eastbaybaseball

 I remember writing a post back in October on “Manny Ramirez in Orange and Black?”. Well  I guess my instincts were right that the Giants have sincere interest in him and Manny Ramirez makes sense for the Giants in the short term.  I think a two or three year deal at about 40-60 million makes sense with a fourth year vesting team option to sweeten the deal for Manny.  And Scott Boras and Ramirez would probably have to bite at that kind of deal and it would turn the Giants into contenders rather than pretenders.  Signing Manny Ramirez would also allow the Giants and GM Brian Sabean to fill their void at cleanup and furthermore deal from a position of depth in their outfield, as is their starting rotation. So either outfielders Randy Winn (FA after 09′), Aaron Rowand, or even Dave Roberts (also FA after 09′) could be dangled to a team in need of some outfield help for the short-term and  free up salary for the Giants long term. Or the Giants can increase payroll for 09′ and keep the team intact as is.  The Giants could also package a deal of Jonathan Sanchez and outfield prospect Nate Schierholtz or outfielder Randy Winn for a big corner bat, such as Prince Fielder.  Or the Giants could just go to the via free agency route and sign third baseman Joe Crede, who the Giants have showed some interest in and he makes sense for the Giants on a low-risk, low cost one or two year deal based on his recent injuries. But when healthy, Crede is an all-star caliber third baseman with some pop in his bat, something the Giants need to their offense. So you add in All-Stars Manny Ramirez and Joe Crede to a lineup that ranked  in the bottom of the league and you got a bigger payroll for 09, but you also have a contender and you’re getting your money worth in those guys. There should be more sellouts with future Hall of Famers Randy Johnson, in search of his 300th win (only 5 away) and Manny Ramirez (MVP of the Dodgers in 08′ and MVP of Red Sox before that) and with rising stars like 2008 Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, the new face of the Franchise and rookie sensation Pablo Sandoval, a young 22-year old corner infielder with some pop in that bat and can play three positions.  So the Giants fans have something to look forward to in 09′ if Giants add a couple more pieces and faces to this already talented bunch.  This will also allow Sabean some flexibility in the trade market and allow the Giants to contend now in 09′ and have financial flexibility for the future and it allows them to develop their younger prospects that are on the rise, such as pitchers Madison Bumgarner,  Tim Alderson, Kevin Pucetas and catcher Buster Posey.   And their should be about 29 million in payroll coming off the Giants book after the 2009 season.  So for now the Giants are in great position to strike forward and sign a couple bats or can stand pat with the team and roster intact right now and build for the future and still contend with a strong rotation and bullpen in this very weak and inconsistent NL West. 

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