S.F.Giantsの補強
S.F. Giantsの補強は、Omar Vizquelから始まった。
ショート守備の強化が目的である。
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/vizquel-to-the-giants/
The first free agent to switch teams this offseason is Omar Vizquel, whose three-year, $12.25 million contract with San Francisco also has the potential to be one of the worst of the offseason. It's not that Vizquel isn't a solid player, as he hit .291/.353/.388 this year along with his typically overrated defense to rank sixth among American League shortstops in Win Shares. I have even been talking him up as a low-cost, short-term fix for teams in need of a starting shortstop, but as you can probably figure out for yourself, three years and $12.25 million aren't exactly low cost or short term.
http://www.econ.ucdavis.edu/graduate/sdshelby/giants
Henry Schulman discusses the Omar Vizquel signing: “Vizquel turns 38 in April, which means he’ll be 40 when he completes a contract that will raise some eyebrows because of its length…. Vizquel … will get $2.5 million in 2005, $4 million in 2006, $4 million in 2007 and deferred payments of $1 million in 2008 and $750,000 in 2009…. (11/15/04)
つづいて、懸案かつ最重要課題であるクローザーのBenitez。
Henry Schulman reports, “San Francisco announced they had signed Benitez to a three-year, $21.5 million contract…. With Benitez on board, the Giants believe they filled their largest hole as they rebuild following an unsuccessful run at the postseason caused in part by a bullpen that was overtaxed in the absence of a bona fide closer…. This signing likely spells the end of Hermanson’s brief Giants career. Sabean does not envision signing him as a starter, and Hermanson is not keen on middle relief. Sabean said he was not willing to ‘roll the dice’ and give Hermanson the guaranteed money he was seeking…. Benitez signed a back-loaded contract that will pay him salaries of $2.5 million in 2005, $4 million in 2006 and $7.6 million in 2007. He also gets a $7.4 million signing bonus spread over five years, including $1.6 million in 2005, $2.6 million in 2006, nothing in 2007, $1.6 million in 2008 and $1.6 million in 2009. His total payout of $4.1 million this year is low enough to give the Giants flexibility to pursue a name outfielder such as Steve Finley.”(12/01/04)
つづいてキャッチャーにMatheny。
“By signing Matheny to a three-year contract worth $10.5 million, with a club option for a fourth season, the Giants are signaling a recommitment to winning with pitching and defense…. Giants pitchers are likely to welcome Matheny with open arms, even though he’s a career .239 hitter with a .293 on-base percentage…. Matheny’s back-loaded contract breaks down to salaries of $1 million in 2005, $2.25 million in 2006 and $2.25 million in 2007, with a $4 million team option for 2008 and a $2 million buyout. He also gets a $3 million signing bonus…. (12/14/04)
Mathenyについては元チームメートのTomkoのこの発言が嬉しい。
"I'm excited. Mike's about as good as you can get in terms of handling the pitching staff and calling a game," said Giants pitcher Brett Tomko, who was with Matheny in St. Louis in 2003. "You will not find a guy who is more prepared and worries about pitching more than him. I think he and (Houston's) Brad Ausmus know more about hitters than any other catchers in the game." (Contra Costa Times 12/14/04)
Mathenyを取った段階での年俸総額の状況は、
The Giants now have $72.5million committed to 16 players and will need another $4 million to $5 million in arbitration for Pedro Feliz, backup catcher Yorvit Torrealba and Dustan Mohr. That leaves about $5 million to $8 million to pursue a left-handed reliever and outfielder.(12/14/04)
そして、この直後に左のリリーフにはChristiansenと契約。
The Giants have issued a press release that they have re-signed Jason Christiansen to a one-year contract with an option for the 2006 season.(12/17/04)
野手が、ボンズ、グリッソム、タッカー、モーア、アルフォンゾ、ビスケル、ダーラム、スノー、フェリス、マセニー、トレアルバ、クルーズの12人が確定。
先発が、シュミット、リター、トムコ、ウィリアムス、フォパート、ロアリー。
ブルペンが、ベニテス、クリステンセン、ブラウアー。投手計9人が確定。
あとの4枠のうち3人がブルペン。これからの補強の目玉は、攻守走三拍子揃ったセンター。
地味な補強であるが、去年の長所を残し、うまく欠点を補っている。
