Flexibility
It seems that the return of Rich Aurilia is near and as well as the entry of Dave Roberts. The two are the Gary Matthews/Juan Pierre consolation prices. The contracts are supposed to add up to around $36 mil/6, with Aurilia getting $3 mil/3 and Roberts $6 mil/3.
Mark Loretta is also getting closer according to the Chron article above. It said those moves would likely spell an end to Ray Durham and the great Pedro Feliz experiment.
None of the three is what he once was. Loretta has had a huge drop since being injured a few years ago, Roberts' game is based on speed which is deteriorating with age and Giants fans are familiar with the rise and fall and rise of Aurilia. The three are also a combined 104 years old.
The trio isn't going to be mistaken for Soriano or the recently signed Carlos Lee. Aurilia and Loretta have shown some pop in the past but never at those levels and they aren't prime candidates to even continue their current levels. But with so many slots open this off season, no single player was going to keep the 2007 Giants from escaping the Fiasco that is surely coming. This has been in the works for far too long for one $180 mil contract to change it.
Sabean -- if he gets these deals done -- will have accomplished something unique in this year's free agents market. He will have filled three position slots with no more than three-year contracts and less than $10 mil a year per player.
That gives the Giants financial freedom to take on contracts through trade if Sabean goes that route with someone like Pat Burrell. What is often forgotten in the opening "Why wont Sabean Buy Anything?" articles is that all those same writers have a "There's No Flexibility for Mid-season Deals!" template stashed away for February.
But these particular deals give the Giants lineup flexibility as well. Both Loretta and Aurilia can play three infield positions with shortstop already in the capable and dreamy hands of Omar Vizquel. That flexibility gives the Giants the chance to target both corner infield spots in trade.
With the main free agent pieces gone, trades are going to be the Giants best bet. And as contract negotiations break down, injuries occur and other unforeseeables become foreseen, Sabean needs to be able and jump in before the Yankees and Red Sox can figure out how to free up another $23 million for an extension.
This is definitely a lineup influx and open to taking advantage of the markets as they change. What some fans are missing is that the Giants aren't tied down and committed to any one path yet. And while it's exciting to get a Soriano or Lee, the reality is that the Giants are indeed inching closer and closer to the dreaded "R" word. And while no one likes to lose, I'd rather see 60-win season and two 90-win seasons than three 75-win seasons.
Mark Loretta is also getting closer according to the Chron article above. It said those moves would likely spell an end to Ray Durham and the great Pedro Feliz experiment.
None of the three is what he once was. Loretta has had a huge drop since being injured a few years ago, Roberts' game is based on speed which is deteriorating with age and Giants fans are familiar with the rise and fall and rise of Aurilia. The three are also a combined 104 years old.
The trio isn't going to be mistaken for Soriano or the recently signed Carlos Lee. Aurilia and Loretta have shown some pop in the past but never at those levels and they aren't prime candidates to even continue their current levels. But with so many slots open this off season, no single player was going to keep the 2007 Giants from escaping the Fiasco that is surely coming. This has been in the works for far too long for one $180 mil contract to change it.
Sabean -- if he gets these deals done -- will have accomplished something unique in this year's free agents market. He will have filled three position slots with no more than three-year contracts and less than $10 mil a year per player.
That gives the Giants financial freedom to take on contracts through trade if Sabean goes that route with someone like Pat Burrell. What is often forgotten in the opening "Why wont Sabean Buy Anything?" articles is that all those same writers have a "There's No Flexibility for Mid-season Deals!" template stashed away for February.
But these particular deals give the Giants lineup flexibility as well. Both Loretta and Aurilia can play three infield positions with shortstop already in the capable and dreamy hands of Omar Vizquel. That flexibility gives the Giants the chance to target both corner infield spots in trade.
With the main free agent pieces gone, trades are going to be the Giants best bet. And as contract negotiations break down, injuries occur and other unforeseeables become foreseen, Sabean needs to be able and jump in before the Yankees and Red Sox can figure out how to free up another $23 million for an extension.
This is definitely a lineup influx and open to taking advantage of the markets as they change. What some fans are missing is that the Giants aren't tied down and committed to any one path yet. And while it's exciting to get a Soriano or Lee, the reality is that the Giants are indeed inching closer and closer to the dreaded "R" word. And while no one likes to lose, I'd rather see 60-win season and two 90-win seasons than three 75-win seasons.
Labels: Giants, Transactions, Worst Third Baseman in the Major Leagues
posted by Chris at
11:03 PM
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