The Giants and Hideki Matsui

This seems outlandish, those young pitchers for matsui? is he the best available outfielder on the market?

what about Dunn, or bay, or duncan, or ethier or going after a younger guy like adam jones.

the giants, if I'm not mistaken, are rebuilding, why would a rebuilding team take on 26M on a declining vet and give up young pitching?

Just a quick question... What does Matsui's contract look like?

This no username next to the posts thing really sucks.

Matsui really might be one of the best available OF.

Off the top of my head, Dunn can't be traded til after some time early next year b/c of a clause that kicked in with his option being picked up.

Bay would cost too much.

Adam Jones is going nowhere if Bavasi has any brains at all(which is questionable).

And Ethier/Kemp are intradivision and not happening.

Make no mistake, I think it would be retarded to trade for Matsui in the state the Giants are in. If they were on the verge of being competitive, yes, but they have NO young position players other than Villanueva(sp?). His bat isn't really declining(OPS+ of 137,130,128,123 past 4 years), but his defense is atrocious by most defensive metrics.

As a Yankee fan, if we could foist him on the Giants for Hennessey/Sanchez straight up, I would be content. Not as content as a Matsui/Kennedy for Lincecum package would make me, but Sabean learned from Pierzynski about that stuff, I think.

Matsui has 2 years @ 13m a year left. Same as Damon.

The Giants must feel this move would help lure other players from Japan or a name to replace Bonds. Not a Giants fan, but don't get it. I thought they were rebuilding younger for the most part.

You have to remember that the Giants have a large debt on the ballpark that was financed largely by MacGowan (not the city), so they have to draw crowds even while trying to rebuild. They probably feel Matsui would help them do that, since they're losing their biggest previous draw (Bonds).

i'm of the crazy belief that winning and performance draws more crowds than jerseys.

I just don't see how this move helps them win now, or later.

Wouldn't trading for a young guy who could surpass HM production and be under contract for several years make more sense.

The cardinals said they were open to trading Duncan, that's who I would target if I were the giants

the yankees should deal hideki for some players that they than could turn and deal perhaps with an ian kennedy and some other propect for santana

I think the Giants should trade for Brandon Inge to fill their 3rd base need and take Matsui for their LF need. Both of which aren't really needed by their respective teams. Not sure what the Giants would trade, the farm is bare, but it would give them their 3-4 (or 4-5) hitters.

The Giants can pick up a 3b, of, and p if they would deal Cain and a young arm to the Reds for Hamilton, Encarnacion, and Bailey

If they wanted Inge, they would just resign Feliz!

You're never going to get Baily, Hamilton and Encarnaction for anything less than Cain and Lincecum. Baily is supposed to be just as good if not better than cain/lincecum AND he's younger!

What would the Giants tarde for Pat Burrell? As a Phillie phan, I hate to give up the pop, but we do need some pitching depth. What about Sanchez and Hennessey? I am assuming Cain would be a "no-way"?

kelmo:

Feliz should have won the Gold Golve last season, he did win the fielding bible award. I seriously doubt Inge is a better defender then Feliz.

kelmo:
Are you familiar with Bill James fielding bible?
http://www.billjamesonline.net/fieldingbible/charts/voting1.gif.
Pedro Feliz won 3B in the MLB with 89 points, Inge received 60 points. They're not equal with the glove.

"Why not send Matsui (.285 25 103) over with say Jeff Marquez or Ross Ohlendorf (plus some cash) both of which should be a good middle of the rotation kind of guy in the NL for Cain?"

Because theres no way the Giants would do that. Cain is one of the best young pitchers in baseball, and if the Giants move him, it'll be for one of the best young hitters in baseball, not an old, aging, expensive, albeit good, outfielder.

"The Giants can pick up a 3b, of, and p if they would deal Cain and a young arm to the Reds for Hamilton, Encarnacion, and Bailey"

This is far more realistic. The Giants get a high potential young 3B in Encarnacion, a good young outfielder in Hamilton, and an elite pitching prospect in Homer Bailey. There's no elite hitter in there but I'd be shocked if the Giants said no for so much talent

Cain and Lincecum could get you any player in baseball. How about Cain and Fred Lewis for those three. Cain is far more proven than Bailey, who wasn't too impressive in those 40 innings you pointed out

Cain is not going anywhere. Lincecum would be available for a 1-1 trade of a player with equal value, Bruce for example. Otherwise the only other pitcher on the Giants up for trade are Lowry, Sanchez and Hennessey.

Question:

I thought Lincecum was thought of higher than Cain was...am I incorrect?

"Question:

I thought Lincecum was thought of higher than Cain was...am I incorrect?"

Personally, as a Giants fan, id way rather have Cain. Lincecum has had less time in the mlb though which makes him cheaper for a while longer. btw, how do all the giants fans feel bout sanchez and henny for matsui. i dont think its too bad

I think if the Yankees can get anything back for Matsui they have to do it. By getting rid of him it allows them to go out and pick up a guy that can actually play first base, as it clears the logjam they have with him, Damon and Giambi. Getting two solid bullpen arms and then going and picking up a solid first baseman (Sexson can be had for nothing) is a very good move.