San Francisco Giants Top 20 Prospects for 2009

John Sickels-minorleagueball.com

All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change. Don’t get too worried about exact rankings at this point, especially once you get out of the top 10. Grade C+/C guys are pretty interchangeable depending on what you are looking for.

1) Madison Bumgarner, LHP, Grade A: Health is a risk as with any young pitcher, but incredible performance at a young age and improved secondary stuff stands out.

2) Buster Posey, C, Grade A-: Excellent defense, should hit for average with high OBP and at least moderate power.

3) Tim Alderson, RHP, Grade B+: Borderline A-. Doesn’t have Bumgarner’s stuff but pitched well at a higher level with great command.

4) Angel Villalona, 1B, Grade B: Grade A power potential, Grade C refinement. Horrid plate discipline balances out extreme youth at this point.

5) Conor Gillaspie, 3B, Grade B-: I like the Midwest guys. Polished bat, will hit for average and get on base, glove needs to be more reliable but I think it will.

6) Henry Sosa, RHP, Grade B-: Good arm, but a bit erratic, can he stay healthy?

7) Nick Noonan, 2B, Grade B-: Strike zone judgment needs work but I like the other skills.

8) Travis Ishikawa, 1B, Grade C+: In under the 130 at-bat rule. Should be a solid player but I don’t see stardom in him.

9) Waldis Joaquin, RHP, Grade C+: Fits the tradition of power arms in this organization.

10) Rafael Rodriguez, OF, Grade C+: I have no idea where to rank guys like this. Could be anything from a superstar to a superdud.

11) Jose Casilla, RHP, Grade C+: Another power arm of interest, though a long way away.

12) Clayton Tanner, LHP, Grade C+: I like him as a sleeper for ’09.

13) Jesse English, LHP, Grade C+: Added to 40-man roster, rebuilt his career following injuries with a strong year in the Cal League.

14) Scott Barnes, LHP, Grade C+: Intriguing lefty out of St. John’s in the 2008 draft. Good stuff, decent command.

15) Luis Perdomo, RHP, Grade C+: Nice pickup in the Rule 5. Could help in bullpen quickly.

16) Ehire Adrianza, SS, Grade C+: Good scouting reports, good glove, sample size very small. Could rise rapidly in grade in ’09. Other sources will rank him higher.

17) Kelvin Pichardo, RHP, Grade C+: Another power arm who can help if he throws strikes.

18) Sergio Romo, RHP, Grade C+: In under the 50-inning rule Great story, I like him a lot, but beware fly balls and unsustainable BABIP leading to regression to mean.

19) Jesus Guzman, 3B, Grade C+: Signed away from Oakland as minor league free agent. I think his progress was real.

20) Joseph Martinez, RHP, Grade C: Wins with marginal stuff. Can he do this in the majors?

Others: Brandon Crawford, SS; Matt Downs, UT; Wendell Fairley, OF; Jason Jarvis, RHP; Roger Kieschnick, OF; Aaron King, LHP; Mike Loree, RHP; Daryl Maday, RHP; Osiris Matos, RHP; Thomas Neal, 1B; Kyle Nicholson, RHP; Juan Carlos Perez, OF; Kevin Pucetas, RHP; Edwin Quirate, RHP; Ryan Rohlinger, 3B; Adam Witter, C-1B.

As usual, don’t sweat so much about where the Grade C+/C types rank exactly on this list. After I get past the top 10 I don’t worry so much about exact placement, since I’m trying to concentrate on the book right now. Some of the Grade C guys could be C+ in the book, and vice versa.

SYSTEM IN BRIEF:
The system has three outstanding prospects in Bumgarner, Alderson, and Posey. After that the question marks start, with guys like Villalona and Gillaspie having notable strengths but also weaknesses that prevent a higher grade at this time.

The Giants seem to have a knack for finding spare pitching between the couch cushions, and are adept at picking up both power arms and more polished guys. You never know which young pitcher is going to go Foppert on you, so it is wise to gather as many as possible.

They have considerably less depth in position players, and at lower levels are relying on raw tools guys like Rodriguez and Fairley to carry the load. Even college pick Kieschnick is relatively raw. Don’t worry about Posey, though. I think the only thing that could derail him is injury, a risk for all young catchers.

