Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Giants G.M. Sabean talks about potential trades: 'We know what we need'

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June 23

San Jose Mercury News

"The cavalry might come galloping to assist the Giants' offense, but don't expect to hear reveille any time soon. Before watching his lineup struggle in road grays yet again Monday night in a 5-1 loss to the A's, Giants General Manager Brian Sabean said he didn't expect any deals for bats to develop until the days leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. "Not enough teams are completely out of it, which is why I think the market is going to be late-developing," Sabean said. "You can't definitively know who they have available. And those who are have so many suitors. Whoever makes a trade early is going to really have to pay the price. "The one good thing is we know what we ..."

Source: Injured Glaus has trade appeal at 1B/DH

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June 23

Foxsports.com

"Here's another name to consider for all those teams in the market for a first baseman or designated hitter. Troy Glaus. Glaus, who has yet to play this season while recovering from surgery on his right shoulder, is progressing better with his hitting than his throwing, according to a source with knowledge of his recovery process. While Glaus hit off a pitching machine for the first time Monday and could be ready for a minor-league rehabilitation assignment by the middle of next week, he is struggling to throw at distances of greater than 90 feet, the source said. If Glaus cannot play third base, he will be of virtually no use to the Cardinals. Albert Pujols, perhaps the best player in the ..."

Ten ball clubs that can add payroll

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June 22

SI.com

"Baseball is doing better than most businesses. But you know something's amiss when even the Yankees are claiming they can't add salary or expand their payroll. Ultimately, the $200 million team just might find a few mil in the seat cushions. But for now anyway, they're saying they are tapped out. The same may be true for the Cubs, yet another storied big-market club that may not spend this summer. The Cubs' situation could be compromised by the glacial pace of the team's sale. At present, their player dealings appear to be in the same sort of limbo as the sale, meaning their big in-season acquisition may be limited to recovering star Aramis Ramirez. The Rangers also are believed to have ..."

Red Sox want rotation depth, will keep Penny

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June 20

ESPN.com

"Be realistic. Jake Peavy and Erik Bedard probably won't be tradeable before Aug. 1. Drayton McLane is not moving Roy Oswalt. Jarrod Washburn could probably be had, and would be a good pickup for a National League team with a big ballpark (cue Dodgers, Mets and Giants). And that's about it. Oh, Brad Penny would probably be the best starting pitcher out there, but unless someone comes up with a Justin Smoak, Matt LaPorta or Brett Wallace -- which isn't going to happen -- they are going to hold onto Penny, who is two years removed from finishing third in the NL Cy Young race. Early in the season, Penny came out throwing 88-90 mph in the first couple of innings and gradually worked his way up ..."

Sox not in a hurry to trade Brad Penny, Street being scouted

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June 15

SI.com

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"The Red Sox now "aren't in a hurry" to trade Brad Penny, who hit the mid-90s in his last start vs. the Yankees, even with John Smoltz seemingly ready to go. While it appears they have too much pitching, they also know there's no such thing. The market also hasn't been great so far for Penny, thanks to his $5 million salary. Perhaps with the pitching market dying, though, he'll begin to look better to someone. • Rockies closer Huston Street is being heavily scouted. Among the teams that need a reliever are the Yankees, Rangers and Angels. The Rays, Cubs and Twins might also consider bullpen help. • The Cardinals continue to scour the market for a bat. • Giants lefty Jonathan Sanchez is on ..."

San Francisco Giants need hitter for wild-card push

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June 14

Chicago Tribune

"Keep an eye on the Giants. They're a long shot to catch the Dodgers in the NL West but could have staying power in the wild-card race, especially if GM Brian Sabean gets them a hitter. Matt Cain, who lives in the shadow of pitching teammates Tim Lincecum, Barry Zito and Randy Johnson, is having a great season (8-1, 2.55). His 3.61 career ERA suggests he could pitch his way into Cy Young consideration. ... Could Derrek Lee be the hitter the Giants need? Sabean at least ought to kick the tires to see if Jim Hendry would consider approaching Lee about waiving his no-trade clause, as the Cubs have first-base options available to them in Micah Hoffpauir and Jake Fox."

