The Giants have every reason to be focused on tonight's World Series opener with the Rangers, but first pitch is hours away, so there's still time for some updates on how the Giants got here and what they can expect next year:
- The Giants expected to lose money this year, but their playoff run has them primed for a $7-10MM profit, according to Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross of the San Francisco Chronicle. We heard earlier in the week that the club won't likely raise its payroll substantially in 2011.
- Bengie Molina texted Tim Lincecum to offer advice, even after the Giants traded the catcher to Texas, according to Henry Schulman of the Chronicle.
- Giants GM Brian Sabean told Bill Shaikin of the LA Times that he has been able to “balance the team and balance the books” despite questionable contracts like Aaron Rowand’s and Barry Zito’s.
- Brian Wilson told MLB.com's Chris Haft that he approves of his GM's in-season moves. "Sabean nailed it. He really did. He went out and got the guys that we needed."
Really? Players on a team in the World Series think their GM made good in-season moves? Chris Haft, please do, tell me more breaking insights!
Well now Bengie’s in the best position to txt his old pal Timmy advice — ’cause he’s getting a WS ring no matter who wins the WS! :p
Don’t trust him Timmy!!!!!
It is kind of amazing that they are able to do so well while committing ridiculous money to Zito and Rowland. $32.1 million just this season alone to those guys. Zito made $18.5 million and gets cut from the playoff roster. I’m sure it’s difficult to look at financially, but it was obviously a good move. Throw in Renteria and there’s $42.1 million in disappointment. Most of the time it’s hard to work around those kind of contracts, but the Giants have done well in spite of them. Yes, the team created the dilemma by signing them to those contracts, but you do have to give them GM credit by making things happen around those contracts.
Here’s a coincidence if you look compared to the Rangers. Giants have the 4th highest payroll at over $137 million and the Rangers are 14th with close to $96.5 million. Take out those 3 contracts from the Giants and they are almost equal in payroll.
I’m confused. Cot’s shows the Giants’ 2010 opening day P/R at $ 96,277,833, including pro-rated bonuses. Where did the extra $40.7M come from since the beginning of the season? Please provide links. Thanks.
I just happened to have Fox Sports up and that’s what they had listed. I checked some others (ESPN, etc.) and are there are lots of different figures out there. I’m not sure how each site comes up with their figures. Fox Sports has the MLB team rankings as well as each player on the roster:
link to msn.foxsports.com
They’re including the entire contracts of Guillen ($12M), Willis ($12M), Burrell ($9M), Ross ($4.45M) and the combination of Lopez, Ramirez, Fontenot and Ray ($4M). That there is your missing $40M. Also, remember Willis, Burrell and Ross all came for nothing (other teams paying their salary)… not sure about how much the Giants are actually paying for the others. So the Giants probably only paid out about $100-105M of the stated $137
Fox Sports lists the payroll at $137,031,333. I tried to add the link, but it wouldn’t let me. If you click on the team, then there’s a salary tab at the top where it shows each player on the left and then the team payroll rankings on the right.
A couple other big contracts that aren’t on the playoff roster but are in the $137 million figure:
Jose Guillen- $12 million
Dontrelle Willis- $12 million
link to msn.foxsports.com
Well that’s what you get when you rely on Fox Sports for anything. Obviously, the Giants are not paying that kind of money to Willis and Guillen. They are paying the pro-rated minimums (or something similar) and their original teams are paying the bulk of that salary. They are also not paying Pat Burrell $9M.
Here’s a better view of team payrolls, showing that the Giants are ranked 9th:
link to espn.go.com
As much of a Sabean hater as I am…this year, the pieces fell into place. I guess every dog has his day!
Moving Bengie for Buster = SOLID
Pat Burrell = SOLID
Javier Lopez = SOLID
CODY ROSS = SOLID
Ramon Ramirez = Decent
Jose Guillen = Decent
Chris Ray = Decent throw in for Bengie
At least Renteria’s contract is over after this year.
“As much of a Sabean hater as I am…this year, the pieces fell into place. I guess every dog has his day!”
So it has to be love/hate with your Giants. They go to the World Series, but Sabean clearly secures his club option in ’12. Plus, he likely gets a new deal beyond 2012.
I wonder if the Giants will try to eat some of Zitos money and move him this offseason.
That would be a beautiful thing. I think I would be a Brian sabean groupie if he could pull that off.
What are the chances Sabean gets anyone to take a flier on Zito or Rowand’s contracts this off-season. Both way over valued and regulated to bench duty (Rowand) and cheerleader (Zito) through the World Series run. I can see Rowand staying though, no one really knows what they have with Torres and his year from nowhere…