Unit wants to savor time with Giants

Johnson realizes 2009 could be swan song to his Hall of Fame career

Chris Haft - MLB.com
If 2009 is Randy Johnson's final Major League campaign, he intends to cherish it.

The "Big Unit," known through most of his 21-year career as a glowering, intimidating 6-foot-10 presence on the mound, won't necessarily change his demeanor when he's pitching. But he sounded ready to share the camaraderie with his new Giants teammates -- especially if they're the last ones he'll have.

"I'm not going to say I'm done because I haven't even started the year," Johnson said on a conference call Saturday, one day after signing a one-year, $8 million contract with the Giants. But the 45-year-old acknowledged, "It could be my last season. ... I probably want to enjoy it a little more and be surrounded by people who are enjoying it as well."

Johnson believes that the Giants can achieve the feat that would please him and his teammates most: A National League West title. The Giants have endured four consecutive losing seasons, but Johnson noted that he witnessed the type of turnaround San Francisco aspires to in 1999, when he helped the Arizona Diamondbacks win the division with a 100-62 record after they finished 65-97 in their inaugural season the year before.

"I foresee that possibility and the likelihood that would happen," Johnson said, adding that competing in a "weaker NL West" could assist the Giants.

Giants management is equally aware of the West's vulnerability. Arizona, Colorado and San Diego have done little or nothing to improve themselves. Reigning division champion Los Angeles retains its core of young, talented position players but must restock its starting rotation due to possible free-agent defections and hasn't yet re-signed late-season catalyst Manny Ramirez.

Lacking a potent offense, the Giants are flawed themselves. Having resisted offers of corner infielders for Jonathan Sanchez, general manager Brian Sabean hinted that he might at least listen to trade proposals involving the left-hander, now that Johnson's aboard.

"We're going to have to be open-minded," Sabean said, although he repeated that he wouldn't obtain a player who's eligible for free agency after 2009.

Waiting until Spring Training also could be an option for the Giants, who'll know by then whether left-hander Noah Lowry will have sufficiently recovered from two forearm surgeries. If Lowry's fit, Sanchez would be bumped from the rotation into the bullpen and could be expendable.

If the Giants can't upgrade their offense, they'll rely more heavily on pitching. That partly explained why they pursued Johnson, the 295-game winner who finished 11-10 with a 3.91 ERA for Arizona last season. Maybe, Sabean reiterated, the Giants can compensate for the offensive shortcomings with pitching prowess. Johnson joins a starting rotation that already features fellow Cy Young Award winners Tim Lincecum and Barry Zito, along with the richly skilled Matt Cain and Sanchez.

"That will be exciting to play with them, learn from them and hopefully teach a little bit as well," Johnson said.

Zito, for one, was thrilled.

"I'm eager to play with arguably the greatest left-handed pitcher of all time," Zito said through his publicist, Kathy Jacobson. "I have enjoyed watching Randy from the opposing dugout for years and am excited to be around him on a daily basis. I always wanted to play with a multi-Cy Young Award winner and now that has happened."

Johnson sounded ready to impart one particular nugget of wisdom: Never feel satisfied, even after winning a Cy Young Award. This could prove useful to Lincecum, the reigning NL winner, and Zito, who captured the AL Cy Young Award with Oakland in 2002. Having captured five Cy Youngs, Johnson definitely knows what he's talking about.

"Don't ever be content after winning a Cy Young," he said. "You never know when you've had your best year."

Johnson added that he made this observation to Brandon Webb after the right-hander won the NL Cy Young Award in 2006. In two seasons since then, Webb has won 40 games.

Manager Bruce Bochy relishes the thought of the Giants' younger pitchers taking cues from Johnson's drive -- which he'll certainly maintain as he pursues his 300th career victory. Cain and Lincecum, both 24, and Sanchez, 26, should particularly benefit from Johnson's example. "It can't help but rub off on people," Bochy said.

Johnson, whose renowned fastball still travels in the low-90-mph range, might be as spry as any Giants pitcher. Having spent his previous two offseasons recovering from back surgeries, he has focused on conditioning instead of rehabilitating this winter.