Giants draft high school pitcher

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June 10

San Francisco Chronicle

"Zack Wheeler vividly remembers the game Giants general manager Brian Sabean attended. It was March 24, and Wheeler's East Paulding High School (Georgia) was playing North Cobb High. "Everyone was whispering to me in the dugout that he was there," Wheeler said. "That's when I hit 98. I boosted it up a couple of miles per hour for him real quick." Wheeler collected a season-high 15 strikeouts in six innings, and Sabean walked away convinced. The right-hander's numbers (9-0, 0.54 ERA, 151 strikeouts, 772/3 innings) along with his "size, strength and athletic ability," in Sabean's words, prompted the Giants tohim sixth overall in Tuesday's draft. Sabean said Wheeler was the first player he ..."

O-Line goes extra-big

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June 3

San Francisco Chronicle

"During his heyday as the 49ers' offensive line coach, the late, great Bobb McKittrick preferred smaller, athletic linemen to the behemoths that were coming into vogue around the league. Virtually the only 300-pounder the 49ers had in those days was tackle Bubba Paris, and the team was constantly on him about his weight, a quaint notion in the 21st century NFL. In 2009, the 49ers will send out an offensive line averaging about 320 pounds. Left tackle Joe Staley checks in at 318, left guard David Baas is a massive 335, center Eric Heitmann goes 315, right guard Chilo Rachal is a robust 335 and right tackle Adam Snyder is 330. "I think it's going to be a vastly improved offensive line this ..."

Trade winds begin as a breeze

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May 27

Yahoo! Sports

"Last week's Jake Peavy(notes) near-trade demonstrated that not only will the Padres' ace dictate his relocation terms, but that the annual swapping season will heat up well before the July 31 trading deadline. Here are some developments to watch in the coming days and weeks: • The New York Mets retain keen interest in Washington Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson(notes), to the point where the Nationals have scouts watching the Mets' Triple-A team in Buffalo, N.Y., and Double-A team in Binghamton, N.Y., evaluating pitchers Jon Niese, Mike Antonini and Eddie Kunz(notes) among others. The Mets need a first baseman because Carlos Delgado(notes) could be out for two months after hip surgery. ..."

Giants may be interested in trade for Dan Uggla

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May 26

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"The San Francisco Giants have made it known they're in search of a bat, and Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now! second baseman Dan Uggla is among the players piquing their interest. According to an industry source, the Giants have made preliminary inquiries about Uggla. The conversations are not believed to have reached the general manager level. The Giants likely are investigating any number of options from Nationals' first baseman Nick Johnson to Indians infielder Mark De Rosa. One thing that makes Uggla attractive is he's not eligible for free agency until after the 2011 season. The expectation is the Marlins will move Uggla at some point. He's already earning $5.35 million. Team ..."

High-level source says Cain not being dangled

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May 25

San Francisco Chronicle

"Some years back, there was a Giants beat reporter who was king of the "knockdown note." Whenever you wrote a little trade rumor or some other tidbit, he would come back the next day and say it wasn't true. I used to joke that he programmed his computer so he could hit one key that typed, "Contrary to yesterday's Chronicle...." Just to save himself some keystrokes. Here I am, though, with a knockdown note of my own, which I hate to do because I have the utmost respect for the reporting ability of my talented friend and San Jose Mercury competitor Andrew Baggarly. I don't know if I'm right. I don't know if he's right. But the fact is, he wrote a rather jarring paragraph that said the Giants ..."

Giants G.M. Sabean exploring trade routes

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May 24

San Jose Mercury News

"The Giants aren't hitting, which means Brian Sabean is taking a pounding. With a quarter of the season complete, the club's long-tenured general manager acknowledged what anyone reading the box scores could divine: The pitching has been sensational, the defense has done the job, and the offense usually makes you want to glue your eyelids shut. "We obviously can compete, but we know where we're challenged, and it's maybe more acute than we thought it would be," said Sabean, before the Giants beat Seattle 5-1 on Saturday night at Safeco Field. But rather than soldier forward as-is or make concession speeches to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sabean said he is actively seeking a bat on the trade ..."

