Giants fans aren't thinking about the offseason right now, but let's finish off our arbitration eligibles series.
- First time: Andres Torres
- Second time: Jonathan Sanchez, Ramon Ramirez, Mike Fontenot, Santiago Casilla
- Third time: Cody Ross, Chris Ray
- Fourth time: Javier Lopez
Torres hasn't done much in the postseason, but the 31-year-old's impressive regular season work will get him a contract. His salary will remain low, as he hasn't piled up big career numbers.
Had Ross remained with the Marlins, he probably would have been non-tendered this winter. He's already earning $4.45MM and his power slipped in 487 Marlins plate appearances this year. The Giants snagged Ross as a waiver claim in late August. His performance picked up with his new team, and he even won NLCS MVP. About a week ago, Giants GM Brian Sabean implied that he will tender a contract to Ross.
Ramirez, another midseason pickup, allowed only two earned runs in 27 innings for the Giants despite unimpressive peripherals. He'll likely be retained. Lopez, who came over from the Pirates, actually does have the peripheral stats to support his strong Giants ERA. He's been a postseason force and should be tendered. Ray is a borderline case – he'll remain affordable, but his performance this year was only passable. Yet another acquisition, Fontenot, has been a useful backup infielder even if his '08 slugging percentage appears to have been a fluke. He'll probably stick around.
Casilla represents one of the year's better minor league deals, as he compiled a 1.95 ERA and 9.1 K/9 in 55.3 innings. He's staying. Sanchez is a lock to be tendered, and is in line for a multimillion dollar raise following a 13 win, 205 strikeout breakout campaign. He doesn't have the career numbers to get the $6MM salary other second-time arbitration eligible starters such as Jered Weaver, Matt Garza, John Danks, and Chad Billingsley will make.
It's possible the Giants will tender contracts to all eight of their arbitration eligible players, though contracts for Ray and Fontenot are less certain.
Other than Ray, Fontenot, and Ramirez. Everyone should be tendered. The other three are expendable and can be easily replaced.
I like Ramirez, having a guy you can throw in 3-4 times a week without worrying about his arm tiring is a nice luxury, but he’s not guaranteed to be back. Otherwise, I agree with your picks
I’m not bashing Ramirez, but his skill set is fairly easy to find on waivers or in free agency. I wouldn’t want to invest a chunk of change on him considering there are many other viable options available that may have more upside or are cheaper.
how expensive do you think he’s gonna be? he struggled big time for half the season in boston so hes not gonna be due a big raise and only made barely over 1 mil this year. if you are gonna replace him, do it within the organization, we have multiple bullpen candidates sitting in AA and AAA right now. as far as veterans go, you aren’t gonna find a quality guy for much cheaper than ramirez
I dont know why you wouldn’t want Fontenot back. Overall he’s nearly as good a player as Freddy Sanchez and his lefty bat makes him pretty unique among middle infielders. His glove isn’t very good at shortstop or 3B but its excellent at 2B and its not like the Giants have many major league ready options at SS within the organization already. Especially when you consider Freddy Sanchez’s injury history I’d much rather have Fontenot as the backup middle infielder on opening day than Manny Burris.
I’m not bashing Fontenot either. I just think you can find a cheaper player or one with more upside. And I agree you need to have a back up plan for Fragile Freddy. But on a team that struggles offensively at times, wouldn’t you want to get a player that gives you more offensive upside?
I really doubt you’re gonna find anyone anywhere near as cheap as Fontenot who will give you as much production. Anyone who offers more upside is certainly gonna cost more.
Fontenot’s career slash line- .270/.337/.411
F. Sanchez career slash line- .298/.335/.414
Both are very good defensive 2B, Sanchez has a better batting average, but that doesn’t really matter as Fontenot’s higher walk rate more than makes up for that difference. Fontenot isn’t likely to make even half of what Sanchez will make next year. I really doubt you can find that kind of middle infield bargain, especially one who provides not only a great replacement if Freddy should get hurt but also a lefty bat who can start for stretches against righty pitching if Sanchez is struggling.
I wouldn’t be shocked to see Mark DeRosa as the backup plan at 2B, serving in a super utility role. I believe the Giants will make a run at Crawford, and think they have as good a chance as anyone to land him. They went dumpster diving last year (successfully) and really believe he’s been the plan all along. Even if that’s not the case, I could see the Giants opting for an OF configuration of Ross/Torres/Huff (I’m assuming they’ll resign him) with Brandon Belt taking over 1B duties at somepoint next year.
