Giants: Sabean doesn't want to pay too big for big bat

San Francisco Chronicle-Harry Schulman
Giants general manager Brian Sabean has given himself what seems like an insurmountable task. He hopes to go to the winter meetings in Nashville next week and trade for an impact middle-of-the-lineup hitter without surrendering Matt Cain or Tim Lincecum.

Sabean might want to stick an extra St. Jude medal in his travel bag for this cause.

In a conference call with reporters Thursday, Sabean issued his strongest statement that Cain and Lincecum, though not untouchable, will not leave San Francisco unless the Giants get a monster deal in return.

"I've said before we have to listen. That's our job, especially after finishing in last place," Sabean said. "But I'd be in shock if something (emerged) as good as what their future brings."

If Sabean sticks to his guns, it stands to reason the Giants prefer to build a package around Noah Lowry and/or Jonathan Sanchez, but would that be enough? For the Twins to pry Delmon Young from Tampa Bay they had to deal pitcher Matt Garza, who fits more in the Cain-Lincecum mold.

As for Florida third baseman Miguel Cabrera, the Giants have serious interest, although sources say the Marlins continue to view the Dodgers and Angels as the best fits. Moreover, Sabean noted a significant pitfall to trading the store for Cabrera: He is eligible for free agency in two years and probably would not negotiate a long-term extension now.

The Dodgers, Angels and Giants have been frustrated by Florida's high asking price of three or four top prospects or young major-leaguers, which makes Sabean wonder if the Marlins are serious about moving Cabrera now.

"You wonder if they really do want to trade the player or if they absolutely, positively have to win the deal in such a one-sided fashion," Sabean said. "Maybe they're not going to get something done."

As a team that wants to trade pitching for hitting, the Giants see about a half-dozen teams as potential partners. They also are open hitters who play any position, even ones that currently seem filled. As Sabean said, "We're smart enough to know that wherever the iron strikes, you have to make the adjustment."

Tampa Bay probably is out after trading Young, so Carl Crawford appears to be staying put. The Yankees could be a match and are willing to deal outfielder Melky Cabrera, but for now are using him as bait in a potential Johan Santana trade. If the Diamondbacks and Rockies are serious about trading outfielder Carlos Quentin and third baseman Garrett Atkins, respectively, Sabean would have to listen.

However, Sabean does not seem to be in a mood to listen to agents. The Giants have checked in with representatives for Andruw Jones, Aaron Rowand and the like, but there are no serious discussions. In fact, Sabean said, about 80 percent of his discussions center on trades rather than free agents.

And if Sabean returns from the winter meetings empty-handed? Would he dare enter 2008 leaning on the punchless veterans he has plus Nate Schierholtz, Daniel Ortmeier, Fred Lewis, Rajai Davis and Kevin Frandsen?

"It's possible," Sabean said, adding that if he cannot deal for position players who can help the Giants in 2008 and beyond, "we'll do whatever we can to hang on to our pitching and make our pitching stronger."

Manager Bruce Bochy suggested division-champion Arizona as a model, saying, "It's always good to have an impact player, but they didn't have an impact player. They didn't have one guy. We've talked about a different brand of ball, everybody contributing and not leaning on one guy or waiting for a guy to hit a three-run homer. Sure, they are great to have, but there are teams that win without them."

Sabean's suite at the winter meetings should be crowded, because his cabinet of advisers has grown again. The Giants again fortified their front office by hiring former A's executive and White Sox GM Ron Schueler, recently fired hitting coach Joe Lefebvre and respected Pirates scouting director Ed Creech as senior advisers. The team also named longtime Giants employee Matt Nerland a special assistant for scouting.

Giants would love to find big bat for middle of the order

USA Today-By Janie Mccauley, AP Sports Writer

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants would like to acquire a big hitter for the middle of their lineup - someone who could pick up a bit of the slack now that home run king Barry Bonds is gone.

But don't look for the Giants to unload top pitchers Matt Cain or Tim Lincecum to make it happen. Both hard-throwing right-handers are virtually untouchable as general manager Brian Sabean and his staff head to next week's winter meetings in Nashville, Tenn.

