Shortstop Free Agents, Which Ones Will the Giants Consider?

Personally I would like to see Brandon Crawford as the Giants’ Opening Day shortstop, but here’s a list of shortstops that are entering free agency with my comments on them. Thanks Call to The Pen for compiling the list, since I’m too lazy. ? Their age is right after their name.

Clint Barmes – 33 Shortstop for the Houston Astros-Solid, but nothing special.

Yuniesky Betancourt – 30 Milwaukee Brewers, likely to be resigned by the Brewers, quite a bit of pop in his bat. However, he is undisciplined, popping out on the first pitch quite a bit. Also not the most reliable fielder.

Orlando Cabrera – 37 The Giants are not going down this road again. No way. I’m putting my foot down here. He makes catching pop ups look a lot more difficult than it should be.

Jamey Carroll – 37 Shortstop for the 2011 Dodgers, didn’t hit any homeruns but put together a solid year despite the lack of pop.

Ronny Cedeno – 29 Shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates, all around average player.

Craig Counsell – 41 Utility infielder for the Milwaukee Brewers. Solid defender and average hitter. Performed well when Rickie Weeks was gone.

Rafael Furcal – 34 Shortstop for the Dodgers until traded to the St. Louis Cardinals where they then proceeded to win the 2011 World Series. Went into a bit of a slump during the World Series but a very capable shortstop and leadoff hitter.

Alex Gonzalez – 34 Shortstop for the Atlanta Braves. Struck out 126 times, not a number anyone would like to put on their baseball card.

Jerry Hairston Jr. – 36 Another utility infielder for the Brewers, played an impressive third base during the postseason. Capable with the bat, able to hit anywhere in the lineup.

Cesar Izturis – 32 Played very few games this year. Probably not an option for the Giants.

John McDonald – 37 Played quite a few years in the Majors, shortstop for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Nick Punto – 34 Second baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals in their World Series win in 2011. Struck out quite a bit during the World Series.

Edgar Renteria – 35 Shortstop when the Giants won it all in 2010. MVP of the World Series, then signed with the Cincinnati Reds in 2011.

Jose Reyes – 28 Shortstop for the New York Mets, won the 2011 batting title. Had hamstring issues this year making him less valuable and scarier for the Giants to sign because of risk of injury.

Jimmy Rollins – 33 Shortstop for the Philadelphia Phillies. Probably the one that the Giants are most likely to pursue when he hits the market since he’s a leadoff hitter, a place where the Giants are lacking.

Ramon Santiago – 32 Shortstop for the Detroit Tigers, solid number two hitter for them this year.

Jack Wilson – 34 Utility infielder for the Atlanta Braves, in my opinion he kind of looks like a chipmunk.

I’m still rooting for Brandon Crawford, so look for me at spring training with my B-Craw poster!