That also bodes well for the Giants, who Johnson selected after fielding interest from a dozen teams, by his count.

When Johnson gets some free time next year, the Walnut Creek, Calif., native and 1982 Livermore High School graduate might even revel in his Bay Area roots. He hinted at visiting places like his Little League field at Bear Park near Mendenhall School in Livermore, situated across the bay from San Francisco.

"It'll be a lot of fun," Johnson said, reiterating the theme of his chat.

Big Unit will be big help to Giants

Keith Law-ESPN.com
With the signing of Randy Johnson to a one-year deal, the Giants made another move toward 2009 respectability, if not outright contention in a weak division, without doing any damage to their long-term rebuilding plan.

Despite his age (he turned 45 in September), Johnson showed that he has something left in the tank in 2008, making 30 starts, striking out 22.4 percent of opposing hitters and posting an ERA better than league average.

He's been pitching for a few years with reduced stuff, but his fastball is still solid-average at 89-93, and his slider remains sharp, 82-86 mph with good tilt and late depth to it. His third pitch, a splitter, is a weaker offering; he gets on top of the pitch, but has a slow dive rather than the hard bottom more often associated with a splitter. Right-handed hitters can time the pitch because its drop starts early.

He still has good deception, especially against left-handers, but tends to pitch in the upper middle part of the zone too often with his fastball, which, combined with the gradual drop in his velocity, has turned him into a fly ball pitcher over the last few years. San Francisco's park is an ideal spot for a pitcher with this tendency, because it is one of the least home run-friendly parks (in terms of converting fly balls into home runs) in baseball.

For the Giants, it gives them one of the strongest rotations in the league, with the reigning Cy Young Award winner at the top in Tim Lincecum, a potential No. 1 starter in Matt Cain and a breakout candidate for 2009 in lefty Jonathan Sanchez. Barry Zito now becomes the fifth starter; consider the contrast between the Giants' philosophy in signing Zito, who was all name but declining performance-wise, to a seven-year contract that cost them a draft pick, and their philosophy in signing Johnson to a short-term deal that does not cost them a pick.

The Giants could now trade a starter for offensive help, and their offense does need it, as they were the first team in a decade to fail to hit 100 home runs in a full season. They also had the fourth-worst OBP in the league and finished just three runs ahead of the NL-worst Padres.

They still need help at two infield spots (third or first base, with Pablo Sandoval at the other spot, and shortstop or second base, with Edgar Renteria at the other spot), or the Giants could try to upgrade in either outfield corner, with center field already committed to Aaron Rowand for the rest of eternity. While it would be difficult for the Giants to trade Sanchez or even Cain, they could increase their chances of contention in 2009 with the right deal, and they have more young high-end pitching on the way in Madison Bumgarner and Tim Alderson.

You may have heard that Johnson is just five wins short of the hallowed 300 mark, which remains (despite frequent comments to the contrary by voters) a benchmark for Hall of Fame induction, one that has kept highly qualified players like Bert Blyleven out.

Johnson should be a lock for induction regardless -- the third-highest strikeout total of all-time, five Cy Young Awards and three second-place finishes, etc. -- but reaching 300 wins may increase his vote total when he does reach the ballot. Of course, perhaps the major variable in determining whether a pitcher wins a game or not is the run support he receives from his team, and the Giants' offense remains a weak spot, so reaching five wins will likely take Johnson longer than it would had he signed with another team.

Randy Johnson, Giants agree to 1-year deal

JANIE McCAULEY, AP Sports Writer
The Big Unit is heading home to the Bay Area.

Randy Johnson and the San Francisco Giants agreed to an $8 million, one-year contract Friday, meaning the 45-year-old pitcher will go for his 300th win with a new team.

Johnson, a 21-year big league veteran who spent the past two seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, was born in Walnut Creek, Calif., about 30 minutes from the Giants' waterfront ballpark. He grew up in nearby Livermore.

The five-time Cy Young Award winner has 295 victories after going 11-10 with a 3.91 ERA in 30 starts last season. He can earn an additional $5 million in performance bonuses.

The Giants offered several things on Johnson's wish list: spring training in the Phoenix area, and a chance to stay on the West Coast and in the NL West so he can pitch near his current home in Arizona.

