We took a look at both Western divisions earlier today, now we'll zero in on just the National League side..
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter) wonders if Jeff Francoeur could be a fit for the Giants. Rosenthal notes that the outfielder, owed $6.75MM next season, would likely would clear waivers. However, the Royals couldn't be expected to just give him away.
- It has been widely speculated that the Giants acquired Hunter Pence as a response to rumors surrounding Melky Cabrera's possible suspension, but GM Brian Sabean denied that being a factor, writes Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle. "We tried to acquire [Pence] at the deadline last year and he was going to be a Giant if we could find a way to do it this year," Sabean said. The GM also said that there was nothing "too compelling or interesting" available on the waiver wire.
- The new Padres ownership could take the club in a number of directions, writes Chris Jenkins of U-T San Diego. The sale of the team is now complete as it was approved at the owners meetings this week.
Why wouldn’t the DBacks just block the Giants from Frenchie?
Royal’s could just dump his salary onto the Diamondback’s laps forcing them to pay his salary the following season.
Because the DBacks then run the risk of the Royals just giving up Francoer and that $6.75MM contract next season and they do not want to get stuck with that. Juan Pierre and his $200,000 or Hairston and his $300,000 is a low risk claim and if they get stuck with that salary it really means nothing and is affordable for the remainder of this season only.
Something I think Towers would not want to do and add to the payroll with the arbitration cases they have coming up and pending FAs they have to deal with.
The D’backs would be stupid to put on a block on Jeff Francour.
The Royals better be fine with just giving away Francoeur, he’s a drag on our lineup and is way, way overpaid. If a team puts a claim in on him, let him go and callup Meyers.
Giants need to put a claim on Josh Willingham when he goes on waivers and see if they can coax Minny to do a deal.
The Twins probably want a combination of a Kyle Crick or Clayton Blackburn and decent reliever arms or A-AA outfielders. Considering the depth of the Giants pitching in the minors it’s the only thing they have going for them which for them just recently has been the strength of their organization.
I doubt Hammer gets out of the AL.
Arizona would block him from getting to the Giants.
I was told by some baseball sources that The Giants are talking to The Royals on a deal that would send Jeff Francour to The Giants for a package of Pitcher Kyle Crick and a bunch of Double A players.
I was told by some baseball sources that the Giants are throwing in Matt Cain and Buster Posey too.
You have no idea how much I wish that was a true statement. With all the bad trades we have had with the Giants I would assume we just give him away and eat all his salary, that seems about par for the course.
I agree that Jeff Francour would be a good fit in San Francisco. What about including 1st Baseman Eric Hosmer too.
He’d be a nice fit in Fresno as outfield depth. Francoeur may be, at best, a marginal upgrade over Gregor Blanco. Plus he comes with $6.75 million price tag next year. No thanks. But I agree, he is exactly the kind of player the Giants spend their time and money on. Marginal upgrades with high price tags.
Wouldn’t cost a lot to get Francoeur from the Royals as shown from the previous few trades with them.