December 2004 Archives

Buster Olney says the Giants are fit for a championship run. (He also mistakes one of their young pitchers for longtime Kansas City Chiefs kicker Nick Lowery.) Olney says the NL West will be weak enough to be a toss-up...
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The inexplicable non-tendering of Dustan Mohr now seems a preface to the Giants' signing of Moises Alou, which seems imminent tonight. The putative 2005 regulars, and their ages on Opening Day: 1B Snow 37 2B Durham 33 SS Vizquel 37*...
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The Giants have taken another giant step in this offseason's quest to get as old as possible by non-tendering Dustan Mohr. Though he remains free to re-sign with the team, Henry Schulman's story makes it fairly clear that both he...
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The Giants have extended non-roster Spring Training invitations to 12 players. Most notable among them is washed-up lefthander Jeff Fassero, who could at best serve as a LOOGY and emergency starter, I suppose, if he somehow made the club. Also...
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As El Lefty notes below, the last time he traveled during wintertime the Giants added A.J. Pierzynski as their new catcher. Now that El Lefty is gone again, MLB.com is reporting that the Giants have signed Mike Matheny to a...
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I'm packing my bags for a long trip to a far-away place, but while I'm gone Elbo will run the Malo show. Last time I went on vacation during Hot Stove season, the Giants traded for A.J. Pierzynski. This time,...
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* Just a thought: with starting pitchers commanding premium salaries this winter (Kris Benson, 3 yrs, $22 M; Jaret Wright, 3 yrs, $21 M; Jon Lieber, the same; Paul Wilson, fer chrissakes, 2 yrs, $8 M), what would Jerome Williams...
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Will Clark got a standing O when he was spotted in the stands at Pac Bell this summer. Rich Aurilia got a nice hand when he returned this year in a Padre uniform. Even in a D-Backs uniform, Matt Williams...
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The Rockies have terminated Denny Neagle's contract after the pitcher was busted with a hooker in his car. He apparently paid her $40 for oral sex. "This decision is about an organization and the fans that support it," Rockies chairman...
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Columnist Ray Ratto of the Chron and ESPN takes a broad swipe at owners and fans -- and Giants' fans in particular: "...you were warned, and you didn't care. Especially you Giant fans. Drug rumors have surrounded Bonds since 1998,...
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I said I wouldn't write about the BALCO situation until Victor Conte's interview aired on TV tonight, but I just can't stop myself. As Elbo, The Laz and I settled into the Haven last night for a post-launch party round...
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One day before Victor Conte goes on national TV, someone leaks Jason Giambi's damning testimony to the Chron. Hmm. I won't post anything until Conte speaks, but meanwhile, this thread has some lively discussion about the Giambi news, including an...
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That chewy little phrase is from the brain of a regular reader, Peter Baum, who commented over on OBM that with the backloaded contracts of Vizquel and Benitez, the Giants were doing well for 2005 but frigging the future, shagging...
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Victor Conte of BALCO is going on ABC's 20/20 Friday night to explain himself. The Merc has a preview....
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