Misdiagnosis of Lowry denied

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May 20

San Jose Mercury News

"The Giants strongly denied accusations that they misdiagnosed left-hander Noah Lowry and subjected him to an unnecessary surgery last year, calling public claims by his agent "factually inaccurate, intentionally misleading and irresponsible." Lowry, who hasn't pitched since August 2007, underwent surgery Tuesday in Dallas to remove the first rib on his left side. Two specialists recently diagnosed him with thoracic outlet syndrome, wherein nerves and/or blood vessels are compressed as they pass between the neck and shoulder. The procedure was designed to alleviate the compression. In March 2008, Lowry could not grip a ball because of numbness in his hand. After seeing a number of ..."

Lowry's career with Giants might be over

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May 19

San Jose Mercury News

"Noah Lowry's road back to the major leagues just got longer. With his latest comeback bid stalled because of chronic pain in his left shoulder and neck, the Giants left-hander is scheduled to undergo surgery today to remove the first rib on his left side. Recovery time is estimated at three months, leaving little hope he will pitch this season. Specialists recently diagnosed Lowry with thoracic outlet syndrome, wherein nerves and/or blood vessels are compressed as they pass between the neck and shoulder. Jeremy Bonderman and Kenny Rogers are among major league pitchers who have been diagnosed with the arterial form of the syndrome; they were able to resume their careers after the removal ..."

Lincecum unlikely to start in Seattle

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May 15

San Jose Mercury News

"The Giants do not plan to use Monday's off-day to alter their rotation, which more or less ensures that Tim Lincecum will not pitch in next weekend's interleague series at Seattle. No big deal, the Giants' reigning Cy Young Award winner said. "I guess I'll have to enjoy Seattle in a different way," said Lincecum, who was born and grew up in the region and won the Golden Spikes award at the University of Washington. "I'm just looking forward to being home when the weather is nice." Lincecum watched the Mariners as a kid but didn't attend many games. He was too busy competing in summer leagues. But he has a good idea what to expect when Randy Johnson takes the mound next Friday — especially ..."

Molina wants to play for Giants in 2010

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May 7

San Jose Mercury News

"It's usually meaningless to project statistics after the first week in May, but notably, Giants catcher Bengie Molina entered Wednesday's game on pace to drive in 149 runs — all while playing for the lowest-scoring team in the major leagues. Molina's fast start could lead to his first All-Star selection, and perhaps, something even more significant. The 34-year-old catcher is in the final year of his contract and is waiting patiently for club officials to approach him about an extension. He knows the front office probably isn't interested in discussing multiple years — it's common knowledge that first-round pick Buster Posey is the team's future behind the plate — but Molina wants to be ..."

Giants envision Bonds' future role

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April 29

San Jose Mercury News

"Barry Bonds isn't a Giants employee any longer, but managing partner Bill Neukom hopes to change that. In 2001, the club negotiated a 10-year personal services contract with Bonds that would take effect once the all-time home run king announces his retirement. Bonds, 44, has refused to make his retirement official, and language of the personal services agreement — which pays just less than $1 million annually to the Bonds Family Foundation — is vaguely worded, according to club officials. But Neukom said the club "most definitely" remains interested in maintaining close ties with Bonds. "When he does retire, we'll talk to him about what makes sense," said Neukom, adding the subject wasn't ..."

So why can't Barry Bonds utter the R-word?

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April 29

San Francisco Chronicle

"Barry Bonds said he wants to spend more time with the Giants, and he does have a still-unfulfilled 10-year personal-services contract with the team. Giants President Larry Baer said Tuesday that Bonds is welcome at China Basin any time, but any formal relationship will have to wait. The Giants might want Bonds' perjury case decided first, but Baer said the main reason is Bonds' reticence to say those two magic words: "I'm retired." "He has a personal-services contract upon retirement, but he is not officially retired," Baer said. "Until he's officially retired, it wouldn't be appropriate to broach that." Bonds might be refusing to retire because that could hurt any collusion case the union ..."

Club sources: Giants aren't planning to fire Bochy

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April 24

San Jose Mercury News

"The Giants are off to a slow start, their offense hasn't come around and Manager Bruce Bochy is in the final season of his contract. This is an intersection often littered with pink slips. Yet club sources say there have been no rumblings of a major shake-up. Those familiar with the thinking of managing partner Bill Neukom say it would take a colossal collapse for him to consider removing Bochy before the end of the season. The new boss is a wild card. But there is a significant and surprising precedent to consider, too: The Giants haven't fired a manager in almost a quarter century. Stunning, but true. The Giants haven't officially wielded the ax since Roger Craig replaced Jim Davenport ..."

