Gagne To Giants?
Evan Brunell has an unconfirmed report that Eric Gagne will sign with San Francisco for $6MM guaranteed. I figured it's definitely worth a mention.
As I said earlier, that is a lot of guaranteed cash for a guy who's thrown 15 innings over the past two seasons. On the other hand, the Giants probably didn't want to bring Keith Foulke back around.
It's a huge gamble to give him 6 mill, but for one year the Giants did the right thing. They gotta get a closer to have a chance in that division. Who knows, maybe he'll be back to the old Gagne.
Posted by: stormstarter28 | December 09, 2006 at 11:43 PM
What does this do for Benitez ? Is he going to be the setup guy, compete for the closer's role, or what ? Any thoughts ?
Posted by: allabouthephils | December 09, 2006 at 11:54 PM
I would think set up, and back up closer plan. I think if Gagne can pitch he's the closer, without real competition from Benitez.
Posted by: stormstarter28 | December 09, 2006 at 11:56 PM
I think they'd like to dump Benitez.
Posted by: RotoAuthority | December 10, 2006 at 12:05 AM
I think he'd be an above average set up man...he proved he wasn't closer material, but he's not useless. Odds are he's better than whoever they would replace him with.
Posted by: stormstarter28 | December 10, 2006 at 12:14 AM
With the signing of Gagne there must be a deal in place to get benitez out of San Francisco. There has been speculation of Benitez getting traded back to Florida but the Giants will have to eat some of his contract. But i think this is a good gamble on the Giants part because there is a lot of upside to this but a lot of downside (if he gets hurt) at the same time
Posted by: bmac415 | December 10, 2006 at 12:35 AM
I have to agree to a point... He's owed 7.2MM next season... I think they would dump him for a used hanky if they could....He wouldn't be the worst option ( unless he's on the Phils) hahahaha
Posted by: allabouthephils | December 10, 2006 at 12:36 AM
It seems like the west coast teams are just shifting players around, sort of like an MLB musical chairs.
Posted by: Laputian | December 10, 2006 at 12:54 AM
Would Boston be interested in Benitez? They seem to be in need of a closer pretty bad.
Posted by: daard86 | December 10, 2006 at 01:30 AM
Although I'm sure they could find an equal if not much better option than Benitez elsewhere or from within.
Posted by: daard86 | December 10, 2006 at 01:36 AM
and how does the Jet Li Fearless ad figure into any of this?
Posted by: levelboss | December 10, 2006 at 02:18 AM
Weren't there rumors about Benitez/Burrell trades a whiles back?
Posted by: ArodSucksAtLife | December 10, 2006 at 02:44 AM
I still can not believe Theo and Co. let him go. I know Luchino and theo had a power struggle, and they apparently had a reckoning over it, but the idea that the consecutive saves record holder had a chance to go to Boston, when Boston needed a closer, and that didn't happen is mind boggling.
Posted by: ArodSucksAtLife | December 10, 2006 at 02:46 AM
I am kinda surpised Boston backed off Arod****. He does have issues, I don't want to hear about the saves records, he is not that guy anymore. He might find that form again, but at the moment hes just a guy who has pitched 15 more innings than i have in the last 2 years. He is a major risk. Will he remain healthy? Will he be effective if he does? That being said, Boston could use a contract.
Gagne is one year, too much guaranteed, then what. He plays badly, and you wasted your money, or great, and he signs a 100million dollar deal elsewhere (joke, but not really given the spending rates this off season)
With all these questions about him, seems a perfect fit for the Giants.
Posted by: quintjs | December 10, 2006 at 05:11 AM
I said "Boston could use a contract" obviously I meant Closer.
Posted by: quintjs | December 10, 2006 at 05:12 AM
This is tough for the Red Sox. What about a Gonzalez for Murphy deal. The Red Sox need a closer. The Pirates want a left handed bat.
Posted by: hood | December 10, 2006 at 09:22 AM
And don't count out a deal for Cordero. Bowden been quiet all off-saeson. I can see a WMP being moved now that Manny doesn't seem to be going anywhere.
Posted by: hood | December 10, 2006 at 09:26 AM
game over in san fran. Thats weird.
Posted by: melyrules | December 10, 2006 at 01:56 PM
This is unconfirmed you realize? But if it is true i think it would be kind of funny, since the Dodgers and Giants seem to essentially be trading 2 formerly great pitchers who need to prove themselves again
Posted by: jmonahan7 | December 10, 2006 at 04:24 PM
"Weren't there rumors about Benitez/Burrell trades a whiles back?"
If there were those rumors which you were indeed correct awhile ago...After watching what we just watched in free agency...They should be quickly dispelled... Burrell's value just raised drastically... I think he could bring back alot more than just an aging middle reliever with shot knees and a horrible contract...
Posted by: allabouthephils | December 10, 2006 at 11:24 PM