SFGate/San Francisco Chronicle
Now that the Giants have played themselves out of contention, 2010 is the next topic of discussion. Four home games remain, meaning several players - especially veterans - are saying their final farewells to Giants fans. Some don't know it. Some do.
"I won't be playing here next year, so, yeah, it's a little bit nostalgic," Rich Aurilia said.
More so for Aurilia than others whose contracts are expiring. This is Aurilia's 15th season, 12th as a Giant. He's the only player around from the 2002 World Series. Next on the tenure list is Randy Winn, who goes back to 2005.
In Saturday's 6-2 loss, the third straight to the Cubs, Barry Zito lasted four innings and the offense did its usual stuff: seven hits, 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Juan Uribe drove in the runs on a homer and single but got no help.
Manager Bruce Bochy might do things differently in the final week. Maybe play Aurilia in the final home game Thursday. Maybe shut down somebody in the rotation. Probably not a Randy Johnson start, though.
Johnson, 46, has made three relief appearances since coming off the disabled list. In a Saturday interview with The Chronicle, he said if he returns for a 22nd season, he'd want to be a starter, not a reliever.
"I don't really think that's my makeup," Johnson said of relieving. "I enjoy starting. I'm used to starting. Throwing pitches. The repetition. I think I'm better that way. The more I throw, the better I am when I'm healthy. Right now, I haven't thrown enough off the mound to feel comfortable with where I'm at. From a selfish standpoint, I would've liked to have known what I could've done if healthy all year."
Johnson, who won eight games (including the 300th of his career) but missed two months with a torn rotator cuff, a result of swinging a bat, said he's not ready to say he's retiring.
"I'll play the year out and then evaluate where I'm at health-wise and interest-wise and go from there," he said. "Right now, I don't know if I can throw 70, 80 pitches. I don't know if my arm will tolerate that. One thing I know, I'll have an offseason to strengthen up my arm again."
Johnson said he had fun with the '09 Giants and watching the other starters, including the maturation of Jonathan Sanchez, with whom Johnson spent time. "I told him the sky's the limit for him. He has to apply himself. He could be Matt Cain next year," Johnson said.
Other Giants approaching free agency who could be elsewhere next year include Bengie Molina, Randy Winn, Uribe, Brad Penny and Bobby Howry. Freddy Sanchez has a club option.
No departure will be as touching as Aurilia's. On San Francisco's franchise list, he's sixth in both hits and games played. Like Johnson, Aurilia said he's undecided about playing in 2010.
"It's all good," he said. "I owe the Giants' organization a lot, trading for me way back when (as a minor-leaguer in 1994) and signing me back as a free agent. I enjoyed my time here and made great friends. It'll be interesting to see what my reaction will be on Thursday."
Bochy also is in the final year of a contract, along with general manager Brian Sabean. Managing general partner Bill Neukom said the Sabean issue will be resolved shortly after the season. Technically, it's the GM's job to decide the manager's fate, though Neukom certainly will have input.
Saturday, Bochy refused to speculate on his future, saying, "My focus is on these games and trying to finish up on a good note."
 Chi Cubs (81-73) Won 3 | Chi Cubs 6, San Francisco 2 |  San Francisco (82-73) Lost 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Standings thru 9/26/09 | Recap: CHC | SF | Wrap | Gameday |
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