no interest in pursuing Ramirez or any other free agent looking for large dollars and multiple years. Even reports connecting them with free-agent third baseman Joe Crede, another Boras client, have been exaggerated, sources say.
Industry sources estimate that the Giants' payroll, with no other additions or subtractions, is already likely to be north of $85 million -- and would be more than $90 million if you include deferred money owed to Barry Bonds. That's already significantly higher than last year's payroll (about $77 million) and close to the highest in team history.
So signing Ramirez would push them well beyond $100 million. And multiple sources indicate there is virtually no scenario that would allow them to maintain a payroll in that range.
"They fit because they need the bat," one NL executive said. "They're one hitter away from being a real good team. But how do they go to $100 million to add that bat? I don't think there's any way that happens."
Jayson Stark is a senior baseball writer for ESPN.com.
Giants, Swisher would be nice match
Yankees could be shopping outfielder after signing Teixeira
By Chris Haft / MLB.com
Nick Swisher has totaled 104 home runs in slightly more than four big league seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO -- Wield the process-of-elimination pen long enough across the list of hitters who have been linked to the Giants as potential trade or free-agency acquisitions, and the only name that emerges without an "X" marked through it is Nick Swisher.
Everybody else eliminates or casts doubts upon himself for one reason or another.
Manny Ramirez is probably too expensive and might not fit in the clubhouse, though he certainly would blend into the batting order. Adrian Beltre, Hank Blalock and Xavier Nady become eligible for free agency after this season -- making them radioactive to Giants general manager Brian Sabean, who refuses to acquire players entering their "walk" year. Jorge Cantu, Adam Dunn and Edwin Encarnacion are considered defensive liabilities.
Garrett Atkins' comfort away from Coors Field is questionable (he's hitting .337 lifetime at home and .260 on the road, including .241 at AT&T Park). Joe Crede's back is suspect. Ty Wigginton never has been confirmed as someone the Giants want, and if they did, Sabean probably would have signed him by now. Bobby Abreu has the punch the Giants need, but he plays right field, so adding him to an already full outfield would create a glut that might be difficult to solve. Besides, he bats left-handed, which isn't always a good thing at AT&T Park.
Then there's Swisher, who's mostly free from the shortcomings of the aforementioned.
Whether the Giants actually can obtain Swisher from the Yankees is, of course, debatable. Tampering rules prevent the Giants from commenting on him, although they'd seem to be a match.
The Yankees are known to have been shopping Nady and Swisher since signing Mark Teixeira late last month. An industry source told MLB.com on Thursday that, of the two, New York would prefer to trade Nady, because he's an impending free agent and now plays mostly outfield -- unlike the contractually defined, handier Swisher.
But if the Giants can pry Swisher from the Yankees, who need starting pitching, he'd probably prove useful.
He has the power the Giants need, totaling 104 home runs in slightly more than four seasons. He amassed a career-high 35 homers in 2006, and even last year, he homered 24 times despite batting .219 for the Chicago White Sox, who traded him to New York on Nov. 18.
Hot Stove
Swisher's 2008 performance prompted skepticism, but White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen defended him at last month's Winter Meetings. The Chicago Tribune quoted Guillen as saying, "I take the blame for Nick Swisher. We put Nick Swisher on the spot. He wasn't a center fielder and he wasn't a leadoff hitter, and this kid showed up every day and did his best for us. Unfortunately, stuff didn't work out for him, and I will take the responsibility for playing this guy in the wrong position and the wrong spot in the lineup."
Swisher has batted fourth 11 times in his career and fifth in 17 games, but his 357 plate appearances batting third indicate that he could bolster the middle of the order, where the Giants need help. Having averaged 93 walks per year from 2006-08, Swisher also possesses the plate discipline many Giants lack.
As a switch-hitter who can play first base and all three outfield spots, Swisher's versatile, a quality that gives manager Bruce Bochy the personnel flexibility he values. With the Giants, Swisher likely would occupy first, leaving third base for Pablo Sandoval.
At 28, Swisher's approaching what should be his peak years. He's also relatively affordable. Swisher's owed approximately $20 million over the next three seasons, a sizable yet not budget-breaking amount. Moreover, he wouldn't block the ascent of any Giants prospects. Angel Villalona, the budding first baseman, is only 18 and needs two, perhaps three more years of seasoning.
Finally, Swisher's intangible assets are considerable. He still owns a home in Danville, Calif., a 45-minute drive from San Francisco, so he'd likely welcome a return to the Bay Area, where he began his career with Oakland. He'd enliven an already positive Giants clubhouse with his upbeat, somewhat brash demeanor, which would complement the genial yet quiet nature of veterans like Randy Winn or the hushed professionalism of Bengie Molina.
But just because deals make apparent sense doesn't mean they'll happen.
