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| The Giants are making free-agent center fielder Gary Matthews Jr. a top priority this winter, believing he can energize the top of the lineup and bring a dynamic presence to an outfield defense that was among the worst in the major leagues this year. Giants officials called twice in recent days to express interest in Matthews, his agent told the Mercury News. The 32-year-old became one of the premier free agents on the market after a breakout season with the Texas Rangers. Randy Winn is the Giants' only starting outfielder signed to return next season, but the club thinks Winn would be better suited at a corner spot -- especially if the club re-signs Barry Bonds and must compensate for his meager range in left field. Matthews has plenty of life in his legs, although he is a late bloomer who has played for six organizations over his eight-year career -- including two stints under new Giants manager Bruce Bochy. Matthews set career highs in almost every offensive category, hitting .313 with a .371 on-base percentage, 44 doubles, six triples, 19 home runs and 102 runs. He also made what many considered the play of the year July 1 when he spun, leapt and reached over an 8-foot wall to take a home run away from Houston's Mike Lamb. Clubs can contact agents to express interest in free agents from other teams but must wait until Nov. 12 to discuss contracts. • The new collective bargaining agreement tweaked the rules for compensatory draft picks but didn't eliminate them. That's good news for the Giants, who for once stand to receive a slew of picks for the free agents they lose. In rankings released by the Elias Sports Bureau, the Giants have four ``Type A'' players: Bonds, Moises Alou, Jason Schmidt and Ray Durham. Shea Hillenbrand, Pedro Feliz and Mike Stanton are ``Type B'' players. The Giants receive picks only for players to whom they offer arbitration and lose to another club. They are expected to offer arbitration to Schmidt, Durham and possibly Alou, but not Bonds. The minimum compensation for losing a Type A free agent is a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds, plus a high-round pick from the signing club. The Giants would also lose picks for the Type A and B free agents they sign from other clubs -- including Matthews, a Type A. But their 10th-overall selection is safe, because clubs that select in the top 15 cannot lose their first-round pick. |
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| http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/baseball/mlb/san_francisco_giants/15898589.htm |
| QUOTE (sfgkml @ Nov 1 2006, 04:29 PM) |
| I certainly hope so, the Giants need some energy at the top of the lineup. |
| QUOTE (sfgkml @ Nov 1 2006, 05:38 PM) |
| Alou filed for free agency, which I don't mind at all. We're freeing up a lot of money this year, so hopefully the Giants management will spend it wisely. |
| QUOTE (Ranger_4 @ Nov 1 2006, 09:08 PM) |
| He will be back with the Rangers. No matter what the cost. |
| QUOTE (jaysdude09 @ Nov 1 2006, 04:10 PM) |
| You guys would need a #3 in your rotation. Lowry Cain ------ Morris Wright |