Harry Schulman-San Francisco Chronicle
As the Giants continue their search for a third baseman and middle-of-the-order hitter, they are not closing their eyes to other spots on the diamond.
Ron Schueler, one of general manager Brian Sabean's new senior advisers, attended a workout in Phoenix on Monday for free-agent starter Kris Benson. Representatives from about nine teams watched the former Pirates, Mets and Orioles right-hander throw 60 pitches in a bid to show he is back from a shoulder operation that cost him the 2007 season.
Also, the agent for Tony Clark said the Giants have expressed some interest in the 35-year-old first baseman, who reportedly had a two-year offer to return to Arizona until last week, when the team acquired infielder Chris Burke as part of a trade with Houston.
Clark is a switch-hitter who drew raves last season for helping to shepherd the young Diamondbacks to a division title. Moreover, he hit 17 homers with 51 RBIs in 221 at-bats in a platoon with Conor Jackson.
Players such as Benson or Clark might not be high priorities for the Giants, compared to finding a third baseman and relief help.
However, Sabean always is looking for pitching depth, and team officials have said that one option at first base is giving the job to switch-hitter Daniel Ortmeier in conjunction with a role player with whom he can share time and learn the ropes. Ortmeier's strongest hitting side is right-handed. Clark's is left-handed.
"Obviously, I think it would be a great fit for Tony and I think they'd be getting a middle-of-the-order type guy," Clark's agent, John Boggs, said. "When you look at the impact he had on the younger guys on the Diamondbacks club, that's kind of the impact he would want to have on the San Francisco club. He can produce, and he can definitely be a guy who's going to help a ballclub out in a lot of different ways."
Boggs and the Giants have not had any serious discussions, as the team focuses on longer-term lineup solutions, but the agent said Clark would be amenable to a one-year deal. One potential roadblock: The Giants already have a backup first baseman in Rich Aurilia.
Benson, 33, is a former first-round draft pick whose best year was 2000, when he struck out 184 batters in 217 innings for the Pirates. He has a lifetime record of 68-73 with a 4.34 ERA and is equally well known for his outspoken wife, Anna.
Benson threw all of his pitches during his workout in Arizona, and a report on MLB.com said scouts were impressed.
"He's probably ahead of his normal offseason workouts," said Benson's agent, Gregg Clifton, adding that he and Benson identified the Giants as a potential fit. It is not clear how interested the Giants are. Schueler lives in Arizona and might have visited the workout as a matter of convenience.
As for third basemen, baseball people say the trade market remains tight. The Seattle Mariners, who might have shopped Adrian Beltre in a deal for pitching, would have less need with the impeding signing of free agent starter Carlos Silva. The White Sox might deal Joe Crede, who is coming off back surgery (but not first baseman Paul Konerko, whom the Sox plan to keep). Third baseman Morgan Ensberg became a free agent when the Padres declined to offer him a contract last week.
Last week, Sabean said he remained interested in incumbent Pedro Feliz, but not for the three-year contract he is seeking. A report last week that the Giants asked about former Angels third baseman Dallas McPherson was accurate, a source said, but since then the sides have moved in opposing directions.
Ron Schueler, one of general manager Brian Sabean's new senior advisers, attended a workout in Phoenix on Monday for free-agent starter Kris Benson. Representatives from about nine teams watched the former Pirates, Mets and Orioles right-hander throw 60 pitches in a bid to show he is back from a shoulder operation that cost him the 2007 season.
Also, the agent for Tony Clark said the Giants have expressed some interest in the 35-year-old first baseman, who reportedly had a two-year offer to return to Arizona until last week, when the team acquired infielder Chris Burke as part of a trade with Houston.
Clark is a switch-hitter who drew raves last season for helping to shepherd the young Diamondbacks to a division title. Moreover, he hit 17 homers with 51 RBIs in 221 at-bats in a platoon with Conor Jackson.
Players such as Benson or Clark might not be high priorities for the Giants, compared to finding a third baseman and relief help.
However, Sabean always is looking for pitching depth, and team officials have said that one option at first base is giving the job to switch-hitter Daniel Ortmeier in conjunction with a role player with whom he can share time and learn the ropes. Ortmeier's strongest hitting side is right-handed. Clark's is left-handed.
"Obviously, I think it would be a great fit for Tony and I think they'd be getting a middle-of-the-order type guy," Clark's agent, John Boggs, said. "When you look at the impact he had on the younger guys on the Diamondbacks club, that's kind of the impact he would want to have on the San Francisco club. He can produce, and he can definitely be a guy who's going to help a ballclub out in a lot of different ways."
Boggs and the Giants have not had any serious discussions, as the team focuses on longer-term lineup solutions, but the agent said Clark would be amenable to a one-year deal. One potential roadblock: The Giants already have a backup first baseman in Rich Aurilia.
Benson, 33, is a former first-round draft pick whose best year was 2000, when he struck out 184 batters in 217 innings for the Pirates. He has a lifetime record of 68-73 with a 4.34 ERA and is equally well known for his outspoken wife, Anna.
Benson threw all of his pitches during his workout in Arizona, and a report on MLB.com said scouts were impressed.
"He's probably ahead of his normal offseason workouts," said Benson's agent, Gregg Clifton, adding that he and Benson identified the Giants as a potential fit. It is not clear how interested the Giants are. Schueler lives in Arizona and might have visited the workout as a matter of convenience.
As for third basemen, baseball people say the trade market remains tight. The Seattle Mariners, who might have shopped Adrian Beltre in a deal for pitching, would have less need with the impeding signing of free agent starter Carlos Silva. The White Sox might deal Joe Crede, who is coming off back surgery (but not first baseman Paul Konerko, whom the Sox plan to keep). Third baseman Morgan Ensberg became a free agent when the Padres declined to offer him a contract last week.
Last week, Sabean said he remained interested in incumbent Pedro Feliz, but not for the three-year contract he is seeking. A report last week that the Giants asked about former Angels third baseman Dallas McPherson was accurate, a source said, but since then the sides have moved in opposing directions.
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