"We have to listen. That's our job. We finished in last place," Sabean said Thursday. "There's too much chatter around the industry about these guys."
San Francisco, which hasn't reached the playoffs since 2003, has several options to fill its outfield and replace Bonds in left. One scenario: Dave Roberts shifts from center field to left, Randy Winn moves from right to center and Nate Schierholtz plays right.

Still, the Giants need some punch.

"We know we have to do something in the middle of the order and know we might not be able to pick and choose the position," Sabean said. "We're not going to just fill holes. ... It's somebody that has a real presence in your lineup and can change your lineup. Power would help. You need a run producer."

Schierholtz, Dan Ortmeier and Fred Lewis all could have greater roles come 2008. The Giants told the 43-year-old Bonds in September they wouldn't re-sign him for a 16th season, then the slugger was indicted Nov. 15 and charged with four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice following a four-year investigation into steroids.

"I would look forward to it," manager Bruce Bochy said about using his younger players more regularly. "They're good kids here who have played well. I think that's an important part of a team's success - building within."

Speedy center fielder Rajai Davis, who came to the Giants as a rookie in a trade-deadline deal that sent pitcher Matt Morris to Pittsburgh, also should see significant action in the outfield.

"We're not going to say Davis is the guy (in center)," Sabean said. "We haven't seen Davis enough."

Finding a center fielder via free agency is unlikely, considering Sabean said his talks are "four to one" about trades versus acquiring free agents.

"To get a deal done without giving up Cain or Lincecum, that's the dilemma," he said.
The Giants re-signed 11-time Gold Glove shortstop Omar Vizquel earlier this month, but still have a hole to fill at third and possibly first. Sabean said his club is "on the fringe" when it comes to bringing back third baseman Pedro Feliz, meaning Kevin Frandsen or Rich Aurilia might wind up playing that spot.

"Their pie in the sky is a three-year deal, which we'll never get to," Sabean said about Feliz's representatives.

The Dodgers (82-80) and Giants (71-91) brought up the rear in the NL West for just the second time since divisional play began in 1969.

San Francisco owner Peter Magowan said during the season he is prepared for the franchise to take its lumps the next couple of years while rebuilding. The Giants want to give their developing players a shot to prove themselves at the big league level, too. They saw teams such as Arizona and Colorado succeed in the NL West this year going that route.

"One advantage you have with a young team ... by and large on a single day, everybody's ready to play, everybody's healthy enough to play, everybody wants to play," Sabean said. "They know it all can change in a heartbeat. Managing a younger team has the chance to be enjoyable. You're not going to get much flak back."

Also Thursday, Sabean announced additions to his front-office staff. Ron Schueler and former hitting coach Joe Lefebvre were hired as senior advisers for player personnel; Ed Creech was hired as a senior adviser for scouting; and Matt Nerland was named a special assistant for scouting.

(AP) Associated Press

Hot Stove from Yahoo!

Yahoo! Sports

They re-signed shortstop Omar Vizquel, still pretty slick with the glove but, at 40, a .246 hitter, and right-hander Tyler Walker, who made an impressive return from Tommy John surgery in the final month of 2007.

The Giants are among the teams aggressively pursuing a Miguel Cabrera trade, though Matt Cain or Tim Lincecum almost certainly would have to be part of the deal, which would damage the best part of the team – starting pitching.

They could instead shoot lower at third base, say for Troy Glaus, Joe Crede, Scott Rolen or Ty Wigginton.

Sabean also must upgrade in the outfield, and to that end is believed to be in on Andruw Jones or Aaron Rowand.

Sabean Weighs In

Chris Chaft from MLB.com reported on The Officical Site of the San Francisco Giants, "at this point, 70-75 percent of our conversations are about trades," Sabean said recently as he and his assistants prepared to head for the meetings in Nashville, Tenn., which begin Monday and run for four days. "We've had more conversations than we've had in a while ... I'm optimistic that the whole industry seems to be more engaged in talks and more layers of talks. This is the year you could see three-way trades."

