For all the hard-core giants fans, Sabean's contract extension is well a mixed bag of reactions. Some say that he's made some boneheaded decision after boneheaded decisions. While others think Sabean has been handcuffed by Bond's salary and their owners. Well in the offseason for the giants, they will now have the salary flexibility to improve on the team's lack of clutch hitting and getting the wins on close games.
Since Bonds is not coming back with the team, the team must now rely on the young arms, Molina--who has been a positive and pleasant surprise for giants fan and unexperienced bullpen. The rest of team under contract remains questionable on if they stay with the team. They have several unanswered questions at various spots but the most glaring need is getting an experienced bullpen.
Wilson seems to have the best opportunity to be the closer but in order to have him an effective closer role, you need the perfect set-up man. They have yet to find out who has the stuff to be the closer nor the set up man...Once they have determined who and what players will be the bullpen, they can go after the run-producing bat that gives them an edge over the teams in their division.
The giants will either try to go with the small ball tactics or capitalize on the fans adoration of the long ball...and if we know Magowan and Baer, they will say that we will go small ball but when the shit hits the fan, they will try to get A-rod or another big name bat like Manny?
For the record that
Fred Lewis,
Rajai Davis are my two favorite players that fit the direction the giants want to go. With that said, Durham,Winn and Feliz just plain suck for the money they make and not getting any younger or better. Prior to the Dbacks resigning Byrnes, he would of been the one guy I wanted the Giants try to to get.
With Byrnes not an option any more, the three big names on the giants radar is
Carl Crawford, Miguel Cabera and
Andruw Jones.
Torii Hunter is another possibility but we need a player with a better bat.
Carl Crawford, an upcoming LF has a .315 BA, league leader with 50 steals with 80ribi's. The guy is only 26 years old and is entering the fourth year. He could be the Giant's next LF but the other player is
Miguel Cabrera. Cabrera plays third base but has more of bigger bat than Crawford. He is also entering his fourth year. So getting Cabrera means dealing Feliz or possibly Lowry to the first team that wants him or shall I say them.
That leaves us with
Andruw Jones who has a disappointing season thus far but knowing the way the giants operate, they could try to get Jones on the cheap and basically hope for the best.
Alex Rios could be another name that they could try to get but it's anyones guess that the Blue Jays deal him for a pitcher.
If Feliz does stay with the team, Giants fan will voice their displeasure that Sabean will make yet another desperate move to try to win/retain their loyal fan base.
They need to decide who will play 1st and 2nd Base and need an outfielder that can hit for next season. The Giants cannot be content with Klesko or Aurilia as the players to play those positions.
Frandsen will probably start at SS with Omar as his backup. Molina should bat #3 or #4 depending on who they acquire in the offseason and not at the end of the lineup. Davis and Lewis could be the lead off hitters.
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