Martinez could return within a month

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April 11

San Francisco Chronicle

"Despite suffering three hairline skull fractures and internal bleeding from a disturbing line drive to the head, Giants rookie pitcher Joe Martinez may be back on the mound within a month. Martinez, 26, pitching in his second big-league game Thursday, was struck squarely on the right side of his face by a batted ball. He's staying in the hospital for further observation as well as a follow-up CT scan today and could join the club as early as Monday in Los Angeles. "I'd be surprised if he's not back pitching here in a month," manager Bruce Bochy said. Several teammates spoke to Martinez by phone Friday and found him to be lucid and in great spirits. Reliever Alex Hinshaw was stunned to get ..."

Giants' Sabean, Bochy on hot seat as season begins

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April 7

San Jose Mercury News

"For the Giants' 25-man roster, the proving ground of spring training has passed. For Brian Sabean and Bruce Bochy, it's just beginning. The Giants open the season today against the Milwaukee Brewers at AT&T Park, the first game for Bill Neukom as the Giants' managing general partner. By the end, Neukom must choose one of two paths for his long-tenured general manager and seasoned field boss: Continue along the "Giants Way," or hit the highway. Behind closed doors, discussions already have begun. Sabean, entering his 13th season as the Giants' architect, said he and Neukom have "exchanged ideas" about the criteria he must meet this season to merit an extension. "That's better served coming ..."

Lincecum talks will carry into the season

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April 6

San Jose Mercury News

"Tim Lincecum is ready to put on a show when the Giants open the season Tuesday. But are the Giants ready to show him the money? Giants president Larry Baer said the club would remain open to negotiating a multiyear extension with Lincecum during the season. The reigning NL Cy Young award winner signed a one-year, $650,000 contract last month. General Manager Brian Sabean said his staff has researched the potential parameters of a deal that would take Lincecum through his arbitration years; an industry source speculated that the structure would exceed the three-year, $20.5 million deal that World Series MVP Cole Hamels signed with the Phillies in January. For now, Sabean called the Lincecum ..."

Uribe's roster spot looks likely

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March 31

San Francisco Chronicle

"After Juan Uribe homered twice in a 7-5, 10-inning loss to Texas on Monday, manager Bruce Bochy came awfully close to saying the 30-year-old would make the team. "Right now, that's the way it's shaping up," Bochy said. "He's a valuable commodity because he can play third, short and second, and he's a threat at the plate. He's dangerous. He knows how to play and he's been on a winner," the 2005 World Series-winning White Sox. "He's gotten himself in great shape, too, during this camp." Uribe homered to left against Kris Benson in the third and tied the game 4-4 in the eighth with an opposite-field homer against Eddie Guardado. Uribe co-leads the team in RBIs with 15. If Uribe is on the ..."

Bonds appeal could take 19 months

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March 3

ESPN.com

"A decision on the federal prosecutors' appeal in the Barry Bonds perjury case might not come for another year and a half, according to the official statistics of the federal courts. The Administrative Office (AO) of the federal courts, which is the Elias Sports Bureau of the court system, says that the median time to complete an appeal in the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit -- where the Bonds case appeal will be argued and decided -- is 19.4 months. That timetable would have a decision coming down in September 2010. Prosecutors appealed a ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston, asking the higher court to reverse the order and allow them to present at the ..."

Prosecutors to Appeal Evidence Ruling; Bonds Trial Faces Delay

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February 28

New York Times

"The perjury trial against Barry Bonds was postponed Friday after federal prosecutors said they would appeal a judge's decision excluding several pieces of evidence. The trial, which was scheduled to start with jury selection Monday, "will not proceed until further notice," according to a filing by the clerk for United States District Judge Susan Illston. The postponement came hours after Bonds's former trainer told Illston that he would not testify at the trial. Illston ruled last week that she would throw out several key pieces of evidence - including some that prosecutors said would tie Bonds to positive drug tests and doping calendars - if they could not be authenticated by the trainer, ..."

