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November 06, 2007
The Giant Jason Dreambino
From Jon Heyman today -
The Giants, badly in need of offense even before they fired Barry Bonds, have told teams they may trade a young pitcher for hitting help. However, it would stun everyone if they'd part with Tim Lincecum. Either Noah Lowry or Matt Cain is much more likely to be dealt.
This could be an opportunity for the Yankees.
How about offering the Giants Jason Giambi for Noah Lowry?
Lowry would be good Andy Pettitte replacement insurance.
Sure, the Yankees would have to throw in a ton of cash too. But, that’s no problem. The trick is selling this to Giambi who has a no-trade clause. Here, the Yankees would have to work two angles. The first is the chance to return to the Bay Area – where Giambi became a star, etc. Also, we know that San Francisco doesn’t mind playing guys with some BALCO history. The second is the pitch that he can play first for the Giants – rather than DH. We know Jason prefers not to DH. Also, New York can mold this as a chance to play regularly, and perhaps build something for a 2009 contract – whereas, in the Bronx, Jason will have to fight for plate appearances next season.
If the Giants were willing to live with Bonds’ lack of defense in left last year, they should be able to stomach Giambi’s glove at first.
San Francisco went with Ryan Klesko and Rich Aurilia at first base this season. That’s almost no pop. Giambi, even in his diminished state, can out slug them.
Maybe the Yankees would have to throw in an arm too – some like Steven White? That would be doable.
O.K., yes, it’s a dream. And, it’s probably going to stay a dream because of Giambi’s contract, health, limitations, etc. But, would it hurt anyone if Brian Cashman at least approached the Giants to see if they had an interest in Jason – and, if yes, then talk to Giambi and his agent about it? You don’t get a black eye for asking – right?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at November 6, 2007 12:06 PM
Comments
It's an idea, Steve, but I can't imagine why the Giants would do it. The biggest problem is one you mention as a positive: the steroid thing. They FINALLY got rid of the biggest steroid guy in baseball. They're tired of hearing about steroids. Why now bring in the second most famous steroid guy? If they wanted a crippled slugger, why not just bring Bonds back? At least Bonds fills the joint.
To trade Giambi, it would go beyond paying "a lot of money"; I think the Yankees would have to literally pay his entire contract.
The funny thing about Heyman saying they wouldn't trade Lincecum is that just yesterday Joel Sherman said they would consider moving him for good young position players.
Posted by: baileywalk ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at November 6, 2007 12:32 PM
love to pull off a trade like that, but how about we go for Cain. would Giambi (and most of his salary) plus AJax/JTab and Horne be enough?
Posted by: Travis G. at November 6, 2007 01:00 PM
A Giambi trade to the Giants won't happen for reasons listed above. But what about Matsui and cash for Cain? The Giants seem to have an ongoing love affair with aging sluggers and there is a rather large Japanese-American population in the Bay Area. Just sayin'.
Posted by: brockdc at November 6, 2007 01:09 PM
~~~But what about Matsui and cash for Cain? ~~~
Matsui has a no-trade clause - and two years left on his deal.
Posted by: Steve Lombardi at November 6, 2007 01:18 PM
~~~would Giambi (and most of his salary) plus AJax/JTab and Horne be enough?~~~
Can the Yankees afford to trade one of their blue-clip OF prospects? No way, IMHO.
Posted by: Steve Lombardi at November 6, 2007 01:20 PM
I, too, definitely can not wait for Giambi to be off the roster and Matsui be the full time DH, but as it stands now, Giambi is one of our prime time offenseive players that we need to show up in 08. Unless Cashman makes a move to replace some of ARods bat (like at 1B), then you really just have to kind of sit and hope that 2nd half 2005 Giambi shows up.
Posted by: j at November 6, 2007 01:43 PM
By the way, the Giants are nuts if they trade either Lincecum or Cain. If I had to trade one, I would trade Lincecum, because of that funky motion and his small size. I saw Cain live in Shea and he is one big dude -- he has the perfect pitcher's frame and I think he'll be a nice two/three starter for a long, long time.
If the Giants do decide to move one of those guys, it's going to be for someone as equally young and inexpensive. The Giants are learning from past mistakes, I think. That's why I seriously doubt they would want anything to do with Giambi.
The idea Joel Sherman brought up makes a lot more sense: Cain (or Lincecum) for Delmon Young or Carl Crawford.
Posted by: baileywalk at November 6, 2007 02:08 PM
Giambi is at the tail end of his career and his salary is absolutely astronomical.Not only would the Yankees have to eat tons of money but why would Sabean give up a young pitcher?That's the basis of their rebulding process and Sabean's no dope.That Figgins for Giambi deal doesn't look too bad now,does it?
Posted by: butchie22 at November 6, 2007 02:08 PM
I like the trade of Matsui for Noah Lowry. It is mutually beneficial. I bet they could convince Matsui to leave for the Asian-filled stands of the San Francisco Giants!
Posted by: Mike at November 6, 2007 04:04 PM
For Giambi to even consider the trade, I imagine he would require the new team to exercise his option for 2009.
Which means it would be a strict salary dump on the side of New York.
Which means there is no way any player of value comes back.
Oh, and the reason the Giants didn't have an issue paying Bonds (aside from being unGodly good and providing the only real form of offense for several years) is because he was chasing history and was the team's only draw to the stadium.
Neither the parenthesis portion, nor the chasing history portion of the above can be said for Giambi.
Posted by: Jeteupthemiddle at November 6, 2007 05:51 PM
Hey...
Great blog. I've been readingsince I found it during the playoffs this year... I was looking online to see if a 2008 schedule was out--- seems like MLB (or whoever updates the site for the yankees) thinks 2008 will be a choke year:
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/schedule/tentative.jsp?c_id=nyy&year=2008%20(We'll%20Choke%20Again%20Anyway
Weird huh!
Posted by: Lou at November 6, 2007 09:16 PM
Weird huh!
-----
Perversely, it gave me a laugh.
Posted by: baileywalk at November 6, 2007 10:15 PM