Giants Season News and Notes

[Durango53]

Here is where we can post things happening in the Giants world and talk about them also.

[Durango53]

According to the person familiar with the situation, the Mets also had some conversations about San Francisco outfielder Moises Alou.

[Durango53]

Juice or no juice, here's an impressive Barry Bonds stat: In the seven years of San Francisco's AT&T Park, there have been 41 "splash home runs" (into McCovey Cove). Bonds has 33 of them and everyone else has 8.

[Durango53]

Add the Giants' Felipe Alou to the list of managers who could be fired at the end of the season. Some early speculation on who might replace him includes Cubs broadcaster (and former Diamondbacks manager) Bob Brenly and Braves special assistant (and former Phillies manager) Jim Fregosi.

[Durango53]

Barry Bonds remains highly popular in the Bay Area, if hardly anywhere else. But the Giants would likely have to drastically cut his $20 million salary to re-sign him as a free agent and they may feel that it's time to move on. Neither owner Peter Magowan nor general manager Brian Sabean have specifically addressed Bonds' future. But the GM has repeatedly talked about the team's need to be "younger and healthier" next season, which also means cheaper. Bonds, of course, is 42 and not fully back physically. Bonds, though, says that his knees feel the best they have in years and that he should be in even better shape by next season.

[Durango53]

The Giants have signed 16-year-old Venezuelan middle infielder Julio Izturis, the younger brother of Cesar (Cubs) and Macier (Angels) Izturis. Moreover, the Giants will start looking into Japan, a market they have avoided (other than their trade for Tsuyoshi Shinjo for the 2002 season) because of the stiff competition that has driven up the price of the best Japanese players. "We're going to pick and choose, but we're going to be in a lot more areas than we were before," said Dick Tidrow, vice president of player personnel. "We want to compete at a high level, and to do that, we're going to have to compete in those markets, including the Asian markets."

[Durango53]

The Giants, on the other hand, desperately need a fresh approach, and they'd be crazy not to consider pursuing Barry Zito in the offseason. They have a strong rotation at the moment, but they are already facing a cold calculation at the end of the season, when Jason Schmidt's contract expires. Do they want to tie up roughly $12 million a year in a 33-year-old whose body has broken down in the past? If the Giants decide to keep Schmidt because they really want a big, hard-throwing righty who has proven himself here, and their trainers predict that he will hold up well, that's fine. What the Giants cannot do is choose Schmidt over Zito, or anyone over Zito, because they are afraid of committing five years or more to a pitcher

[Durango53]

Baseball can still guarantee that Barry Bonds will not be the man who passes Hank Aaron and his record of 755 home runs. Bonds is a free agent after this season. He has no contract for 2007, no way of continuing the chase unless somebody signs him. No team should offer him a contract. Commissioner Bud Selig should get together on a conference call - a private, secure one with no trace of it ever occurring - with the owners and convince every one of them that Bonds is off-limits. Call it collusion or call it justice, but it's the only way to guarantee that Bonds doesn't catch Aaron. If Bonds plays in 2007, he will become the new home-run king.

[Durango53]

Jason Schmidt has expressed interest in returning to the Giants next season, but Roy Oswalt's contract extension, which he received Tuesday, might have upped the ante for teams willing to bid for Schmidt, a free agent-to-be. ... Comparing Schmidt, 33, with Oswalt, 29, is somewhat dangerous because Schmidt is 4 1/2 years older, but let the record show that teams have not been afraid to shell out big money on ace pitchers much older than 33.

[Durango53]

No one knows where Barry Bonds will be when the 2007 season begins. The choices range from:

Back for a 15th season with the San Francisco Giants.

Somewhere in the American League, playing designated hitter and chasing Henry Aaron's 755.

In court fighting charges of perjury, tax evasion and obstruction of justice.

Serving a 50-games-to-life suspension for violating baseball's steroid policy.

Sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring.

[Durango53]

Barry Bonds has not said whether he would return and the Giants have not said whether they would re-sign him, even at a cut rate from his $20 million annual salary. Two and a half weeks ago, the Giants had little reason to employ Bonds in 2007. Now, they contemplate the prospect of another lucrative home run chase.

[Durango53]

Whether this prompts the Giants to retain Ray Durham, 34, is anybody's guess. He's eligible for free agency after this season, and his age and injury history doesn't fit the priorities cited by Sabean, who has repeated that he wants to build a younger and stronger team next season. Sabean pointed out that before the Giants can consider parting with Durham or any of their 10 other free agents, "We have to make sure we have a viable alternative." The pool of free-agent second basemen includes Ron Belliard, Luis Castillo, Tony Graffanino, Adam Kennedy, Mark Loretta and Todd Walker -- in other words, no standouts. Durham didn't rule out a possible return to the Giants, despite speculation that Kevin Frandsen has been earmarked as his replacement.

