Giants could ultimately be in mix for Manny

Buster Ulney-ESPN.com

Only Scott Boras knows for sure what offers Manny Ramirez may or may not have, but it appears that the San Francisco Giants are the only team standing between Ramirez and a capitulation that the slugger might feel is utterly embarrassing.

The Dodgers made a $45 million offer to Ramirez in November and then withdrew it when Boras did not respond, and then the Dodgers made an offer of arbitration, and again, Boras did not respond, according to L.A. officials. So the Dodgers have sat back and waited for any other serious bidder for Ramirez to emerge, waited to see if there was any reason to extend their own offer.

Lo and behold, the Giants have emerged as a player in this bidding. But it remains to be seen whether they are going to be shoving big chips at Ramirez, or if they're just hanging in the thing to position themselves in the event Ramirez gets so frustrated with the Dodgers that he'll walk away from L.A., at any price. It's possible the Giants are not really bidding up Ramirez, but just hoping that a Hall of Fame bargain with a chip on his shoulder drops in their lap.

"We're still talking to him," Giants president Larry Baer said on Friday, "and we have interest. But it's one of those things where it's got to fit.

"Manny fits in one respect -- most obvious respect and probably the most important respect. He's a great cleanup hitter. But you have to look at the rest of it, how the contract fits, how the defense fits … On one hand, we'd like to do it, but we believe we've improved the team considerably."

The addition of Randy Johnson, Baer believes, could shore up the back end of the San Francisco rotation, which dragged down the team in 2008. The Giants struck quickly in the relief market and signed Jeremy Affeldt and Bobby Howry, to shore up their bullpen, and they believe that shortstop Edgar Renteria will be in much better shape this year, and therefore a much better player. They've also got a full complement of outfielders, with Aaron Rowand set to be flanked by Randy Winn, Fred Lewis, Dave Roberts and others.

They'll alter those plans, of course, if any Ramirez deal is right for them. "We'd like to push the button on Manny," said Baer, "but we have to do it the way we want to do it."

Executives with other teams do not believe the Giants are serious players in the Manny bidding. They think San Francisco's real intent is to keep the Dodgers honest, to force them to give Ramirez at least a two-year deal. And if somehow Ramirez gets angered by the Dodgers' level of interest and decides to deliver himself to their division rival, well, all the better for the Giants.

A problem for Ramirez and Boras is that the Dodgers simply won't be pushed too far because market forces completely undercut Team Manny: The Dodgers can operate with the knowledge that if they don't get Ramirez, they could conceivably sign two really good players for the price of what they have offered Ramirez -- and the corner outfield market remains loaded with attractive alternatives, from Adam Dunn to Bobby Abreu to Garret Anderson, etc., etc. The Dodgers are going to get a really good hitter, one way or another, and they'll probably get Ramirez, at their price, just as the Red Sox got Jason Varitek at their price.

And the reality is that this late in the winter, the Dodgers might be the only team with $20 million available to spend on one player. "Who the hell has $20 million to $25 million available this time of year?" said one high-ranking executive this week.

Some rival executives believe that the Dodgers could offer a two-year, $30 million deal to Ramirez and still have the highest bid on the table -- and of course, two years and $30 million would represent less money than Ramirez would've made had he just stayed with the Red Sox. But part of the discussion, within the L.A. front office, has been about what number would completely embarrass Ramirez to the point that he would roll over on his team, in the way that he did in Boston.

Boras could not have been thrilled with Albert Pujols' reporting skills this week: In the same week Boras said the Manny market was heating up, Pujols said that Manny told him no teams are bidding on him.

Baseball America's Giants Report

Andrew Baggerly-Baseball America.com
The Giants hit just 94 home runs last year, the fewest by a major league club in a non-strike-shortened season since the expansion Marlins in 1993. It was a depressing lack of power for a fan base accustomed to cheering Barry Bonds.

San Francisco took plenty of souvenir baseballs out of play, though. Fifteen players made their major league debuts before Sept. 1, the most by a club since the 1954 Philadelphia Athletics, and seemingly hardly a day went by without someone registering their first hit. After the 162-game experiment ran its course, the Giants identified a few players—Fred Lewis, Sergio Romo, Pablo Sandoval, Brian Wilson—who could be part of their next contender. They also eliminated many others.

Tim Lincecum shined brightest of all. The undersized righthander elevated himself among the game's elite pitchers, winning the National League Cy Young Award and becoming the first Giant to lead the majors in strikeouts.

The end result was a 72-90 record and a fourth consecutive losing season, a run of shame San Francisco hadn't experienced since 1974-77, among the darkest of ages at Candlestick Park.

Yet there's hope deeper in the system and the Giants might not be down for long. First-year scouting director John Barr redirected the club's former pitching-heavy philosophy and took college bats with his top four draft picks. None made a bigger statement than catcher Buster Posey, Baseball America's College Player of the Year and the Golden Spikes Award winner, who signed at the Aug. 15 deadline for $6.2 million.

That was the largest up-front bonus in draft history and nearly triple the previous franchise record ($2.1 million to Angel Villalona in 2006). It also underscored a significant change that began the previous season under longtime general manager Brian Sabean. Instead of borrowing from the player-development budget to sign veteran free agents, the Giants reduced payroll and spent more on prospects. They also invested in another top-flight international talent, signing 16-year-old Dominican outfielder Rafael Rodriguez for $2.55 million in mid-July.

Most of the system's top talent is at least a year or two away, however, so 2009 promises to be interesting in San Francisco. Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy have contracts that expire after the season, and new managing partner Bill Neukom doesn't believe in public votes of confidence. That may be why the team spent $37.25 million in guaranteed money on several free agents in the offseason, most notably Edgar Renteria.

Major League Baseball approved Neukom in August to replace Peter Magowan, whose departure was termed charitably as a retirement. Magowan solidified the Giants' place in San Francisco, and his ballpark vision was realized with the construction of a modern classic on the waterfront. But the Mitchell Report characterized him as a steroids enabler, forever staining his reputation, and there were indications the club's disastrous $126 million signing of Barry Zito made him unpopular with club investors.

