Moves on the Horrizon

Sometime before the end of the weekend, the Giants are expected to announce the signing of their first two free agents of the winter. They have been extremely quiet up until now, but expect the 2007 Giants roster to start shaping up over the next 2 weeks, wheter it be good or bad. The Giants will likely announce the signings of Dave Roberts and Rich Aurilia on Friday. The signing of Roberts will move Randy Winn to right field, and down in the batting order. The Giants still are uncertain where Aurilia will play, but it will likely be either 3rd or 1st base. I'm looking at these signings in two ways. First of all, the Giants are adding a pair of 35 year-olds to a team that they vowed was going to get younger and healthier. But looking at the market and seeing what average to above average free-agents are raking in this winter, these aren't bad monetary moves. Roberts is expected to get between 15-16 million dollars over 3 years. Compare that with Juan Pierre's 5 year, 44 million dollar deal, and I think it's a no brainer on who I'd rather have. Sure Pierre is 5 years younger, but that is where the advantage ends. While neither of them are particularly good outfielders, Roberts is more versatile and has a better arm. Both are one and the same at the plate and on the bases, while Roberts has a better on base percentage, and Pierre gets more hits. Don't get me wrong, Pierre is still a little better Roberts, and has more upside, but I'd much rather Roberts at 5 million a year than Pierre at 9 million, if I had to take one. The only thing I don't like about the Roberts signing is the fact that Brian Sabean gave Randy Winn a big contract extension to be the centerfielder and leadoff hitter so the Giants are now stuck with two light hitting outfielders. As far as Rich Aurilia goes, I'll compare him with another Dodger who cashed in pretty nicely. Nomar Garciapara got a 2 year, 19 milliond dollar deal from the Dodgers earlier in the month, while the Giants are set to give Aurilia 6 million over 2 years. I do take into account that Aurilia played in a hitters park last season, but their numbers are identical, plus Aurilia has been a lot healthier over his career than Nomar Garciapara. Again, if I had to take one player out of the two, I'd take Garciapara, Rich Aurilia for 1/3 of the price is an absolute bargain.

The Winter meetings are set to begin on December 4th, and Brian Sabean will be in attendance trying desperately to land a power hitter via trade. With all the big bats off the free agent market, the Giants have had talks with the Red Sox about Manny Ramirez. I will stop that rumor there becuase I really don't see the Giants matching up with the Red Sox in any kind of deal, especially after hearing that the San Diego Padres are offering a package including Scott Linebrink and Adrian Gonzalez. A more realistic option for the Giants is Pat Burrell, or possibly Richie Sexson. The Giants have been linked to Burrell all winter since he supposedly added them to his short list of possible trade destinations. Sexson has been rumored to be available, and the Ginats need a big hitting first basemen. Sexson, like Burrell brings huge power, big contract, and a lot of strikouts. However, Sexson has a better track record and is a better defender so if I had a choice, I'd lean towards him. Sabean still wants to keep his options open before really facing the Barry Bonds question. If the rumors are indeed true that the Giants were finalists for Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Lee, it's pretty apparant they are trying very hard to move on without Bonds. Since their efforts failed, if they don't land a big bat at the meetings, I would fully expect Barry Bonds to be re-signed the following week.