The Giants decision on arbitrations tenders were released (Hank Schulman and Carl Steward).
As many expected, the Giants tendered outfielders Cody Ross and Andres Torres, starting pitcher Jonathan Sanchez and relief pitchers Ramon Ramirez, Santiago Casilla and Javier Lopez. The Giants usually come to an agreement with almost every player that are arbitration eligible, so this is just a formality for that process to hold their rights on the players. The only ones that I can remember going to arbitration was A.J. Pierzitski and, of course, they almost went to it with Tim Lincecum last off-season.
The Giants also announced that they signed Mike Fontenot to a one year contract. Schulman reported that it was for slightly over $1M; I think that is about what he got last season, I thought he might get as high as $1.5M, but maybe he wants to stay. Sabean noted that he would be getting some looks at SS and be a backup there as well as 2B.
Oddly enough, they also announced that Eugenio Velez was also non-tendered. He was not arbitration eligible, according to the report, but apparently the Giants wanted the spot on the 40-man for other purposes. Shulman noted a number of factors in this decision: his 40-man spot, that he's out of options and not expected to make the team, even the raise he'd be due by rule if he cleared waivers and was sent to Fresno.
Schulman also reported that Ray and Velez might be re-signed to minor league deals. I don't really see that happening. Velez can see how crowded the OF and 2B is on the Giants (particularly once Belt pushes Huff to LF), and as much as he might want to stay, his agent should be advising him to look elsewhere. Ray could like it enough to stay, but he's a former closer and he wasn't that bad last season, so I think there would be other teams interested in him. Perhaps he and the Giants have a handshake deal to do this to open a spot to enable the Giants to add another free agent, as desired, with the understanding that they will work it out for him to be on 25-man to start 2011 season. A signal for this would be a split contract with a minor league salary and a major league salary if he makes the team. We'll see.
With how desperate some teams are for bullpen arms, I've got to think Ray is going to get a pretty good deal somewhere. My guess? The Dodgers. They need help in the bullpen and the fact that he was a Giant for even a short time last year will make Colletti want him even more.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Ishikawa's days are numbered for the Giants with all of the signings. Roster spots are disappearing fast.
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