"All of those things kind of fell into place with the Giants," Johnson's agent, Barry Meister, said in a telephone interview.

Johnson joins fellow Cy Young winners Tim Lincecum (2008) and Barry Zito (2002) in an intriguing rotation that also features promising right-hander Matt Cain. San Francisco becomes the first team with three Cy Young Award recipients since the 2002 Atlanta Braves with Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux and John Smoltz.

"He's looking forward to pitching between Lincecum and Cain and serving as a mentor for the young pitching staff," Meister said.

Johnson has 4,789 strikeouts, second on the career list to Nolan Ryan (5,714). The 6-foot-10 lefty made $16 million last season, when he struck out 173 and walked 44.

The Oakland Athletics were among the teams interested in Johnson, a 10-time All-Star who filed for free agency last month. He and the Diamondbacks had serious discussions about a new deal that could have kept him in Arizona, but the sides failed to reach an agreement.

During the winter meetings this month in Las Vegas, Giants general manager Brian Sabean didn't hide the fact that he was seeking a veteran starting pitcher for a short-term deal and that Johnson would be a great fit. Left-hander Noah Lowry is a question mark after undergoing two operations this year that sidelined him all season, one for a nerve problem in his forearm and then an arthroscopic procedure after the season on the back of his pitching elbow to remove bone spurs

"Randy continues to be one of the most intimidating and competitive pitchers in baseball today," Sabean said in a statement. "He commands respect and will have a dramatic influence on the way the 2009 team conducts business."

The Giants turned to a youth movement this year and finished fourth in the NL West at 72-90. They haven't reached the playoffs since 2003.

Johnson certainly will help attract fans as he chases career win No. 300. The Giants went 37-44 at home for their fourth straight losing campaign in San Francisco. They also failed to reach 3 million fans for the first time in the 9-year-old ballpark's history, certainly in part because home run king Barry Bonds was gone.

Sabean has been busy all offseason. He also added shortstop Edgar Renteria and relievers Jeremy Affeldt and Bobby Howry.

San Francisco Holiday Wish: A Giants Bat

Rob Angstadt - Bleacher Report
The San Francisco Giants came into this off season with clearly stated goals:

1. Improve the bullpen.

2. Sign a veteran shortstop

3. Add a power bat to the infield while not sacrificing defense

If the season were to start today, GM Brian Sabean could accurately say that he has achieved two of the three goals. By adding lefty Jeremy Affeldt and righty Bob Howry, Sabean has successfully bridged the gap from our fearsome rotation to closer Brian Wilson. Compound that with an improved Sergio Romo and Alex Hinshaw, in addition to a better role for Jack Taschner, and Sabean can say, "Mission accomplished!"

The signing of free agent Edgar Renteria provides a stable veteran presence at shortstop that will bridge the gap to allow our pitchers to breathe a little easier knowing that they will not have to rely on rookies at the most important defensive position in the diamond. "Mission accomplished!"

This leaves one major goal that is yet to be achieved. The San Francisco Giants need a giant bat.

As we approach the end of 2008 and are getting ready to begin 2009, the Giants have the traditional corner power spots occupied by Fred Lewis, Randy Winn, Pablo Sandoval, and Travis Ishikawa. While all of these players are highly skilled in certain areas, none of them, with the possible exception of Pablo Sandoval, strike fear into hearts of opposing pitching the way players in these spots should.

Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers have so much offensive talent on their major league team with more on the way from their system, that any opposing pitcher heading to Arlington is ready to see their ERA shoot through the roof. Unfortunately for Texas, they have the worst starting rotation in all of baseball and lack any hope for improvement in the future. Like the major league team, their minor league teams are stacked in offensive talent but do not have pitching.

The Texas Rangers are right now looking at starting the season with a rotation featuring Kevin Millwood, Vincente Padilla, Brandon McCarthy, Matt Harrison (who?), and Dustin Nippert (again...who?) yet their lineup packs a punch with Josh Hamilton, Michael Young, Hank Blalock, Ian Kinsler, Chris Davis, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Taylor Teagarden.

