Saltzman Says... Organizational Depth Chart (Jan. 12, 2012 Edition)

San Francisco's Updated Organizational Depth Chart: (1/12/12 Edition)

Right Handed Pitchers:

RHSP Matt Cain (ML)

RHRP Santiago Casilla (ML)
RHRP Steve Edlefson (ML)
RHSP Tim Lincecum (ML)
RHRP Guillermo Mota (ML)

RHRP Sergio Romo (ML)
RHSP Ryan Vogelsong (ML)

RHRP Brian Wilson (ML)
RHRP Boof Bonser (Invite to Spring Training)

RHP Dan Ortero (Fresno Grizzlies/40 Man)
RHP Josh Banks (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHP Casey Daigle (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHP Andrew Kown (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHRP Marc Kroon (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHP Shane Loux (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHP Scott Munter (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHP Ronnie Ray (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHP Felix Romero (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHP Hector Correa (Richmond Flying Squirrels/40 Man)

RHP Justin Fitzgerald (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
RHRP Heath Hembree (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
RHP Mitch Lively (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
RHP Daryl Maday (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
RHP Edwin Quirarte (Richmond Flying Squirrels)

RHSP Jake Dunning (San Jose Giants)
RHP Jacob Dunnington (San Jose Giants)
RHP Stephen Harrold (San Jose Giants)

RHSP Chris Heston (San Jose Giants)

RHSP Michael Main (San Jose Giants)
RHP Osris Matos (San Jose Giants)
RHP Andy Reichard (San Jose Giants)
RHP Jose Valdez (San Jose Giants)
RHSP Craig Westcott (San Jose Giants)

RHP Chris Wilson (San Jose Giants)
RHP Brett Bochy (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Drew Bowlin (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Edward Concepcion (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Austin Fleet (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Taylor Rogers (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Seth Rosin (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Shawn Sanford (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Justin Schumer (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Jeremy Toole (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Brandon Allen (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Wilber Bucardo (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Brennan Flick (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Kendry Flores (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Matthew Graham (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Cody Hall (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Cameron Lamb (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Rafael Martinez (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Lorenzo Mendoza (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Reinier Roibal (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Stephen Shackleford (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
----------

Left Handed Pitchers:

LHP Jeremy Affeldt (ML)

LHP Madison Bumgarner (ML)

LHP Javier Lopez (ML)
LHP Dan Runzler (ML)
LHP Erik Surkamp (ML)

LHP Barry Zito (ML)
LHP Brian Burres (Invite to Spring Training)
LHP Matt Yourkin (Fresno Grizzlies)

LHP Justin Dowdy (Fresno Grizzlies)
LHP Geno Espineli (Fresno Grizzlies)
LHP Craig Clark (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
LHP Chuck Lofgren (Richmond Flying Squirrels)

LHP David Quinowski (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
LHP Wilmin Rodriguez (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
LHP Chris Gloor (San Jose Giants)
LHSP Kelvin Marte (San Jose Giants)
LHP Ari Ronick (San Jose Giants)
LHP Tom Vessella (San Jose Giants)
LHP Ryan Bradley (Augusta Green Jackets)
LHP Michael Kickham (Augusta Green Jackets)
LHP Mario  Rodriguez (Augusta Green Jackets)
LHP Gaspar Santiago (Augusta Green Jackets)
LHP Aaron King (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
LHP Phil McCormick (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
LHP Jack Snodgrass (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
----------

Catchers:

C Buster Posey (ML)
C Hector Sanchez (ML) 

C Chris Stewart (ML)
C Eli Whiteside (ML)

C Jackson Williams (Fresno Grizzlies)

C Max Ramirez (Fresno Grizzlies)
C Aaron Lowenstein (Richmond Flying Squirrels)

C Johnny Monell (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
C Eliezer Zambrano (Richmond Flying Squirrels)

