eastbaybaseball

   The San Francisco Giants have had a busy offseason, thus,  so far.  They have revamped their bullpen with the signings of southpaw reliever Jeremy Affeldt and reliever Bob Howry, who has experience as a setup man and closer.  And they also have upgraded at shortstop and filled their void left by the departed and aging Omar Vizquel with Edgar Renteria. Renteria, who is coming off a dismal year in 08′ where hit .270Avg. with 10HR and 55RBI, looks to rebound in the National League, where had success in 07′ with the Atlanta Braves as he hit .332Avg. with 12HR and 67RBI.  Either way, Renteria should fill a void there at shortstop and give the Giants some pop from the #2 hole in the lineup.  The Giants starting pitching, already a strength with its formidable rotation of Cy Young ace Tim Lincecum, young powerballer Matt Cain, former Cy Young Barry Zito, and southpaw Jonathan Sanchez.  With Noah Lowry’s health a concern going into 2009 season, the Giants need some insurance and will most likely look to the veteran left-hander Randy Johnson, who is 45, but might be worth a low-risk one year deal to guide the young pitchers Jonathan Sanchez and Matt Cain.  He would complement well with the Giants and is also a local in the bay area, as he grew up in Livermore area, about 40 minutes from San Francisco.  So the commute for some of his family and old friends should be easy. Another hole that the Giants could fill through free agency is at the hot corner: third base.  And their are two viable candidates, but one that would particularly fit well with the Giants. And that is 2008 All-Star third baseman Joe Crede, formerly of the Chicago White Sox.  He is coming off a back-injury that cost him most of the season in 2008, however when healthy, he is a proven all-star caliber third baseman, defensively and offensively. He has some pop to as he hit .249 with 17HR and 55RBI’s in only 97 games last season.  So a full season of a healthy Joe Crede would be a bonus for the Giants and fill their void at third base.  Crede is also only 30 years old so fairly young and would only require a one to two-year deal and could negotiate a deal that works well with both sides with Scott Boras being his agent.  The Giants have the money still after not having to make a big splash yet and freeing up a lot of money after the season was over.  So the Giants got only a couple holes left to fill in this offseason and I feel those two guys are Starter Randy Johnson and third baseman Joe Crede.  By the way, Joe Crede is also good friends with centerfielder Aaron Rowand (teammates on the Chicago White Sox), so that could be good for both guys and could translate to some success for Rowand, having a friend and close teammate in the clubhouse. Since team chemistry is key to any success.

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