Let’s dig into a couple of blog posts from Giants beat writers Henry Schulman and Andrew Baggarly.
- Schulman says the Giants’ front office is divided on whether to trade right fielder Randy Winn this winter. Nate Schierholtz has a .931 OPS in Triple A this year, but can he be a capable regular in 2009? Winn makes $8.25MM in ’09, and can block trades to ten teams. The Giants could take advantage of a weak free agent market for center fielders, if Winn can still handle the position.
- Tyler Walker, owner of a 4.95 ERA, expects to be non-tendered by the Giants rather than given an arbitration raise from his current $750K. Schulman thinks Walker could still return on a lesser deal.
- Baggarly looks at Rich Aurilia, who has drawn little trade interest this year (though published reports have mentioned the Mets and Rays). Baggarly thinks the Giants need to keep him around this year to remain respectable at third base, and could even entertain the possibility for ’09. Aurilia has a strong connection to the Giants organization.
- Shea has an article up discussing possiblities for third base next year, mentioning Adrian Beltre, Casey Blake, Joe Crede, and Hank Blalock.
