Saltzman Says...Durham, Fontenot, and Rodriguez?

Trades happen all the time in sports, and in baseball, trade talks will heat up with the weather.  We are less than two months away from the July 31st trade deadline and only three months away from the last day players can be traded to be eligible for post-season play.  While that leaves plenty of time for talk, the weeks will start to fly by.

A few seasons ago, the Giants were not in a playoff hunt, but the Milwaukee Brewers were.  Ray Durham, who was in the final year of his contract, was sent from the visitors locker room to the home team locker room during a late summer road trip.

Last season, Mike Fontenot came with the Chicago Cubs into AT&T Park to play a series and Fontenot stayed in San Francisco after the series.  Most of us have heard the story of Fontenot getting the game winning hit off of Guillermo Mota in game 2 of the series, and then being traded to the Giants the next day.  Mota gave him a sucker punch in the gut for the hit as a welcome to the locker room, and Fontenot told him not to throw a pitch down the middle.

As the Giants play a matinee game to wrap up the season series with Washington, a unique opportunity exists in June.  The Giants are getting zero offense from the catcher position.  Washington has depth at catcher, and a great veteran catcher at that in Ivan Rodriguez.  Rodriguez isn't hitting much this year, but his 20 year track record and great defense could help the Giants as they look to add some offensive punch to the position.  Posey is due back next season, so it wouldn't need to be anything long term.  With Eli Whiteside hitting below the Mendoza Line, at .164, it is possible that the Giants look to add two catchers by July 31st.  Another option could be their arch rival Dodgers, who have a power bat behind the plate in Rod Barajas, and no chance of making the post-season.

Could Rodriguez be moved before the team leaves San Francisco?

Saltzman Says... Another Giants Depth Chart (12/3/10 Edition)

San Francisco's Updated Organizational Depth Chart:

Catchers:
C Buster Posey (ML) {league minimum}
C Eli Whiteside (ML) {league minimum}

C Jackson Williams (AAA)

C Aaron Lowenstein (AA)

C Eliezer Zambrano (AA)

C Johnny Monell (Hi A)

C Tommy Joseph (Lo A)

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First Baseman:
1B: Aubrey Huff (ML) {re-signed for 2 years, $22 million}
1B Travis Ishikawa (ML) {league minimum}

1B Brandon Belt (AAA)
1B Michael Ambort (Hi A)
1B Josh Mazzola (Hi A)
1B Rafael Rodriguez (R)

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Second Baseman:

2B Freddy Sanchez (ML) {1 more year for $6 million}
2B Mike Fontenot (ML) {made $1 million in 2010}

2B Nick Noonan (AA)
2B Brock Bond (AA)

2B Charlie Culberson (Hi A)

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Third Baseman:
3B Pablo Sandoval (ML) {league minimum}
3B Ryan Rohlinger (Call Up)
3B Conor Gillespie (40 Man)

3B Drew Biery (Hi A)
3B Chris Dominguez (Lo A)

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Shortstops:

SS Miguel Tejada {signed for 1 year $6.5 million}
SS Manny Burris (Call Up)
SS Brandon Crawford (AAA)

SS Ehire Adrianza (40 Man)
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Outfielders:
OF Cody Ross (ML) {made $4.45 million in 2010}
OF Andres Torres (ML) {made $0.426 million in 2010}
OF Mark DeRosa (ML) {1 more year for $6 million}
OF Aaron Rowand (ML) {2 more years for $24 million}
OF Nate Schierholtz (ML) {league minimum}
OF Darren Ford (Call Up)
OF Thomas Neal (40 Man)

OF Roger Kieschnick (AA)

OF Francisco Peguero (40 Man)
OF Wendell Fairley (Hi A)

OF Juan Perez (Hi A)

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Designated Hitters:
DH Jose Flores (Hi A) 
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Right Handed Pitchers:

