[Sparrow]

10/28/2009

Budget: The owner has given a budget of $107,991,031 for 2010. This may be a little more than 2009, I'm honestly not sure.

Team Options: The only team option was for Magglio Ordonez. He did not meet the AB's or games played to force his option to vest. With a VORP of only 4.2 in 2009 and the option for $15M, this is a pretty easy decision. He is too injury prone, and lost too much power (9 HR in 2009) to justify this large of a salary, even if our outfield looks to have some major holes. The last year of his contract was voided.

Arbitration Eligible Players:
Tim Lincecum: He is asking for $6,915,600. Truthfully he is worth every penny. We don't want to low ball him, and risk pissing him off, but if we can settle for a little less we should. Being new to arbitration it is unclear how the player will respond. Hard to imagine he will take an offense to the submitted offer of $6M.

Jonathan Sanchez: He is asking for more than Lincecum! He wants $6,931,200. He has been great but not Lincecum good, and is even a year older. He was offered $5M.

Brian Wilson: He is asking for $1,170,400. After the year he had, he deserves it. We offered and even million. You never know when an extra $170K can help land a free agent or push a deal through.

Kevin Frandsen: He is only asking for $400K. Ask and thou shalt receive. We offered $400K.

Free Agents: 11 players here. This may take a while. Bring in the extra cups of coffee.

Noah Lowry: He hasn't pitched in two years and is asking for a 3 year deal for around $4.5M. I will track him if he doesn't latch on with another team, and would love to keep him as a Giant, but at this point I won't consider more than a 1-year deal. No offers, no arbitration.

Ben Sheets: Type A free agent looking for a 5-year deal. With serious durability issues I will not be offering him a contract. He will be offered arbitration and if he accepts and he is a Giant for another year, great! And if not, we'll take the draft picks.

Shawn Chacon: Didn't pitch particularly well, and is injured through next May. No offers, no arbitration.

Bob Howry: Pitched great all year. He wants 2 years at $740K/year. I have offered him a 2-year deal at $1M a year, but the second year as a team option. He is getting older and I'm worried about his skills falling off a cliff. But if he pitches well again, I'm happy to dish out the extra $260K/year to keep him.

Rafael Soriano: He wants a 3 year deal, $9M/year. That is big boy money and he is a reliever. There is no way we will pay him that kind of money. He is a Type A free agent. I'm torn between offering him $15M over three years, or just letting him go. If he isn't offered an extension, or he turns it down, he will definitely be offered arbitration. I have until 11-20-2009, and will postpone deciding what to do here for a while.

Morgan Ensberg: Did not play well, ever. No offers, no arbitration.

Juan Uribe: He was decent, and would be a viable backup, however I anticipate he, or comparable players will be available closer to Spring Training and the price will go down. He wants 3 years, $1.5M/year. No offers, no arbitration.

Magglio Ordonez: A Type B free agent who just might accept arbitration. Too risky to offer for a supplemental draft pick. No offers, no arbitration.

Randy Winn: Played pretty well and could be a great 4th OF'er or starter if we struggle filling the corners, or have injuries. He wants 3 years and this is too long. I am gong to take a similar approach as with Soriano and think about this for a while. See if his price comes down a bit. Arbitration (no compensation) or an extension are still possibilities.

Joe Borchard: Did not play well, and will not negotiate with me anyway. No offers, no arbitration.

Vladimir Guerrero: Wants a 4 year $60M deal. Just might be worth it but I'm scared of those last 2 years. Plus, missed over 2 months with injuries last year. He is a Type A free agent and will be offered arbitration and I hope he accepts. Realistically he won't.