Magowan approached his role from a fan's perspective, often making impetuous moves such as the Zito contract. Neukom, the former chief legal mind at Microsoft, plans to take a measured, analytical approach while prioritizing player development and a "Giants Way" of competing both on and off the field.

Neukom said he expects San Francisco to be competitive in 2009 and contend the following season, all while bringing his "Microsoft meritocracy" to the front office. Even if the Giants show improvement, Neukom could decide he wants a baseball architect with a more modern perspective than Sabean, who isn't known to squint at a laptop screen.

Baseball America's
San Francisco Giants Top Ten Prospects

1.	Madison Bumgarner, lhp
2.	Buster Posey, c
3.	Angel Villalona, 1b
4.	Tim Alderson, rhp
5.	Nick Noonan, 2b
6.	Ehire Adrianza, ss
7.	Conor Gillaspie, 3b
8.	Rafael Rodriguez, of
9.	Scott Barnes, lhp
10.	Sergio Romo, rhp

Giants reach pact with Uribe

OOH...REE...BAY!
Veteran utility man agrees to Minor League deal

Chris Haft / MLB.com

The Giants have come to terms with a former Chicago White Sox infielder, but it's not Joe Crede.

They have agreed with free-agent utility man Juan Uribe on a one-year Minor League contract. SI.com initially reported the accord on Thursday, and a club spokesman confirmed that a deal had been reached. Uribe, 29, has spent the past five seasons with the White Sox -- like Crede, the free-agent third baseman San Francisco has pursued.

Uribe is not believed to be the big bat the Giants seek for the middle of their order. Although he has hit 20 or more homers in three of his eight Major League seasons, his slugging percentage dipped under .400 in each of the last two. Last year, Uribe, a .253 lifetime hitter, batted .247 with seven homers and 40 RBIs in 110 games.

Though Uribe played only four games at shortstop in 2008, he has made most of his career appearances at that spot, indicating that the Giants still might have interest in Crede. Uribe also can play second base. It was not immediately known whether Uribe's arrival will end any chance of Rich Aurilia re-signing with the Giants, who might not need two infield handyme

Giants add Clark with front-office post

'The Thrill' played in San Francisco for eight seasons

Chris Haft / MLB.com "The Thrill" is back with the Giants.

Will Clark, who remains one of the club's most popular players since the franchise moved to San Francisco in 1958, has been added to the Giants' front office as a special assistant.

"I am proud to be part of the Giants family again, especially the family that I was drafted by and grew up in and became a Major Leaguer in," the former first baseman said in a teleconference on Wednesday. "And as Mike Krukow, Bob Brenly and Mike LaCoss used to tell me, part of my job of being a ballplayer was handing down the knowledge I had learned."

In his new role, Clark will represent the organization at various in-season and offseason community events in San Francisco, including the 20th anniversary celebration of the 1989 Giants on June 13. He will also attend the Giants' Spring Training camp in Scottsdale, Ariz., and will visit a Giants' Minor League team each year.

Clark, 44, joins a host of Giants legends who continue to serve the club in some capacity. Willie Mays is an assistant to team president Larry Baer. Willie McCovey is a senior adviser. Orlando Cepeda and former broadcaster Lon Simmons are community representatives and J.T. Snow is a special assistant.

Clark served the previous four seasons as a Spring Training adviser with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

But this time, Clark said it's more meaningful because he still feels attached to the Giants organization.

"It's a very proud moment. I haven't felt the last four or five years that I was part of the [D-backs] organization because I didn't play in the organization," Clark said. "But coming to San Francisco, this is my longest-tenured team and the team I grew up with and made it to the World Series with. There are a lot of proud memories and I'll be proud to put that jersey on again."

Clark spent his first eight Major League seasons with the Giants (1986-93) and helped spur their renaissance in the Bay Area that included a National League West title in 1987 and an NL pennant in 1989.

Clark won legions of fans with a mixture of style and substance. The eye black he wore framed a defiant glare that gave him -- and the Giants -- a rugged personality. At the same time, purists swooned over his uppercutting, tension-free swing.

"In those eight great years, Will Clark provided offense and defense and leadership by example and attitude," said Giants managing general partner and CEO Bill Neukom in the teleconference. "In the course of his career, he was a favorite of our fans and has been ever since."

Clark also hit. He batted .303 with 284 home runs and 1,205 RBIs in 15 seasons, following his Giants tenure with stops in Texas, Baltimore and St. Louis. As a Giant, he batted .299 with 176 homers and 709 RBIs, reaching or exceeding .300 four times and averaging 27 homers and 104 RBIs from 1987-91. He made six All-Star teams, including five with the Giants, and finished among the top five in NL Most Valuable Player balloting four times.

Clark enjoyed his best season in 1989, when he hit .333 with 23 homers, 111 RBIs and a league-high 104 runs while finishing second in MVP voting behind teammate Kevin Mitchell.

He eclipsed that in the NL Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs by hitting .650 and lining the tiebreaking single in the Giants' Game 5 triumph that sent them to the World Series.

Clark remembered that the core of that team came from home-grown talent such as Robbie Thompson, Matt Williams and himself, and that he sees parallels with the current Giants roster.

"Some of the younger players in the organization came up together for the first time last year and can build on that," Clark said. "They can make that part of their rallying cry. Two years after we were called up, we were in the playoffs and four years later, we were in the World Series."

Would Manny get Barry'd with Giants?

Free-agent slugger could face treatment similar to homer king

Chris Haft / MLB.com
The question is worth pondering: As a Giant, would Manny have the chance to be Manny?

That is, if the Giants signed free-agent left fielder Manny Ramirez -- which is a long shot -- would he get enough swings to be productive or would he receive precious few opportunities to hit while drawing an excess amount of intentional walks, as was the case with Barry Bonds?

"In theory, I think that thought process is right on," a National League scout said.

But Bonds, whose 688 intentional walks set a Major League record, was an extraordinary talent. A handful of NL talent evaluators said that Ramirez, as formidable as he can be, has not ascended to Bonds' level. Thus, the Giants probably would get to see Ramirez take plenty of swings in meaningful situations at the cleanup spot, regardless of who hits behind him.

