Bill Neukom officially announced that he will retire from his position as the Giants' CEO at the end of the season, according to a press release from the club. Current team president and COO Laurence Baer will officially take over as the Giants' new CEO on January 1, 2012. Here are a few of the hot stove-related items from Baer's introductory press conference today at AT&T Park, plus some other links related to the transition….
- Baer said he wants Brian Sabean and Bruce Bochy to remain as the Giants' GM and manager, respectively, reports Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News. Sabean and Bochy are both under contract only through 2012, though both have been expected to receive extensions given the team's World Series title last year. Kawakami also speculates about the "dysfunction at the highest levels" that led to Neukom's retirement and guesses the Giants will be operate "much more like a corporation than before."
- Baer said the Giants' payroll next season "won't go down" from what the team spent in 2011, tweets John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle, though Baer didn't say if payroll would rise, either. According to Cot's Baseball Contracts, the Giants' 2011 payroll was a little over $118MM. The club has a few notable contracts coming off the books (Cody Ross, Mark DeRosa) but if the payroll doesn't rise, that will take the Giants out of the running for a top free agent like Prince Fielder.
- Also via a tweet from Shea, Baer didn't elaborate on Barry Zito's future in San Francisco, other than to say that players under contract for 2012 should be expected to be with the team next year.
- The Giants are just switching CEOs, not ownership, so Major League Baseball doesn't have any leverage that would allow it to force the Giants to drop their objection to the A's moving to San Jose, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (both Twitter links).
Categories: Barry Zito
I would much rather see Surkamp and Vogelsong as the 4th/5th starters next year rather than Zito. At least with those two you’ve got a chance to win a game without having to score 15 runs.
There is no doubt that the four starters for SF next year are Lincecum, Cain, Vogelsong, and Bumgarner. The only question is fifth, and I see that as a “competition” between Zito, Sanchez and Surkamp. With the only “real” competition between Sanchez and Surkamp. Or a free agent minor league contract type of fifth starter.
For sure! It looks like zito’s days as a giants are numbered. I think they can eat 75-80% and trade him. That’ll save some money. I see huge changes for the giants this offseason.
I hope your right man, hopefully huge changes in the lineup
Even if they eat 75% and pay the $7 million buyout for the 3 season that still means they would have to find a team willing to pay him almost $10 million over 2 seasons. He’s had a better than league average ERA+ once in the past 5 years (65 this year), strikeout rate has dropped… I just don’t see it happening. Unless they can work out a bad contract for bad contract exchange with someone on the hope that new surroundings will spark a revival I’m guessing he’ll have to prove himself next spring training & if he doesn’t then the Giants have to decide if he’s worth keeping around to do mop-up duty or not.
Larry Baer acknowledged most recently on KNBR with Radnich/Kruger that while no FA will be out of the question they will focus on resigning both Cain and Lincecum. Saying that it didn’t take the “1 big bat” to win the WS they are content to build around what they’ve got. Likely, if they could get Beltran back on their terms, 2 years for up to 24 and a 3rd 12/6 option year possibly, they would be content for acquisitions.
thats horrible, so they are gonna be cheap? Just ruined my hope for this offseason
Lock Ross up! 2 years/$10MM!!!
No
Not the type of offense the Giants need. (More pop)
No repeat for those mighty Giants, too bad for them.
Neukom wanted to win and spent the money to win! Larry Baer will just be a puppet for the board. I don’t like this!
Agreed. Baer said the payroll won’t be going down. Casual fans take that as, “Hey we’re going to spend money! Were going after Fielder!”. What that technically means is the arbitration eligibles due huge raises this off-season will eat up quite a bit of money. Kawakami, Purdy, etc should add that little footnote in there. It doesn’t translate into, ‘Were going to open the checkbook this off-season”.
oh man if they stand pat on this lineup and dont get anyone significant…The fans will be pissed. They have to at least offer fielder a contract, we need him
I heard Neukom was ousted because he spent all the new revenue on panda and giraffe hats without anyone’s permission.
I heard Neukom was ousted because he spent all the new revenue on panda and giraffe hats without anyone’s permission.
You guys do got to remember the Giants will have Posey, Sanchez, and Schierholtz back next year. If you factor that in, they really will only probably look for a center fielder and maybe a shortstop. Given Huff’s history, he could have a good year if his career trend continues. If not, he could split time with Brett Pill assuming Belt is our left fielder. Our lineup could be better next year if our pieces actually stay healthy.