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November 06, 2005

Brian Giles

From the Daily News:

Hideki Matsui remains the Yankees' outfield priority, but GM Brian Cashman also has started looking into other outfield possibilities and recently called the representative for Brian Giles to express interest in the free agent.

"I've had a conversation with Brian (Cashman)," said Joe Bick, Giles' agent. "He said they are assessing what they are going to do and, obviously, Brian is an attractive guy to them and they are interested in talking about him. We have nothing specifically set up, but I'm sure we'll have another conversation."

Cashman refused to divulge specifics about the talk, but noted, "We're going to touch base with everyone who could help us." Teams can't talk money with anyone but their own free agents until after Friday, but can tell players they are interested.

"We need a center fielder and we'd like to sign Hideki to be on the corner," Cashman added. "We'll know by Nov.15 if that'll happen or not. It's possible we could be looking for a center fielder and a corner outfielder, but I hope not."

Giles is still an effective batter - even at his age. Over the last 3 seasons, he's probably in the top 5 in terms of NL OFers with the bat.

Personally, I expected his power numbers - in terms of Isloated Power and Secondary Average - to go down this year (based on a highly subjective suspicion that he may have been using PEDs in the past). But, he remained somewhat consistent in 2005.

Sheffield was the same age when he came to the Yankees.

Maybe he can be brought on board and be a swing-man with Matsui and Sheffield? He can DH (with Giambi at 1B) and then play LF or RF and allow Matsui or Sheffield to DH that day. The only issue here would be when Giambi has to DH.

In any event, Cashman's doing the right thing - Giles is worth noodling over.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at November 6, 2005 10:53 AM

Comments

Cashman must act boldly. Sign Giles to play right, trade Sheffield to the Mets for a package that includes Cameron, and re-acquire Nick Johnson to share DH-1B with Giambi. Sheff will be an annoying distraction all year due to his contract and Giles, in total, is the better player and left-handed to boot.

Posted by: JohnnyC [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 6, 2005 12:50 PM

Who do they give up for Nick Johnson? And I don't see the Mets giving up any of their prized minor leaguers for Sheffield.

Sign Giles & Hideki, and figure who plays where. Or sign Hideki, and give Lofton another shot @ CF (don't think that'll happen, tho).

Posted by: Raf [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 7, 2005 11:43 AM

Johnny C, that might be the worst thing I've ever heard. Mike Cameron is a fine defensive centerfielder but doesn't hit enough to justify his contract and we have no idea how he'll bounce back from his broken face. On top of that, Giles, for his wonderful OBP and all the stuff sabermetrics guys love to talk about, simply doesn't hit for power anymore. Petco Park excuses be damned, the guy's 34 years old and just not productive. I think all this Sheffield-as-distraction stuff is overblown. Let's SEE, first, before we rashly dump our most productive hitter for Cameron (walking strikeout machine) and a $13M contract for a 34 year old singles hitter.

Posted by: MJ [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 7, 2005 11:44 AM

As long as we're talking about a sign Giles/deal Sheffield scenario, it would seem to me that Vernon Wells would be the primary target for CF. Ricciardi would probably exact too high a price, however.

Posted by: Jason O. [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 7, 2005 11:55 AM

I should clarify my statement -- I have no problem with exploring the possibility of bringing Giles to NY in the capacity Steve described (split LF, RF and DH). I don't advocate shopping Sheffield to make room for him. Basically the time for Mike Cameron to have worn Pinstripes was 2 years ago when he was a free agent and we instead went for Lofton. I wouldn't compound that mistake by taking Cameron for Sheffield which is a pennies on the dollar type of trade.

Posted by: MJ [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 7, 2005 11:56 AM