That would be a welcome prospect for the Giants, who lack a proven No. 5 hitter to protect Ramirez. Aaron Rowand hit fifth 91 times last year and batted only .258 with a .407 slugging percentage in that role. Bengie Molina likely would bat fifth instead of Rowand if Ramirez arrived. Molina owns a .303 average with 19 home runs and 78 RBIs in only 104 career games at the No. 5 spot.

As the roster currently stands, Molina will hit cleanup for the second consecutive season.

"Bengie hits third or fourth only with San Francisco," said another NL scout, revealing his disdain for the Giants' offensive depth.

Yet, the Giants, who ranked next-to-last in NL scoring and last in the Majors in homers during 2008, probably wouldn't waste Ramirez's potential.

"The macho thing," one scout said, "is not to always [bypass big hitters]. I don't think you're going to see guys walk him all the time."

In fact, nobody in the NL prompts the fear Bonds did. Baseball's all-time home run leader coaxed 43 intentional walks in 2007, his final season, despite his diminished skills. By comparison, St. Louis' Albert Pujols topped the NL with 34 in 2008.

Ramirez drew only 24 intentional walks last year, although 16 of those came in 53 games after he moved from Boston to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Having spent most of his career amid challenging lineups, he has never amassed more than 28 intentional walks in a season.

"Bonds was so far above the crowd," one scout said. "I'd joke about it on the advance reports, but it was true. If you were ahead by one run in the ninth inning with Bonds coming up, walk him intentionally and play for a tie."

Said another scout, "Manny Ramirez is probably the best right-handed hitter in baseball, with the possible exception of Pujols. But he hasn't been labeled 'great' yet. They didn't pitch to Bonds because he was indeed great."

One scout noted that if Ramirez signs with the Giants, playing his home games in pitcher-friendly AT&T Park could mute his home run total.

"His power might play down a little bit," the scout said.

Appearing on MLB Network's "Hot Stove" show, Giants president and chief operating officer Larry Baer reiterated the club's interest in Ramirez -- along with hints that San Francisco would offer only a one- or two-year deal worth less than the $20 million or more the slugger reportedly seeks. The Giants want to avoid exceeding their payroll limit astronomically, blocking the path of prospects to the Majors and creating a personnel glut in the outfield that can't be eased.

"We've said it. We're interested in the player, but it would have to be a perfect fit," Baer said. "What we can't do is have a player that prevents us from doing things two years from now, three years from now, four years from now. ... So it's not a perfect fit. His bat is a perfect fit."

Healthy Frandsen ready for his shot

Giants infielder eyes second-base gig following Achilles injury

Chris Haft / MLB.com

Ordinarily, this would be labeled a comeback season for Kevin Frandsen. But he knows that he must demonstrate ability as well as health.

Frandsen, who missed essentially all of last season with a ruptured left Achilles tendon, already has left his injury in the rear-view mirror, although he still performs some rehabilitation-type exercises to help him remain sound.

Frandsen will have to be fit for what awaits him. He faces what's expected to be a spirited competition with Emmanuel Burriss and Eugenio Velez for the Giants' second-base job. Manager Bruce Bochy has steadfastly refused to name a favorite for the position, guaranteeing that Spring Training will feature its share of drama.

Even if Frandsen doesn't win the job and assumes a utility role, he senses the need to assert himself as a big leaguer. At 26, he's approaching what should be his prime years. Frandsen has spent parts of the last three seasons with the Giants yet has played only 151 Major League games. Still defining themselves as they continue their transition toward a younger roster, the Giants would welcome a breakout performance from Frandsen, the San Jose native whose roots have made him a favorite among local fans.

"I'm coming to a time when you need to prove yourself," Frandsen said during a recent visit to AT&T Park. "Is that an added pressure? Not at all."

Frandsen, 26, began last spring under similar conditions. He and Ray Durham were pitted against each other at second base. Frandsen was considered a legitimate contender for the spot after hitting .370 in September 2007. Then Omar Vizquel underwent knee surgery, prompting the Giants to switch Frandsen to shortstop. Frandsen's unsteady performance created a path for Brian Bocock to become the Opening Day shortstop. But Frandsen still seemed bound to begin the season with San Francisco as a utilityman before injuring his Achilles in a March 24 Minor League exhibition game.

When he wasn't exercising fiercely to meet his goal of playing by September -- which he accomplished by pinch-hitting against Los Angeles in the season finale -- Frandsen tried to use his idle time wisely. He didn't merely watch his teammates play; he scrutinized them.

"I had basically a whole year when I was in the Masters program working on my thesis," said Frandsen, who has a degree in finance from San Jose State University.

Frandsen demonstrated what he learned while playing for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League. Citing baserunning subtleties he discerned by watching Giants outfielder Randy Winn, who stole 25 bases in 27 tries last season, Frandsen collected 10 steals in 13 attempts over 32 games. This represented a huge increase, given Frandsen's 36 thefts in 396 professional regular-season games. "That was a big thing for me," said Frandsen, who also hit .331 and was named to the AFL's All-Prospect team.

Frandsen started 16 games at shortstop for Scottsdale, reaffirming his versatility and increasing his fielding range.

"At second base, you just sit back on a lot of things," he said.

Frandsen's refusal to just sit back at second base may have enhanced his value to the Giants. Said Bochy, "I'd say right now that he'll spend most of his time at second base. That being said, we'll need to give him more work at shortstop, because we'll need some depth there."

It has been a typical offseason for Frandsen. He has resumed training at Athletes Performance Institute in the Phoenix area alongside his personal workout partner, American League Most Valuable Player Dustin Pedroia of Boston, and other Major Leaguers such as the Dodgers' Andre Ethier, the Pirates' Freddy Sanchez and the Rangers' Josh Hamilton.

Frandsen fully expects to reach their level.

"If I get the opportunity," he said, "I think a lot of people know what I can do."

