The GM meeting is over with no changes to the Giants roster. Earlier this week they signed two journeymen to minor league contracts, the more intriguing being Josh Phelps. (The other guy is Justin Miller.)
Phelps hit quite well his first year or two with Toronto, but his defensive lack and apparent 4–A bat have bounced him around the past few years. If he absolutely rakes in spring training and fields grounders at first base without tripping over his shoelaces, maybe, maybe he’ll win a roster spot as a RH bench guy and occasional 1B platooner. Or maybe at 31 he’ll be the next Carlos Pena.
So much for the Giants, though no doubt Brian Sabean kicked mucho tire this week. Were there other deals or newsbits that could affect the Giants’ postseason?
It became fairly clear that Jake Peavy will not be my Padre, your Padre, or anybody’s Padre next year. Kevin Towers said as much, and although he’ll probably get a sweet package of players for Peavy to help woeful San Diego rebuild that much faster, I can’t help but rejoice if Peavy is traded out of the division.
Rafael Furcal is the latest rumor flavor. Do not want. Too much injury risk, and Manny Burriss is intriguing enough to deserve a full time shot at the job. If it were a matter of a surefire All-Star shortstop not only being up for grabs but the possible difference between a good year and a great year, then I’d say put a dog in that hunt. But Furcal’s fire is far from sure, and he’s going to be expensive. Spend the money elsewhere.
You know who would be an interesting free agent to pursue? Derek Lowe, that’s who, especially if Sabean can subtract more millions from the payroll — Dave Roberts and Aaron Rowand? — than anyone is expecting and he can use a trade, not free agent dollars, as the route to a big bat.