In San Francisco, pitchers know they must pitch a near perfect gem every five days to have a chance of winning. In Arlington, hitters know they must put up at least six runs a game to have a chance of winning. This is a match made in heaven, so why aren't the sides talking?

There have been rumors in the past linking Blalock to the Giants, but with his injury history resembling that of Joe Crede, Sabean wisely took a pass. So what about the other corner infielder? What about Chris Davis?

In 295 at bats, Davis hit 17 home runs, had 55 RBIs, and a respectable BA of .285. Most experts project him to be a 30 home run 100 RBI man. If he were on the Giants, he would slide right into the cleanup spot, pushing Molina down to the 5th spot, Rowand to the 6th, Fred Lewis to seventh, and Ishikawa to the bench. While I appreciate the James Loney type defense that Ishikawa provides, the Giants can not afford to have their first baseman batting 7th.

Of course, the same reasons I mention above are the same reasons the Texas Rangers want to keep him. The thing is... they don't need him. They need pitching. San Francisco has pitching, lots of pitching, too much pitching, and desperately needs a bat they can control for the next few years.

San Francisco also has another thing that the Rangers need... money. If Brian Sabean could create a package that would allow Texas to shed salary while at the same time improving their rotation, they'd have to accept.

Some Giants fans may say that to get a player like Chris Davis, the Giants would have to sacrifice Matt Cain. I don't agree. We are not talking about the most talented player on the Rangers.

We are not talking about Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, or Michael Young. Johnathan Sanchez would immediately become the No. 2 starter on the incredibly weak pitching staff that Texas currently has. Couple him with prospects Pucetas or Alderson as well as cash and the Texas Rangers would have to accept.

With two teams with such glaring weaknesses in the other's area of strength this is a match made in heaven. These teams are also in different leagues, so if the unfortunate does happen and Johnathan Sanchez turns into Scott Kazmir and with his incredible fastball, power slider combination he could, at least he wouldn't wreak havoc on the Giants.

The worst thing that the Giants can do is nothing. Nothing does not put runs on the scoreboard. Nothing leaves the Giants with no one able to crack 25 homeruns. Nothing does not give Matt Cain the run support he craves. Nothing does not put fans in the seats. Lincecum can not pitch every day.

If Sabean were able to pry Chris Davis away and Bruce could field the following lineup:

1. RF Randy Winn

2. SS Edgar Renteria

3. 3B Pablo Sandoval

4. 1B Chris Davis

5. C Bengie Molina

6. CF Aaron Rowand

7. LF Fred Lewis

8. 2B Emmannuel Burris/ Kevin Frandsen

9. Lincecum/Cain/Zito/Lowry/Pucetas (or Randy Johnson if the Giants sign him)

then all of Giants nation could rejoice and yell: "Mission accomplished!"

Taschner remains a Giants

San Francisco Chronicle (SFGate)
Left-handed reliever Jack Taschner, whose future with the Giants was in doubt, will return in 2009. The Giants tendered Taschner a contract for next season by Friday's deadline.

Taschner, who will turn 31 in April, had a 4.88 ERA in 67 games for the Giants last season, but general manager Brian Sabean said he believes Taschner can improve in a different role, complementing fellow lefties Jeremy Affeldt and Alex Hinshaw.

"He just needs to pitch in a spot in the pecking order (where) he can relax and have some success. He's been overexposed a little bit," Sabean said. "To have three lefties, including him, that really helps. Not many teams can do that."

Taschner earned $400,500 last season and is the only Giant eligible for salary arbitration.

Will Giants bid for Sabathia?

Andrew Baggerly - Mercury News

Two winters ago, the Giants placed a $126 million wager on Barry Zito. Now they arrive in Las Vegas pondering whether to double-down.

Should they plunk down another $100-million-plus contract for ace left-hander CC Sabathia? Or would it be a reckless gamble for a franchise trying to get younger and more financially nimble?

You don't need to be a seasoned baseball executive to know that starting pitchers seldom are a good bet on long-term contracts. You'll get better payoff odds from the airport slots.

Yet the Giants continue to debate the idea of signing Sabathia, and they don't expect a resolution at the winter meetings this week.