News Organizations Seek to Unseal Bonds Juror Questionnaires

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February 27

New York Times

"Several major news organizations filed a motion Thursday asking a judge to unseal the completed juror questionnaires in the Barry Bonds perjury trial, which is scheduled to begin Monday. "We believe they are a matter of public record, and they would significantly help the public and the press understand the voir dire process as it happens," said Duffy Carolan, a lawyer for the news organizations. The motion was filed on behalf of The Associated Press; The New York Times; The Los Angeles Times; Sports Illustrated; ESPN; the Hearst Corporation, which owns The San Francisco Chronicle; and MediaNews Group, which owns several newspapers in Northern California. Judge Susan Illston of the United ..."

Is Manny staying in the West?

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February 24

Orange County Register

"It's nice to hear everyone vent about Manny Fatigue, as if Manny Ramirez was a candidate for Secretary of Commerce and not the best right-handed hitter either east, west, south or north of Albert Pujols, depending on where he lands. The Ramirez decision cannot be overrated. Anybody who saw Ramirez carry the Dodgers, piggyback style, to the N.L. West pennant last year in only two months - and for free, thank you Ned Colletti - knows what exactly what, and who, rides on this. The Dodgers keep talking, even though they have somewhat protected themselves by the Orlando Hudson signing, which allows Casey Blake to play left-field if need be. Whether these talks have gone beyond "Nice day, Scott ..."

Giants Beat

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February 21

San Francisco Chronicle

"The Giants could learn today the fate of their bid to sign free-agent third baseman Joe Crede, and it does not look promising. The Chicago Tribune reported late Friday night that Crede had agreed to terms with the Minnesota Twins. Giant sources said they were not engaged in last-minute negotiations with Crede's agent, Scott Boras. Instead, they have made a one-year offer that combines guaranteed money and incentives and have told Boras they will not go beyond that. The Giants were pessimistic because Boras indicated Crede had a more substantial offer. Crede, 30, is coming off two back surgeries but looked healthy in workouts attended by Giants special assistant Ron Schueler. Although ..."

S.F. makes an offer to keep Aurilia around

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February 8

San Francisco Chronicle

"In a bid to add infield depth, the Giants have offered a minor-league contract to Rich Aurilia worth about $1 million if he makes the team. Aurilia, who just completed a two-year, $8 million deal with the Giants, would provide a right-handed alternative at first base to left-handers Travis Ishikawa or John Bowker against lefty pitchers. That assumes the Giants do not add third baseman Joe Crede, which would result in Pablo Sandoval playing first base. KPIX television reported the Giants have offered Crede a one-year deal. Aurilia sent the Giants a counterproposal Saturday night and said, "Hopefully we can iron out a few things. I'm hoping to nail this down." His agent, Barry Axelrod, said ..."

Giants make offer to free agent Crede

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February 8

MLB.com

"Joe Crede, an All-Star with the Chicago White Sox last season, reportedly is mulling an offer from the San Francisco Giants. The CBS television affiliate in San Francisco reported on Saturday that Crede had received the offer, but did not go into contract details. Club officials could not be reached for comment, but there was no mention of an offer when general manager Brian Sabean talked to reporters during the Giants' KNBR/Giants FanFest at AT&T Park. The GM did say the organization has made veteran infielder Rich Aurilia an offer of a Minor League contract. Crede, selected in the fifth round of the 1996 First-Year Player Draft by the White Sox, has spent his entire career with the South ..."

Manny coveted, but not a bank breaker

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February 7

MLB.com

"The Giants are ready to welcome Manny Ramirez. But they're neither waiting for him nor pinning their hopes for 2009 on acquiring him. San Francisco, which ranked next-to-last in the National League in scoring last season, remains intrigued by the possibility of signing Ramirez, the highest-profile free agent still available. Club insiders maintained that management is continuing to monitor Ramirez's situation but will neither top the Dodgers' offers exceeding $20 million annually nor offer him a contract longer than two years. With pitchers and catchers due to report Feb. 14 and the first full-squad Spring Training workout set for Feb. 18, the Giants sounded quite content to head for ..."

