Giants Continue Shopping For A Bat

Amidst all the talk and rumors, I don't think the Giants will end up with Manny. However, seeing that Sabean is looking into other options via free agency, maybe he settles on an Adam Dunn or Pat Burrell. Though I do hope I'm wrong, as neither of those guys are near the difference maker Manny is and both would want longer-term contracts than what ManRam will get. It obviously appears as if the Giants wouldn't mind adding another outfielder and they may have something up their sleeve (trade wise) if they do. I guess Dunn wouldn't be so bad if he came on a 2-3 year deal do to the depressed market, but I just don't see him wanting to come here as this park isn't the most attractive to left-handed power hitters. Burrell though, would be nothing more than a slower, more powerful but a less batting average version of Aaron Rowand. No thanks! At least Dunn will probably somehow manage to still pull off 35-40 home run seasons, even playing for SF. Barry Bonds did it, and Dunn has that kind of pop. Even Ray Durham managed a career-high 26 home runs in a season while taking most of his at-bats from the left side of the plate at AT&T Park. But again, doubt he would want to come here on a discounted deal over other places that might offer a more lucrative hitters park. Whatever does go down, I hope it doesn't cost Fred Lewis his spot on in the starting lineup or on the team. I like Lewis' upside and I want to see him play everyday somewhere. He showed so much improvement last year that I can't wait to see what he does this time around. I see him as fitting the same mold as Cleveland's Grady Sizemore. Lewis doesn't quite have the power that Sizemore has, but can hit for average, power and has the ability to get on base consistently and steal bases while hitting at the top of the order. (15-18 home runs, .290+ average, 25-35 steals per season with an .800+ OPS would be about what I expect from him if given 500 at-bats per year).

Speaking of the slow free agent market, we are almost a week into the new year and amazingly there is still a load of high profile free agents left on the market. I figured that I would go ahead and take my best guess at where the elite eight will end up:

1. Manny Ramirez: Dodgers (Giants have a shot too, but I think the mercurial Manny goes back to LA, especially after they cut ties with Andruw Jones)
2. Adam Dunn: Nationals (They missed out on Tex and may now turn to Dunn to help out Zimmerman in the middle of the order)
3. Ben Sheets: Rangers (Texas always needs starting pitching and Sheets could be the best they've had in a while)
4. Orlando Hudson: Braves (Market not there for O-Dog, could end up with the Braves, who could then move Kelly Johnson back to left-field)
5. Derek Lowe: Mets (Seems like the Mets are the most serious about the 2nd best remaining FA starting pitcher, even though discussions haven't been fruitful thus far)
6. Pat Burrell: Angels (After missing out on Tex, the Angels could look to Burrell as the consolation and use him at DH in addition to left)
7. Bob Abreu: Mets (Mets need another outfielder and the solid Abreu could land on their laps. Also could end up with an LA team if the Giants or someone else land Ramirez)
8. Oliver Perez: Dodgers (The Dodgers need pitching badly after losing Lowe and Penny, could now turn to Perez to help fill one of the spots)