"We don't want to close things off," said Giants President Larry Baer, acknowledging the risk of investing a quarter of a billion dollars in two pitchers. "In the end, everybody would have to feel comfortable that he's the right guy and agree it's the right thing to do. None of those firm decisions have been made. In this end, I have no idea where it's going to go."

The Giants already bought a new setup staff, signing Bobby Howry and Jeremy Affeldt. They have a new No. 2 hitter after luring shortstop Edgar Renteria with a two-year, $18.5 million contract.

"None of those signings cost us a draft pick, which is very important," Baer said. "And while they might not be sexy signings, they incrementally help us. We know there are lots of other ways we need to improve."

At the same time, the

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rest of the National League West is clipping coupons. The San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies have cuts costs. Even Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, who borrowed heavily to purchase the club, is strapped for cash.

The Giants could be tempted to seize the moment and make an aggressive push. Given the current economic climate, they'll need to give fans the strongest possible incentive to buy tickets. And nothing moves turnstiles like a winner, right?

Baer acknowledged the state of the division but said: "We just have to stay focused on our goals. We want to take the step in 2009 to be better than .500. Whether that takes us to contention or not, we'll see. We can't close ourselves off from any possibilities, but we won't sacrifice the long-term building process we've already begun."

General Manager Brian Sabean said: "We're sitting in a pretty good place. Some teams seem to be challenged to retain their own roster or go forward with the present payroll. We're doing what we can to play catch-up or leapfrog some of these people. It's one of those years when it might turn out that way."

Sabean will be fielding trade offers in his suite at the Bellagio, hoping for a deal to augment his power-deprived offense. The longtime G.M. said it's possible the Giants won't make any more offensive moves, but it's hard to believe Sabean would feel confident entering the last year of his contract with Bengie Molina as his cleanup hitter. The Giants' 94 home runs last season were the fewest by a National League team since the 1993 expansion Florida Marlins (in a non-strike-shortened season).

Sabean is looking for a power-hitting corner infielder, with left-hander Jonathan Sanchez his most attractive trading chip. The club has been linked to a pair of third basemen, the Cincinnati Reds' Edwin Encarnacion and the Marlins' Jorge Cantu, both of whom are capable of a 25-homer season.

But Encarnacion and Cantu also are considered subpar defensive players. That looms as a significant drawback, especially since scouts noted Renteria's shrinking range and agility while playing shortstop for the Detroit Tigers last season.

Defensive concerns also make it unlikely the Giants will look at Adam Dunn or Pat Burrell, two free-agent power threats who could play first base.

Pressure on Sabean to produce

Ray Ratto - San Francisco Chronicle (SFGate)
The Giants did their bit for suicide prevention Thursday by showing Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain that they would not be pitching in front of an all-rookie infield in 2009. If you look at it that way, Edgar Renteria makes perfect sense.

But Renteria represents something different for the Giants, and no, lowering the age of the shortstop by almost a decade doesn't count.

The tip was in general manager Brain Sabean's use of the phrase "scouting and statistical analysis" in explaining the Renteria signing. That Renteria, at age 33, coming off a year in which he played like he was 53, and costing Randy Winn money, cleared all the Giants' newfound analytical hurdles makes him the test case for the Neukom World Order.

Unless there was discord among the brains in the front office - Neukom (who is already showing more hands-on than his predecessor), Sabean, Dick Tidrow, John Barr, Bobby Evans, Ron Scheuler and Jeremy Shelley - Renteria was regarded as a good idea by all the Giants. As Knuckles Schulman points out, the market was all to the seller: Emmanuel Burriss looks more second-base-ish after the fall league, and the Giants need every bat they can scare up.

Renteria is a risk, though, because he is coming off a year in which he was both thick of body and thin of stats. The argument that he was just a National League player lost in Boston and Detroit remains to be re-proven in a more spacious ballyard. He is at an age where one bad year more often than not leads to another. Plus, there is the perception that he is standing in the way of youth, glorious youth, even though it is more than fair to infer that Renteria is standing in front of nobody in the Giants' system.

He is indeed a roll of the dice, and the fact that more people were involved in the debate only puts more people at risk if Neukom decides to change the front-office roster in October.