Agent tells Twins Crede is willing, able

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February 6

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Scott Boras insists Joe Crede's back is healthy, but the Twins aren't ready to bet $5 million on it. At least, not yet. The Twins haven't added a single player of note all offseason, and with most options exhausted, several club insiders believe a Crede signing is their final hope to bolster the roster before spring training. A free-agent third baseman, Crede hit 30 home runs for the White Sox in 2006 and 16 more in the first half last season, making the All-Star team. But back injuries limited him to 47 games in 2007 and 97 in '08. The Twins have been monitoring his recent workouts in Arizona and came away believing he was only moving at 75 percent. As Crede's agent, Boras disputed that ..."

Teams keeping an eye on Crede

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January 25

Boston Globe

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"Teams such as the Giants and Twins will begin monitoring his workouts in Arizona next week. The former White Sox has been beset with back problems for a couple of years and has played only 144 games in that span. Crede hit 30 homers in 2006 with the White Sox and actually made the All-Star team last year before being shut down."

Rangers looking to land Vizquel

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January 17

MLB.com

"The Rangers' infield situation has taken an interesting twist, as the team is trying to sign free-agent shortstop Omar Vizquel for what will likely be a utility role. Major League sources said on Friday night that there is a good chance of getting something done by early next week. The situation changed dramatically this week, when shortstop Michael Young agreed to switch to third base to make room for 20-year-old Elvis Andrus. That is still the plan, and Andrus is expected to be the Opening Day shortstop. But signing Vizquel works for the Rangers on two levels. Mainly, he gives Texas a utility infielder who can play shortstop. That would allow the Rangers to give Andrus some games off ..."

Yankees Hearing Offers for Swisher and Nady

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January 17

New York Times

"On his official Web site, Nick Swisher is depicted in a Yankees uniform, staring out at a pitcher as he wags his bat over his head. The photo has obviously been altered - Swisher has a beard, for one thing - and the scene it depicts may never come to pass. With four weeks until pitchers and catchers report to Tampa, Fla., General Manager Brian Cashman is spending much of his time fielding calls from teams interested in Swisher or Xavier Nady. One or the other became expendable when the Yankees signed Mark Teixeira to an eight-year, $180 million contract last week. With Teixeira entrenched at first base, Swisher became an ex-Yankee first baseman before he ever took the field in pinstripes. ..."

Giants, Dodgers may back off Manny

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January 7

MLB.com

"The contract that Manny Ramirez is seeking may be too expensive for the Dodgers or Giants, ESPN.com reported on Tuesday night. The Web site, citing an unnamed source, said Scott Boras, Ramirez's agent, is still seeking a four-to-five year contract in the $25 million a year range. Interest in Ramirez from around the rest of Major League Baseball has been non-existent. Rumors that the 36-year-old Ramirez, might go to the Giants are "unfounded" and "baloney." "If a million things came together over the next few weeks, would it be possible? Maybe," the source told ESPN.com. "But for where [Boras] is right now and where the team is right now, it doesn't make sense economically and it doesn't ..."

Sources: Giants can't afford Manny

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January 6

ESPN.com

"As hard as Scott Boras may be trying to portray the San Francisco Giants as serious bidders for Manny Ramirez, it's even harder to find executives in baseball who believe that. According to one source familiar with the Giants' thinking, just about every recent rumor connecting the Giants with Manny is "unfounded" or "baloney." "If a million things came together over the next few weeks, would it be possible? Maybe," the source told ESPN.com. "But for where [Boras] is right now and where the team is right now, it doesn't make sense economically and it doesn't make sense for how the team fits together." Sources tell ESPN.com that in a conversation with the Dodgers last Friday, Boras ..."

Giants haven't yet made offer to Ramirez

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January 4

San Jose Mercury News

"The Giants have inquired about free-agent outfielder Manny Ramirez, although no contract offer had been made as of Friday, club sources told the Mercury News. Reports of the Giants offering Ramirez, 36, a four-year deal were not correct, the sources added. Messages left for Giants President Larry Baer and General Manager Brian Sabean were not immediately returned. Sabean said last week the Giants have no interest in adding an outfielder, although the organization has inquired about Ramirez in the past. He could be productive in the middle of the batting order, which the team sorely needs. Ramirez helped lead the Dodgers to the playoffs last season by hitting .396 with 17 home runs and 53 ..."

