Giants sign Reggie Sanders

[gyb13]

According to ESPN:
San Francisco Giants agreed to terms with free agent outfielder Reggie Sanders, who had been with the Arizona Diamondbacks, on a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2003.

Their lineup now looks like this (player, 2001 eqa)

Murray (.243) / Benard (.268)
Aurilia (.317)
Bonds (.430)
Kent (.305)
Sanders (.286)
Snow (.279)
Martinez (.248) / Feliz (.229)
Santiago (.239)
pitcher

[nyy26wc]

Gustavo,

Welcome to the boards.

I am going to move this thread to the general discussion area.

The threads in the around the majors reports area begin with my ATM reports and then everyone is free to discuss them. Discussion is encouraged.

Since your message deals with a breaking news report, it's really more appropriate for the other area.

[Xanadu Dragon]

Think Barry will let Reggie sit in his chair?

[RichG]

What's the purpose of a mutual option? Does it save negotiating time if both parties want to extend the contract for 2003?

Inquiring minds and all that.

Rich

[5ToolPlayer]

gyb13: I think Shinjo is being ticketed for CF/leadoff. With the signing of Sanders, there is a clut of outfielders (including Dunston in that category). As for 3rd, I think Relaford with split with Feliz. So they really don't need Martinez. I look for the Giants to move at least 2 guys from the 25 man roster.

[sweaver]

I'd rather have Martinez than Feliz.

Not that either of them is likely to make an All-Star team any time soon.

[5ToolPlayer]

Martinez had his shot last season and came up short, imho. Time for Feliz to get his shot. He isn't doing that badly in the Dominican league. Sooner or later you have to see if the kids have what it takes. They need enough leeway to not be afraid they will be pulled at the first sign of a mistake.

[sweaver]

Granted, Ramon is 4 years older. But Feliz played last year like a guy that needs to go back to AAA, poorly both offensively and defensively. I think you harm a guy's psyche more by playing him when he's not ready than by sending him down to get ready.

[gyb13]

Rich, a mutual option gives financial flexibility to the player and the team. Both have the option to back out of the contract for 2003 (Sanders if he feels he can get more money elsewhere or the Giants if they feel they don't need him).

[gyb13]

5ToolPlayer, to follow up on your note:

Shinjo .253 (EqA)
Dunston (utility man only - 190 PA in 135 gms last year) .275
Relaford (played only 20 gms at 3B in 451 career gms) .293

So that makes their lineup's weaknesses look slightly better:
Shinjo (.253)
Aurilia (.317)
Bonds (.430)
Kent (.305)
Sanders (.286)
Snow (.279)
Feliz (.229)
Santiago (.239)

and a bench of
Guzman (.231) / Martinez (.248) / Relaford (.293)
Murray (.243) / Benard (.268) / Dunston (.275)

[dickbaveta]

I realize this is a tad bit off topic, but am I the only one who sorta still gets chills when he sees that .430 EQA next to Mr. Bonds?

Being in my twenties, and never having really seen anything close to that, it is still absolutely mind boggling to me...

Sorry for the interruption, just had to say that...

scott

[5ToolPlayer]

Reports I have heard on Guzman are that the Giants have insisted he lose weight. I believe he will have a fight on his hands for the backup catcher role from Yorvit Torrealba.
I think Murray is on the short list now that they have Shinjo, especially since Dunston can back up all 3 OF positions (and in theory has more *pop*). I don't think they can/will trade Benard, since he is a lefty coming off the bench and has decent numbers as a pinch hitter. Martinez would have some trade value and with Relaford, they really do not need 2 utility men. If they do co with that roster, that only leaves 11 spots for pitchers.

[sweaver]

"Only" 11 pitchers? Oh, spare me. Curse you, Tony LaRussa!

Dunston should be shipped out to AA ball. There, he might be productive. He certainly can't play in the majors anymore. He looks rather, er, "adventurous" in the outfield. Never did draw any walks, and his OPS has slid to the level of "putrid."

[SmedIndy]

Looks like the Giants are trying to fritter away what looked like a good team.

Santiago shouldn't be catching more than 80 games a season. They'll crash and burn soon.