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« 2008 Club Options | Main | Who's Retiring? »
Giants Hope To Bring Vizquel Back For '08
According to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, there are "strong indications" that the Giants want Omar Vizquel to man shortstop for them in 2008. Vizquel is earning $4MM this year; perhaps $3MM or so would get it done for next year. Vizquel would like to come back. If his goal is 3,000 hits, though, that will take at least three more seasons.
Retaining Vizquel is not what I suggested in my Giants Needs and Luxuries post a few days ago. I understand that Vizquel's sparkling defense helps the pitching staff and his veteran leadership can't be measured. (Though one could make the argument that the pitching staff would be equally if less directly helped by a shortstop with some offensive value).
My '08 Giants are committed to rebuilding, and that means giving Omar's 600 plate appearances to a young player. Even if the Giants don't specifically have a shortstop prospect ready to go, they can get more ABs for Kevin Frandsen if Vizquel isn't around. I likened it to Ryan Theriot, who also probably doesn't have the arm for a long-term stint at shortstop but can get it done. Or, the Giants can attempt to trade for their shortstop of the future this winter.
All that said, keeping Vizquel for '08 wouldn't be terrible. I wouldn't do it, but there are sensible reasons to bring him back at a discount for one more season.
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This could be the beginning of another offseason of buying guys that are way, way too old. He still won't move on....
Posted by: Aduncaroo | September 14, 2007 at 04:12 PM
cool looks as if the Junts are headed back to a "Joe Pettini & Guy Sularz" era again...the measure of a true junts fan is if they even know who those two guys were and went to games anyway. Otherwise they are just "I hate the Dodgers" sorts instead of fans.
I am thinking that keeping Visquel is not a bad move really. If nothing else it gives the Junts another year to find a decent guy for short and/or let a kid gain a bit more confidence. Since they are not gonna win anyway next season why not just keep someone who can at least pick up the ball to keep things from getting too far outta hand.
Posted by: grumpy3b | September 14, 2007 at 05:57 PM
No Edgar Renteria for Cain or Lowry rumors?
Posted by: Chipper | September 14, 2007 at 07:46 PM
I wouldn't think Renteria, but perhaps something like Escobar for Lowry? Or perhaps Lillibridge? It seems like the Braves and Giants have too good of a match of needs/depth for a deal not to get done.
Ehh. I hope.
Posted by: mraver | September 14, 2007 at 09:41 PM
Well mraver, I agree. I too want to keep Renteria. But we are looking to move some money, so we could sign some pitching. I'd rather have Edgar before Yunel, but Lilli will be a star, and should be up soon. Possibly tommorow if Richmond loses both of the double headers today. My ideal trades are:
Braves get: Blanton
A's get: Yunel, Jo Jo, and Ascaino
Braves get: Noah Lowry
Giants get: Smith, Acosta, and I would say Hampt :) , but that won't happen! I guess send Diaz over.
Then we need to sign Glavine, get rid of Hampt, and resign AJ.
I realize the chances of ANY of this happening are very slim, yes.
Posted by: Chipper | September 15, 2007 at 12:20 PM
Chipper, perhaps you can shed some light for us non Braves fans as to why Lilli is that much more of a prospect than Escobar? Is his defense superior? When I look at their career minor league stats, I see similar players.
Lillibridge .286/.369/.445
Escobar .295/.368/.413
I also don't think that's enough to get Blanton, who is only entering his first year of arbitration and therefore has tremendous value in Beane's eyes. Unless Reyes is some hot shot prospect we over here in the AL haven't heard of, there's no chance he'd trade a cheap affordable #2/3 starter for a young SS when he already has a young Crosby locked in for awhile.
I still think the Jays and Braves can get something done (for a SS), the Jays have the arms to sacrifice.
Posted by: 92-93 | September 15, 2007 at 01:38 PM
well 92-92, Lilli has tons more speed, and has played Center field. Yunel is more defensive. Blanton is an easy target, because we have so many good shortstops. You may be right. As for the Jays and Braves, I've heard rumors of a possible Burnett for Rent and Jo Jo in the off season (Takes notes Tim!) or even Wainwright for Rent and Jo Jo. I'd be more inclined to take Wainwright. We should have never traded him in the first place!
Posted by: Chipper | September 15, 2007 at 02:49 PM
There is absolutely no way the Jays would give up Burnett for Renteria and Reyes. I love how underrated Burnett is. The guy has a 3.42era and a 1.12whip in an injury-filled year. He strikes out more than a guy an inning and keeps his k:bb ratio near 3:1. And in the 2nd half, since the return from injury, the guy has a 1.78era in 50ip. In otherwords, HE'S GOOD. He is basically unhittable when he's not pitching from the stretch, so a key for him is not letting the leadoff hitter on via the walk or plunking him. And if you look at his game logs and assume that any quality start or better should be a win, he has pitched more to a 16-5 tune than this "he's a .500 pitcher" CRAP. The only thing that diminshes his value is that out clause. But JP still needs to keep him for the whole 2008 because his entire management's team is on the line and he desperately needs the on field results. I presume this is the last year mediocrity will be tolerated.
Posted by: 92-93 | September 15, 2007 at 03:12 PM