[Durango53]

When Giants GM Brian Sabean signed Omar Vizquel to a three-year, $12.25 million deal two offseasons ago, Padres GM Kevin Towers said he wrongly deemed it an overpay. “That's going to turn out to be a very good contract for Brian,” Towers said.

[Durango53]

Noah Lowry, who missed his start last Wednesday in Cincinnati, said his tender throwing elbow is healthy enough to return to the mound this Wednesday, when he faces the Rockies at home.

The left-hander, who threw a 12-minute bullpen session before Saturday's game, returned to the bullpen prior to Sunday's contest, to ensure the arm's health and to see how his arm would feel after throwing a few breaking pitches.

"Everything feels good," Lowry said before Sunday's game. "I just wanted to get on the mound today just to get loose, get the blood flowing and throw a few curveballs and sliders.

"I didn't know if it was going to be sore today, but it feels good."

[Durango53]

With an off-day Monday, the Giants observed their remembrances of the Sept. 11 tragedy at the ballpark one day early, holding an on-field ceremony before Sunday's game.

On hand were members of the United States Coast Guard, as well as California and San Francisco police, parks and fire departments.

As the horse-riding San Francisco Police Department's honor guard presented the nation's flag, firefighter Sandy Wargo of the Novato, Calif., Fire District sang a rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner" that sent loud cheers throughout the ballpark.

[Durango53]

Prior to Saturday's game, Omar Vizquel was honored during a pregame ceremony by the Giants for being the team's recipient of the 2006 Roberto Clemente Award.

The annual award recognizes the players who best exemplify baseball through sportsmanship, community involvement and positive contributions to their teams.

[Durango53]

Armando Benitez's season is not officially over, but each day that passes decreases the likelihood the Giants closer will pitch again in 2006. Benitez has been battling inflammation in an arthritic right knee. It was not improving with rest, and the Giants' medical staff was reluctant to begin an aggressive rehabilitation program because it was, as head trainer Stan Conte said, "entertaining" the idea of an arthroscopic cleanup surgery.

[Durango53]

The Giants today will place Armando Benitez on the 60-day disabled list, officially ending his season. The next question is whether the closer will return in 2007. "I'm not going to answer that right now," general manager Brian Sabean said. "He'll be under contract."

[Durango53]

Barry Bonds confirmed a report saying that he will consider undergoing postseason surgery to have bone chips removed from his left elbow, particularly if he decides to continue playing in 2007. But Bonds, who's eligible for free agency after this season, also hinted Thursday that he might skip surgery if he were to sign with an American League team as a designated hitter. "It depends on what my role is going to be, what I'm going to be doing," said Bonds, 42, noting that the Giants' training staff has advised him to have surgery sooner rather than later if he plans on playing.

[Durango53]

As the Giants headed to the airport Thursday, bound for St. Louis, they did not know if Jason Schmidt, nursing soreness in his upper back, would make his scheduled start tonight. Manager Felipe Alou said the team would wait until today to determine Schmidt's availability. Brad Hennessey will start if Schmidt cannot pitch tonight; Schmidt hurt himself while taking a swing in batting practice Tuesday.

[Durango53]

The Giants almost certainly must entertain thoughts of trying to re-sign Ray Durham, especially after he told the front office he wants to return. "I told them I've got an interest in coming back," Durham said, and that is true even though he is from North Carolina and surely can find a team closer to home. "That's not the most important thing," he said. "We've got some pretty good guys on this team, a pretty good organization and a good front office. I like the city. I like the guys I play with. I don't know what they're going to offer me. I figure they're going to offer me something." Any Giants offer likely would be for fewer years, given Durham's age (he turns 35 on Nov. 30) and injury history. He hemmed and hawed when asked if he would accept a shorter deal, saying, "I'll see what that bridge is like when I have to cross it.

[Durango53]

As to the likelihood, more an unlikelihood, of the game being played on the day after the regular season ends, it would depend mostly on whether the Giants need it to gain a wild-card berth or the National League Western Division title. The teams don't have a mutual off day before the season ends. There is a possibility the Cardinals could end the season either a half-game ahead of or half-game behind the Los Angeles Dodgers or San Diego Padres for the second-best record in the National League, thus, theoretically, affecting home-field advantage for playoff games. But Major League Baseball said Sunday the game wouldn't be played if the Giants were unaffected and if the Cardinals were a half-game ahead of the Dodgers because the Cardinals won the season series from the Dodgers 7-0. The Cardinals and Padres have yet to complete their season series.