C Tommy Joseph (San Jose Giants)
C Alex Burg (San Jose Giants)
C Jesus Navarro (San Jose Giants)
C Jeff Arnold (Augusta Green Jackets)
C Daniel Burkhart (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
C Mike Murray (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
C Joseph Staley (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)

----------

First Baseman:

1B Aubrey Huff (ML)
1B Brandon Belt (ML) 

1B Brett Pill (ML)
1B Angel Villalona (???/40 Man)
1B Wes Hodges (Richmond Flying Squirrels)

1B Luke Anders (San Jose Giants)
1B Josh Mazzola (Augusta Green Jackets)
1B Ryan Scoma (Augusta Green Jackets)
1B Brice Cutspec (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)

---------- 
Second Baseman:

2B Manny Burris (ML)
2B Mike Fontenot (ML)
2B Freddy Sanchez (ML) 

2B Brock Bond (Fresno Grizzlies)
2B Charlie Culberson (Richmond Flying Squirrels/40 Man)
2B Ryan Lormand (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
2B Ryan Covan (San Jose Giants)
2B Juan Ciriaco (San Jose Giants)
2B Carlos Willoughby (Augusta Green Jackets)
2B Kaohi Downing (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
2B Julio Izturis (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)

---------- 

Third Baseman:

3B Pablo Sandoval (ML)

3B Conor Gillaspie (Fresno Grizzlies/40 Man)
3B Chris Dominguez (Richmond Flying Squirrels) 

3B Drew Biery (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
3B Nick Noonan (San Jose Giants) 
3B Jose Flores (San Jose Giants)
3B Adam Duvall (Augusta Green Jackets)
3B Garrett Buechele (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)

---------- 
Shortstops:

SS Brandon Crawford (ML)
SS Joaquin Arias (???)

SS Sharlon Schoop (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
SS Ehire Adrianza (San Jose Giants/40 Man)
SS Carter Jurica (San Jose Giants)
SS Bobby Haney (Augusta Green Jackets)
SS Ydwin Villegas  (Augusta Green Jackets)
SS Joel Weeks (Augusta Green Jackets)
SS John Eshleman (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
SS Joseph Panik (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)

----------

Outfielders:

LF Melky Cabrera (ML)
OF Justin Christian (ML)
CF Angel Pagan (ML)
RF Nate Schierholtz (ML)
OF Tyler Graham (Fresno Grizzlies/40 Man)

OF Justin Christian (Fresno Grizzlies)

OF Brad Eldred (Fresno Grizzlies) 
OF Edgar Gonzalez (Fresno Grizzlies)

RF Roger Kieschnick (Richmond Flying Squirrels/40 Man)
CF Francisco Peguero (Richmond Flying Squirrels/40 Man)
LF Wendell Fairley (Richmond Flying Squirrels) 
CF Juan Perez (Richmond Flying Squirrels)

LF Skyler Stromsmoe (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
OF Gary Brown (San Jose Giants)
OF Jarrett Parker (San Jose Giants)

OF James Simmons (San Jose Giants)
OF Raynor Campbell (Augusta Green Jackets)
LF Dan Cook (Augusta Green Jackets)
LF Devin Harris (Augusta Green Jackets)
CF Chris Lofton (Augusta Green Jackets)
RF Ryan Lollis (Augusta Green Jackets)
LF Rafael Rodriguez (Augusta Green Jackets)

CF Jesus Galindo (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
OF Ryan Honeycutt (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
OF Charles Jones (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
OF Brett Krill (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
OF Leonardo Ochoa (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
OF Shawn Payne (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
----------
Designated Hitters
DH Tyler LaTorre (Fresno Grizzlies)  
DH Nick Liles (San Jose Giants)
----------

Saltzman Says...two sides to every Warrior

Warriors are entering a new season with a new owner, new asst. general manager, new head coach, and some new players.  Optimism is in the air like the smell of old converse sneakers in the old run down gym used to shoot the movie Hoosiers.

