Vizquel Returns

The Giants announced Wednesday that they had re-signed Omar Vizquel to a one year contract with a mutual option for a second year. I fully expected this move, but didn't expect the Giants to give Omar 5.5 million dollars in 2008. This means he's getting a pay increase after one of his worst offensive seasons in his career. This just goes to show how bare the free agent market is for infielders this winter. If the Giants had taken a chance and let Vizquel explore the open market, he would have gotten better offers. Although signing a 42-year old shortstop doesn't fit into the Giants ultimate plan of getting younger, faster and healthier, I do see the logic in bringing Vizquel back for a year and I do expect him to be better with the bat next year. His contract for 2009 will be activated if he plays in 140+ games. With the Giants most likely going through a rebuilding year in 2008, he's not going to play 140 games unless he's earning it. Most of all, this signing likely signifies the end of the Pedro Feliz era in San Francisco. It was speculated that the Giants wanted to bring back either Feliz or Vizquel, but not both. If that is indeed that case, they made the right move.

The Giants may be looking to the trade market to fill their void at third base and the top guy being mentioned as available is Miguel Cabrera. The Palm Beach Post discussed the Giants as "emerging contenders" in the Cabrera sweepstakes. Again, like the ARod and Torii Hunter linkings, you have to take these rumors with a grain of salt during this time of year. However, Cabrera would be an ideal fit with the Giants and provide the team a young star to build a team around. The only problem is that the Marlins would want 2 of the following players: Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum and Noah Lowry. Cabrera could very well be worth that kind of package, but I would rather see the Giants hold onto their young premier pitching. Dealing 2 of their top 3 arms would be a set-back to an up-and-coming starting rotation and I think it would hurt the teams rotation more than it would help their offense.