Don't expect San Francisco to pony up for one of the marquee free agents available this winter unless they are somehow able to restructure or reload the long-term money commitments to Barry Zito, Aubrey Huff and Aaron Rowand (who will be getting paid the remainder of his contract in 2012 despite no longer being on the roster). High-dollar candidates such as Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder and Jose Reyes will all seek $100+ million dollar contracts that will keep them under contract for years to come--numbers that are almost certainly out of general manager Brian Sabean's price range. Instead look for the Giants to go after short-term fixes at positions of need such as center field and shortstop while they await the arrival of highly regarded prospects like center fielder Gary Brown and shortstop Joe Panik. Here are a few free agents that could be on San Francisco's radar this off season.
(CF) Grady Sizemore
A former All-Star and gold-glove award winner, Sizemore has battled an array of injuries the past few seasons that have prevented him from repeating the success he had early in his career.
There is little doubt that Sizemore has the ability, but two consecutive years of sub-par play have greatly reduced his market value and was enough to convince Cleveland to let him walk.
Sizemore would be a great fit in San Francisco if healthy and doesn't come with the risk factor of making a mistake by committing to a long contract.
It's easy to forget after his recent struggles that Sizemore was once a player who hit more than 20 home runs and stole more than 20 bases for four consecutive seasons from 2005-2008.
Buster Olney of ESPN has reported that Sizemore wants a one-year contract that will allow him to re-establish his market value by having a good season for whatever team he lands with.
His price tag is at an all-time low and it may be the perfect time for the Giants to "buy low" this off season, while hoping to "sell high" if Sizemore does in fact return to form in 2012.
Signing Sizmore would also allow the Giants to give their top prospect Gary Brown more time in the minors, allowing him to be the starter in 2013 if all goes to plan.
(SS)Yuniesky Betancourt
The Brewers may be a dark horse candidate to jump in the Jose Reyes sweepstakes if first baseman Prince Fielder does in fact depart as a free agent.
The first sign of this was Milwaukee parting ways with Betancourt, who finished 2011 with 68 RBIs for the Brewers and drove in 78 the year before as a Kansas City Royal.
That kind of offensive production at shortstop isn't easy to find, but Betancourt won't get anywhere near the money of Reyes or Jimmy Rollins--two of the best free agent shortstops available in years.
If the Giants aren't certain Brandon Crawford is ready to take over every day at shortstop, Betancourt could be a great option for Sabean to sign to a short-term contract, while the Giants await Crawford's development as well as the arrival of this year's first round pick Joe Panik.
(OF) Jason Kubel
With the Twins looking to rebuild, several of their key contributors from the past few seasons will likely be moving on to make way for a wave of young players.
Kubel is one who is likely on his way out of Minnesota, playing in just 99 games last season as he battled injuries that kept his offensive production down.
Like Grady Sizemore, Kubel is a player who has had solid offensive seasons in the past, but will have a greatly reduced price tag this off season because of his age, injuries and recent performance.
In 2009, Kubel eclipsed the 100-RBI mark, driving in 103 while hitting 28 home runs for the Twins.
As recently as 2010, Kubel hit 21 homeruns and drove in 92--but his 58 RBIs in 2011 will likely mean he can be had for a reasonable free agent offer this offseason.
Kubel could compete with Nate Shierholtz and Cody Ross if Carlos Beltran does not return to the team, and would be a significantly more affordable target than attempting to re-sign Beltran who has injury questions himself.
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