Making all right moves is no easy move

Ray Ratto - SFGate

Over the three months since he was made the Giants' capo di tutti capi, Billy Neukom has learned how quickly one becomes stupid running a baseball team.

Put another way, "Sign CC Sabathia you fool!" "Don't sign Edgar Renteria, you idiot!" "Whaddya mean Jeremy Affeldt?" "Where's my Manny Ramirez?" and the popular old standard, "My season tickets cost what?!"

And that's just so far. It gets harder as time goes on. It always does. In fact, the honeymoon always ends before the honeymooner knows it.

Starting with Ramirez. Neukom has been cautiously cautious on the subject, but admitted Friday that Ramirez's signing was "unlikely." Not because of the money necessarily (although that issue could come up later), but because of the length.

"We stay in touch, but based on what we're hearing (from Ramirez's agent Scott Boras), we're not there," he said. "I think Brian Sabean is on record as saying we'd be interested in a year and maybe an option, that would make sense. But I've seen four years and an option, and that isn't something we'd be interested in."

Fair enough. Four years of Manny would constitute a stretch. But Neukom offered an intriguing alternative, one that hasn't been examined publicly to our knowledge.

"There may be teams that get in a situation (financially) where they might need to move some players in June or July," he said. "That could work to our advantage. So we've had internal debates about whether we should keep our powder dry."

Of course, the Giants could be one of those teams caught in a financial squeeze, so the fallback plan of a summer buy may not materialize.

"Baseball asked every team to submit budgets that would cover 10 percent less revenue and 20 percent less revenue," he said. "And internally, we did a third budget to reflect 30 percent."

Now there's an eye-opener. Either it represents extreme prudence, or a genuine worry that whatever the bottom is, the Giants haven't hit it yet. Either way, the Ramirez issue seems close to dead, unless the price and length drop significantly, and the corner outfielder market glut continues.

The other ongoing development is Sabean's job security. In Neukom's three months, the general manager has restructured the baseball department to meet Neukom's requirements, is now being asked to participate in investor meetings, and allegedly has one of the top five or six farm systems in the game according to the upcoming Baseball America rankings.

In other words, so far so good for him. In other words, what else does he have to do for a new deal? Make the playoffs? Break .500? Serve as the faithful soldier/silent scapegoat for another year? According to Neukom, that's still being determined by the two men.

"We're still working on what the parameters would be," he said. "That will come in time. We agreed the other day that we'd sit down in October and talk about next year."

Another interesting development in the last month involved the release of a December letter from Bud Selig to Oakland front man Lew Wolff saying that if the Fremont stadium scheme died, he could look elsewhere. Elsewhere, as you know from your third-grade geography, includes Santa Clara County.

You know, the Santa Clara County that the Giants claim as their own version of colonial India.

"I don't see the letter as meaning that on its face," Neukom said when asked if the team's territorial rights were now in written jeopardy. "We know that it would take a vote of three quarters of the owners (23 of 30) to change that, so we sort of see that as something Lew could use to spur the people in Fremont on."

But is it also permission for the A's to work Santa Clara without Giant approval or reparations? "We've always said that Santa Clara County is critically important to our operation." Yes, but is it also permission for the A's, etc.? "This is a cultural thing, the Giants and Santa Clara County. It's all part of what we regard as the Giants culture in the West Bay." Yes, but is it, etc.? "We would have some very unhappy investors."

So yes, it certainly seems to be permission, since Neukom never said the words, "We will sue if we need to." All Wolff would have to do is get 22 other owners to back his play, and then hustle new Silicon Valley money in a difficult climate, and then undo his relationships in Fremont. Other than the votes, Wolff doesn't look likely to make this happen in the next decade or so, so Neukom doesn't have to throw that particular bomb yet.

And finally, to Larry Baer's new 10-year extension as club president, which according to Neukom actually was done last spring while Peter Magowan was in Neukom's chair. Is this an indication that Baer is the chosen one when Neukom retires, his Jed York to Neukom's ... well, never mind.

"I serve at the pleasure of the investors, and besides I just got here," Neukom said. "But no, this isn't some line of succession thing. If the day came that they wanted to go in another direction, they'd be free to choose whomever they want."

Even Manny Ramirez.

Bill Neukom on ...

... Signing Manny Ramirez

"We stay in touch, but based on what we're hearing, we're not there."

... Adding players at midseason

"There may be teams that get in a situation (financially) where they need to move some players in June or July. That could work to our advantage."

... Brian Sabean's job security

"We agreed the other day that we'd sit down in October and talk about next year."

Giants' offense still needs big upgrade

By Jerry Crasnick
ESPN.com

It's been a hectic offseason for San Francisco general manager Brian Sabean, what with fortifying the bullpen, signing a shortstop, adding future Hall of Famer Randy Johnson to the rotation and searching for just the right words to put the Manny Ramirez speculation in proper perspective.

On a positive note, Sabean is now free to have the same reaction as 29 other general managers amid reports that Barry Bonds recently underwent hip surgery and hopes to be ready by Opening Day. Barry who? The Giants finished fourth in the National League West with a 72-90 record last season, better than expected, yet indicative of the challenges that lie ahead. But a funny thing happened on the way to the team's writing off 2009 as another formative experience: After an improvement here and an upgrade there, the Giants are suddenly dark-horse candidates to make a run in the NL West. That's as much a commentary on the state of the division as the strength of the San Francisco roster, but nobody in the Bay Area much cares. "We fully expect to play over .500, and who knows where that is going to lead?" Sabean said. After years of building their club around Bonds, the Giants have cultivated a more sustainable long-term approach. Starters Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain give the team a young 1-2 punch worth envying, and the farm system is generating more respect now that the Giants have chosen to spend more money in the draft. The Giants have four monster prospects in first baseman Angel Villalona, catcher Buster Posey and pitchers Madison Bumgarner and Tim Alderson, and Baseball America rates San Francisco's minor league system as fifth-best in the game, matching the franchise's highest ranking since 1984. The additions of Jeremy Affeldt and Bob Howry, combined with the development of closer Brian Wilson and set-up man Sergio Romo, will make for a better bullpen. But the offense is still nondescript. The Giants ranked 29th in the majors with 640 runs scored. And seven years after Bonds hit a record 73 homers, the entire San Francisco team hit 94. So Sabean has some work to do before spring training if the Giants plan to be legit contenders. Here are five Giants-related developments that merit following:

The Manny watch

It's not really a "watch," per se. It's more a test of whether Scott Boras can drum up a competition between the Giants and Dodgers for Ramirez's services. Given Boras' stellar track record, things still might play out that way. But the Giants sure don't sound as if they're ready to jump off the deep end for Manny. "It's something we have to monitor because of the bat," Sabean said. "Quite frankly, it would have to be a perfect fit year-wise and financially. It would have to be short-term. But more so, we would have to decide what this means for how we put the ballclub around him for the next year or two."