True, with the winter meetings upon us, we may very well forget about Renteria if the Giants find that power hitter to spare Bengie Molina another year in the four-hole. We would certainly forget about it if they out-Zito themselves and win the CC Sabathia money-put.

But in the greater likelihood that neither of those things happen (and yes, cynical old poops that we are, we are discounting the notion of Randy Johnson), Renteria will be the team's signature signing in Neukom's first year. If he doesn't work out as expected and, worse, cannot be re-gifted at the trade deadline, Neukom is unlikely to call a staff meeting and blame himself.

So what we have here is Brian Sabean's biggest roll of the dice. It wasn't Barry Bonds or Barry Zito, because both of those were handled above his pay grade. It wasn't Jeff Kent, although that made his reputation. It won't be Tim Lincecum or Matt Cain, although he gets as much credit for those as he gets points off for Dave Roberts.

No, this is Sabean's big signing to date for his new boss, Neukom, a boss redistricting the organization of a team whose best years are now six years behind it.

There has always been a myth that Sabean didn't believe in baseball's more involved numbers, when in fact he wasn't a difficult sell on them at all. The flaw had always been the lack of position players in the system, and Renteria is both an acknowledgement of and a temporary fix for that. It is not, as is often portrayed, another retreat to the AARP Era, but an admission that while the problem has been addressed, it has not yet fully been repaired.

But when your contract is down to months rather than years, everything is magnified, and there are no mulligans, let alone Hillenbrands or Tuckers. Edgar Renteria is not a classic new-age signing, but he's a short-term necessity on a team that has no shortstop near the top end of the minor-league pipeline. He has to anchor a young and uncertain infield the way Omar Vizquel could have had his bat not died. And he has to rediscover his passion for the game at a time when many players start to lose theirs, or have it taken from them.

So this really is Brian Sabean's biggest signing, at least in terms of job security. Renteria is playing for Neukom's heart and mind, and the shape of the front office for years to come. Other than that, there's no pressure at all.

Renteria signs two-year deal with Giants

Chris Haft-MLB.com
The Giants culminated their courtship of shortstop Edgar Renteria by signing the 13-year veteran to a two-year, $18.5 million deal Thursday.

The Giants had pursued Renteria and Rafael Furcal, another free-agent shortstop. But Renteria proved to be more economical than Furcal, who reportedly is seeking a four-year contract worth more than $10 million annually. The Giants and Renteria's agents, Jeff Lane and Barry Meister, began exchanging proposals about two weeks ago, as initially reported on MLB.com.

"Jeff and I really felt like this was the right place for him," Meister said.

Renteria's arrival is expected to prompt change throughout the Giants' infield. Emmanuel Burriss, who began the offseason as the heir apparent at shortstop, likely will play second base, where he'll compete with Kevin Frandsen and Eugenio Velez.

Frandsen's also in the mix at third base, although the Giants would like to obtain an offensively proven corner infielder, with Pablo Sandoval manning the other corner. If this happens, Frandsen could be thrust into a utility role. That might in turn quash the Giants' thoughts of re-signing utilityman Rich Aurilia, who has spent 10 of his 13 big league years with the club.

The Giants believe that Renteria, a .290 career hitter, can help upgrade their offense. San Francisco finished 15th in scoring and OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) in the National League while ranking last in the Majors in home runs last season. Also, Giants shortstops ranked last in the NL in batting average (.228) and OPS (.576) and tied for last in home runs (one) and runs (51).

Renteria's 62-point drop in batting average, from .332 with Atlanta in 2007 to .270 for Detroit last season, appears ominous.

"I thought he slowed down a little bit," an American League scout said.

Among longtime Giants fans, this might awaken memories of second baseman Rennie Stennett, who signed a then-lavish five-year, $3 million deal before the 1980 season and proceeded to hit .242 in two seasons before being released.

But indications are that Renteria's no Stennett. Renteria, who also amassed 10 homers and 55 RBIs for Detroit, hit .299 in last season's final two months. Moreover, according to his agents, he has shed more than 10 pounds this offseason to get himself fit.

A five-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove Award winner, the 33-year-old Renteria was once considered among the Majors' most multitalented shortstops. He has exceeded .300 four times and enjoyed his best year in 2003, when he batted .330 with 13 home runs, 100 RBIs and 34 stolen bases for St. Louis.

