Giants Old News: No McPherson

As I noted before, I had written a bunch of stuff, so pardon the staleness of the news, but I wanted to get them out nonetheless. I usually make it one big post, but I think I'm going to post them individually.

Some news during the holidays on the Giants:

• Giants and McPherson go their own way: not too surprising when his agent is Scott Boras, money is the main objective, opportunity to be the future long-term 3B is secondary since there might be opportunities elsewhere. But the longer he's out, there's a chance Boras might come back to the Giants, hat in hand, for McPherson; I just read that Cory Patterson, another Boras client, had priced himself out with the Orioles, but now that starting OF opportunities are drying up, they have come back to the Orioles to see what they can get, so he might try that same tactic for McPherson soon, spring training will be starting pretty soon.
• Giants kicking tires with Tony Clark: not too surprising, Clark is a part-time 1B and so will be paid like one, he has power, with the idea of Ortmeier getting a chance at 1B but Clark is a nice (in Giants mind) fallback/replacement should Orty fail. I wouldn't be thrilled by such a move, but as long as he doesn't cost much money it's a "meh" type of move, nothing exciting either way. I would rather the Giants just start bringing up their 1B prospects in the minors, any of the old guys from AAA last year still around (Leone, McClain) or even give Ishikawa a final chance, his options are up in 2008, may as well see what he can do with an extended chance, his defense is great, see if he can survive up here and deliver some power than rely on an old vet who will cost money to play for us. In any case, I think this is probably a red herring as it's source was Clark's agent talking about places Clark could play at: "Yeah, he'll fit right in there, just give us a nice two year contract..."
• Giants kicking tires with Kent Benson: not too surprising, Benson could be a buy low, sell high opportunity, but I think the main reason the Giants were there was because Sabean's new advisor, Ron Shueler (former GM of ChiSox), makes his home nearby to where Benson recently pitched in front of scouts to generate interest in his services. I assume the thinking is that he might be an option for the rotation should the Giants be able to trade off Lowry and/or Sanchez for a good hitter, but, again, why not give Correia and Misch the opportunity to start? Plus, by the May/June time period, if either is failing at starting, there's always Hennessey to take a spot, plus there should be a minor leaguer or two who show enough promise to come up and get a shot. Nick Pereira has been touted by some fantasy analysts as a pitcher who would get a chance to start with the Giants in 2007, so he's a possibility for 2008 as well. Henry Sosa has a blazing fastball, he could rise up fast if he can harness his heater; Sanchez made just as fast an ascent, if not faster.
• Fear and Loathing, Part Feliz: the longer the Giants are without a 3B, the more I worry that they will resign Feliz. Not that getting him would be the end of the world forecasted by some fans, but I really want Durham to get a chance to try to make himself valuable enough to trade, and that would mean Frandsen gets moved to 3B initially (notice that Aurilia's name has not popped up once as an option) to start, with the plan being to either DFA Durham or trade Durham by or before mid-season, install Frandsen as starting 2B, and either start Aurilia at 3B or obtain a 3B prospect by then. Plus the thought of him getting a raise or, eww, a two year contract, is enough to make me, well, you know....