“

Quite frankly, it would have to be a perfect fit year-wise and financially. It would have to be short-term.

” -- Giants GM Brian Sabean, about signing Manny Ramirez

While money is obviously a factor, the addition of Ramirez would force Sabean to scramble. If Manny comes to San Francisco, that could necessitate moving young Fred Lewis to right field and shopping Randy Winn. And it would block the progress of left fielder Nate Schierholtz, who has hit .310 in 58 games with the big club and is still only 24.

While lots of teams are concerned about Ramirez's defense, the Giants have particular reason to be wary. Consider: Of the 89 big league pitchers who threw 160 or more innings last season, Lincecum had the 49th best groundball-to-flyball ratio. Johnson ranked 62nd, Zito was 80th and Cain finished tied for 86th. If San Francisco's starters aren't striking hitters out, chances are the ball is going in the air. Factor in the AT&T Park winds and all the ground that must be covered in those spacious NL West outfields and Manny loses some luster as a potential multiyear investment for the Giants.

Adding a bat (non-Manny division)

Since the Giants are relatively satisfied with their outfield, help is more likely to come at a corner infield spot. But all the prime trade possibilities are either injury-prone, too expensive, suspect defensively, relatively unattainable or on the cusp of free agency (and represented by Scott Boras). That means you, Hank Blalock, Garrett Atkins, Prince Fielder, Jorge Cantu, Adrian Beltre, Nick Johnson and Xavier Nady. While Nick Swisher's name has come up in speculation, you can file the Giants under "minimally interested" because of the $22 million he's owed through 2011. The free agents all have flaws, too. The Giants are concerned enough about Joe Crede's back that their interest is confined to a one-year deal with a low base salary and lots of incentives. Not surprisingly, Crede and his agent, Boras, are aiming higher. Adam Dunn? He's believed to be asking for four years and $56 million, and the Giants, like many clubs, regard him as a woeful defensive first baseman. The biggest obstacle to a trade is the price the Giants would have to pay. Sabean doesn't feel comfortable trading lefty Jonathan Sanchez at the moment and he has no intention to part with Bumgarner or Alderson, so they're all conversation stoppers.

The starting rotation

Manager Bruce Bochy plans to go with Lincecum, Johnson, Cain and Barry Zito, in that order, to keep opposing lineups off balance. Then Noah Lowry and Sanchez are ready to compete for the No. 5 spot.

Don't look for any deals between now and spring training. Although Lowry has made significant strides in his recovery from a forearm injury, he hasn't thrown off a mound yet this winter. The Giants want to see how he fares in spring training before they even consider a move.

If Lowry shows he's healthy in Arizona, he'll probably begin the season in the fifth spot while Sanchez shifts to the bullpen. Sanchez has had a tendency to lose focus and wander in the strike zone as a starter, and a lot of scouts think his repertoire and makeup are better suited to relief. Whatever happens, the Giants will be better at the back end of the rotation than last season, when their fifth starters posted a combined 8-25 record. The Giants expect a big season from Cain, whose luck is due to take a turn for the better one of these years. Cain has a 15-30 record over the past two seasons because of anemic run support. "He's a tough kid, and I think he understands that you can only control certain things," Bochy said. "I give Matty credit for how he's handled it. But at the same time, you don't want him getting used to it and accepting it, either. I think this is one area where Randy [Johnson] can really help him."

Can Renteria still cut it?

While San Francisco's other signings look prudent, the team's decision to give Edgar Renteria two years and $18.5 million seems generous in light of his decline last season. Renteria's offensive numbers slipped across the board, and he ranked 28th among MLB shortstops defensively according to John Dewan's plus/minus system. Although Renteria is proficient up the middle, he's considered a major liability going to his right. Could the Giants have snagged Orlando Cabrera for a cheaper price had they waited? Probably. But Renteria didn't cost the Giants any draft picks, as Cabrera would have. And the Giants were impressed with the way Renteria salvaged his season by posting an .812 OPS in the second half compared to a .627 mark before the break. "I think we did more work than ever with how we scouted people, used video and statistically broke guys down," Sabean said. "He was a much better player in the second half when he was in shape. We know the range is going to be limited. But this guy is too much of a professional player to have his career go down the tubes like some people have said." Anything would be an improvement over this past season, when San Francisco's five shortstops -- Omar Vizquel, Emmanuel Burriss, Ivan Ochoa, Brian Bocock and Jose Castillo -- ranked 29th in the game at the position with a .576 OPS.

The new bat man?

Pablo Sandoval, 22, busted out in 2008, winning the Giants' Minor League Player of the Year award and hitting .345 in a 41-game look with the big club. Now he's laying waste to the Venezuelan Winter League. While Sandoval is capable of playing first or catching, the Giants currently have him slotted at third. At 5-foot-11 and 245 pounds, Sandoval is somewhat limited in the field. But he sure is dynamic with a bat in his hands. "He has that gift of hitting the bad pitch," Bochy said. "He's Yogi Berra. He'll swing at something over his head and whack it, and then he'll take a breaking ball down and away and whack it. He's tough to pitch to." Sabean's objective in the next month is finding a playmate to slot in somewhere between Sandoval, Aaron Rowand and Bengie Molina in the middle of the order. His success in filling that mission could help determine whether the Giants begin this season as simply intriguing or downright dangerous.