As a season ticket holder since 2005, I cannot share the optimism.  However, here is the best case scenario and worst case scenario for each player this season.

PG Stephen Curry
Positive:  He is entering his third season, and usually that is when a young point guard can really blossom.  He has improved several parts of his game, and as the unquestioned leader of the team, he can elevate even further with a more disciplined approach to defense.  Becomes one of the best PG's in the game.

Negative: He is undersized for PG on both ends of the floor, and he is never able to defend his position.  He regresses as a passer and struggles to run the offense.  Ends up a 2nd unit 2 guard like Jason Terry or Ben Gordon or J.J. Redick, instead of an elite PG.

SG Monta Ellis
Positive: He doesn't care about anything but winning.  He becomes the NBA steals leader without sacrificing the lane again and again.  He becomes a solid defender, and continues to be deadly from 18'.  His three point shot improves, and he gets to the free throw line more with his takes to the basket.

Negatives: The trade rumors continue, the turmoil with management never heals, he is sent packing and never lives up to his full potential in Oakland.  Worse, he stays here, but stays a shoot first, shoot second 2 guard with no defense to be proud of and never goes to the line.

SF Dorell Wright
Positives: He continues to be one of the best 3 point shooters in the game, but his defense is the centerpiece of Mark Jackson's team.  He is able to stabilize Kobe, LeBron, and Dirk at different times during the year, and his defense makes him one of the best all around players in the league.

Negatives: He becomes nothing more than an outside shooter.  His defense falters and he becomes a liability as the starting 3.

PF David Lee
Positives: His grit and toughness evolves into production on the defensive end, and his hustle and hard work allows him to lead the league in offensive rebounds.  His double double's help lead the team on both ends of the floor.

Negatives: His offense becomes nothing more than an occasional elbow jumper.  He becomes a stat collector for rebounds and never grabs a hustle rebound or gets a key put back.  His money becomes a strain on the team's finances and they can't bring in an impact player for several years.

C Andris Biedrins
Positives: His double double's come back, as he gets back to using his quickness to get to the glass without fear of the free throw line.  His defense gets even better as he solidifies the back end of the defense.  His free throw shot improves with dedication.

Negatives: His game is shot, his toughness is permanently gone, and he becomes a $9 million lump on the end of the bench.

Bench

PG Charles Jenkins
Positives: He gets added to the long list of New York City PG's who flourish in the NBA.  He gets points in the paint and makes great passes on the offensive end, and holds his own on defense.

Negatives: He can't get accustomed to the NBA, and struggles with turnovers and his defense at the next level.

SG/SF Klay Thompson
Positives: Becomes a seamless transition to the NBA, much like Stephen Curry, with his NBA lineage.  His shot keeps him earning minutes, and his points per game helps lead a young bench to a much improved season.

Negatives: Can't hang on the defensive end with his size and lack of elite quickness and he can't get his own shot at the NBA level.

PF Ekpe Udoh
Positives: His defense anchors the 2nd unit and he becomes a relentless rebounder and shot blocker.  He starts to learn the offensive side of the game a little and can put up points with open jumpers.

Negatives: Is a complete non factor on the offensive end, and spends too much time on the bench in foul trouble.  He gets handled by bigger and stronger 4's and can't keep good 4's out of the paint for easy points.

C Kwame Brown
Positives: His defense keeps the rim off limits to the 2nd unit and he earns some starts with his defensive play.  He actually provides 6-8 PPG with put backs and hustle plays and contributes on both ends.

Negatives: He becomes a trade piece at the trade deadline on his one year deal and he has no impact on the offensive end at all.  He becomes a 6 foul defender who can't help at the 5, and leaves Biedrins on the floor way too many minutes a game.  Even worse, Lou Amundson and Biedrins are stuck playing key center minutes because of his inability to play.

PF Lou Amundson
Positives: Great energy guy off the bench who helps the 2nd unit keep the best teams out of the paint and away from 2nd chance points.