Giants watch Manny market

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January 4

San Francisco Chronicle

columnist Ray Ratto

"The last time we all pitched a nutty about the Giants making a run at a big-name free agent, Brian Sabean pitched a nutty right back, ripping the media for creating a firestorm out of nothing. Sabean does that from time to time, probably because all those years biting his tongue have caused a backup of tension that needs release at the first media baboon foolish enough to cross him. That time, the topic was CC Sabathia, who went on to sign with the Yankees for about $60 million more than the fictional home-town discount Giants fans were hoping to get, and Sabean fumed aloud about the pernicious gullibility of the baboon class. This time, the stalking horse du jour was Manny Ramirez, who ..."

Manny Being A Giant?

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January 3

San Francisco Chronicle

"Manny Ramirez to the Giants? It could happen, but nothing appears to be close. The Chronicle has confirmed that the Giants have had conversations with agent Scott Boras regarding the 36-year-old left fielder, but industry sources say a report that the Giants have extended a formal offer to Ramirez for a deal of up to four years was inaccurate. No deal seems imminent between any team and Ramirez, who has 527 career home runs and guided the Dodgers to a National League West title last season after his July-deadline acquisition from the Red Sox. If the Giants seriously engage Ramirez, Boras surely will get the Dodgers involved in trying to re-sign him, and Boras and Dodgers general manager ..."

Dodgers may be working on deal to unload Andruw Jones

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January 2

Los Angeles Times

"Happy New Year -- indeed! I'm hearing the Dodgers are working on a deal that will allow the team to cut ties with Andruw Jones, save $12 million and give last year's free-agent bust the opportunity to seek employment elsewhere. The Dodgers still hold out hope they can save the money and trade Jones, but the end result will be Jones probably won't be swinging and missing in L.A. this season. Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said, "We can't confirm that, and right now we don't have a comment," but if a deal is made with Jones' agent, it will give the Dodgers an additional $12 million to pursue Manny Ramirez or cover the cost of a new wardrobe for Mrs. Parking Lot this season. Jones' agent, by the ..."

Sabean's odds of landing Johnson unclear

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December 19

San Francisco Chronicle

"The Giants are still in the hunt for the Big Unit. A team spokesman confirmed that general manager Brian Sabean told season-ticket holders at a "chalk talk" Wednesday night that he is working to sign Randy Johnson to a one-year contract. Johnson, 45, wants to pitch for at least one more year so he can get the five wins he needs to reach 300. Barry Meister, one of Johnson's agents, told The Chronicle during the winter meetings two weeks ago that Johnson was open to pitching in San Francisco or Oakland. The former Livermore High standout reportedly wants to pitch close to his Phoenix-area home for a team that trains in Arizona. He also reportedly wants to pitch for a contender. Unclear is ..."

Clubs interested in Wigginton, Taveras

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December 15

MLB.com

"It didn't take long for the apparent bidding to begin on accomplished veterans such as Ty Wigginton and Willy Taveras, both of whom were non-tendered by their respective teams prior to Friday's midnight ET deadline. Wigginton, who was not offered a 2009 contract by the Astros, already has received expressed interest from the Indians, Giants and Pirates, according to La Velle E. Neal III of The Minneapolis Star Tribune, who points to a "well-placed source" for the information. Neal also believes the Twins could get into the bidding for Wigginton, who provides the needed upgrade at third base sought by Minnesota. Wigginton also could cover the Twins as a backup at second base, first base and ..."

Big Unit would be good fit for Giants' staff

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December 14

Oakland Tribune

columnist Monte Poole

"BRIAN SABEAN always understood the idea of bringing CC Sabathia to the Giants was unrealistic for a long list of reasons, beginning with the contract the organization lavished upon Barry Zito. Zito's $126 million deal, with five seasons to go, strangles many possibilities. The general manager couldn't justify allotting one-third of his payroll, through at least 2013, for two pitchers. Not with such a sorry offense and not when he knows he absolutely must re-sign Tim Lincecum. So let's stay within the bounds of reason and consider possibilities that actually are logical and conceivable. Like Randy Johnson. He's available, interested, probably affordable and, most of all, abundantly useful. ..."