Waiting game could suit Giants

Club may benefit by eyeing Spring Training or midseason moves

By Chris Haft / MLB.com
This seems like a good time to be Travis Ishikawa, Jesus Guzman or any other Giant aspiring to win a corner infield job.

The Giants' need for another legitimate hitter has been well-documented. So has their preference for this hitter to play first or third base, spots where the team lacks depth. For various reasons -- the club's reluctance to trade Jonathan Sanchez, the absence of a fit in the free-agent market, the scarcity of available infielders who treat defense as more than just incidental -- the Giants haven't found their man.

They broadened their scope by considering left fielder Manny Ramirez, by far the best unsigned free-agent hitter. But in an interview that appeared in Saturday's editions of The San Francisco Chronicle, Giants managing general partner Bill Neukom confirmed that signing Ramirez appears "unlikely," as has been widely believed. Neukom proceeded to say that the Giants might wait until close to midseason to acquire the offensive force they need, since by then financially challenged clubs -- and there will be some in this economic climate -- might be more eager to part with useful, albeit high-salaried, hitters.

"There may be teams that get in a situation where they might need to move some players in June or July. That could work to our advantage. So we've had internal debates about whether we should keep our powder dry," Neukom told The Chronicle.

General manager Brian Sabean hinted at this approach during last month's Winter Meetings, when he said that the Giants were prepared to open the season with Ishikawa at first base and Pablo Sandoval at third, if necessary.

Waiting past Spring Training may disappoint some Giants fans who fantasized about Ramirez batting fourth. And the strategy comes with some risk, at is could test the patience of fans who envision another run-impoverished season if Bengie Molina remains the team's best alternative for the cleanup spot.

But in this case, he who hesitates isn't necessarily lost. After all, this is the NL West.

Arizona, Colorado and San Diego have done little or nothing to improve their rosters, although the Diamondbacks will welcome back a strong starting rotation. Los Angeles retains an enviable nucleus of young players, but the Dodgers must replace starters Derek Lowe and Brad Penny and reliever Takashi Saito.

Thus, no NL West club is a lock to build a huge lead in the division standings by midseason. So one school of thought is the Giants can afford to survey the landscape before asserting their presence within it.

Barring further player acquisitions, they can give Ishikawa the chance to prove he deserves to be the Opening Day first baseman. Ishikawa must avoid the fate that befell Dan Ortmeier, who was projected to be last year's starting first baseman but essentially benched himself with a disappointing Spring Training performance. Ishikawa displayed just enough power late last season, collecting three homers in 95 at-bats, to suggest to the Giants that he might be able to provide more. The club also likes his defense, an essential commodity for a team that will have to thrive on pitching.

The Giants also can give Guzman free rein to demonstrate whether he's a big leaguer or just a "4-A" player. Joining his third organization in three years, Guzman has hit proficiently almost everywhere he has gone. That includes this offseason in the Venezuelan Winter League, where he was named Most Valuable Player. As impressive as that was, bear in mind that last winter's Venezuelan MVP was ex-Giants catcher Eliezer Alfonzo, who went on to endure a challenging season. To skirt that path, Guzman must not only hit but also play adequate defense, which is said to be a shortcoming of his.

Even if Ishikawa or Guzman excels in Cactus League games, Spring Training performances are often illusory. That's another potential benefit of the Giants' wait-and-see posture. The first two or three months of the season should separate the prospects from the suspects, enabling the Giants to evaluate their roster more thoroughly. What the Giants don't need is another Randy Elliott, a journeyman who made their 1977 Opening Day roster by hitting .547 in exhibition games. Elliott sagged to .240 in 73 regular-season games that year, his only season in San Francisco.

Waiting until summer to trade for a hitter also could help the Giants make a more reasoned decision on which pitcher they can afford to relinquish, since pitching is the commodity other teams seek from them. Sanchez? Noah Lowry? A budding Minor Leaguer? By June or July, the Giants should know how they can trim their staff but not their depth.

Neukom's remarks didn't eliminate the possibility of a deal or free-agent signing by or during Spring Training. They simply offered a reminder that once the offseason ends, chances for a helpful player move don't vanish with it.

Lewis' recovery coming along fine for Giants

Henry Schulman, Chronicle Staff Writer
Fred Lewis, the Giants' left fielder in 2008, knows where he wants to be when the 2009 season begins in San Francisco on April 7.

"I hope and plan and pray that I'm the starting left fielder this year," Lewis said. "That's the goal. I'm not taking anything less. I'm working my butt off every day, and that's my main goal."

Lewis was not answering a question about the longshot possibility that the Giants will sign Manny Ramirez to play left field. In a chat with reporters before participating in a "chalk talk" with season-ticket holders Wednesday night, Lewis was expressing hope that he will be recovered fully from a Sept. 12 operation to remove a bunion on his right foot.

The recovery is going well. Lewis and manager Bruce Bochy both said they expect the 28-year-old to be ready to participate in all drills when spring training begins in a month. Lewis is jogging on a treadmill, will accelerate his running on a track next week and is starting to swing in the batting cage.

"I have actually been swinging the heck out of the bat right now," he said. "I really have."

Still, until the Ramirez question is answered, Lewis' role will be somewhat in question.

Last week, team executive Bobby Evans phoned Lewis and told him not to worry about the Ramirez rumors, providing some relief. Moreover, Lewis might take comfort in how unlikely a Ramirez signing is.

Team officials acknowledge some interest, but only as a short-term solution to provide needed pop in the middle of the lineup and not at the expense of their long-range rebuilding plans. According to sources, agent Scott Boras is seeking a four-year deal with a fifth-year vesting option for Ramirez, while the Giants are not keen on anything more than a two-year guarantee, if that.

Lewis said he was not overly concerned by the rumors.

"It crossed my mind," he said, "but it's not that big of a deal to me because I know it's a business. I just have to worry about Fred, and that's it. I can't worry about anybody else's decision-making. I know what I'm capable of doing and I just have to prove it."

