At that time the Red Sox named Theo Epstein as their GM.  Theo said immediately that the Red Sox would improve their scouting and development.  Now, a lot of the reason the Red Sox won the World Series is because other than the Yankees, they have more money to spend than any other team.  But part of it was some stellar draft picks they have made over the past five years.

Instead of building their scouting and development back when it could have made a significant difference for the 2008 season, the Giants were on the verge of intentionally giving up draft picks.

The Red Sox were visionary.  The Giants have been reactionary.  Thus Brian Sabean has dug himself such a big hole that he is actually considering "The Franchise."  Literally.

Its just not a move I can get really excited about.  With the limited trading chips the Giants have, they should be trying to acquire YOUNG position players, not declining ones.

   Now, the folks who post here at McCovey Chronicles are die-hard Giants fans.  Extremely smart about their team and baseball.  From a purely baseball decision, you are probably right: it's not worth giving up Cain or Lincecum for Matsui and prospects.

   But talent is only one factor in the decision-making process.  The reason we think this could get done is that your owner financed your stadium out of his own pocket.  When you've got THAT much debt to pay off, and you see that this one trade isn't going to lift your team out of the cellar, any more than keeping Cain and Lincecum will result in you guys being a formidable power (you finished last WITH Bonds, how you gonna do without him, while the rest of the division improves?)you're going to then see how you can replace Bonds from a marketing perspective.

   The reason he might want to get Matsui is to increase his revenue.  Matsui is an international superstar, the best Japanese hitter of his generation.  With a large Asian population in the Bay Area, trading for Matsui would be a huge publicity coup.  Over the course of his career, a potential million Matsui Giants jerseys would be sold here and abroad.  Fans would come to see Matsui, more so than Alex Rios, a nice young player but hardly a big name or difference-maker.

   Do you guys really think the past 5 years your owner was concerned about winning?  You tied a huge portion of your payroll to Bonds, and ensured you had no other huge ego superstars on the team, so it would be all about him.  Your record was poor, but how was attendance?  Revenue?

   Don't underestimate that factor, nor the players the Yanks could offer you.  Matsui would not only cover the marketing side, but he would instantly be your best hitter.  (He's not Bonds old btw).  The key baseball-wise would be who else you could get from us.  We have a deep farm system.  Juan Miranda is a power-hitting Cuban 1b who would be an upgrade over Klesko/Aurilia.  Tabata or Jackson could be ready to take over at CF in 2009, and be productive for 15 years.  Alberto Gonzalez is a slick-fielding SS who most people compare to Vizquel.  Alan Horne, while not in Cain or Lincecum's league, is probably better than Lowry, and definitely Correia or whomever else you're throwing in your rotation.

Zito
Hughes
Wang
Pettitte
Mussina

If any of those guys gets hurt, we could always bring up Kennedy or Joba.  By 2009, Mussina, Pettitte, and Pavano's contracts (a combined $38.5 million per year) will be gone, giving us a relatively cheap rotation of

Hughes
Zito
Chamberlain
Wang
Kennedy

Sure, Zito's salary might be an albatross come 2010, but that's water under the bridge for us! He isn't a power pitcher, and might hold up well. Unlike Lowry, he's proven he can handle the AL, and has post-season experience.  

BB