New Edited Version of Wants and Needs: I removed Rowand as he is asking for nothing less than a five year deal. I also added some guys who have become available. The latest news on players are in Italics.
Scott Rolen-3B: Rolen is quite a gamble and hates authority but I would still love to have the best defensive third baseman I've ever seen in orange and black. The Cards have said that Rolen is available since LaRussa has been resigned and those two do not get along. Scott is coming off another shoulder surgery where last season you could tell it was bothering them. he only hit 8 HRs and 58 RBI with a .268 BA in 112 games. In '06, he hit 22 HRs, 95 RBI and .296 BA. I think he could be had for Lowry and Hennessey with them eating some of the $36 mil he is still owed. Hell we could even throw in Durham and eat all Of Rolen's money if they eat Lowry and Durham's. The Cards need help at second. He only has three years left on his contract which is perfect given his age and health. Rolen and Vizquel would make a great defensive left side. Now for the dreams to burst a little, he has a no-trade clause and wants to go to a contender. Giants will have to make some good moves to show they can be a contender before Rolen waives his clause. The Brewers and Rangers have been rumored to have interest in trading for Rolen.
Miguel Tejada-3B: He has played in the Bay Area so fans already know him and he would reunite with Zito. The shortstop position is available though he might have to play third. Tejada has been asking for a trade for a while and isn't happy in Baltimore. Tejada makes $26 million over the next two years left on his contract. The Giants would be getting younger and more production at the postion. His 2007 stats were .296/.357/.442 with 18 HRs and 81 RBI with just 55 SOs. Problem is the O's still want him so we would have to dazzle them. The Giants and Astros are real players for Tejada according to SI.com.
Chris Duncan-1B: This is just speculation on my part basically because of the rocky situation in St. Louis. LaRussa looks to walk with Jocketty gone and if that happens, Dave Duncan is likely to leave too. If so, Duncan would not be too happy and could push for a trade. Plus the Cards don't really need him now with the emergence of Ankiel. He is a first baseman with 20-30 homerun power without a real position in STL. We have some young pitching to possibly lure him away. Duncan is also a lefty which this team needs at first. The Giants have the position he wants and have some pitching that St. Louis might like. Definitely something to look at if Dave Duncan is fired or steps down. I am leaving him in despite LaRussa staying just because he still doesn't have a full time position and the Giants have one for him. Rotoworld also suggested a trade for Duncan giving up Lowry. Great to see great minds think alike.
Miguel Cabrera-3B/OF: The Giants should seriously pursue Cabrera to fill either third or first. I want him at first or in the OF but not at third. He is terrible at third and maybe JT Snow could work with him at first. Cabrera will be 25 next season and is good for a 30 HRS, .300 BA and 100+ RBI. Lowry could be used in a package along with any number of guys. This is a very special player who the Giants can build there offense around now while he is cheaper than market value. Cabrera is right handed power hitter which this post Bonds era is going to need. It doesn't look like the Giants have anything to really offer unless Lincecum becomes available. Sabean has said the Marlins are not realistic in their demands for Cabrera. Doesn't look like this will happen but you never know.
Richie Sexson-1B: Sexson could be the diamond in the rough. He is coming off a horrible season and makes a lot of money so he won't cost much in a trade. We could possibly dump some salary like Aurilia on them if we take on some more salary. He made $14 mil last season and hit just .205/.295/.399 with 21 homers and just 63 RBI. He is owed $14 mil and is a FA after the 08 season. If he does well he can get him a good 3-4 year deal. I think he has a lot in the tank left and he still has an average of 37 HRs a season. Sexson won't cost a lot in a trade if we take on more salary of we can make a trade where they take on most of the salary. Either way it won't cost us anything of importance and gives us a big presence in this weak lineup. Oh yeah, he's right handed which is a huge plus in this ballpark. The Giants were interested in Sexson last season. The M's are looking to move him at the Winter Meetings
Brian Fuentes-RP: Fuentes has been on the market for some time now but I don't know why. Maybe they feel he will make too much for a setup guy since he is arbitration eligible. Fuentes will be a FA after the '08 season and will be 32 years old. Fuentes had a 3.08 ERA last season to go along with 20 saves. He posts a 3.53 ERA over seven seasons and has 398 SO's in 359 IP. Fuentes would add another proven lefty reliever to go along with Kline if he himself is not traded. Fuentes would battle Wilson for the closing role and give a boost to any bullpen. The biggest problem here is trading with the improving Rockies inside the division. Giants are a couple of seasons away and helping the Rockies improve doesn't help our cause. Giants should at least call and see what they want. Brewers are looking into Fuentes.
Mark Prior-SP: Prior isn't going to be ready until late May and is a huge gamble but one the Giants can make. Prior will likely make $3-4 mil in arbitration and would make for a good backup plan in case Lincecum is traded. Giants have a great pitcher's park unlike Chicago. Prior hasn't done anything worth talking about since 2005 where he had 27 starts and a 3.67 ERA. Even if the Giants do not trade Lincecum, the Giants could have a rotation of Zito, Cain, Lowry Lincecum and Prior. Talk about potential domination!! Padres and M's are also interested in Prior so we would have to outbid with them and others. If the price is right, we can take a chance since we aren't going to win anything in 08 anyway.
Xavier Nady-OF/1B: The Pirates are trying to move Nady but will not non-tender him. Nady could play LF, RF or 1B for the Giants. Giants could have a Nady/Ortmeier combo at first which could provide 30+ HRs from the position. It would be a major upgrade over Klesko but Nady hasn't played all that much at first. Nady had 20 homers, 72 RBI and a .278 BA last season in 125 games. He would be a cheap option allowing them to spend on Andruw Jones or whoever they make a trade for with more ease and help save money for next year.
Andruw Jones-CF: I like Andruw only if it is on a two year deal like the Dodgers offered today, 2 yrs/$32 mil. Jones is a declining CFer but can still make plays and hit homeruns. Problem is he can't hit for any kind of average and he strikes out a lot. His power numbers have dropped in the past two seasons too. Jones would provide a power threat and make the OF look a lot better than it does right now. Jones had a .222/.311/.413 batting line with 26 HRs and 94 RBI in '07. Jones is a name that people know and will have some marketing value. Andruw is also right handed which helps.
Chad Cordero- CL: The Giants are waiting for either Wilson, Walker or Hennessey to emerge as the next closer. I say why wait? Why not get a proven closer now? Cordero averages a 2.70 ERA and 29 saves a year. He had 37 saves last year for a team with a slightly weaker offense than ours. The Nationals are shopping him and we might have some attractive starters for them in Sanchez, Misch or Correia. Cordero will only be 26 years old next year and a proven closer. The Giants bullpen was one of the worst and had the most blowns saves. Matt Cain would love this idea I can promise you that. Cordero isn't a FA until 2010.