eastbaybaseball

C.C. Sabathia will most likely take a hometown discount to pitch for Giants in 2009.

         The San Francisco Giants already are busy this offseason. They have released players, such as pitchers Brad Hennessey, Tyler Walker, and Kevin Correia, to shed salary. Gone are infielders Rich Aurilia and Omar Vizquel’s salaries. Giants’ payroll last season was 77 million and currently sits at 57 million.  So far they have shedded 20 million off their books and look to spend this offseason and push their budget up to 80 million.  They just recently signed lefty reliever Jeremy Affeldt to a two-year deal worth 8 million (4 mil. annually) to help shore their inconsistent bullpen and help bridge the gap to closer Brian Wilson.  And Giants have their eyes set on C.C. Sabathia to strengthen their starting rotation even more, which could feature three Cy Youngs in Lincecum, Zito, and Sabathia.  Sources have said Giants will give an offer to Sabathia in the area of 6 years and 100-120 million (about 20 million annually). So their going to be aggressive and in the Yankees and some people’s eyes, it might seem like a hometown discount, but Sabathia wants to be in California and be in the National League, narrowing it down to the Giants and their rival Dodgers in Los Angeles.  But if Giants do sign Sabathia after Thanksgiving sometime, this will send an incredible buzz to San Francisco Fans that are still hungover over Lincecum winning the Cy Young that they might be thinking playoffs already.  But I cannot imagine a bigger Big Three than Sabathia, Lincecum, and Cain with Lowry and Zito anchoring the staff and rising studs Bumgarner and Alderson waiting in the wings in the minors. Meaning the Giants will trade Sanchez and some prospects (maybe Pucetas or Alderson) to the Brewers for Prince Fielder or J.J. Hardy.  Most likely J.J. Hardy depending if Giants don’t sign free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal or Edgar Renteria, who the Giants are currently negotiating contract numbers with.  Either way, Giants will be more improved next season and have some punch in the lineup. If Giants choose the free agency route and obtain a player like J.J. Hardy, then they might try to sign Orlando Hudson and move Kevin Frandsen, a leading candidate for second base to third base and implanting rookie sensation Pablo Sandoval as their everyday first baseman.  Well, I am looking forward to see what players Giants land through free agency or trade and can’t wait till the 2009 season begins and I am thinking division title for the Giants if Sabathia is on board.

My Projected lineup for the Giants in 2009:

C- Bengie Molina

1B- Pablo Sandoval

2B- Orlando Hudson or Emmanuel Burriss

3B- Kevin Frandsen

SS- J.J. Hardy or Edgar Renteria

LF- Fred Lewis

CF- Aaron Rowand

RF- Randy Winn

Projected Rotation:

SP1 C.C. Sabathia

SP2 Tim Lincecum

SP3 Matt Cain

SP4 Barry Zito

SP5 Noah Lowry or Tim Alderson

Bullpen:

RP Keiichi Yabu or Billy Sadler

RP Merkin Valdez

RP Alex Hinshaw

RP Justin Miller

RP Jeremy Affeldt

SU Sergio Romo

CL Brian Wilson

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