Negatives: Becomes a liability on both ends with an inability to score and a inability to defend.

C Jeremy Tyler
Positives: Becomes a force in the middle by the end of the year with his ability on both ends.  Is the steal of the draft with his size and ability.  Can score in the low post and can defend the rim.  No need for Kwame Brown next year because of his growth.

Negatives: Permanent D-League player who never makes it to Oakland.

Saltzman Says...You can't trade an untouchable

Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants will not be traded by Brian Sabean.  That is an accurate statement.  It is true today.  It is true tomorrow.  It will be true as long as Tim Lincecum is healthy, effective and/or upright. 

Atlanta had a similar trio forming and then dominating in the 1990's.  Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz became the cornerstone of a 14 year playoff run in Atlanta.

Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Madison Bumgarner will be that for San Francisco.  There are huge doubts about reaching 14 years, however it won't be due to a lack of pitching.  At this point, those three help lead San Francisco to the same amount of championships already as Atlanta, and there is no reason to think the need for a bat outweighs the formula that won them the title in the first place.

Dave Cameron of Fan Graphs is wrong.

"...they’d clear between $25 and $30 million off the books in 2012 salary – enough to re-sign Carlos Beltran, add a real center fielder, and have enough left over to bring in a pitcher to replace Lincecum in the rotation."

Are you kidding?  What pitcher is going to replace Lincecum.  IF the Giants did trade Lincecum, they wouldn't replace him anyway.  They would just use the 5 man rotation they would still have with Zito and Sanchez both staying in the rotation.  Dan Runzler, Eric Surkamp and others would be kept as well in case of injury or ineffectiveness.

Saltzman Says...1 Year Anniversary brings back memories

November 1, 2010.

1 year ago today the Giants won their first championship in San Francisco.  At 7:29pm, Brian Wilson struck out Nelson Cruz and the Giants beat the Texas Rangers 3-1.  Edgar Renteria's home run was the clincher and Tim Lincecum's 8 inning masterpiece gave the Giants a long awaited title.

Here's to the 25 men who forever changed Bay Area history with an unforgettable championship run.

Saltzman Says...Bay Area Bullets 10/27/2011

• 49ers are coming off a bye week at 5-1, with a three game lead in the NFC West and the Cleveland Browns coming into town.  Even Jim Harbaugh had no idea they could be in the driver seat this much.  "Who's does it better than us?  NOBODY!"  I guess not.
• Raiders head into their bye week with more questions than answers despite a mostly successful first half.  Injuries to key players, including Jason Campbell and Darren McFadden, and the big news of Carson Palmer have turned an up and coming team, back into the Raiders again.  Can Hue Jackson turn the ship around once again...stay tuned.
• Warriors will be having a charity basketball game at San Jose State November 5th.  Matt Barnes has organized a 'We Believe' team vs the current Warriors.  Baron Davis and Monta Ellis have not confirmed attending however.
• Let the cost cutting begin, as the A's cut Michael Wuertz, who would have earned $3.25 million.
• A's might be buying 5 acres of land cheap near HP Pavilion.  The city of San Jose must approve the purchase, as well as Major League Baseball.
• Despite a record of 8-12-14, the Earthquakes only have 1 loss in their last 5 games.
• Stanford takes on USC Saturday at 5pm on ABC.  This will do a lot to determine who has the upper hand in the PAC-12.

Will HP Pavilion have a new neighbor from Oakland?

Saltzman Says...We still Believe!!!

According to Matt Steinmetz of CSN Bay Area, the "We Believe" Warriors plan to take on the current Warriors in a charity game.

Baron Davis, Jason Richardson, Stephen Jackson, Matt Barnes and Al Harrington are all rumored to be a part of a charity game to take on Monta Ellis, Stephen Curry, Dorell Wright, David Lee, and Andris Biedrins.

Bottom line, 'We Believe' will destroy them.

