Nov 24 2008
Edgar Renteria negotiating with Giants…could fill a hole in the infield for 2009
Edgar Renteria hit .270 with 10 HR and 55 RBI’s in 2008.
Edgar Renteria didn’t have a great year in 2008 and struggled for most of the year. However, if the Giants were to sign him, Renteria would fill a major hole in the infield for the Giants in 2009 and would be a major upgrade at shortstop. And if Renteria can return to his old form when he was with the Braves in 2007, then Giants would be getting more than what they bargained for. Renteria had a tremendous year in the National League with the Braves, hitting .332 with 12 HR and 57 RBI’s.
Giants shortstops (Omar Vizquel, Emmanuell Burriss, and Ivan Ochoa) combined to hit only 1 HR and in the low .200 average in 2008. So signing Renteria, would come cheaper than signing Rafael Furcal, and would allow Burriss to move to second base where he would fit nicely for the Giants there. And Burriss would cost nothing than signing Orlando Hudson, who is an elite second baseman and will want a big contract, but is injury-prone and Burriss could put up similar numbers besides home runs and play slick defense there for the Giants at second base. This move would also allow Kevin Frandsen, a leading candidate at second base, to move to his natural position at third base where he played in his college days at San Jose State. Frandsen is an interesting player to keep an eye on because he made some major strides at second base in 2007 and hot .270 with 5 HR’s and played some solid defense there and was ready to be the everyday second baseman over Ray Durham until an achilles tendon injury pretty much cost him the whole season in 2008 until the last game of the year. Frandsen could be the Giants third baseman in 2009, pending any deals through free agency or trades. Pablo Sandoval, who is penciled in as the everyday first baseman for the Giants could move to third base if the Giants trade for a first baseman, like Prince Fielder. So Renteria’s signing would fill a hole at short and allow the Giants to be more creative internally or via trade to fill their hole at one of the corner spots. However, I feel if Giants get Renteria on board and win the bidding war for C.C. Sabathia, the Giants will be contenders in 2009 and be the undisputed favorite to win the NL West. And with Sabathia on board like I said on a previous post would strengthen an already strong rotation and draw some serious fans and packed houses in 2009. And your talking about a four-headed horse rotation full of Cy Youngs (Sabathia, Lincecum, Cain and Zito) and anchored by the Giants 2007 leader in wins in Noah Lowry (14 wins in 07′). Only time will tell what the Giants will look to do in 2009, either contend and continue their rebuilding or try to win it all.