Crazy to think how much better the WS champs might be next year with Belt coming off a stellar season shooting through the minors, a further year of development from Bumgarner/Sanchez, and some coin to spend.
Torres has a earned a nice raise.
One good season does not earn you big raises in your first arbitration year. Raise definitely, but not that much
Am I missing something? Didn’t Casilla have 7 wins and 56 Ks in 55 innings with a 1.95 ERA? Still a great season for a reliever.
Are you missing where it said basically the same thing you just did, followed by “He’s staying”
Torres = Yes
Sanchez = Yes (I’d still put him on the block for a bat)
Ramirez = Yes
Fontenot = No
Casilla = Yes
Ross = YESSSSSSSS
Ray = No
Lopez = YESSSSSSSSS
There’s inhouse options in Burress/Velez/Crawford so no need for Fontenot
Renteria will be gone as well so a starter will need to be signed/traded for. Uribe should continue Utility/take over for Pablo.
Uribe is a free agent as well. Velez’s defense is awful at 2B and I wouldnt dream of having him play shortstop. Crawford’s bat isn’t anywhere near major league ready. Manny B isn’t a real strong hitter either and when you consider both his injury history and Freddy Sanchez’s I don’t know why you wouldnt want a nice cheap option like Fontenot on the team next year. The guy’s career numbers, both offensively and defensively, are nearly identical to Freddy Sanchez. He provides multi position versatility and a lefty bat off the bench. He’ll be a better bargain next year than Cody Ross.
A better bargain in terms of money, yes. But Ross offers more offensive upside.
well yea. Cody Ross will probably start at a corner outfield spot next year and Fontenot is a middle infielder. Ross had better offer a lot more offensive upside than a guy likely to be a part time 2B/SS.
Andres Torres is 32…. not that big of a difference, just thought I’d point out that error because it kind of bothers me…
just cut pab the flab. he will be 330 next year, and is a mental midget.
I’m more interested in what they’re going to do with huff and uribe. They both have to stay, but how much are they going to spend to keep them here?
Why would Sabean trade for Fontenot if we had in house options…no brainer to keep him…Methinks Huff and Burrell will depart ushering a move to first for the panda….gotta resign Uribe….unless you can swing a deal for a SS(attn:new mets gm sub:j.reyes)…..
Fontenot was only signed because Renteria was hurt. Burris broke his foot earlier this year but is healthy now for next season.
Huff will most likely resign, I think 2 yr / 12 mill. Burrell 1 yr / 4 mill.
Burris has been hurt an awful lot. So has F. Sanchez. Renteria won’t be around. There’s a strong possibility some other team overpays for Uribe in the offseason. I’m not saying Fontenot should be brought back as the starter or anything but I’d certainly wouldn’t mind seeing him as the primary backup middle infielder with Burris serving as depth in the minors in case of injury. There really arent any other middle infield options in the organization that will be ready next year. Fontenot is a no-brainer.
Great Idea!
Keep all players
use Ray And fontenot for a trade
and Barry Zito for a better younger pitcher
also Aaron Rowand trade for a younger batter
The Giants really need to part ways with Zito, even if it means having to eat most of his salary. He’s just a huge setback to them, they could amount to so much more. His value is kind of down(when hasn’t it been while in SF)so I’d say he brings in at least 1 solid prospect, or maybe two relievers.
So you would want to eat his 63 million dollar salary he has left for a couple relievers? Why not sign all the free agents they have in the system for around 10 million or so, and have the best #5 starting pitcher in baseball? That frees up money to land a big time free agent or swing a trade at the deadline mid-season next year.
Zito is perfectly fine as a #4-5 pitcher in your rotation. His salary certainly doesn’t match his production, but he’s still capable of doing a solid job. And the Giants have the arms in the rotation to allow Zito to pitch at the end of the rotation. With his contract, I can not imagine a way for the Giants to trade him away. They’d have to outright cut him. I think that is a bit of a mistake considering that he can contribute. Can you find a replacement for Zito? Sure, possibly more effective but definitely cheaper. But you’re already paying the guy and can’t get out of his contract. You might as well play him and get some return on the investment.