Giants Winter Meetings Preview

San Francisco Giants general manager Brian Sabean. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Baseball’s winter meetings start today in Orlando, Florida. With everything that has happened in the last week it’s hard to imagine that the moves can keep happening so quickly. Everyone’s finally in the same place so we’ll have to see if the wild ways of the last week continue.

Over the last week around Major League Baseball there almost every team has been involved in a transaction. The Giants were not a big part of the craziness. The lone note for the team was Ryan Vogelsong‘s deal was finalized. In all 26 teams made a moves that involved over 60 players. Almost $800 million was handed out in new contracts, and it didn’t stop there. There were trades involving a few NL West teams.

Some quick links on the big news.

Jacoby Ellsbury switched sides of the rivalry and agreed to sign with the Yankees for 7 years and $153 million

The Yankees also snagged Carlos Beltran for 3 years to improve their outfield

Robinson Cano agreed to play in Seattle for 10 years and try to turn that team around

Curtis Granderson to the Mets

Joe Nathan is gonna fix the bullpen in Detroit all by himself

The Tigers just keep making trades

The NL West hasn’t been quiet either. Every single team got into the act in the past week.

The Diamondbacks  jettisoned Heath Bell

Former AL MVP Justi Morneau signed for 2 years in Denver

The Rockies also gave up on Dexter Fowler

The Padres acquired Seth Smith

He who shall not be named re-signed with that team down South

So where does that leave the Giants? Well, pretty much where they were a week ago. Brian Sabean has already stated that the club is no longer big players in the free agency market. The word budget keeps coming up. That means if a move is to be made to upgrade the team it will come via trade or a cheap free agent deal.

Everyone and their mother seems to be looking for outfield help for the Giants. The news of the Yankees spending spree brought out the rumor mill once again. The thought of Brett Gardner being available is enticing. We’ve discussed the Ichiro possibility on the podcast before. It was brought up again by John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle but Ken Davidoff of the New York Post seems to disagree.

Another possibility being mentioned is Michael Morse. Signing him would be a serious defensive downgrade for the Giants outfield. Of course we’ve seen a slugging left fielder for many years by the bay, so we may be used to a no glove fielder. Joel Sherman of the New York Post says that the Giants may be interested.

Other than that, we don’t really know where Sabean stands at the moment. Over time he has usually kept those big moves quiet until the deal gets done. There could be something brewing, we have no way of knowing. So stay tuned throughout the week for any and all news about the Giants from Orlando.

Also, we’re recording another episode of the AtF Podcast this morning at 10:30am PT. We’ll talk winter meetings and have our thoughts on the crazy week that was. You can tune in (and call in) live by clicking here.

You can also follow all the action in Orlando by every club at the Fansided Winter Meetings Live Blog.