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.
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