Finding a third baseman remains the Giants' top priority. They were mentioned as a potential suitor for Florida's heavy-hitting Miguel Cabrera, but that buzz has subsided. The Giants either lack the talent to put together a sufficiently attractive package of players for Cabrera, or they're unwilling to part with Tim Lincecum or Matt Cain, the prized right-handers the Marlins certainly would covet. Lincecum's name has been liberally sprinkled on trade rumors for the past few weeks. "That's all I've heard," one Major League scout said.

Although Sabean hasn't completely ruled out trading Cain or Lincecum, their status as Giants appears increasingly safe. Sabean indicated this by saying, "Teams have come to us on people that it's probably very doubtful we'll be in a position to want to trade or will trade."

Asked about Cabrera, Sabean said, "Some of the things we're talking about are cost-prohibitive, and some of the things we've looked at may be more palatable."

Latest on Cabrera

MLB Trade Rumors
Phil Rogers (ChicagoSports.com) sees the Giants in the lead for Miguel Cabrera now.

Comment: The Giants appear to still be in a four team race for Cabrera with the Angels, Dodgers and White Sox.

...More Cabrera

Chicago Tribune

The Angels' signing of Torii Hunter followed weeks of negotiations with Florida about third baseman Miguel Cabrera. San Francisco now may be the team most aggressively pursuing Cabrera, but Giants GM Brian Sabean would have to swallow hard before agreeing to part with right-hander Tim Lincecum, who has been in every deal the Marlins have proposed.

Boston Globe
If you're going to San Francisco . . .Giants GM Brian Sabean said in this space a few weeks back that he wouldn't be afraid to trade some of his young pitching for a hitter. It appears Sabean is after Marlins third baseman Miguel Cabrera and is willing to offer a package that could include prized righthander Tim Lincecum. The Giants are in obvious need of a draw with Barry Bonds gone. They are looking for a centerpiece in their lineup, and the feeling is, why not build around a 24-year-old budding superstar?

Comment: The rumor continues...should Brian Sabean continue this path, he must sign Cabrera to a contract extension prior to a trade agreement. Pitchers of Lincecum's caliber and potential are extremely rare.

Gobble, Gobble

From MLB Trade Rumors

Buster Olney sums up the known Troy Percival suitors thusly: Yankees, Brewers, Giants, Astros, and Rays. He obviously wouldn't close for the Yankees, but might be able to pitch the ninth for the other clubs Olney named.
The 38 year-old Percival is a fascinating story. He missed all of 2006 and joined the Cardinals this year and posted phenomenal numbers - 1.80 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 3.6 K/BB. Suddenly he's primed to snag a closer gig again, if he wants it.

McCovey Chronicles lists some realistic position player targets for the Giants, including Jeff Clement, Andy Marte, and Adam Lind.

Comment: Percival makes sense as a closer...Brian Wilson, though, was more than adequate in 2007...Hitting, hitting, hitting is what the Giants need!

Benjie Molina

According to the Rocky Mountain News, the Giants are "looking to move Bengie Molina."

Molina could be another options for teams like the Mets, Rockies and Marlins that are looking for catching help. Molina will make $6 million in each of the next two seasons.

Comment: Benjie Molina was probably the Giants MVP in 2007. Saying this, his lack of speed and potential interest from other teams makes for interesting Hot Stove fodder. Should he be made part of a deal with Florida that allows the Giants to acquire a player of Miguel Cabrera's stature without giving up Cain or Lincecum the rumor makes sense. Otherwise, Molina is the type of positive influence that the re-building Giants need in their transition.

From MLB.com

Starting pitching is considered to be the Giants' strength, but they still might seek an arm or two to provide depth for the back of the rotation, particularly if they end up trading a starter to get a position player. This sort of move probably would come later in the offseason than sooner. One possibility: If David Wells wants to pitch again, as he has indicated, he might feel comfortable reuniting with Bruce Bochy, who managed him in San Diego.

Hot Stove

With so many apparent needs, the Giants management, e.g., Brian Sabean has his work cut out for him.

For years the Giants have concentrated on drafting pitching with their early draft picks or have given up early picks by signing free agents to compliment Barry Bonds. The Bonds era is now part of Giants history and now the Giants have poorly prepared themselves with an adequate replacement. Or have they?