Yankees could be shopping outfielder after signing Teixeira
By Chris Haft / MLB.com
Nick Swisher has totaled 104 home runs in slightly more than four big league seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO -- Wield the process-of-elimination pen long enough across the list of hitters who have been linked to the Giants as potential trade or free-agency acquisitions, and the only name that emerges without an "X" marked through it is Nick Swisher.
Everybody else eliminates or casts doubts upon himself for one reason or another.
Manny Ramirez is probably too expensive and might not fit in the clubhouse, though he certainly would blend into the batting order. Adrian Beltre, Hank Blalock and Xavier Nady become eligible for free agency after this season -- making them radioactive to Giants general manager Brian Sabean, who refuses to acquire players entering their "walk" year. Jorge Cantu, Adam Dunn and Edwin Encarnacion are considered defensive liabilities.
Garrett Atkins' comfort away from Coors Field is questionable (he's hitting .337 lifetime at home and .260 on the road, including .241 at AT&T Park). Joe Crede's back is suspect. Ty Wigginton never has been confirmed as someone the Giants want, and if they did, Sabean probably would have signed him by now. Bobby Abreu has the punch the Giants need, but he plays right field, so adding him to an already full outfield would create a glut that might be difficult to solve. Besides, he bats left-handed, which isn't always a good thing at AT&T Park.
Then there's Swisher, who's mostly free from the shortcomings of the aforementioned.
Whether the Giants actually can obtain Swisher from the Yankees is, of course, debatable. Tampering rules prevent the Giants from commenting on him, although they'd seem to be a match.
The Yankees are known to have been shopping Nady and Swisher since signing Mark Teixeira late last month. An industry source told MLB.com on Thursday that, of the two, New York would prefer to trade Nady, because he's an impending free agent and now plays mostly outfield -- unlike the contractually defined, handier Swisher.
But if the Giants can pry Swisher from the Yankees, who need starting pitching, he'd probably prove useful.
He has the power the Giants need, totaling 104 home runs in slightly more than four seasons. He amassed a career-high 35 homers in 2006, and even last year, he homered 24 times despite batting .219 for the Chicago White Sox, who traded him to New York on Nov. 18.
Hot Stove
Swisher's 2008 performance prompted skepticism, but White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen defended him at last month's Winter Meetings. The Chicago Tribune quoted Guillen as saying, "I take the blame for Nick Swisher. We put Nick Swisher on the spot. He wasn't a center fielder and he wasn't a leadoff hitter, and this kid showed up every day and did his best for us. Unfortunately, stuff didn't work out for him, and I will take the responsibility for playing this guy in the wrong position and the wrong spot in the lineup."
Swisher has batted fourth 11 times in his career and fifth in 17 games, but his 357 plate appearances batting third indicate that he could bolster the middle of the order, where the Giants need help. Having averaged 93 walks per year from 2006-08, Swisher also possesses the plate discipline many Giants lack.
As a switch-hitter who can play first base and all three outfield spots, Swisher's versatile, a quality that gives manager Bruce Bochy the personnel flexibility he values. With the Giants, Swisher likely would occupy first, leaving third base for Pablo Sandoval.
At 28, Swisher's approaching what should be his peak years. He's also relatively affordable. Swisher's owed approximately $20 million over the next three seasons, a sizable yet not budget-breaking amount. Moreover, he wouldn't block the ascent of any Giants prospects. Angel Villalona, the budding first baseman, is only 18 and needs two, perhaps three more years of seasoning.
Finally, Swisher's intangible assets are considerable. He still owns a home in Danville, Calif., a 45-minute drive from San Francisco, so he'd likely welcome a return to the Bay Area, where he began his career with Oakland. He'd enliven an already positive Giants clubhouse with his upbeat, somewhat brash demeanor, which would complement the genial yet quiet nature of veterans like Randy Winn or the hushed professionalism of Bengie Molina.
But just because deals make apparent sense doesn't mean they'll happen.
Guzman breaks 35-year-old record
Giants prospect reaches 67 RBIs in VWL with two-run single
By Danny Wild / MLB.com
Jesus Guzman is taking a break after breaking a 35-year-old record. (Alejandro van Shermbeek/Leones)
Giants prospect Jesus Guzman broke a 35-year-old Venezuelan Winter League record for RBIs on Sunday in Caracas' 9-6 loss to Margarita.
Guzman hit a two-run single in the eighth inning, giving the San Francisco prospect 67 RBIs and a new single-season league record. He tied former Major Leaguer Pete Koegel's 1973-74 mark of 65 RBIs on Saturday before breaking the record in his final at-bat a day later.
"I'm feeling so excited for it, it was an award for my work in this season," Guzman said. "I can rest."
Guzman's line drive single to left plated Alejandro Machado and Marcos Yepez to highlight a four-run rally for Caracas.
