There are still about 3 weeks left in the regular season, but with the season winding down and not much going on with the club, I figured it would be a good time to throw out some wild guesses as to who might fill out the San Francisco Giants roster in 2008. So here we go:
Trade: (Jonathon Sanchez and Kevin Frandsen to Cincinnati for Edwin Encarnacion)
FA Signings: (*Adam Dunn, Tony Clark, Scott Linebrink) *potential free agent
FA Losses: (Barry Bonds, Pedro Feliz, Ryan Klesko)
Lineup:
1. CF Dave Roberts (still under contract for 2 more seasons, will likely platoon with Davis)
2. RF Randy Winn (like Roberts, not going anywhere)
3. 3B Edwin Encarnacion (*obtained from Cinci via Jonathon Sanchez trade)
4. LF Adam Dunn (the Giants will need a big bat to replace Bonds and Dunn could be the guy)
5.C Bengie Molina (the solid backstop will be here for 2 more years)
6. 1B Dan Ortmeier (Giants are talking like Ortmeier will be starting next year)
7. 2B Ray Durham (under contract for another year and will be tough to trade)
8. SS Omar Vizquel (Brought back on a 1 year deal)
Starting Rotation:
LHP Barry Zito ( still the staff ace, even with his subpar year)
RHP Matt Cain ( way better pitcher than his career numbers show)
LHP Noah Lowry (elbow injury cut short potential breakout year for Lowry)
RHP Tim Lincecum (hopefully there is no sophmore slump with Timmy)
RHP Kevin Corriea ( has showed he's capable of taking the ball every 5th day)
Bullpen:
CP Brian Wilson ( I think he's finally ready for the job)
SU Scott Linebrink (numbers declining slightly, but Giants could use his steadiness)
RHP Brad Hennessey (most consistant Giants reliever for 2 years in a row)
RHP Tyler Walker (Dominant in his return to the bigs this year)
LHP Pat Misch (great year in Fresno in a relief role, struggled after being made a starter)
LHP Steve Kline (back for another year)
LHP Travis Blackley (outside shot, but could make team as long reliever/spot starter)
Bench:
1B Tony Clark (brought in for extra bat off bench and to help Ort at 1st)
OF Nate Shierholtz (Bochy will play him over Winn if he keeps hitting)
OF Rajai Davis (speedy center fielder could take time away from Roberts)
IF Rich Aurillia (should rebound after horrible year)
C Elezier Alfonzo (one of the better back-up catchers in the league when healthy)
Again, these are just wild guesses, but this is a roster that could be put together within the Giants budget. The lineup would be younger, although not by much and the pitching staff could stay intact. A Jonathon Sanchez for Edwin Encarncion trade is highly unlikely, but Encarnacion is being dangled and could be had.
Trade: (Jonathon Sanchez and Kevin Frandsen to Cincinnati for Edwin Encarnacion)
FA Signings: (*Adam Dunn, Tony Clark, Scott Linebrink) *potential free agent
FA Losses: (Barry Bonds, Pedro Feliz, Ryan Klesko)
Lineup:
1. CF Dave Roberts (still under contract for 2 more seasons, will likely platoon with Davis)
2. RF Randy Winn (like Roberts, not going anywhere)
3. 3B Edwin Encarnacion (*obtained from Cinci via Jonathon Sanchez trade)
4. LF Adam Dunn (the Giants will need a big bat to replace Bonds and Dunn could be the guy)
5.C Bengie Molina (the solid backstop will be here for 2 more years)
6. 1B Dan Ortmeier (Giants are talking like Ortmeier will be starting next year)
7. 2B Ray Durham (under contract for another year and will be tough to trade)
8. SS Omar Vizquel (Brought back on a 1 year deal)
Starting Rotation:
LHP Barry Zito ( still the staff ace, even with his subpar year)
RHP Matt Cain ( way better pitcher than his career numbers show)
LHP Noah Lowry (elbow injury cut short potential breakout year for Lowry)
RHP Tim Lincecum (hopefully there is no sophmore slump with Timmy)
RHP Kevin Corriea ( has showed he's capable of taking the ball every 5th day)
Bullpen:
CP Brian Wilson ( I think he's finally ready for the job)
SU Scott Linebrink (numbers declining slightly, but Giants could use his steadiness)
RHP Brad Hennessey (most consistant Giants reliever for 2 years in a row)
RHP Tyler Walker (Dominant in his return to the bigs this year)
LHP Pat Misch (great year in Fresno in a relief role, struggled after being made a starter)
LHP Steve Kline (back for another year)
LHP Travis Blackley (outside shot, but could make team as long reliever/spot starter)
Bench:
1B Tony Clark (brought in for extra bat off bench and to help Ort at 1st)
OF Nate Shierholtz (Bochy will play him over Winn if he keeps hitting)
OF Rajai Davis (speedy center fielder could take time away from Roberts)
IF Rich Aurillia (should rebound after horrible year)
C Elezier Alfonzo (one of the better back-up catchers in the league when healthy)
Again, these are just wild guesses, but this is a roster that could be put together within the Giants budget. The lineup would be younger, although not by much and the pitching staff could stay intact. A Jonathon Sanchez for Edwin Encarncion trade is highly unlikely, but Encarnacion is being dangled and could be had.
Comments
Encarnacion and Votto. Eat 100% of Durham's
salary. Toss Winn into the deal and eat $5 million
of his salary. Have a 3B and a power hitting LH
hitting 1st baseman for years. Trade Lowery to
Seattle for Adam Jones who won't have a place
to play in Seattle next year. Then have an outfield
of Shierholtz LF, Jones CF, Ortmeir in RF. Lewis
Valez in reserve.
An infield of Encarnacion 3B, Vizquel SS, Frandsen
2B and Votto 1B. Try to use Aurilla, Davis, Molina,
Roberts to trade for a SS.
SP would be Zito, Cain, Lincecum, Corriea, and either Misch or Blackley. Minor league prospects
should be available for 2009 season.
And I wouldn't deal Lowry for Jones, the Giants can get more than that.
Good comment!