So today, utilizing the awesome resource that is MLB Trade Rumors, I embark on a series entitled "Giants Trade Rumors Revisited." My goal is simple: to find all the players, good and bad, that have been linked to the Giants over the past several seasons (and of course, the corresponding trade ideas). Some of these are really good. Tim Lincecum for Delmon Young!
Anyway, this should be an interesting walk down memory lane...
In the end, I imagine this will ultimately foster appreciation for all the Tim Lincecum/Matt Cain/Jonathan Sanchez trades that Giants GM Brian Sabean never made.
(note: because I'm a disorganized person, these are not exactly in chronological order)
We begin with 2007, mostly late 2007. With Barry Bonds leaving for free agency at the end of the season, the Giants were in need of a big bat that could conceivably replace his production. Lots of rumors here, including Mark Teixeira and A-Rod, both of whom went on to sign massive contracts with the New York Yankees, and...Jack Cust. In addition, the Giants were searching for young position player talent to build an offense around: Melky Cabrera, Alex Rios, and Delmon Young...the asking price for them? Why, pitching, of course. Lastly, with 3B Pedro Feliz leaving to free agency, the Giants were left with a void at third base. To fill that void? Suggestions of a trade for Miguel Tejada or Scott Rolen. The Giants, as you'll recall, ended up going with young stud Jose Castillo as their starting third baseman in 2008, so it all worked out in the end!
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7/13/07: Mark Teixeira
Grant believes noncontenders such as the Orioles and Giants could be interested in Teixeira as well. The Giants could use some star power if they cut ties with Barry Bonds after the season.
3/25/07: Alex Rodriguez
Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News combines some inside information with informed speculation to conclude that the Giants will be major players for Alex Rodriguez should he opt out of his contract following this season.
5/5/07: Melky Cabrera
Gammons says the Giants would target a young position player, and they like Melky Cabrera of the Yankees. He does not think the Yankees would be interested in a Cabrera for Noah Lowry swap. If it was the Lowry of 2005, it would be a different story. But the southpaw seems to have lost his strikeout rate at age 26.
9/9/07: Jack Cust
Scott Ostler has a suggestion in today's San Francisco Chronicle: some kind of Barry Bonds for Jack Cust trade. How would this work, with Bonds becoming a free agent after the season? Cust, meanwhile, is under Oakland's control for another five seasons or so.
11/4/07: Delmon Young
The idea of the Giants trading Tim Lincecum seemed crazy at first, right? Cafardo says they may be willing to do so for a "stud outfielder." How about Delmon Young?
9/9/07: Kosuke Fukudome
Additionally, Susan Slusser tosses the Giants into the mix. Apparently Dave Roberts and Randy Winn wouldn't be considered obstacles.
12/2/07: Miguel Tejada
One new one is the Giants, who have an opening at third base. The Orioles won't pry Matt Cain or Tim Lincecum loose, but maybe Jonathan Sanchez would be a start. Hard to see the two teams matching up though. Plus Tejada makes little sense for the Giants.
12/3/07: Scott Rolen
About four teams have talked to the Cards about Rolen, perhaps including the Brewers, Giants, and Rangers.
12/5/07: Alex Rios
Jeff Blair says the Jays' offer on the table is Rios for Lincecum, straight up.
12/5/07: Luis Gonzalez
Gonzo's agent has actually talked to many teams (per Jerry Crasnick): the Rangers, Twins, Giants, Rays, and White Sox.
