"Is it Time for Sabean to Rebuild?"

In his KNBR show last week Sabean seemed to admit that some rebuilding was in order:
http://media.knbr.com/knbr/sabean.mp3

The problem is rebuild with what?  Unlikely to get much for out vets, and the article points out.  Niekro, Frandsen, Figueroa, Ortmeier, Schierholtz, Lewis... Our best trading chip is Matt Morris, and how much can we really expect back for him?  Maybe a low level B prospect.  

Hardball times just posted an article boosting Paul DePodesta as the best GM candidate out there, not a shock that writers there would feel that way, but makes an interesting argument that P DeP lay the groundwork for their current success (trading for Penny, signing Lowe & Kent, avoiding Beltre) and that Colletti's been reaping the benefits while bumbling along (Schmidt, Pierre, Nomar disasters).  I don't think either guy gets credit for the success Dodgers' farm system, but I agree with those here who have put DePodesta as a possible candidate to replace Sabes.  
Here is the link:  
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/the-best-out-of-work-gm-in-baseball/

Last question, wasn't Dave Stewart in the market for a GM position a while back?  What happened to him?  I have no idea what kind of GM he'd make, however.  

Here's to starting the long, painful rebuild with a new GM.  

I don't think there will be a rebuilding.  In 08' It's going to be more of the same of what we've seen the last few years except bonds well probably be replaced with some FA. Hot swappable/Plug and play "win now" type of teams.

New to this site never posted before post on some other sites, but I like a lot of the info I get here, especially on our minor leaguers(or lack there of) so here's my 2 cents.

I say blow it up, trade anyone who has value. Im sure some contenders like, Cleveland, Detriot, maybe even the Mets can use another starter like Matt Morris. Mayabe someone who wants a bat with some pop can use Pedro Feliz, or Durham, maybe a team who needs some defense up the middle can use Omar. I say trade all these guys for some young bats.

I think folks are pessimistic about the value we could get for Winn, Durham, or Morris in a market that always seems to get increasingly desperate come late July.  But I'm also to the point where I don't much care what we get in return: Let Bonds walk and move Winn, Durham, Morris, Vizquel, Feliz, and Kline. I can't remember how long all of those contracts are, but their combined '07 salaries are nearly $35M.  Just to get out from underneath all that, SF doesn't need bats in return.  We should be willing to get batting donuts in return.  Cut your '08 salary commitments to about $50M and start targeting FA's at the corners and in the outfield.

I agree, that Sabean will not become a seller easily.  I think it's possible though.  He kind of flirted with the notion the last two years and then drew back, but if we are under .500 and 10 or more games back as we approach the deadline, I think he may just pull the trigger.

What I'm less sure of is his ability to get good value in return.  It just seems that Sabean has been coasting for several years now.  The moves he makes and the players he acquires are the ones everybody else knows about.  He's shown very little imagination, no scratching under the surface.

I also disagree with the premise that a firesale would be unproductive if we don't get a franchise prospect in return.  Teams out there have value that they are willing to part with if you look hard enough and know what you need.  I mean, Ryan Klesko has been a good sign for us so far, so no disrespect, but Billy Beane picked up Jack Cust for virtually nothing and got a better hitter for a fraction of the salary.

Let's just look at 3 teams who could be potential buyers this year:

Cleveland:  No blockbuster prospects here, but I would be happy to pick up either Asdrubel Cabrera or Wes Hodges plus a second or third tier pitcher for Matt Morris.

Mets:  I'm not so sure Lastings Milledge is all that untouchable now.  They've got Carlos Gomez and Fernando Martinez who have probably moved ahead of him in their prospect rankings.  What about Mike Carp, a hard hitting 1B prospect?

Braves:  Doubt very much they will part with Salty or Elvis Andrus, but what about Brent Lillibridge or Kala Kaaihue?  

Much as I would like to see the Giants make a playoff run, I just don't see that we are one or even two players away.  I think we can get value for several veteran players.  Trade the ones we can get value for and address the rest after the season is over.  Kevbo, Nate, Fred Lewis, Ortmeier and even Brian Horwitz need to get as many MLB AB's as possible between now and the end of the year.   I'd like to see Sanchez moved to starter and I'd like to see Pat Misch get some MLB innings this year.  Let the future begin now.

I have been critical of Sabean here in the past, and especially after the horrible (imho) recent draft. To be fair, let me pass along something. I was talking to a Giants scout this past weekend; he's a longtime Sabean associate, still wears the Yankees WS ring he got while employed by Brian in NY.  We commiserated on the terrible season the Giants were having this year, and he said that "Sabes" (yeah, he actually called him that) told him a few years ago that it was Magowan's idea to surround Bonds with veteran talent while he was still playing, and that he (Sabean) was afraid that one day soon it would all go bad in a hurry (my words - paraphrasing here).

So, it appears the veteran-savvy-lover is Magowan, and we can blame him for that directive.  However, I still blame Sabean for the awful performance in the draft, and for that reason I want him gone a.s.a.p.  I just no longer blame him for everything.

Two points. First, if you haven't noticed Sabean has already been rebuilding this team. The Giants have one the youngest and most talented pitching staffs in baseball. That is not an easy accomplishment. Two, anyone who says they know this year's draft is a disaster is blowing smoke. No one knows how drafts turn out weeks after they happen. Wait until we see if everyone is signed and they have a few years under their belts, and then we can make a sound judgement on the quality of the players drafted.

Oh, and once again, keep DePodesta as far away from the Giants as possible.

I'd prefer the new GM come from outside of the NL West dating pool.  Somebody recently suggested the Asst GM for the Indians, whose name I don't recall.  Someone with a stat AND tools background would be great.