I personally believe the Giants should keep Fred Lewis and here is why.  True he may not be the best outfielder in the game, but he should get better with some work.  For years we have all screamed that this team has never had any speed, and Fred is fast.  He has some pop in his bat (9hrs, which on this team is like 30 right now).  Now most people want 30+ from the corner outfielders, but I give you Adam Dunn as an example, low .200s for average and high strikeouts per AB.  Fred makes contact.  He steals bags at a high rate (20 for 27).  He has 6 errors with 9 outfield assists, leads the team in that category.   One know I will give is that he is 27.  A lot older for a first time full-time player, but that is how the Giants have always done it, see Aurilia and Feliz.  I think he will be a Randy Winn-type player (another underappreciated Giant right now, that may be a post for later).  Look every team needs guys like these.  You aren't going to have all-stars at every position and you need guys who will steal a base, track down a ball in the gap, bunt for a single and even take you out of the yard if you make a mistake.  Fred is that guy.  Randy Winn is that guy too.  These guys get overlooked because there isn't that one superstar on this team to carry the Giants through the tough stretches. 

I am writing this because I have seen a few posts and/or comments wanting to trade him and I always ask myself "trade him for what?"  generally you are going to get like for like, so let's say we get prospects.  They will probably be Fred's equivalent, except no major league experience.  Fred now has a year under his belt.  The other thing that frustrates me is I see and hear a lot of fans saying we don't have any homegrown talent.  But as soon as one gets to the Bigs we want to trade him.  Looking at the non-pitching talent that has been brought up in the last few years, there is a reason Fred has been the only one to stick.  Ortmeir has flamed, Schierholtz isn't ready and may never be, Velez has been surpassed a few times since he has been up, etc., etc., etc. 

The other case is, in all probability Randy Winn isn't coming back next year, if he makes it through August of this year.  Fred could move over to right-field and you can put your big bat in left.  I would rather have speed to cover triples alley in right than a big guy over there.  Plus the Phone Booth's right field is one of the toughest in baseball and I wouldn't want a big-bat type of guy, who probably wouldn't be good in the field, that combo is rare and the Giants ain't getting one anytime soon.  So you move Fred to right, he will make his mistakes, but will learn, you sign a big-bat for left and you have somewhat solved your power problems.

So McCoven I ask you, is my logic right?  Would you do something differently?  If you would trade Lewis, to who and for what (in this case prospects don't count because they are unproven)?  Names in the trade would be good and you reasoning.

I would like this to be a semi-serious discussion please.