Giants Shopping Matt Cain

Phillies trade John Mayberry Jr, Jason Donald, Lou Marson

Giant trade Matt Cain

As a Phillies fan I pray that's enough and the Giants say yes but I doubt it

Agreed x. I only wish SF would take Derrek Lee straight up for Cain. But that is a pipe dream...

Matt Cain for Aubrey Huff straight up! Maybe the O's could throw in Lou Montanez if Huff isnt enough. I pray MacPhail at least looks into doing a deal for Cain.

Huff for Cain? Ok come on, seriously.

The only way Cain is traded is for a return of 4-5 near major league ready players, 3 of which have to be solid position prospects with good offensive upsides and potential.

The Giants dont need Marson or pitching prospects right now, they need more offense in their future.

Cain COULD potentially be bundled with Molina as well to a team in need of both pitching and a catcher. Or at least I think they could.

Find a way to get it done, Indians!

Derrek Lee (and cash considerations), Jake Fox, and wellington Castillo.
FOR
Matt Cain.

then micah hoffPOWER is r first baseman.

The phillies make the most sense. They are looking for a #2.

Mayberry is a solid looking player. With Howard,Utley and Rollins they could trade any of their 1B,2B,SS prospects with Mayberry for Cain.

The giants could instantly move Bumgarner or Alderson into the rotation and not miss a beat.

"Giants for a package based around Edwin Encarnacion."

Spaced out.

Cincinnati for a package based around Edwin Encarnacion.

"Derrek Lee (and cash considerations), Jake Fox, and wellington Castillo.
FOR
Matt Cain."

You're dreaming.

Lee's playing better of late but his value is near nothing, Jake Fox is a hack defensively and probably doesn't belong in the NL, and Castillo is a mediocre prospect and SF has Posey already.

The Cubs would have to give up Vitters, Hoffpauir, Jay Jackson, and a couple more prospects, probably.

Raburn, Gallaraga, Larish to SF Cain to Det???

"all right, i suppose just huff isnt enough. how about huff+luke scott+change? that is two 20+ home run bats that the giants could really use..."

I registered with Typepad for the sole purpose to ask what you're smoking. Huff and Scott aren't worth half of Cain's value.

Some possibilities:
Orioles: Adam Jones or Brian Roberts and a prospect or two
Nationals: Johnson, Milledge, and a prospect or two
Phillies: Donald, Savery(maybe convert him to first base), Marson, plus
Toronto: Snider and prospects
Mets: Wilmer Flores, Ryan Church, a couple of middle infield prospects (coronda and Malo), plus another prospect or two
Rays: Niemann, Joyce, Zobrist, plus
Brewers: Gamel/Escobar, Hall, and a prospect or two
Indians: LaPorta, and a few prospects

If I'm Brian Sabean, I'm either trying to pry LaPorta or Alcides Escobar. If he can get a decent packege around one of those two, he should pull the trigger.

"Rangers:

Matt Cain, SP

Giants:

Greg Golson, CF
Tommy Hunter, SP
Joaquin Arias, SS
Max Ramirez, C
PTBNL"

Actually, I seriously doubt that this would get it done.

The Giants want an impact hitter that can contribute now, not a bunch of decent prospects with limited upside that clearly don't match the value of Cain.

A Rangers deal starts with Davis and/or Cruz.

"Raburn, Gallaraga, Larish to SF Cain to Det???"

No way that's enough.

Galarraga was awfully lucky last season, as his FIP was 4.88, more than a run over his 3.73 ERA. He had a crazy low .247 BABIP allowed, which made a monster difference. And this season, it's showing. He doesn't miss a lot of bats, walks guys, and gives up a bunch of home runs. He's a decent fifth starter, probably.

And Larish and Raburn just aren't too good.

Not even close.

As a Giants fan i'm getting really tired of hearing " let's not tradeany of our pitching". That's how we got to this point in the first place!! We have no Evan Longoria in our farm system. We have Posey which will replace Bengie. After that, what are our fans waiting for? Connor Gillespie? No. Angel Villalona? Hes still like 7 years old is making out to be a another sandoval. That's fine but you can't have a team of free swingers. We need more diversity in our lineup. We have a ton of pitching prospects on the way. If history shows us anything were great at making picthers. Terrible at making hitters. Not since Will Clark have we bred a legitimate star.

