Rumors in a slow Christmas time...

ESPN's Jayson Stark dishes some good rumorage in his latest column.

• Stark dug around to find all the Mark Prior suitors and came up with this list: Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox, Mariners, Mets, Cardinals, Padres, Astros, Giants, Reds, Nationals (11 teams). Let's compare notes. MLBTR readers have seen the Yankees, Mets, Cards, Padres, Astros, Reds, and Nats linked to Prior already. So Stark has added the Red Sox, White Sox, Mariners, and Giants. The idea of the Mariners runs contrary to this MLB.com article. Stark did not name the Rangers, who are said to be aggressively pursuing Prior. Prior is dead set on a one-year deal and would take a big league mound in May in the best case.

Giants Pursuing Corner Infield Help

I'm not sure of the Giants' plan - are they rebuilding? Playing for 2008? Kind of rebuilding but trying to seem respectable?

At any rate, the Giants don't have much going on at first and third base. I like the idea of going after a cheap under-30 third base upside play like Dallas McPherson. But I wouldn't fill the spot with a vet just to fill it. As for first, I've said before I'd just toss Dan Ortmeier there for 550 ABs in lieu of adding some stopgap. But that's just me; here's the latest on Brian Sabean's corner infield pursuits:

• Tony Clark is a target, and San Francisco is a good fit for him in terms of playing time. He'd probably get a one-year deal and be paired with Ortmeier.
• The Mariners are apparently shopping Adrian Beltre for pitching. Doesn't seem to be a smart move for Seattle but it may be a moot point if they are nearing a Carlos Silva signing.
• No doubt Joe Crede can be had. Paul Konerko, not so much. Crede makes sense for the Giants in that they might be able to flip him if he has a good April-May.
• Morgan Ensberg is a free agent who would probably play for $3MM and jump at a full-time chance.
• Pedro Feliz remains on the radar, but apparently still wants three years. C'mon now.
• The Giants have "moved in opposing directions" with McPherson, a Scott Boras client.

Comment: If there is any substance to rumors the Giants are going after a starting pitcher, e.g., Kris Bensen and Mark Prior this could indicate the Giants have another move in the works. Speculation, yes, but perhaps, for Scott Rolen or Joe Crede. Brian Sabean always lays quiet and keeps his intentions close to his vest...when it seems like nothing is happening Sabean strikes like a cobra. An example of this is the Aaron Rowand signing. More to come....