Lewis was in a terrific mood Wednesday. He laughed at his own third-person self-reference in the quote above, saying, "You know exactly what I thought about when I just said that? I thought about Rickey Henderson because Rickey Henderson was on the MLB channel and I was like, 'Man, how many times is he going to drop Rickey?' "

Saying how happy he was that he can wear a shoe on his right foot again after the surgery and lengthy rehab, the noted clothes horse said, "Now I get to match my wardrobe better. I was wearing black Air Force Ones with black socks trying to match my outfits."

Assuming he is the left fielder, Lewis no longer will be wearing a leadoff hitter's shoes. He will be batting fifth, behind Bengie Molina, with the Giants hoping he can provide some run production.

The lineup is tentative, of course, and would be even without the Ramirez possibility. The Giants continue to investigate corner infielders, with another Boras client, third baseman Joe Crede, seemingly a longshot as well. A source said the Giants are on the "fringes" of Crede talks.

Bochy understands the roster might change between now and spring training and said, "I can't say we're done or something else won't happen," but added he would be happy to start the season with Pablo Sandoval at third base and Travis Ishikawa at first.

Ishikawa, he said, "is intriguing for the fact that he can be a guy who supplies a little bit of power. If this is what we have, we're much better off than we were last year. The offense is better. Pitching-wise we're better, and Travis, going in as the first baseman, is an upgrade."

Bochy also said Kevin Frandsen, who appeared at Wednesday's chalk talk, will join Emmanuel Burriss and Eugenio Velez in a competition for second base, and that Buster Posey will be in major-league camp long enough to play in some Cactus League games.

Owners thinking salary cap after dealings by Yankees.

Former Giants' pitcher Frank Williams dies

San Francisco Chronicle
Former Giants pitcher Frank Williams died Friday, according to the Times Colonist of Victoria, British Columbia. He was 50.

Mr. Williams, a Seattle native, was drafted by the Giants in 1979 and came up to San Francisco in 1984, when he went 9-4 as a reliever. After three seasons with the Giants, he pitched relief for the Reds and the Tigers before his six-year career ended. He finished 24-14 with an ERA of 3.00 over 4712/3 innings.

The Times Colonist reported that Mr. Williams had lost all the money he made playing baseball (his salary peaked at $442,500) and ended up an alcoholic living on the street and in shelters. He died after having a heart attack.

Archrivals lead hunt for Manny

Jon Heyman

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DAILY SCOOP

SI.com-Well known for bold free-agent signings and boosted by a solid financial situation, the San Francisco Giants look like a major threat to steal superstar free agent slugger Manny Ramirez away from the archrival Dodgers.

While the Dodgers are probably still considered the favorite to retain Ramirez, the Giants are making a serious run at him. Ramirez might be exactly what the Giants need to be taken seriously as a threat in a winnable National League West. San Francisco already has as good an under-25 pitching tandem as there is in the game with Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, a very nice overall rotation and a well-fortified bullpen with the signings of Jeremy Affeldt and Bobby Howry. Ramirez could actually tilt things toward the Giants in a division where a couple teams have taken a step backward (and the Dodgers would be the third if they lose Manny).

The Giants are in excellent position to outbid the cautious Dodgers if so inclined. San Francisco has an excellent TV situation and has now paid off more than half its debt on its beautiful franchise-owned AT&T Park. Several of the team's deep-pocketed 30 owners could buy and sell Dodgers owner Frank McCourt. The Giants showed they will still spend if they must when they ponied up $18.5 million for aging shortstop Edgar Renteria, but they are still badly in need of offensive juice.

Outfield may not look like the Giants' main need. But the Giants were able to ride the greatness of one special offensive player to consistent contention for over a decade, so they've seen that formula work before. While Ramirez is no choir boy, having had some issues that led to his trade to Los Angeles in the first place, he's easier to deal with than Barry Bonds.

Giants management has been quizzing people throughout the game and within their organization, and they are hearing a lot of good things regarding Ramirez (they must not have talked to a certain Boston traveling secretary). From their own ranks, J.T. Snow, one of the best-respected former Giants, raved about Ramirez. As did longtime Giants scout Ted Uhlaender, who was with the Indians during the Manny era there.

With two rivals racing for Ramirez, he's likely to get at least three years at the second highest salary in baseball, behind his good friend Alex Rodriguez, though not the five or six years he sought. It'll be interesting to see whether anyone else joins the West Coast rivals in the derby, which still appears to be in the early stages (one executive estimated that they're only in the "third or fourth inning'' of this high-stakes game).

The Texas Rangers are said to be "intrigued,'' according to one person familiar with their thinking. As a potential replacement for the departed Milton Bradley, "he's an excellent fit'' for them, one AL executive said. Unlike in Los Angeles or San Francisco, he could also DH for Texas.

The Yankees were always split on Manny, with Hank Steinbrenner and A-Rod completely in his corner but others not so much ("Hal never would have gone for it,'' one executive said of the more serious Steinbrenner, who much preferred Mark Teixeira, whose rep is spotless), and they are presumed out after their spending spree. The Mets met with Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras, apparently without even broaching the Manny topic, and Angels GM Tony Reagins again succinctly said "no'' when asked in a phone interview this week whether they intend to pursue Ramirez.

That could leave three or perhaps only two suitors. But as far as Ramirez is concerned, it could be at least a powerful duo, considering the Giants are the last place the Dodgers would like to see Ramirez wind up.

Giants invite Posey, 15 others to camp

Team considers highly touted catcher to be on 'fast track'

Chris Haft -MLB.com Officially declaring what had been assumed all along, the Giants announced Friday that catcher Buster Posey, perhaps their most highly regarded prospect, will be among 16 non-roster invitees to big league Spring Training camp.

Posey's presence at Scottsdale, Ariz., will reflect not only the Giants' high estimation of him, but also the widespread belief that the 21-year-old from Florida State University is close to Major League ready.

"This is a nice progression for a player who we consider to be on the fast track," said Bobby Evans, the Giants' director of player personnel.