This is why it's a trade! Both teams need something. We developed a pitcher, let them develop a hitter for us! Im not saying to trade for Nick Johnson but a matt Laporta or Matt Gamel? I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Giants would be idiots to entertain trading Cain. The #1 things the Giants have had for the last few years has been a strong pitching staff anchored by Lince and Cain at the front. Their #3, 4 and 5 guys were decent/borderline pitchers who made good mid/back of the end guys. Clearly Zito is the biggest mistake they've made. He's payed like a #1 but pitches like a 4/5. You take Cain out of the rotation then you expose Unit, Sanchez and Zito for what they are....old, underachieving and a natural disaster. W/o Cain there staff is not only too weak to contend this year but would be further exposed once Unit retires this year. Anderson and Bumgarner are probably at least a year away, so how do they replace their #2 and #3 starters?

It's much easier for them to use some of their young prospects or possibly even Sanchez to acquire a good bat or two. Why not package Winn or Rowand along with either Anderson or Bumgarner for a good hr/rbi guy under contract for another year or so?

Scribble:
Would Justin Smoak be eligible to be added as the PTBNL like i said

One other thing to consider is Giant’s might have found their solution for Third base. If Sandoval keeps doing what he has been doing with a glove the hemorrhaging at third will be over. It doesn’t mean the team has an elite third baseman but the days of Giants’ fans looking at the likes of Encarnacion with envy are, for now, over.

Giantsfan24: Once those young arms get to the Show then you talk about trading surplus. Less than 30 IP in AA is a bit too soon to count on the next wave making to the MLB, let alone staying in the MLB, let alone not being the next Kelly Downs or Jerome Williams. Jeez are you willing to say Crawford is a lock at SS already as well?

I think it's a dumb move to trade Cain for a bat. It's too hard to find front rotations starters and way too easy to find power bats.

However, if SF is that stupid then I think the player they trade for would have to be someone who's had mlb success rather than just elite hitting PROSPECTS such as LaPorta and Snider. No way you give up proven, cheap and under control quality pitching for an unproven bat.

@ YanksFan: I am not sure Rowand has much, if any trade value at this point (he is due $12MM a year through 2012). But I agree that is the method the Giants’ should be looking at.

The White Sox could definitely put together a viable package and be willing to use top prospects(other than Beckham).

How bout Cabrera and Inge from the Tigers for Cain/Molina....Would anyone do that trade????

Daveinexile: Totally agree that these arms are too young to bring up right now. Sabean has a history of being about a season late on trades and always be behind on the eight ball. I want us to get ahead for once. And right now, i have no faith in any of our fielding prospects. That's just from watching 15 years of giants baseball. Probably a little biased but....

We've played it safe for ever. I'm willing to take the risk. Sandoval has worked out but what do you think his ceiling is? I'd say a higher than average third baseman and possibly 1 all-star year. Until he shows the ability to lay off the high fastball and work a count he will never be great. He's batting .224 with runners in scoring position and .200 with 2 outs. I know he's young but high-fastball hitters have a tendency not break out.

If your a Giants fan what position player are you really excited about not named posey?

Rangers: Matt Cain

Giants: Justin Smoak, Nelson Cruz, Max Ramirez, Joakim Arias, Tommy Hunter

"Rangers: Matt Cain

Giants: Justin Smoak, Nelson Cruz, Max Ramirez, Joakim Arias, Tommy Hunter"

Okay, yeah, I would be surprised if they turned down that deal.

Honestly, that might even be a little much including Smoak, Cruz and Ramirez.

If the Rangers were willing to include either Davis or Smoak, along with Cruz and an additional prospect, then I think that the Giants would be hardpressed to not make the deal.

"CAIN for FIELDER and WEEKS (the latter offsets the money owed to Fielder)."

Weeks is out for the year. So actually it's one of the only deals that's actually impossible at this time..

....If the O's want Cain..they have too start with either Adam Jones or Nick Markakis too start out with.
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To start with? I would suggest that would be the end of the conversation as well. You can debate whether Adam Jones or Markakis STRAIGHT UP for Cain would work, but not either of those PLUS others coming back to SF.
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How bout Cabrera and Inge from the Tigers for Cain/Molina....Would anyone do that trade????

Posted by: sfgiantsfan | May 24, 2009 at 11:57 AM
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I wouldn't...Cabrera is easily the best hitter for Detroit and the center piece for their future. Plus he's had 5 all-star caliber years and yet he's only 26 yrs old. He should be an MVP candidate every single year.

