So I've tried not to rosterbate over the past couple weeks...but it came out in my sleep anyway.  Here's a fresh creamy batch of rosterbation for you all to pick apart and defile.  Enjoy:

Trade for Ryan Doumit

Sign Xavier Nady

Resign Juan Uribe

I know these aren't the splashy moves we all want, but maybe they're exactly what the Giants need: signing contributing players with positional flexibility to short term, budget friendly contracts.  The Pirates seem willing to trade any of their established contributors for any minor leaguer with a pulse (see Nate McLouth), and Xavier Nady could be had for a short term, high incentive based deal.  Based on the dwindling market for Mark DeRosa, I can only assume that Juan Uribe will also be negatively affected and could be had for a fair price.  Assuming the Dodgers don't make any serious upgrades (doesn't look like it), the Giants seem to be only moderate upgrades away from the postseason; in which they should shine - compliments of our pitching staff.  I already think our offense will be better than last year (addition by subtraction: Randy Winn), and I feel like the above mentioned moderate upgrades might just be enough to push our offense into the realm of respectability.  I'd much rather see a few situational players added that make the team better as a whole, rather than a single player locking up several millions and several years and putting further strain on our longer term payroll flexibility.  Nick Johnson was not our savior.  Chone Figgins was not our savior.  Milton Bradley was definately not our savior.  But they would have been paid like they were, so realistically I'm glad they're gone.  Worst case scenario, a guy like Nady doesn't work out: we don't pay him much and he's gone after the year.  Best case scenario, he's a contributing player in 2010 and potentially beyond. 

Furthermore, the above mentioned additions give our team a covetable amount of positional flexibility.  I believe this opens up some great position battles and will better enable the Giants to put the best eight on the field, rebound from injuries, and accomodate any "breakout players" (ie Bowker realizing his potential, Posey getting a midseason callup):

C Ryan Doumit/Buster Posey

1B Travis Ishikawa/John Bowker/Xavier Nady/Ryan Doumit/Pablo Sandoval

2B Freddie Sanchez/Eugenio Velez/Juan Uribe

3B Pablo Sandoval/Juan Uribe

SS Edgar Renteria/Juan Uribe

LF Eugenio Velez/Andres Torres/Xavier Nady/John Bowker/Freddie Lewis/Ryan Doumit

CF Aaron Rowand/Andres Torres/Nate Schieurholtz

RF Nate Schieurholtz/Xavier Nady/Andres Torres

I think that the addition of Ryan Doumit and Xavier Nady, as well as the reinstatement of Juan Uribe, would be a marginal offensive upgrade over Bengie Molina and Randy Winn.  That, combined with the further development of the Giants young players (specifically Sandoval) and the weak NL West, should be enough to take us to the 2010 playoffs.  It will also provide multiple position players and positional upgrades within our limited budget, and cover us against season ruining injuries.  Lastly, it will give the Giants another year to evaluate their young talent and make better personnel decisions next offseason.  Thanks for reading.

LF Andres Torres/Eugenio Velez

2B Freddie Sanchez

1B Pablo Sandoval

3B Juan Uribe

RF Xavier Nady

C Ryan Doumit

CF Aaron Rowand

SS Edgar Renteria

And if the Giants ever get over their man crush on Velez and Renteria...

LF Fred Lewis

2B Freddie Sanchez

3B Pablo Sandoval

SS Juan Uribe

1B Xavier Nady

C Ryan Doumit

CF Aaron Rowand

RF Nate Schieurholtz/Andres Torres