I've the got the San Francisco Giants off-season game plan. I know I don't know shit about this but I think about it all the time. I think keep Lowry, Cain & Lincecum, especially the last two. And focus their attention on signing at least two of the following three guys for reasonable salaries.
1B/RF Brad Wilkerson - the guys just 30 years old and has a lifetime .250/.350/.450 hitter who generates a lot of runs and his versatile. Remember this guy was the primary piece in the Washington-Texas deal for Soriano prior to 2006. Maybe he's another Ray Duram but he could also become the next Jeff Kent type of guy. Plan: give him something less than 5 years at $5M a year or less and play him at first. Move Rich Aurilla to third.
2B Marcus Giles - Giles is only 29 years old, a former all-star and another guy who has shown he's a productive everyday player. He's a lifetime .277/.354/.427 which for a number two hitter playing 2B, the Giants could do a lot worse.
Plan: Similar to Wilkerson, something for less than 5 years, ideally no more than 4, for around $5M and you've added a nice role player. If Giles comes into the fold, he's the everyday second basemen with Durham playing first and third depending on the developments with other players.
OF Kosuke Fukudome - The Japanese import is a bit of an unknown, he's 30 and has an impressive body in work in Japan (a triple crown & MVP seasons) but that's never a guarantee of success. However he's known to be a very professional hitter, a guy who works the count and has great line drive, gap ability at the plate. If you add Wilkerson & Fukudome, you both improve the heart of the order as well as the depth in the lineup.
Plan: Go for a 4 year deal at or under $10M a year and I think its a good investment. Fukudome should be at least a solid role player and it can't hurt the Giants attempts to broaden their base in the Japanese American community.
Summary: If the Giants can some how come up with all three guys, they would enter the '08 season with a top 6 pitching staff and an everyday lineup of:
Lineup
- CF Dave Roberts
- 2B Marcus Giles
- 3B Ray Durham
- LF Kosuke Fukudome
- 1B Brad Wilkerson
- C Bengie Molina
- RF Randy Winn
- SS Omar Visquel
Reserves
- 1B/3B/SS Rich Aurilla
- 2B/3B Kevin Frandsen
- OF Nate Shureholtz
- OF Freddy Lewis
Starting Pitching Staff
- Barry Zito
- Matt Cain
- Noah Lowry
- Tim Lincecum
- Jonathan Sanchez
Relievers
- Tyler Walker
- Brian Wilson (Closer?)
I know the starting lineup is full of 'if's' but in a year when nobody is willing to give up value for the most precious commodity, quality starting pitching, you have to start building for the long haul with small pieces until the right big one comes along. There have been many winners built on a bunch of high quality role players and underrated all-stars, and allow your starting pitching to carry you in '08 while your offense takes shape.
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