Saltzman Says...Breaking down the Giants 25 Man Roster (January 12th Edition)

Rotation:
1. #1 Starter: Tim Lincecum
2012 Salary Situation: Arbitration Eligible (Year 3)
2012 Projected Salary: $19.2 million

2. #2 Starter: Matt Cain
2012 Salary Situation: Under Contract
2012 Salary: $15 million (with added extension??)

3. #3 Starter: Madison Bumgarner
2012 Salary Situation: Team Controlled Contract
2012 Projected Salary: $850K

4. #4 Starter: Ryan Vogelsong
2012 Salary Situation: Under Contract
2012 Salary: $3 million

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com has the breakdown (on Twitter). Vogelsong will earn $3MM in 2012, $5MM in 2013, and then a $6.5MM club option with a $300K buyout for 2014 comes into play. The total guarantee is $8.3MM.

5. #5 Starter: Barry Zito
2012 Salary Situation: Under Contract
2012 Salary: $19 million ($46 million buyout unlikely)

Starters Estimated Payroll Impact: $56.5 million

Other candidates to start: Dan Runzler and Erik Surkamp, (eligible to pitch in the minors.) 

Possible Free Agent Starters include: Jon Garland, Hiroki Kuroda, Jason Marquis, Brad Penny, Javier Vasquez

Bullpen:
6. Closer Brian Wilson
2012 Salary Situation: Under Contract
2012 Salary: $8.5 million

7. Setup Man Sergio Romo
2012 Salary Situation: Arbitration Eligible (Year 1)
2012 Projected Salary: $1.3 million

8. Lefty Specialist Javier Lopez
2012 Salary Situation: Under Contract through 2013
2012 Salary: $4.25 million

SAN FRANCISCO -- Left-handed reliever Javier Lopez has agreed to an $8.5 million, two-year contract to stay with the San Francisco Giants, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Sunday.
Lopez -- one of baseball's most reliable lefties out of the bullpen -- had been set to become a free agent before receiving a new deal, confirmed under the condition of anonymity because the team had yet to make a formal announcement. Lopez will earn $4.25 million in 2012 and '13.

9. Right Handed Reliever Santiago Casilla
2012 Salary Situation: Arbitration Eligible (Year 2)
2012 Projected Salary: $1.9 million

10. Left Handed Reliever Jeremy Affeldt
2012 Salary Situation: Under Contract
2012 Salary: $5 million

11. Right Handed Reliever Guillermo Mota
2012 Salary Situation: Under Contract
2012 Salary: $1 million 

12. Long Man/Spot Starter Dan Runzler
2012 Salary Situation: Team Controlled
2012 Salary: $480K 

Bullpen Estimated Payroll Impact: $22 million ($78 Million Pitching Staff)

Other Candidates to Relieve: Steve Edlefson and Waldis Joaquin (eligible to pitch in the minors.)

Possible Free Agents:

Starting Lineup: 
13. Center Field Angel Pagan

2012 Salary Situation: Arbitration Eligible (Year 4)
2012 Projected Salary: $4.7 million

14. Second Base Freddy Sanchez

2012 Salary Situation: Under Contract
2012 Salary: $6 million

15. Third Base Pablo Sandoval

2012 Salary Situation: Arbitration Eligible (Year 1)
2012 Projected Salary: $3.2 million

16. Catcher Buster Posey

2012 Salary Situation: Team Controlled Contract
2012 Projected Salary: $1 million

17. Left Field Melky Cabrera
2012 Salary Situation: Free Agent
2012 Projected Salary: $4.5 million

18. First Base Aubrey Huff

2012 Salary Situation: Under Contract
2012 Salary: $11 million

19. Right Field Nate Schierholtz

2012 Salary Situation: Arbitration Eligible (Year 1)
2012 Projected Salary: $1.2 million

20. Shortstop Brandon Crawford
2012 Salary Situation: Team Controlled
2012 Projected Salary: $480K


Lineup Estimated Payroll Impact: $32 million (110 million total)

