Article:SF Giants: Spring Bargains

Spring training reporting dates are just around the corner, and there are still 86 free agents left on the market. I highly doubt the Giants actually sign someone to a major league contract between now and their reporting date of February 13th, but there are still a hand full of guys that could make some sense with this team. I recently injured my finger so I am going to keep this post pretty short. Here are a list of the fa's who I wouldn't be opposed to taking a shot with on a 1 year deal:

3B Dallas McPherson: One of the most intriguing names still on the market. Has proved absolutely nothing at the big league level, but is a former number 1 pick and is still has some learning time left at age 27. He could go on to be an all-star caliber corner infielder when he gets healthy, or he could end up a total bust. Either way, he makes a lot of sense for this Giants team that needs a third basemen and a young potential power hitter. If some team gets him on a minor league invite while the Giants break camp with Aurilia penciled in at 3rd (Bochy wants Frandsen to stay at second) it will be another missed opportunity for this team.3B Morgan Ensberg: The team still needs a true 3b'men, even if they do end up giving Frandsen some time there. Ensberg could probably be had on a 1 yr. deal for cheap as he is trying to prove the last year and a half have been a fluke. His career .841 OPS would be the best on the team and he if he rebounds from last year, he could fill one of the spots in the middle of the order. He'd probably be the closest thing to a cleanup hitter this team has. More patience and a better hitter than Feliz, but not as good defensively. Still, I think Giants fans are ready for a fresh face at 3rd and would prefer almost anyone over Feliz at this point.

RHP Shawn Chacon: Best available "healthy" free agent reliever left on market. He can take on a number of roles on a pitching staff. I'd much rather see Chacon in the pen that Chulk or Messenger, but Sabean hasn't signed a reliever from outside the organization since Armando Benitez so I doubt he even has Chacon in his mind. I also like Akinori Otsuka, but I doubt he'll be ready to help any team much in 2008 after surgery. This team is building around their pitching and they need to strengthen the relief core in order to help out their young starters.

1B-OF: Brad Wilkerson: I'm not pushing for the Giants to get this guy because they have other younger players who I'd rather see given a roster spot, but Wilkerson has some special tools. His average and OBP have suffered do to lack of playing time, but he is one of the better all around players still looking for work. He hit 20 home runs in 330 at bats last year and would be a much better alternative/ platoon partner for Dan Ortmeier than Tony Clark. In this weak lineup, Wilkerson would hit somewhere in the middle of the order when he played. He also can play all outfield spots well. Good athlete could be worth a 1 year flier.

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