So, Z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-ito

Sabean couldn't sign Suppan, so he and Magowan have cooked up a major PR move, which helps the club much more than Suppan ever could.

The problem is, no hitting, and a consistent reluctance to let the "younger" guys have any chance to show anything.

Admittedly, waiting around and making weak offers, ineptly, has left the Giants with nothing more in free agency.

A trade isn't possible, as the Giants have little, except Noah Lowry.

Hmmmmm. Noah?

Yahoo, The Great Klesko at AT&T

One down and at least one to go. Will the Gigantes sign Suppan this week? Will they pass, take deep breaths to calm down from placing second in the bidding (again), and get serious with Tomo Ohka?
Say you heard it here first:

If Suppan signs elsewhere, the Giants re-sign Jamey Wright.

Go Bri Go.

OK, So Zito's Not a Dodger

Righty rightly brings us back to a certain dimension of reality, but it's baseball after all, so logic and common sense need not apply.

In any case, Barry Zito goes to New York, after New York comes to Barry Zito today, tomorrow, and yesterday.

The Giants?

Get moving now to sign Jeff Suppan. He's terrible, but he's rated the Number 2 free agent starter in some circles (I just think he's Number 2, period).

Better Suppan, maybe, than Tomo Ohka, but whatever Brian wants...

And where's Ryan? Some bat, no glove, but "he always has played hard for Bochy." Sign the guy, Brian, don't keep fans hoping for Aubrey Huff.

Finally, let's get creative about some "experience" in the outfield. Bonds needs a mature guy to hold his position when the BarcaLounger beckons, and Dave Roberts will need at least a day a week to soak his sore knees. (And, Randy Winn can't play two positions at one time, although that'd be very cost effective and no different from having Bonds in left when Winn subs for Roberts in center.)

So, Righty has mentioned the name Preston Wilson to me privately. Yea, he's old enough and just sort of rickety enough to be a Giant. But wait. There are two even better Sabean guys just waiting for a call.

Jeromy Burnitz and Michael Tucker.

No, don't laugh.

Burnitz has name recognition in San Francisco; some of the old sourdoughs remember when he played for Colorado and was good, and most of the yuppies aren't old enough to remember him at all.

Tucker is a bargain. He's also terrible at the plate and questionable in the field, but he's part of Giants almost-recent history. Oh, by bargain I mean he'll be really really cheap. Imagine that: a professional baseball player, with experience, a record of mixed to very poor performance, who's really really cheap.

Alright Brian, just go sign Tucker for insurance, but please, sign Suppan and Klesko now...

Too early to say if Giants will contend...

Under a picture of the new/old Three Amigos (Molina, Roberts, Aurelia), the San Francisco Chronicle reports that GM Brian Sabean isn't willing at the moment to pronounce the Giants a contender in the West (December 15th, "Magowan admits questions remain"). Big of him, but out of character, as smarmy confidence has always been his trademark.

As Magowan admits and common sense dictates, the Giants have holes, beyond those in Sabean's head.

Pitching

Will Sabean really make a play for and sign Barry Zito, the A's excellent lefty workhorse and fashion plate? Don't bet on it, for at least three reasons:

First, Zito wants to win, and the Giants won't.

Second, Zito wants celebrity, and San Francisco is a backwater, pretty park and all.

Third, Zito and Boras are smart and know what a top-line pitcher is worth this year.

Instead, to fill the major hole in the projected rotation (for talent, experience, proven ability) they'll go for Jeff Suppan, formerly of the Cards, and this won't be nearly enough to give the bullpen any rest.

Morris is Suppan already, Matt Cain may well have a second-year slump, and Jonathan Sanchez is unproven. In fact, Noah Lowry is likely to star in 2007, which is one more reason smarties Zito and Boras won't ever come to SF. Who needs any competion for "favorite lefty."

Speaking of the bullpen, are we excited about a rested Armando Benitez? What about the re-signing of Tyler Walker? Steve Kline may be the best reliever available come April, but hey, he's a lefty too.

Hitting

What's the lineup? Roberts, Vizquel, Durham, Bonds, and five other guys.

Roberts? Will he hit better than .260? OK, say he gets on and Vizquel helps to get him to second (e.g., a bunt not beaten out).

Which Durham will show up, or will he be injured anyway. OK, say a fly ball gets Roberts to third with two out.

Does Bonds play today? Say he walks--good for him good for them. Now what?

Well, my guess is the Giants overpay for Ryan Klesko and send him up at this point to make the third out. Sadly, he'll do his job like the pro he is.