The Giants are clearly a team in transition. The organization is stocked with quality pitching and speed. There very little resembling power in the Giants organization. At least in the near future. Of course the Giants have Nate Schierholtz , Dan Ortmeier and John Bowker. All, really outfielders and all not regarded as more than fourth or fifth outfielders on most major league teams. In the lower minors of course is the heir apparent in Angel Villalona. He, however recently only turned seventeen years old. He did hold his own against older competition, but clearly is three or four years away. The Giants drafted firstbaseman Andrew A D'Alessio in the 19th round of the 2007 draft who demonstrated power in the Arizona Rookie League and a late run at short season Salem-Keiser. He, too, is years away. Beyond these players, there is very little in the Giants organization that resemble power hitters.

Pitching, speed and defense will be the future of the Giants. The Giants are loaded with quality pitching in the lower minors. Pitchers like Clayton Tanner, Adam Cowart, Kevin Pucetas, Benjamin Snyder were the keystones of the Augusta Greenjackets. All starting pitchers, all won twelve games or more. Augusta also had Henry Sosa on the staff. Before his promotion was brilliant at 6-0 with a miniscule 0.73 e.r.a. Cowart has had two consecutive outstanding seasons since being drafted in 2006. The Giants minor league system is literally stacked with pitching from the lower minors to AAA Fresno. The Giants first two draft picks were pitchers in 2007. Tim Alderson was very impressive striking out 12 in the five innings he pitched without giving up a run in the Arizona Rookie League following his signing in the summer and Madison Bumgarner comes highly regarded.

As previously mentioned, the Giants are building a future based on pitching, speed and defense. Giants fans got a glimpse of the future in September. Eugenio Velez appears to be a star in the making and Rajai Davis is the type of player the Giants are seeking for their future plans...speed and defense. Rajai Davis brought back memories of Willie Mays with some of his defensive plays.

The Giants have a cornerstone already in place for the starting rotation. Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum bring hopes and memories of duos from the past such as Marichal and Perry. With Barry Zito and the promise of so much potential the Giants pitching in the future is very bright.

Trading Tim Lincecum is not advised. Pitchers of his caliber are a very rare commodity and he will only get better as time goes on.

As the Hot Stove League heats up...look for the Giants to build with team speed and defense. There are certainly glaring holes in the potential Giants line-up at the time of this writing, especially at the corner infield spots and an obvious lack of power. Rumors that the Giants are after Miguel Cabrera are intriguing, yet let patience lead the way.

Miguel Cabrera?

Giants in hot persuit of Cabrera

San Francisco Chronicle "The Giants would be more than happy to land Cabrera, a career .313 hitter who has 138 home runs at age 24. Many teams are pursuing Cabrera, and it widely is believed that the Dodgers or Angels might have a better shot to land him because they have more prospects to trade.For the Giants to get him, they almost certainly would have to part with a top young pitcher, perhaps Tim Lincecum."

Latest Giants Rumors

from: MLB Trade Rumors

Giants Rumors: Cabrera, Rolen, Walker
Finally some Giants rumors! I know a few fans have been clamoring for the team to join the hot stove rumblings. Andrew Baggarly has an article here and Henry Schulman has one here. Let's discuss.
The Giants have no one to play third base. Kevin Frandsen could technically do it but they prefer him at second. Thankfully, they will pass on Pedro Feliz. Feliz - get this - wants a three year deal. He's on the Brewers' radar, by the way.
Miguel Cabrera is one option, though Baggarly doesn't see the Giants offering up Tim Lincecum to jump into the fray. However Schulman's source says the Giants have been "one of the most aggressive teams" after Cabrera. Who to believe?
Baggarly's team source doesn't expect to go after the available Scott Rolen, given his health questions and contract. Free agents Morgan Ensberg and Mike Lamb seem more likely options at third base.
Brian Wilson and the newly signed Tyler Walker will mix it up for the closer job. Brian Sabean doesn't anticipate dropping big bucks/losing a draft pick for Scott Linebrink. Nor are the Giants likely to hit up the Japanese market.

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