Observers believe that Renteria will benefit from returning to the NL, where he hit .293 with Florida (1996-98), St. Louis (1999-2004) and Atlanta (2006-07). By contrast, he hit .274 with Boston (2005) and Detroit.

Because the Tigers declined to offer Renteria salary arbitration, the Giants will not lose a Draft pick for signing him.

Giants sign free agent Howry

Righty's addition completes search for bullpen depth

Chris Haft - MLB.com

SAN FRANCISCO -- No matter how the rest of the Giants' offseason unfolds, they already can say that the back end of the bullpen moved to the forefront.

Completing their search for setup-relief depth, the Giants signed right-hander Bobby Howry to a one-year, $2.75 million contract on Wednesday. Howry's arrival complemented the Giants' acquisition of left-hander Jeremy Affeldt on Nov. 17 -- the first free-agent agreement of the open signing period.

General manager Brian Sabean accomplished his goal of adding proven performers to the bullpen, which featured All-Star closer Brian Wilson but otherwise floundered last season. Giants relievers tied for 14th in the National League with a 4.45 ERA and allowed the third-most home runs (62), despite pitching the fourth-fewest innings (487 1/3).

"This was a big part of the puzzle," Sabean said upon concluding San Francisco's reliever search. "I doubt there'll be any further movement in the free-agent-reliever market."

The Giants will shift their focus to bolstering their lineup. They're likely to sign free-agent shortstop Edgar Renteria by the end of the week. Scattered rumors have linked them to free-agent left fielder Pat Burrell. And yahoo.com reported that San Francisco is considering sending left-hander Jonathan Sanchez to the Florida Marlins for third baseman Jorge Cantu, who hit .277 with 29 home runs and 95 RBIs last season.

Should the Giants succeed at upgrading their offense, they're confident that their bullpen can hold more of the late-inning leads that will be generated.

Sabean was quick to point out that Howry, 35, has recorded 87 holds since 2005, the Major Leagues' fourth-highest total in that span.

"He's somebody who relishes being in close and late games," Sabean said. "The biggest thing with Bobby is he's been there and done it. You can't deny the bulk of his statistical resume."

Howry owns a 42-43 record with 66 saves, 165 holds and a 3.68 ERA in 668 appearances with the White Sox (1998-2002), Red Sox (2002-03), Indians (2004-05) and Cubs (2006-08). But he's coming off a season in which he posted a career-worst 5.35 ERA, including 6.93 after the All-Star break. He allowed 13 home runs in 70 2/3 innings while opponents hit .336 off him.
"I struggled with being consistent with my mechanics," Howry said. "It's something I fought all year. I struggled to find that smooth place where it's consistent all the time. It messed with my location. It's a matter of ironing out some kinks."

After enduring such a rough year, Howry was flattered when the Giants approached him about handling setup chores.

"I know, after last season, there may be some people out there who think I'm not up for the role I've done most of my career," he said.

Sabean theorized that leaving Chicago's Wrigley Field and making most of his appearance at the largely pitcher-friendly parks in the National League West could help Howry, who finished with a 5.89 home ERA last season. His career ERA at AT&T Park is 5.40, but he has pitched just five games there (five innings, three earned runs).

This will be a homecoming of sorts for Howry, who began his professional career in the Giants organization as a fifth-round selection in the 1994 Draft. He was traded to the White Sox in the memorable "White Flag" deal on July 31, 1997, and made his Major League debut with them the following season. Howry remembered the trade as a "big shock," adding, "When you're young, I don't think you realize how much of a business the game is."

Manager Bruce Bochy indicated that even with Howry aboard, right-hander Sergio Romo will continue to receive late-inning opportunities. Romo excelled in 29 appearances as a rookie last season (3-1, 2.12 ERA).

"Romo has shown that he can help out in the setup role, whether it's the sixth, seventh or eighth inning," Bochy said. "He can give us multiple innings. He's going to fit in nicely."

Howry's contract includes $1.5 million in performance bonuses which, if he reaches them, will allow him to approach the $4.5 million base salary he received last season.