You say 'Unknown Team', I say the Giants

Jamey Carroll is about to sign a multi year deal with a mystery team, and with the Giants just having "missed out" on what would have been the least skilled "Willy" to ever play in SF in Willie Bloomquist, this makes sense for the Giants.

Carroll is a right handed hitter that can platoon with Brandon Crawford at short, back up Sandoval at thirdbase, and play 2nd if Freddy Sanchez truly is not fully recovered.

He will replace Fontenot as the backup SS, AND the likely 5 plus million dollar man in Jeff Keppinger, as the right handed middle infielder off the bench.

Lastly, Jamey Carroll > Willie Bloomquist

7 months ago kvdp12 13 comments 0 recs |

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Agreed, it could very well be the Giants.

As one of the posters over at MLBTR said in the comments thread, if Sabean was willing to throw over $4 million across two seasons at the less-talented Bloomquist, then Carroll makes more sense (there you go GP).

But I disagree with you about what he’ll play: it isn’t unthinkable that they’ll let Carroll start more games at SS than Crawford, if not give him the job outright. Plugging Carroll into SS for the next two seasons at far less than one of the Type A options out there allows Sabean to focus his payroll space upon Beltran or another corner outfield option. And although it may not be as flashy as most of us would like, an offense with Beltran, Posey, Sanchez, Panda, Cabrera, Carroll’s OBP, and a contract-year Huff will be better than the dreck we saw in 2011, at a manageable cost.

Responsible for the last great homegrown Giants team.

by Al Rosen on Nov 11, 2011 10:10 AM PST reply actions

Oh I dont doubt that Carroll will see more atbats then Crawford.

My platoon remark was more wishful thinking, as even though I do think Carroll is better then Crawford, I would like to see Brandon get the majority of the at-bats.

And I think youre right about Sabean going with the ‘Carroll and an Outfielder’ option instead of ‘Reyes or Rollins’

I just dont think it will be Beltran. The Giants seem to be holding their wallets close this offseason (excluding Affeldts) so I think they have priced themselves out of Beltran for some reason. I could see Beltran wanting something like 2 yrs / 20 mill, or 3/28. If Josh Willingham would do 2/16 I wouldnt mind that being the outfielder Sabean went with. Im assuming Willingham will try to go big with his contract though.

Its funny because f*** the dodgers

by kvdp12 on Nov 11, 2011 10:28 AM PST up reply actions

I had assumed that the Red Sox would swoop in by now

and grabbed Beltran before a bidding war started, but MLBTR said yesterday that the Sox hadn’t reached out to Beltran yet, so perhaps the Giants may be in the mix after all. Unless the CBA has slowed all FA activity for a while.

You’re right though; the Sabean MO would be to sign Carroll as a stop-gap for the next two years and a second-tier outfielder for a corner spot, rather than spend big on one of those needs. I don’t think Sabes will sign a corner outfielder who will cost them a pick, because he and Tidrow know they now need to rebuild the pitching stock quickly. So that knocks out Cuddyer; would Willingham cost them a pick?

Responsible for the last great homegrown Giants team.

by Al Rosen on Nov 11, 2011 11:01 AM PST up reply actions

Jonathan Pabelbon doesn’t buy your theory about the CBA slowing down free agency. As for Jamey Carroll, it certainly makes sense for the Giants. However I can easily see Colletti swooping in at the last moment to re-sign him for the Dodgers. Colletti spent last off season trying to steal Giants free agents, and I can see him doing it again.

Buster Posey: still better than Eli and Stewart, even with a broken ankle.

by rxmeister on Nov 11, 2011 12:14 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah, look at the money Amaro is burning here.

They pulled back from going 4/$44 million on their own guy, but then pivoted to throw over $60 million (with the option) at Papelbon. And this is before they throw money at Cuddyer and give Rollins his bump.

Responsible for the last great homegrown Giants team.

by Al Rosen on Nov 11, 2011 12:55 PM PST up reply actions

MLBTradeRumors says it's the Twins.

phew.

Broscience investigator.

by HOLDEMUPGoldenStateOfOppression on Nov 11, 2011 12:34 PM PST reply actions

Yea looks like its the Twins

Well theres still Clint Barmes and Jerry Hariston Jr.

I guess..

Its funny because f*** the dodgers

by kvdp12 on Nov 11, 2011 12:37 PM PST reply actions

Awww.. I actually like Carroll.

Stupid Twins.

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by ch3zyp00fs on Nov 11, 2011 12:38 PM PST reply actions

So it's the Twins apparently.

Good for them.

Sabes threw over $4 million at Bloomquist, and yet it’s possible we weren’t even a player for Carroll?

/heads down the hall clutching stomach

Responsible for the last great homegrown Giants team.

by Al Rosen on Nov 11, 2011 12:43 PM PST reply actions

Brian Sabean hates being used as a "mystery team" to drive up prices.

His penchant for not signing players the team is rumored to be interest in is also something of a meme. I half-seriously wonder if he reflexively nixes contract offers out of spite if an agent leaks it.

VAE PVTO DEVS FIO

by Bhaakon on Nov 11, 2011 2:10 PM PST reply actions