The trade with the Tigers sounds good
Cain & Lewis & Shuerholz for Cabrera and Dontrelle
(that way the Giants get a pitcher)
I really dont like the idea of trading Cain who has great stuff, just lack of run support.
Id figure a way to keep the starters intact, but only Sanchez would be expendable if I had to move someone.
Sanchez Lewis & 2 pitching prospects for Cabrera ?
If I know Sabean he will trade Cain and 3 pitching prospects for a 9th place hitter...

Has anybody realized the fact that this isn't fantasy baseball? These are real GM's. I don't like trading Cain because he has good stuff, but you have to trade something to get something. We could trade Jesse Foppert but i'm pretty sure we won't get prince fielder for him. It takes talent to get talent.

"I wouldn't...Cabrera is easily the best hitter for Detroit and the center piece for their future. Plus he's had 5 all-star caliber years and yet he's only 26 yrs old. He should be an MVP candidate every single year."

I'm not so sure that I trade Cain for Cabrera.

I know that he's a monster hitter, but the guy is also signed to a monster contract and he has practically zero value defensively or on the bases.

I just think that there's a decent chance that he'll be pretty overpaid in a few years.

So giantsfan24, you didn't like my trade options...I actually thought it worked for both teams with the trade too the Tigers.....you tell me.....and whats wrong with my Cain for Fielder?? or Ishikawa for Huff??? I don't think these are ridiculous offers

No, i would take on Fielder. He's young he's proven. His defense isn't terrible.....I don't think i would have a problem with that. I also don't like the "his contract is too high" thing. there's no salary cap and this isn't my money! I just want to win.

Cain for Fielder … again? I have a bridge to sell you.

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@ Freeside: I think that a bit too heavy of Rangers side. But it is nice to see compared to the other extreame.

Bowker? Really? That's what's getting you excited? I thought at least you were going to say whiteside, downs or crawford. I love the panda, dont get me wrong. We're last in pitches seen. If we have a team of Sandoval's it will only get worse.

I think you answer your question when you say no runners get on. That's the point. And as far as lewis goes he strikes out way to much, he's not clutch, he has a huge loopy hole in his swing and he plays worse defense then my nephew whose in t-ball. I think that our 4 man rotation and adding pucetas is still better than half the majors. Were only 5.5 games out of the wild card.

Mets, phils, and braves will beat themselves up and 85-88 games will win that division. The Brewers, Cubs, Cards and Now even the reds will do the same central. We can feed off our division (minus the Bums) and make a run at this thing. If we get a young hitter and this season doesn't work out, look where we will be next year then. With Posey, alderson, Bumgarner just about ready.

From an Orioles fan's point of view, I don't want Cain bad enough to trade either Jones or Markakis straight up, let alone throw in other stuff. Markakis is a top 20 MLBer right now, and Jones is on his way to being one by the end of the year. Huff isn't a big enough bat to get Cain by himself, and our organizational depth among position players is kinda weak. I mentioned in another post about the possibility of Huff for Adrianza and Espineli. The Giants can get their bat without sacrificing Cain.

Trading Cain for Fielder presents problems for SF in that you KNOW that Fielder will walk when his contract is up, which means that they will have basically used Cain to rent Fielder for a year and a half in which they are still more pieces away from getting to the playoffs.

@ Giatnsfan 24: Crawford has what 60 PA’s in AA right now? I like is upside but between playing in pitcher’s league, home games in a pitchers park and his high “k” rate there is a lot that can go wrong. Don’t get me wrong I like him but if looking at guys that will help the big club he has a lot farther to go. Bowker we already know can hit for power in the MLB and that is something the Giants’ could use if he gets the rest of his game up to snuff.

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Lewis ( aka “Skates” or “the Son of Lonnie Smith”). K’s a lot. So what. He gets on base and on a real offensive team he is table setter. I’ll take K over GiDP any day. As for his swing being messed up, it’s called a slump. Most players have them. Most players can’t keep their OBP above 380 while they are having them though. Lewis’s ‘D” will always be based on athleticism not fundamentals so it will always be ugly but it isn’t terrible if you judge by bottom line instead of style points. I would just suggest you got a bit spoiled watching a younger Bonds in LF.

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I am not sure what the “ make a run” paragraph is about but if you think this team stumbles into the post season and does anything without a healthy Tim AND Cain your fooling yourself. Even if you get hitter of Cabrera’s abilities for Cain this team would do nothing in the post season.