[Durango53]

Giants third baseman Pedro Feliz has a career-high 92 RBI, with an outside chance to reach 100. On the surface, this would appear to be a banner season heading into his first winter as a free agent. But even if Feliz manages to hit the century mark over these final nine games, he won't be satisfied with his production. "I should have more than what I have," Feliz said. "I look back and see a lot of runners I left on base. I know you're not going to do it every day, but I know I can be better." The Giants are expected to consider re-signing Feliz because he would represent a speck of continuity in what is about to become a roster overhaul. Feliz's agent, Mike Arias, has said his client won't give the Giants a hometown discount. But Feliz said he isn't averse to negotiating with the club before testing the open market. And the Giants, with so much on their list, might be willing to negotiate quickly. "Sure, if we can get something done before," Feliz said.

[Durango53]

Felipe Alou is uncertain about his future as the Giants manager. He has a better idea about Barry Bonds. "Oh yeah, Barry is going to play next year," said Alou, who met with Bonds for more than a half-hour Sunday morning. "He didn't say anything. He didn't have to. With the end of the season he's having, I'm led to believe he's going to play."

[Durango53]

Should Giants GM Brian Sabean want to make a similar deal, here is one option: Armando Benitez to the Brewers for Geoff Jenkins, a 31-year-old outfielder from Rancho Cordova (Sacramento County). Jenkins strikes out a lot but has some pop and will take a walk. Each will earn between $7 million and $8 million in 2007. The Brewers want to move Jenkins and need experienced relief.

[Durango53]

Barry Bonds is planning on playing another season according to his agent. "Barry's going to play in 2007," Jeff Borris of Beverly Hills Sports Council said Tuesday. "I've had many discussions with Barry and he's going to play. My intentions are to see to it he's in a big-league uniform next season. Those are my marching orders." Another season with the Giants or another team — the Mariners, Tigers, Yankees, Angels and Dodgers are believed to be attractive to Bonds, who lives in Beverly Hills

[Durango53]

Another aged yet productive left fielder who's eligible for free agency didn't rule out the Giants as a possible future employer if Barry Bonds doesn't return. "I leave all opportunities open," said Arizona's Luis Gonzalez, who entered Tuesday ranked 20th all-time with 547 doubles. The Giants' presence in the NL West would please Gonzalez, 39, who wants to haunt his soon-to-be former team as often as possible. "I'd get to play these guys a lot of times," said Gonzalez, who was batting .273 with 15 homers, 73 RBI and 52 doubles in 148 games. "You want to try to show the team that doesn't want you anymore that you still belong."

[Durango53]

Barry Bonds had an MRI exam on his left elbow Tuesday morning in advance of an operation he plans to have as soon as next week to remove bone chips that have bothered him all season. Bonds, who wasn't in Tuesday night's lineup, had said he would retire before having another operation but changed his mind after being convinced of how simple the procedure would be. Bonds plans to have Dr. Art Ting perform the surgery.

[Durango53]

Barry Bonds agent Jeff Borris has marketed his client as a perfect designated hitter for an American League team. Now he is casting his net a little wider. "He has one error in 200 games in left field," Borris said. "The National League is as much a possibility as the American League." Borris only needs to find one seriously interested team to apply pressure on the Giants, agents said. "Knowing them, they'll try to involve Baltimore, the Yankees -- as many large-market teams as possible," one agent said. "The key is, how transparent will that be?"

[Durango53]

Future Hall of Fame players can be gate attractions, especially if they are nearing a major milestone. But considering Bonds' link to the steroid era, is any club desperate for him to break the all-time home run record in its uniform? "A player like Barry should have a lot of leverage, but this isn't going to be a conventional negotiation," one agent said. "There's the whole 'pariah factor.'" Nearly everyone agrees that the record is worth more in San Francisco than anyplace else. But the Giants might not need the spectacle of Bonds' home run chase next year. They expect strong season-ticket renewal rates because they host the All-Star Game in July. "They need a winning team more than anything else," said one agent. "If they win 70 games in '07, even if Barry gets the record, that will be over and done with and they'll be sitting on three consecutive losing seasons. They'll have massive attendance problems in '08 and beyond. "So they have to get the players who can really help them win, and they have to determine whether Barry is one of those players."