RHP Tim Lincecum (ML) {will make $13 million in 2011}
RHP Matt Cain (ML) {will make $7 million in 2011, $15 million in 2012}
RHP Brian Wilson (ML) {will make $6.5 million in 2011, $8.5 million in 2012}
RHP Sergio Romo (ML) {league minimum}
RHP Santiago Casilla (ML) {made $0.400 million in 2010}
RHP Ramon Ramirez (ML) {made $1.155 million in 2010}
RHP Steve Edlefson (40 Man)
RHP Henry Sosa (40 Man)

RHP Michael Main (AA)

RHP David Mixon (AA)

RHP Craig Westcott (AA)

RHP Mitch Lively (AA)

RHP Jose Casilla (40 Man)

RHP Oliver Odle (Hi A)
RHP Justin Fitzgerald (Hi A)

RHP Edwin Quirarte (Hi A)

RHP Jason Stoffel (Hi A)

RHP Ben Wilshire (Hi A)

RHP Kyle Woodruff (Hi A)

RHP Zach Wheeler (Lo A)

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Left Handed Pitchers:
LHP Jeremy Affeldt (ML) {1 more year for $4.5 million}
LHP Madison Bumgarner (ML) {league minimum}
LHP Jonathan Sanchez (ML) {made $2.1 million in 2010}
LHP Javier Lopez (ML) {made $0.775 million in 2010}
LHP Dan Runzler (ML) {league minimum}
LHP Barry Zito (ML) {3 more years for $57.5 million}
LHP Alex Hinshaw (40 Man)

LHP Joe Paterson (AAA)

LHP Clayton Tanner (40 Man)
LHP David Quinowski (AA)

LHP Kelvin Marte (Hi A)

LHP Wilmin Rodriguez (Hi A)

LHP Ryan Verdugo (Hi A)

San Francisco Offered Arbitration:

3B: Juan Uribe (ML) (Dodgers) {will be awarded a 2011 draft pick as compensation}

San Francisco's Rule 5 Eligible Players:

1B Brett Pill (AAA)

1B Andy D'Alessio (AA)

2B Ryan Lormand (AA)

C Tyler LaTorre (AA)
C Nestor Rojas (AA)

3B Brad Boyer (AA)

3B Joel Weeks (Hi A)
OF Mike McBride (AAA)
OF Tyler Graham (AAA)
OF Ben Copeland (AAA)
OF James Simmons (Hi A)
RHP Daryl Maday (AA)

RHP Adrian Martin (AA)
RHP Felix Romero (AA)

RHP Brian Anderson (Hi A)

RHP Hector Correa (Hi A)

RHP Eric Stolp (Hi A)

LHP Matt Yourkin (AAA)


San Francisco's Free Agents:

C: Steve Holm (AAA)

C: Guillermo Rodriguez (AAA)

1B: Jesus Guzman (AAA) (Padres)

1B: Michael Sandoval (Hi A)

2B: Derin McMains (AAA)

SS: Edgar Renteria (ML)

SS Juan Ciriaco (AA)

SS Sharlon Schoop (AA)

OF: Pat Burrell (ML)
OF: Jose Guillen (ML)
OF Eugenio Velez (Call Up)

OF Joe Borchard (AAA)

OF Clay Timpner (AA) 

RHP: Guillermo Mota (ML)
RHP Chris Ray (ML)

RHP: Eric Hacker (AAA) (Twins)
RHP: Waldis Joaquin (AAA)

RHP Rafael Cova (AA)

RHP Matt Kinney (AAA)

RHP Mike MacDonald (AA)

RHP Osiris Matos (AAA)

RHP Scott Nestor (Lo A)

RHP Tony Pena Jr. (AAA)

RHP Ronnie Ray (AA)

LHP: Geno Espineli (AAA)

LHP Horacio Ramirez (AAA)

LHP Andy Sisco (AA)

LHP Jake Stevens (AA)

LHP Dontrelle Willis (AAA) (Reds)

Saltzman Says... Mike Fontenot Re-Signed, Ray & Velez gone

Giants offer arbitration to all but 2

Saltzman Says...

Facts:
Mike Fontenot re-signed for a little over $1 million.

Cody Ross, Andres Torres, Jonathan Sanchez, Santiago Casilla, Javier Lopez and Ramon Ramirez were all offered salary arbitration.