Other Candidates to Start: Brandon Belt at 1st/LF


Bench:
21. Catcher Eli Whiteside
2012 Salary Situation: Under Contract
2012 Projected Salary: $1 million

6. First Base Brett Pill
2012 Salary Situation: Team Controlled Contract
2012 Projected Salary: $480K

6. Infield Mike Fontenot
2012 Salary Situation: Arbitration Eligible (Year 3)
2012 Projected Salary: $1 million

6. Infield Emmanuel Burriss
2012 Salary Situation: Arbitration Eligible (Year 1)
2012 Projected Salary: $1 million

6. 4th Outfield Brandon Belt
2012 Salary Situation: Team Controlled Contract
2012 Projected Salary: $480K

Bench Estimated Payroll Impact: $4 million

Estimated Payroll: $114 million
Aaron Rowand ($12 million)

Total Payroll: $126 million

Saltzman Says...Answering Giants Questions

First and foremost
1. Matt Cain signed long term is priority #1 because he will be a free agent after this year.

Short term, Long term, The Freak is staying.
2. Tim Lincecum prefers short term deals, but the Giants would like to sign him long term if possible.

If we can only keep one lefty...
3. Jeremy Affeldt will be re-signed even if his option isn't picked up, in case Javier Lopez is too expensive to re-sign.

Too expensive to keep?:
4. Javier Lopez and Carlos Beltran will probably be offered more years/money than the Giants would like to spend.

Buster is still our catcher, but...
5. Buster Posey will be our starting catcher, but after him is another story.  Chris Stewart is the most likely to return with an outside chance Eli Whiteside could remain the backup.  Hector Sanchez should begin 2012 in the minors, so the question will be if the Giants go get a catcher in the open market to backup Posey.

Logjam at 2nd will get clearer.
6. Freddy Sanchez healthy is an oxymoron to Giants fans, but when he is, there is no issues at 2nd.  Will Jeff Keppinger be kept as insurance, or will he find an every day job somewhere else.  Manny Burriss has a better glove and Mike Fontenot's lefty bat are intriguing, but who stays is anyone's guess.  Even Conor Gillaspie will get a look next year.

Put down the cookies Panda! Put down the beer and cigarettes Huff Daddy!
7. Aubrey Huff and Pablo Sandoval's conditioning is the biggest offensive question marks of the players returning.

Brandons not Ready for Prime Time.
8. Both Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford are having problems with their swing, and both could use some more minor league seasoning if possible.

Nate still Great, but the rest of the outfield...
9. Nate Schierholtz is the 2012 starting right fielder barring an upgrade or a fall off at the plate.  Neither Andres Torres, Justin Christian or Cody Ross seem like options to start 2012 in CF, so the question becomes who will.  Gary Brown is not ready and might not be until 2013.  Even if he is ready sooner, the team will not go into Spring Training with Torres and Ross only as options.  Torres and Ross might not even be brought back, but if they are, it will be to compete for the 4th or 5th outfield spot.  Pat Burrell has said he will only return to SF if he does come back in 2012, and Darren Ford doesn't have the bat to go with his legs.

Saltzman Says...2012 Giants new additions??

CF Coco Crisp (Sign as a Free Agent)
2B Freddy Sanchez
3B Pablo Sandoval
C Buster Posey
LF Nelson Cruz (Trade Erik Surkamp/Dan Runzler/Steve Edlefson)
1B Gaby Sanchez (Trade Jonathan Sanchez/Santiago Casilla)
RF Nate Schierholtz
SS Brandon Crawford

Cruz could provide much needed right handed pop at AT&T

Wouldn't you want this guy having your back?