Although Posey is virtually certain to begin the regular season in the Minors, Evans pointed out that he can benefit from a few weeks of exposure to roving catching instructor Brian Harper, Major League bullpen catcher Bill Hayes and manager Bruce Bochy, a former catcher, before going to Minor League camp.

Posey, winner of last year's Golden Spikes Award as the nation's top college player, hit .351 in 10 games between the rookie-level Giants and short-season Salem-Keizer last season after the Giants signed him to a $6.2 million bonus. He then batted .338 in 19 regular-season games for Waikiki in the Hawaii Winter Baseball league.

Another intriguing invitee is third baseman Jesus Guzman, who spent last year in Oakland's Minor League system and hit .349 with 17 home runs and 88 RBIs in 100 games for the A's rookie-level, Double-A and Triple-A clubs. Guzman continued hitting for Caracas in the Venezuelan Winter League, breaking a 35-year-old record by amassing 67 RBIs while hitting .349 with 13 homers in 61 games.

Right-hander Kevin Pucetas, who has an outside chance to secure the No. 5 starter's spot, will participate in his first Major League camp. Pucetas, 24, finished 10-2 with a 3.02 ERA in 24 starts for Class A San Jose last year, improving his three-year professional record to 32-7 with a 2.35 ERA.

Two of the most familiar faces among the invitees are infielders Scott McClain and Ivan Ochoa, who spent time with the Giants last season. McClain batted .273 in 14 games and provided one of the year's most stirring moments at Colorado on Sept. 3 when he hit his first Major League home run after 19 professional seasons. The slick-fielding Ochoa hit .200 in 47 games, including 31 starts (26 at shortstop, five at second base).

Other invitees with Major League experience are right-handers Francis Beltran, Brandon Medders and Justin Miller, catcher Eli Whiteside, first baseman-outfielder Josh Phelps and outfielder Andres Torres.

Veteran Minor League catcher Todd Jennings will make his fourth appearance in camp. Infielder Jake Wald will participate in his third camp and catcher Jackson Williams will report to his second in a row.

Right-hander Ronnie Ray and infielder Matt Downs will appear in their first big league camp.

Giants pitchers and catchers are due to report to Scottsdale on Feb. 14, with the first workout set for the following day. Position players must report on Feb. 17, preceding the initial full-squad workout Feb. 18.

Giants Eyeing Crede

Jon Heyman - Sports Illustrated/MLB Channel

The Giants appear to be taking a close look at free-agent third baseman Joe Crede. They've reviewed Crede's medical report and don't appear discouraged about pursuing him.

It seems likely that Crede can be had on a one-year deal; Scott Boras has done many such contracts to rebuild value. He'd be another excellent short-term addition for the Giants, who are remaking the team through smart free agent signings. Crede would complement new shortstop Edgar Renteria, who is well below average on plays to his right.

Ramirez, Giants talking

Henry Schulman - San Francisco Chronicle (SFGate)
Manny Ramirez to the Giants? It could happen, but nothing appears to be close.

The Chronicle has confirmed that the Giants have had conversations with agent Scott Boras regarding the 36-year-old left fielder, but industry sources say a report that the Giants have extended a formal offer to Ramirez for a deal of up to four years was inaccurate.

No deal seems imminent between any team and Ramirez, who has 527 career home runs and guided the Dodgers to a National League West title last season after his July-deadline acquisition from the Red Sox.

If the Giants seriously engage Ramirez, Boras surely will get the Dodgers involved in trying to re-sign him, and Boras and Dodgers GM Ned Colletti have not spoken about Ramirez for weeks, save for a recent game of voicemail tag.

As one major-league source familiar with Ramirez's situation said, "This is in the early innings, not the later innings."

The Denver Post first reported Thursday that the Giants were "aggressively pursuing" Ramirez. Then, San Francisco television station KPIX reported the Giants had offered Ramirez what looks like a two-year contract with a third-year vesting option and a fourth-year team option.

The Giants are not expected to propose a contract that lengthy to Ramirez. However, that they even are discussing a deal with Ramirez speaks to the state of the division in which they play and how tilted the free-agent market is toward buyers.

Last week's Randy Johnson signing put the Giants well over the tentative payroll figure that new managing general partner William Neukom had in mind for 2009. Ramirez presumably would shoot the Giants' payroll well over $100 million. But given how weak the West is, ownership could bite the bullet if it felt Ramirez could put them over the top.

That said, a variety of sources have told The Chronicle the team is not single-mindedly pursuing Ramirez. They are looking at other free agents as well, and more so examining the trade market in a bid to acquire more offense for a team that scored only 640 runs last season.

Moreover, Sabean said as recently as last week the Giants could wait until spring training to see how much progress Noah Lowry has made from his arm issues before determining whether the Giants will trade pitching for offense.

Sabean also has said repeatedly the Giants are not looking for outfielders. Their interest in Ramirez does not necessarily signal a new push to examine the likes of Bobby Abreu, Adam Dunn and Pat Burrell. Ramirez, given his game-changing ability, appears to be a special case.

Two winters ago, the Giants asked the Red Sox about trading Ramirez to San Francisco before Barry Bonds re-signed for 2007. What would it take for the Giants to get Ramirez now?

Ramirez already has snubbed his nose at a Dodgers offer of two years at $45 million with an option that would have made it three years at $60 million. But that was last month. The Dodgers pulled that offer when Ramirez did not respond, the market is still flooded with outfielders and the number of teams with the resources to give Ramirez that kind of money in this economy seems very limited.

The Giants would not appear to be one of them. However, Neukom and the other investors might be willing to dig deeper into the team's reserves for a player such as Ramirez, who, defensive deficiencies aside, radically changes any game in which he plays.

Giants Aggressively Pursuing Manny?

Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post

The Giants, the NL West's most active team this winter, are quietly making an aggressive play for free agent Manny Ramirez, according to a major-league source.

It's interesting to see the Giants being aggressive while so many other teams are standing pat. Would Manny put them over the top? I imagine Brian Sabean would like to move Dave Roberts, Randy Winn, or Aaron Rowand to clear roster and payroll space.