It's the second notable record this winter for Guzman -- he broke the mark for RBIs for a Venezuelan-born hitter when he surpassed Bo Diaz's record of 57 RBIs earlier this month. Koegel's record stood as the all-time single-season benchmark.
Guzman, who leads the league in several offensive categories, said he will take a well-deserved break before Caracas heads into the playoffs on Tuesday.
"I won't play the following two games, I'll be with my family," he said. "I'll be with the team in the playoffs."
Guzman, batting .349, grounded out in the second and popped up in the fourth before reaching on an error in the sixth. Margarita reliever Julio Salazar walked the bases loaded in the eighth and was pulled for Johan Lopez, who served up Guzman's record-breaking single.
"I give my thanks to the fans who support me every time and everywhere," said Guzman.
Over 8,000 fans were on hand to witness history on Sunday in Margarita. Guzman, a 24-year-old Sucre, Venezuela native, signed with San Francisco this winter after several All-Star summers within the Oakland system. The A's reportedly were planning to re-sign the 6-foot-1 infielder, but the Giants offered a larger contract and an invitation to Spring Training.
Guzman originally signed as an undrafted free agent with Seattle in 2000 and has 660 hits over five Minor League seasons. He joined Oakland prior to the 2008 season and hit .364 for Double-A Midland to earn Texas League All-Star honors this past summer. He drove in 76 runs in 80 games and was promoted to Triple-A for the first time in his career, drawing further attention from Oakland's Bay-area rivals.
The third baseman finished the regular season batting a combined .349 between Double-A Midland, Triple-A Sacramento and the Rookie-level Arizona League A's. He hit 17 homers, drove in 88 runs, had a .545 slugging percentage and added five steals.
Guzman was also a California League All-Star in 2007 when he hit .301 with 25 home runs and 112 RBIs in 130 games for Class A Advanced High Desert, a Seattle affiliate.
Giants prospect reaches 67 RBIs in VWL with two-run single
By Danny Wild / MLB.com
Jesus Guzman is taking a break after breaking a 35-year-old record. (Alejandro van Shermbeek/Leones)
Giants prospect Jesus Guzman broke a 35-year-old Venezuelan Winter League record for RBIs on Sunday in Caracas' 9-6 loss to Margarita.
Guzman hit a two-run single in the eighth inning, giving the San Francisco prospect 67 RBIs and a new single-season league record. He tied former Major Leaguer Pete Koegel's 1973-74 mark of 65 RBIs on Saturday before breaking the record in his final at-bat a day later.
"I'm feeling so excited for it, it was an award for my work in this season," Guzman said. "I can rest."
Guzman's line drive single to left plated Alejandro Machado and Marcos Yepez to highlight a four-run rally for Caracas.
It's the second notable record this winter for Guzman -- he broke the mark for RBIs for a Venezuelan-born hitter when he surpassed Bo Diaz's record of 57 RBIs earlier this month. Koegel's record stood as the all-time single-season benchmark.
Guzman, who leads the league in several offensive categories, said he will take a well-deserved break before Caracas heads into the playoffs on Tuesday.
"I won't play the following two games, I'll be with my family," he said. "I'll be with the team in the playoffs."
Guzman, batting .349, grounded out in the second and popped up in the fourth before reaching on an error in the sixth. Margarita reliever Julio Salazar walked the bases loaded in the eighth and was pulled for Johan Lopez, who served up Guzman's record-breaking single.
"I give my thanks to the fans who support me every time and everywhere," said Guzman.
Over 8,000 fans were on hand to witness history on Sunday in Margarita. Guzman, a 24-year-old Sucre, Venezuela native, signed with San Francisco this winter after several All-Star summers within the Oakland system. The A's reportedly were planning to re-sign the 6-foot-1 infielder, but the Giants offered a larger contract and an invitation to Spring Training.
Guzman originally signed as an undrafted free agent with Seattle in 2000 and has 660 hits over five Minor League seasons. He joined Oakland prior to the 2008 season and hit .364 for Double-A Midland to earn Texas League All-Star honors this past summer. He drove in 76 runs in 80 games and was promoted to Triple-A for the first time in his career, drawing further attention from Oakland's Bay-area rivals.
The third baseman finished the regular season batting a combined .349 between Double-A Midland, Triple-A Sacramento and the Rookie-level Arizona League A's. He hit 17 homers, drove in 88 runs, had a .545 slugging percentage and added five steals.
Guzman was also a California League All-Star in 2007 when he hit .301 with 25 home runs and 112 RBIs in 130 games for Class A Advanced High Desert, a Seattle affiliate.
another article on signing Manny.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/12/SPO0157HN5.DTL&feed=rss.sports
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/12/SPO0157HN5.DTL&feed=rss.sports