Trading Cain for Fielder presents problems for SF in that you KNOW that Fielder will walk when his contract is up, which means that they will have basically used Cain to rent Fielder for a year and a half in which they are still more pieces away from getting to the playoffs.

Posted by: mstrchef13

The Giants wouldn't trade for Fielder unless they get him a new contract....plain and simple....Whatever bat you trade for, you build around....Holliday, Longoria, Howard, Fielder....
the player you rent is someone like Huff or Derrick Lee.

Huff is worth no more than Ishikawa...you'll be lucky too get that since he's walking at the end of the year!!

P.S.- This is what your 2010 Giants are going to be minus Sandoval. ( this is todays lineup)

CF Rowand
SS Renteria
RF Winn
DH Molina
LF Lewis
1B Ishikawa
3B Uribe
2B Burriss
C Whiteside
P Zito

melonis rex: The Cain for Adam Jones or Nick Markakis suggestion is ridiculous. Cain is really good, but Jones and Markakis are stars. Not happening.

Why is that??? You have a potential ace for a Young OF.....this is what the O's would have too give up or a Brian Roberts.

melonis: Don't give confuse Risks for terrible moves. That's a big difference.

Winn will be gone. So who do want there?

If molina goes, Who do want there? Will posey be ready to start next season? If not, who, Steve Holm? This is our team next year if we don't start being aggressive.

I'm fine with that other than bringing up posey to ride pine. Maybe a september call up but you never bring a prospect up to be a back up. Leave him in Fresno and let him get experience.

You definetly don't want Posey up in the majors as a back up next year. He hasn't played above single A and could benefit from another full year. IF you do bring him up then you want him to play everyday and get as many at bats as possible. As a back up to Molina he wouldn't see 300 at bats probably.

LaRoche will start hitting in the second half of the season, and he's better than Ishikawa. They'd just have him for one year, if he was a throw in to make the deal, I'd do it.

I'd also think about involving Andrew McCutcheon if he can bring in someone like Cain. I know he is a top prospect, but if he can get us starting pitching, I'd rather him go than McLouth because Nate is proven.

Cain to a team like Texas or Toronto makes sense. Texas has a surplus of young talent and could contend as soon as next year. Toronto could even contend this year with one more pitcher. For Texas, they'd need to include a slugger or two, which they have and for Toronto they need to include Snider and someone else.

Thats why I hope Molina signs a 2 yr deal....its up too Sabean if he'll do it...Molina already cameout and stated he wanted too be here....bring up Posey as backup next year and in year 2 Molina will be the backup to Posey. Trade Winn and start Schierholtz in RF. He definately deserves a shot.

Posted by: sfgiantsfan | May 24, 2009 at 01:41 PM

Why?!

Posey will be ready soon.
He will get called up to AA.
Next year he will be with the club out of ST or midyear.

Why does Ishikawa currently waste a spot on the 40 man roster? A sub 600 OPS from your starting 1st baseman? I know Loney does not destroy the ball but good god.

Cain should require one high ceiling pitching prospect and two decent hitters.

i said markakis/jones not markakis and jones you DORK...no way theyd do that...and they could do better for huff

Here we go .... a damn Dodger fan in here...dude...go away.....karma is biting you guys in the ass for all the years you guys talked crap about Bonds and steroids...at least he never said he was taking female pregnancy pills...thats just too damn funny!!!!

"Here we go .... a damn Dodger fan in here...dude...go away.....karma is biting you guys in the ass for all the years you guys talked crap about Bonds and steroids...at least he never said he was taking female pregnancy pills...thats just too damn funny!!!!

Posted by: sfgiantsfan | May 24, 2009 at 02:31 PM"

You are awesome.

Wow...9 game lead....who the F cares bigfish...they are suppose too have the lead...they were favorites..them and the D'backs in the division. But if i'm not mistaken the Giants have beaten the Dodgers 4 of the last 6 times.....The dodgers will choke in the playoffs just like last year....when they win something they can come talk crap!!!

once the giants finish over .500 then you can talk crap

Matt Cain's this year thru 10 games:

6 hrs allowed in 60 IP.

54 hits in those 60 IP

7 quality starts of 6 IP and 3 or less runs allowed.

His 1 weakness? Walks allowed w/ 25 BB allowed in 60 IP.

What's so great about him? He's FREEKIN' 24 yrs old and in his 100+ starts has a career ERA of 3.63!! Please tell me how many young, effective and cost controled SP are available on the open market right now? If you're not growing them then you're paying big bucks for them as a FA.