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あと数時間でプレイオフが始まる。
のではあるが、やはり相変わらず、試合が始まるまでは、ジャイアンツの2005年への補強について考えている。
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylc=X3oDMTBqYzNhMjFyBF9TAzk1ODYxNzc3BHNlYwNsdG4-?slug=knight-whatdoasgiantsdonow&prov=knight&type=lgns

The rotation should remain intact. Jason Schmidt and Kirk Rueter are under contract, the club is expected to exercise the option on Brett Tomko, and it controls the rights of Noah Lowry and Jerome Williams.

ローテーションは変化があまりないが問題ないと思う。この5人に加えてフォパートとヘネシーがいる。後半大活躍したTomkoに安価なオプションがあるのならそれはexerciseすべきだろう。

The Giants will save $9 million on former All-Star closer Robb Nen, whose contract has run out after two seasons lost to arm trouble, and they should have more flexibility to go after free agents than they did last year, even as the payroll remains at $80 million.
They may save $3.5 million by not asking back defensively challenged catcher A.J. Pierzynski. Pierzynski had a tumultuous first season with the Giants, drawing the ire of fans and teammates early for immature behavior and ultimately setting a club record for grounding into double plays (27).

ネンとビルジンスキーを出せば、総額$12.5milの余裕が出る。それでCloserとBullpenを充実させるべきである。確かにキャッチャーはトレアルバでもいいかもしれない。

Pierzynski, a former American League All-Star, said he wants to return, though backup Yorvit Torrealba appears to be ready.
"He has all the tools, the energy, the power," Alou said of Torrealba. "He's a good runner. He can throw a runner out. He knows his pitching staff, and he's been here for a while now. The only way to find out is to hand him the job. But, right now, A.J. is here. He's the No. 1 guy at this hour."

問題は怪我がちなサードとセカンドの二人の高額契約が残っていて、守備に不安が残ること。

The Giants continue to be bound to bad contracts issued to third baseman Edgardo Alfonzo for two more years and second baseman Ray Durham for one. Both have slipped defensively, and each is due $6.5 million next season, scaring off potential suitors.

また、ショートに守備力のある選手を持ってきたいけれど、ペドロ・フェリスをショートにコンバートしてフルタイムとすると守備には不安が残ったままだ。DurhamはまだよいがAlfonzoとの四年契約は痛恨であった。Alfonzoがトレードできれば、そのカネでショートを補強し、ペドロを三塁、スノーを一塁に固定できるが、Alfonzoをこの高額で取ってくれる球団はなかろう。

"I believe Pedro Feliz is a 600-to-650 at-bat kind of player now, where we could fully benefit from his long-ball and RBI potential," Alou said. "We want to know what he is capable of doing. He could hit 40 home runs and drive in 115 to 120 runs if he played every day."

グリッソムは残留。となると、外野に攻走守三拍子揃った選手を一人取るか、現体制でいくか。

With Bonds in left, the most obvious spot for an upgrade is right field. Mohr, an energetic player, would like the chance, but the Giants may seek a strong defensive player who can steal bases.

ただ、まあ何はともあれ、28セーブ機会をつぶしてしまったブルペンの補強が先決だ。

Alou said he is willing to give Hermanson the opportunity to win the job in spring training, though it was unclear whom he would compete against. Free-agent closers tend to be overpriced, and the Giants may not be willing to pay big money for someone who may not be much better than what they already have.

という考え方には絶対反対である。