When the Giants Come to Town, It's Bye-Bye Baby

07.31.2008
No Trades. What Next?

It’s 1:20pm, twenty minutes past the deadline. Perhaps the down-to-the-wire deals have yet to filter out to the media, but Andy Baggarly tells us the Giants have nothing to report — though Brian Sabean will hold a press conference in a few minutes. Here’s my take:

* Either Sabean lost his nerve to trade certain veterans, or interest was nil. We knew a Winn or Molina trade was unlikely, and it recently surfaced that Taschner was more valuable to the Giants than we expected. It’s possible Aurilia, despite a rumor to the contrary and our own optimism, simply didn’t shake anyone’s tailfeathers, even for a fringe prospect.

* It might not be over. If placed on waivers, it’s doubtful anyone would claim Aurilia or Dave Roberts. Randy Winn: perhaps. Bengie Molina: probably. But those who pass through can be traded. Aurilia is the best bet to still go somewhere, perhaps Vizquel if a team decides it really really needs an all-glove shortstop, a late-inning defensive replacement, on its roster. August injuries could also change the landscape.

* The lack of trade-deadline activity doesn’t worry me as much as the continued temptation to keep playing the veterans. The Giants are getting shut out on a regular basis with Aurilia, Vizquel, Winn and Castillo in the lineup. Time to play the younger guys. I demand a whole lotta Eugenio and Manny in the next three weeks. We won’t see Schierholtz until he comes home from Beijing in late August, but if Winn keeps slumping, how about benching him and bringing up Horwitz?

* Releases: Don’t hold your breath. The only realistic candidate is Vizquel, and out of respect the Giants aren’t likely to do it.

***

UPDATE: Here is Baggarly’s summary of the conference. I have to catch a plane. Discuss in the comments.



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[August 1, 2008 3:10 AM]  |  link  |  reply
obsessivegiantscompulsive said

Sabean made it very clear in multiple media sources that he will get together with everyone and decide how and when to play the young guys. It sounded to me like Bochy will have input but that Sabean will be making the final decisions in collaboration with everyone and with input from everyone.

Still, he has pronounced things that didn't quote happen either, so the proof will be in the pudding with the lineups of the next week.

He also made it clear that the Giants were willing to deal, only that teams were either holding out for more from the Giants or unwilling to give up more to the Giants. He sounded exasperated. He thinks things will clear up with time and the other teams will come to their senses, and he will try to deal those players who make it through waivers.

[August 1, 2008 3:28 PM]  |  link  |  reply
trilljester said

I can't believe none of the other teams were willing to give up young hitters for some of the young pitchers that we have.

And on that same thread, I actually have a nice warm feeling in my stomach about our young arms that have been up in the bigs for a while. Especially Romo, he's got "stuff".

[August 3, 2008 4:12 PM]  |  link  |  reply
LJJr said

As much as I would like to have seen the Giants get some power (i.e. the team down the road that shall not be named) I am glad that over pay or over commit to any player for the remaining few months. Several Giants veterans will not be back in 2009 and Giants management can see what they really have i.e.: Ochoa, Lewis, Bowker, Burriss, Velez and other minor leaguers.
We should not give away our future to win a few more games this season. Sure this is a frustrating season but I encourage you to stay the course.