2008 Mock Roster #3

There really hasn't been much going on with the Giants since they signed Aaron Rowand a few weeks ago and it doesn't look like much will happen until after the new year. Even though the off-season is starting to wind down, the Giants are nowhere near complete and Sabean is going to have to be active in the month of January in order to tune this team up. Here is my 3rd (and possibly final) installment of the 2008 mock roster postings, the first since the Aaron Rowand signing.

Trade: To St. Louis: lhp Noah Lowry, of Dave Roberts, of Fred Lewis and if Rich Aurilia - To Giants: 3b Scott Rolen, of/1b Chris Duncan and $12 million (1/3 of Rolens' remaining 3 years and $36 million)

FA Signings: 1b Tony Clark (1 yr. $3 million + incentives), Freddy Garcia (1 yr. $2 million guaranteed + incentives), Akinori Otsuka (2 years, $10 million + incentives, mutual option for 3rd year)

Lineup
RF Randy Winn
LF Nate Schierholtz/Rajai Davis
1B Chris Duncan
3B Scott Rolen
CF Aaron Rowand
C Bengie Molina
2B Ray Durham
SS Omar Vizquel

Bench
1B Tony Clark
IF Kevin Frandsen
IF-OF Eugenio Velez
C Elezier Alfonzo
OF Rajai Davis/of/1b Dan Ortmeier

Rotation
RHP Matt Cain
LHP Barry Zito
RHP Tim Lincecum
RHP Kevin Corriea
RHP Freddy Garcia/LHP Jonathon Sanchez

Bullpen
RHP Brian Wilson (closer)
RHP Akinori Otsuka
RHP Tyler Walker
RHP Brad Hennessey
LHP Jack Taschner
LHP Steve Kline
LHP Jonathon Sanchez/RHP Vinnie Chulk

The Giants were looking at free agent Kris Benson last week, which could indicate that a Lowry trade may still be in the works. If that's the case and they're looking to take on a project, I would rather see them take a flyer on Freddy Garcia, who is a legit #2 when healthy. I doubt the Cardinals are looking to part with Duncan, but they desperately want to get rid of Scott Rolen and if the Giants include Lowry, they might be able to pry Duncan away as well. They also have Colby Rasmus and Rick Ankiel who they have higher expectations for. The Cards also need infielders and could have interest in Aurilia who can play all over the diamond (also played well in the NL Central in '05-'06). Roberts would give them a capable leadoff hitter now that they've lost David Eckstein. I'm not an advocate of trading Lowry, but I think it's only a matter of time before it happens and getting a guy like Duncan in return would make it a lot less painful than getting a guy like Hideki Matsui. Duncan is only 26 and has the type of left-handed power that can hit 30+ home runs at AT&T Park. The trade of Roberts would open up a spot for Schierholtz and Davis. My proposed lineup, if healthy, would actually be a decent lineup and put up some runs. Not a ton of speed, but more athleticism than past lineups as Bengie Molina is the only guy who doesn't run well. The Giants have expressed interest in Tony Clark and in this scenario could mentor Chris Duncan at 1b. The rotation would still be a strength, even with the loss of Lowry. The bullpen would be stronger with the addition of a healthy Otsuka, but Sabean is ignoring the pen again this winter so I'm not expecting any big changes.

Previous mock rosters:
Mock #1
Mock #2

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