Chris Ray and Eugenio Velez were not.

What all this means...
Mike Fontenot is coming back.

Ross, Torres, Sanchez, Casilla, Lopez and Ramirez will be as well.  The question is: Does something get done before arbitration?  The answer will almost assuredly be yes.

Brian Sabean's track record is he doesn't like to take a case to an arbitrator because of how negative the back and forth become with the team and the agent.

Giants who have avoided arbitration over the last 6 years

• Jonathan Sanchez
• Brian Wilson
• Tim Lincecum
• Brandon Medders
• Jack Taschner
• Brad Hennessey
• Kevin Correia
• Jim Brower
• Pedro Feliz

What About Ray and Velez?...
Chris Ray and Eugenio Velez become free agents who could be brought back to minor league deals if nobody brings them in.  Ray should have an easier time finding a home being a former closer.  Velez could end up back in Fresno to fill out the Grizzlies roster.  General Manager Brian Sabean said Dan Runzler had the edge over Ray to make the 2011 Opening Day Roster and Velez would not be able to make the Opening Day Roster.

Saltzman Says... Giants Re-Sign Pat Burrell

Last Updated: 12/3/10 8:05am

San Francisco's Updated 40 Man Roster:

Catchers:
1. C Buster Posey (ML)
2. C Eli Whiteside (ML)

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First Baseman:
3. 1B: Aubrey Huff (ML) 
4. 1B Travis Ishikawa (ML)

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Second Baseman:

5. 2B Freddy Sanchez (ML)

6. 2B Mike Fontenot (ML)
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Third Baseman:
7. 3B Pablo Sandoval (ML)
8. 3B Ryan Rohlinger (40 Man)
9. 3B Conor Gillespie (40 Man)

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Shortstops:

10. SS Miguel Tejada (ML)
11. SS Manny Burris (40 Man)

12. SS Ehire Adrianza (40 Man)
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Outfielders:
13. OF Cody Ross (ML)
14. OF Andres Torres (ML)
15. OF Pat Burrell (ML)
16. OF Mark DeRosa (ML)
17. OF Aaron Rowand (ML)
18. OF Nate Schierholtz (ML)
19. OF Darren Ford (40 Man)
20. OF Thomas Neal (40 Man)

21. OF Francisco Peguero (40 Man)

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Right Handed Pitchers:

22. RHP Tim Lincecum (ML)
23. RHP Matt Cain (ML)
24. RHP Brian Wilson (ML)
25. RHP Sergio Romo (ML)
26. RHP Santiago Casilla (ML)
27. RHP Ramon Ramirez (ML)
28. RHP Steve Edlefson (40 Man)
29. RHP Henry Sosa (40 Man)

30. RHP Jose Casilla (40 Man)

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Left Handed Pitchers:
31. LHP Jonathan Sanchez (ML)
32. LHP Madison Bumgarner (ML)
33. LHP Javier Lopez (ML)

34. LHP Jeremy Affeldt (ML)
35. LHP Barry Zito (ML)
36. LHP Dan Runzler (ML) 

37. LHP Alex Hinshaw (40 Man)

38. LHP Clayton Tanner (40 Man)

Saltzman Says... A look at our 25 man Roster

Last Updated: 12/2/10 10:26am

Opening Day Lineup
1. CF Andres Torres
2. 2B Freddy Sanchez
3. 1B Aubrey Huff
4. C Buster Posey
5. RF Cody Ross
6. SS Miguel Tejada 
7. LF Pat Burrell
8. 3B Pablo Sandoval
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Bench
9. C Eli Whiteside
10. 1B Travis Ishikawa
11. 2B Mike Fontenot
12. IF/OF Mark DeRosa
13. CF Aaron Rowand
14. RF Nate Schierholtz
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Rotation
15. Tim Lincecum
16. Matt Cain
17. Jonathan Sanchez
18. Madison Bumgarner
19. Barry Zito
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Bullpen
20. Jeremy Affeldt
21. Ramon Ramirez
22. Javier Lopez
23. Sergio Romo
24. Santiago Casilla
25. Brian Wilson