eastbaybaseball

The San Francisco Giants aren’t playing around this offseason with their new owner Bill Neukom at the helm. They have made another splash in the free agent market so far this season in signign reliever Bob Howry to a one-year deal worth 2.75 million. This could be a steal for the Giants if Howry can put up the impressive numbers he put up in the last 4 years before in 08′.  Howry is coming off an inconsistent year as he finished the season with the Cubs with a 7-5 record and a 5.35 E.R.A in 72 appearances.  However, Howry and newcomer Jeremy Affeldt look to bolster the Giants bullpen next season, which was a major weakness for them.  They look to bridge the gap to closer Brian Wilson, along with Sergio Romo,  Alex Hinshaw, and Merkin Valdez.  Jack Taschner seems to be the odd man out of this bullpen with the one available spot in the bullpen being battled out by Keiichi Yabu, Billy Sadler, and Justin Miller (Florida Marlins), who signed a minor-league contract earlier this season with an invite to spring training.

  Now that the Giants have shored up their bullpen and strengthened it, they turn their focus to their offense, which lacked punch last year. The Giants are on verge of making another splash in signing Edgar Renteria to a low-risk two-year deal estimated to be worth 18 million. The Giants and Renteria’s agent are just finalizing the deal and closing some loose ends and also pending a physical from Renteria. So count the Giants out of the hunt for Rafael Furcal and turn the page to either the top prized in this year’s free agent market in southpaw C.C. Sabathia. The Giants are very interested in Sabathia and Sabathia wouldn’t mind playing for the Giants and be near his hometown and pitch in the National League.  In his mind, there is nothing sweeter than that, especially if Giants give him a deal of 6 years and 120 million (20 mil. a year). Yeah Zito is making almost 18 mil. a year for the last 5 years remaining on his contract and you dont want two starting pitchers making a combined 38 million, however, their is always room to increase payroll to over 80 million which the Giants haven’t done in awhile.   And there is no problem in investing your money in the   2007 AL Cy Young Award winner and 2008 MLB Clutch Performer Award. And he would furthermore bolster an already strong rotation. In signing Sabathia, the Giants would be definite contenders and would feature one of the best rotations in the game in Sabathia, Lincecum, Cain, Zito and Lowry.  You have 3 former or current Cy Young winners, one young rising star, and the 2007 wins leader for your team in Lowry (14 wins in 07′) And in bolstering their rotation, it would allow them to trade starter Jonathan Sanchez to the Marlins for third baseman Jorge Cantu. Cantu would fill a void at third base for the Giants with his bat as he hit .277 with 29HR and 95 RBI’s. Cantu would be a cheaper alternative too and easily bat cleanup or 5th for the Giants with his pop and bat.  Other secondary options to upgrade the lineup is first baseman-outfielder Adam Dunn and Outfielder Pat Burrell.  Both would add some power to the lineup, but would fill a spot that is overcrowded, such as 1st base and outfield. 

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