Anyone who closelines Nyjer Morgan is a stud in my book

Bench:
C Chris Stewart
1B Aubrey Huff
2B Jeff Keppinger
3B Omar Infante (Sign as a Free Agent)
OF Cody Ross (Sign as a Free Agent)
OF Juan Pierre (Sign as a Free Agent)

Rotation:
SP Tim Lincecum
SP Matt Cain
SP Madison Bumgarner
SP Ryan Vogelsong
SP Barry Zito

Bullpen:
RP Guillermo Mota
RP Jeremy Affeldt
RP Ramon Ramirez
RP Javier Lopez
RP Sergio Romo
CL Brian Wilson

------------------------------------------------------
Instead of bringing Carlos Beltran back, we use his money to re-sign our pitching, and sign Crisp and Infante. We get a true leadoff hitter as a buffer for Gary Brown in a year or two and we get a true utility player to replace the void of Juan Uribe. Juan Pierre gives us a major league hitter with the speed of Darren Ford.

We let Pat Burrell, Mark DeRosa, Eli Whiteside, Mike Fontenot, Andres Torres, Bill Hall, and Manny Burriss go. Cody Ross as well as Aubrey Huff could all be gone before the year ends, if not sooner, if we find better options.

We move 5 good pitchers (Jonathan Sanchez, Santiago Casilla, Erik Surkamp, Steve Edlefson and Dan Runzler) and we get two potent right handed bats in Nelson Cruz and Gaby Sanchez.

Now we can let Brandon Belt get his year in AAA, we can get Pablo and Buster some protection, and we can let Nate Schierholtz and Brandon Crawford's defense stay in the lineup. We can also let Darren Ford go back to AAA, where is bat belongs.

Saltzman Says...My 2012 Off-Season Checklist

1. Sign Tim Lincecum to a 5 year (2012-2016) $90 contract extension ('12 $15 mil, '13 $16 mil, '14 $18 mil, '15 $20 mil, '16 $21 mil)
2. Sign Matt Cain to a 5 year extension (2013-2017) $85 contract extension ('12 $15 mil, '13 $15 mil, '14 $16 mil,'15 $17 million, '16 $18 million, '17 $19 million)
3. Tell Madison Bumgarner, Buster Posey, Pablo Sandoval and Brian Wilson that they will get extensions before the 2013 off-season. Tell Sergio Romo he will get his extension in 2014.
4. Make Brandon Belt an everyday player, sharing 1B and LF with Aubrey Huff and whoever plays LF.
5. Work out contracts to avoid salary arbitration with Santiago Casilla, Jeff Keppinger, Ramon Ramirez, Pablo Sandoval, Nate Schierholtz, Sergio Romo and Ryan Vogelsong.
6. Do not offer arbitration to Andres Torres and Jonathan Sanchez
7. Let Jeremy Affeldt ($500K buyout), Carlos Beltran, Pat Burrell, Orlando Cabrera, Mark DeRosa, Mike Fontenot, Cody Ross become free agents.
8. Re-Sign Jeremy Affeldt, Javier Lopez, and Guillermo Mota.
9. Sign a leadoff hitter who can play center field [i.e. Coco Crisp] to a 1-2 year contract.  Buffer for Gary Brown in two years, but also upgrade from Andres Torres/Cody Ross.
10. Do not sign any current players who are free agents to a contract lasting more than two years. {example: Beltran at 2 years, $20 million is smart, but 4 years $60 is way too much.}

1. Tim Lincecum
2. Matt Cain
3. Madison Bumgarner
4. Ryan Vogelsong
5. Barry Zito (Eric Surkamp)

6. Jeremy Affeldt
7. Santiago Casilla
8. Javier Lopez
9. Guillermo Mota
10. Ramon Ramirez
11. Sergio Romo
12. Brian Wilson

13. CF Coco Crisp [example]
14. 2B Freddy Sanchez
15. 3B Pablo Sandoval
16. C Buster Posey
17. LF Brandon Belt
18. 1B Aubrey Huff
19. RF Nate Schierholtz
20. SS Brandon Crawford

21. Chris Stewart
22. Brett Pill
23. Jeff Keppinger
24. Cody Ross
25. Darren Ford