Agent: S.F. has 'a lot of appeal' to Big Unit

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December 11

San Francisco Chronicle

"Randy Johnson is being wooed by both Bay Area teams. He seems to prefer the Giants. "Randy's really interested," one of his agents, Barry Meister, said Thursday, the final day of the winter meetings. "We made a check list of everything that's important, and San Francisco checks off on every box. They're in the National League. They'll be competitive. They train in Arizona. "San Francisco has a lot of appeal." Asked specifically about Johnson's interest in the A's, Meister was not as direct, saying, "We're just trying to keep our options open." Giants general manager Brian Sabean is seeking a veteran starter to round out a rotation that includes Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez and ..."

CC's coming to town - so be nice

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December 10

San Francisco Chronicle

"The pressure's on for you citizens. CC Sabathia is coming to town to see if home cooking is worth $40 million, and that means you have to be on your very best behavior, got it? It means don't be making a big deal at the airport when he gets here (or for that matter, a small deal, either). It means no waiting for a table when Brian Sabean and Bowtie Billy Neukom walk in with the fella. It means not saying anything mean about the Raiders within earshot, even though you might be a 49ers fan. It means (and you might have to swallow hard when you do this) saying when he can hear you, "I've always loved the city, the art, the food, the scenery, the diversity, but let's be honest: It's no ..."

Bochy foresees Molina in cleanup spot again

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December 10

San Francisco Chronicle

"The Giants' and A's managers addressed their respective lineups on the second day of the winter meetings, and Bruce Bochy's projections are much further along than Bob Geren's. In fact, Bochy revealed the direction he's leaning 1 through 8, and here it is: right fielder Randy Winn, shortstop Edgar Renteria, third baseman Pablo Sandoval, catcher Bengie Molina, left fielder Fred Lewis, center fielder Aaron Rowand, first baseman Travis Ishikawa and second baseman ... That would be Emmanuel Burriss, Kevin Frandsen or Eugenio Velez. Explaining why he favors Sandoval as the No. 3 hitter, Bochy said, "He can really hit any pitch. He expands the zone. That's his style. He finds a way to get the ..."

Talking up a deal

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December 10

San Francisco Chronicle

"The Giants' interest in CC Sabathia is genuine, and so is the pitcher's interest in the Giants That was the consensus Tuesday in the wake of a discussion here Monday night between director of player personnel Bobby Evans and Sabathia's agent, Greg Genske. The Giants are considering a meeting with Sabathia and his agents in the Bay Area after the winter meetings. So far, no offer was made, and general manager Brian Sabean said it won't be for as long as six years, the length of both the Yankees' and Brewers' proposals. Though the Giants are deliberate, the Yankees continue their full-court press. GM Brian Cashman, who met with Sabathia on Sunday and Monday, flew to the Bay Area on Tuesday ..."

Giants plan weekend meeting with Sabathia

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December 9

Foxsports.com

"Another team has entered the CC Sabathia sweepstakes. The Giants intend to meet with the free-agent left-hander, who has already drawn interest from several other clubs. The sitdown could occur in San Francisco this weekend, meaning that Sabathia would wait until after the winter meetings to sign his new contract. The Giants' top executives, including managing general partner Bill Neukom and club president Larry Baer were at the meetings on Monday, but apparently a face-to-face with Sabathia could not be arranged. Sabathia met Monday with the Yankees, Red Sox and Brewers. He told Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti that he wanted to be a Dodger, according to numerous reports, and further ..."

Giants to wait and CC

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December 9

San Francisco Chronicle

"Will the CC sweepstakes turn into a Giants-Dodgers affair? If the marquee free agent truly wants to pitch in the National League and truly wants to pitch in California, he has two choices - and one's not the cost-cutting Padres. The Yankees have made the biggest offer ($140 million over six years), and the Brewers are eager to bring him back to Milwaukee, but it's no secret Sabathia's desire is to pitch closer to his California roots and get a chance to swing a bat, which he'd rarely do with the Yankees or any other American League team. He met with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman each of the past two days and reportedly met with Red Sox officials Monday, the first day of the winter ..."

Giants Trade Rumors