Dreams of Brian Giles in Cubbie Blue...

[JeffH]

Doggone you!

[CuseCubFan69]

Is it possible that they are just mentioning the Cubs to get the others to up the ante? Other teams know the Cubs have money to spend and having them involved would help their client get a better deal IMO.

[CubsWin]

The Cub Reporter is reporting today that the Cubs have been in contact with Giles's agent.

 

At least the Cubs have been in contact with Brian Giles's agent. That's promising in a, at least the Cubs realize he's good, sort of way.

 

He doesn't list his source and I don't know how reliable his information is, but I thought I'd throw it out there.

Is there any reason to doubt that Hendry would be interested in Giles? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that he is good and a free agent.

 

The question is, how badly does Hendry want him and how concerned is Hendry about Giles's age and the possibility of declining performance. I'm still convinced that Giles is the best option for the Cubs. He's a lefty. I believe he will continue to perform at a very high level at the plate for the next several seasons. His defense is already a bit suspect, but his arm is still pretty good making him a better fit for RF than Murton. And with either Corey or Pierre in CF, Giles's defense in RF will matter less. By the time his contract is winding down, Harvey could be emerging from the Cubs system and RF is his position so the timing is good. And, last but certainly not least, signing Giles would keep him from going to the Cardinals.

 

Contrary to how some people feel on this board, Hendry is not mentally deficient. He may evaluate baseball talent in a different manner than some of us, but just because someone sees this from a different angle doesn't mean that they are wrong in doing so. So I'm not the least bit surprised that Hendry is reported to have contacted Giles's agent. However, signing Giles remains a remote possibility simply because Giles wants to be on a consistent contender and the Cubs have some work to do before he is likely to consider them one.

[CubsWin]

Is it possible that they are just mentioning the Cubs to get the others to up the ante? Other teams know the Cubs have money to spend and having them involved would help their client get a better deal IMO.

They've already mentioned the Yankees. What more would they need to pump up the price?

 

Plus, there are personal relationships and integrity and trust issues involved. If Bick said he was contacted by some team when he wasn't, it would damage his credibility with that team's GM.

 

But why would we doubt this report in the first place? Giles is a perfect fit for what the Cubs are looking for, it is a forgone conclusion that Hendry will have at least contacted Bick about Giles.

[CuseCubFan69]

Is it possible that they are just mentioning the Cubs to get the others to up the ante? Other teams know the Cubs have money to spend and having them involved would help their client get a better deal IMO.

They've already mentioned the Yankees. What more would they need to pump up the price?

 

Plus, their are personal relationships and integrity and trust issues involved. If Bick said he was contacted by some team when he wasn't, it would damage his credibility with that team's GM.

 

But why would we doubt this report in the first place? Giles is a perfect fit for what the Cubs are looking for, it is a forgone conclusion that Hendry will have at least contacted Bick about Giles.

 

To get the Yanks to pay more. I would like the Cubs to get Giles don't get me wrong but he just does not seem to be a player that Hendry would spend a lot of money on.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Cubs RF needs versus Brian Giles asset portfolio:

 

Need--high OBP. Check.

Need--contact hitter, high average. Check.

Need--above average speed, above average defense. Check.

Need--LH bat. Check.

Need--run producing capablility. Check.

Need--fundamentally sound baseball skills. Check.

 

The only reason Hendry couldn't be interested in Giles would either have to be his age, the length of the contract he is demanding, and/or Hendry is brainwashed by the allure of HRs for HR's sake at corner OF, and he is scared by Giles drop in HR output in recent years. If the latter is his reason for not pursuing Giles, I will be very angry, but if it is one of the first two reasons, while I wouldn't necessarily be happy, I could understand the logic.

[E.J.]

Think about it: The Cardinals' biggest position need is a corner outfielder, but the most attractive free agent, Brian Giles, turns 35 on Jan. 21. Rather than give Giles a deal for, say, three years and $30 million, the Cardinals could sign a cheaper alternative like Jacque Jones, take on Soriano for one year and devote a greater percentage of their resources to pitching."

 

Stl Today

 

Please sign Jacque Jones. Please sign Jacque Jones.

 

 

:lol:

[CardsFanInChiTown]

Think about it: The Cardinals' biggest position need is a corner outfielder, but the most attractive free agent, Brian Giles, turns 35 on Jan. 21. Rather than give Giles a deal for, say, three years and $30 million, the Cardinals could sign a cheaper alternative like Jacque Jones, take on Soriano for one year and devote a greater percentage of their resources to pitching."

 

Stl Today

 

Please sign Jacque Jones. Please sign Jacque Jones.

 

 

:lol:

 

I just puked in my mouth.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The Dodgers have contacted Giles's agent.

 

The Dodgers made initial overtures to several free agents during this week's general managers' meetings, one of whom was Brian Giles.

The slugging outfielder, who hit .301 with 15 homers and 83 RBI for San Diego last season and was fourth in the majors with a .423 on-base percentage, would fill the club's stated need for a run-producing bat in the middle of the order.

 

However, while the Dodgers are expected to make a preliminary offer to Giles this weekend, the situation is rife with complications, not the least of which is the club's interminable search for a general manager.

 

 

I could see the Dodgers having a leg up on this thing considering Giles's desire to stay in Southern California.

 

However, if the Dodgers sign Giles, would they be interested in moving J.D. Drew?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Jayson Stark had this to say about Brian Giles:

 

Another big assumption this winter is the Cardinals already have the best of the free-agent corner outfielders, Brian Giles, all gift-wrapped and are just waiting to unwrap him. Uh, not so fast. "We've had one conversation," says Giles' agent, Joe Bick. "They indicated to us they were very interested in him. We told them they were a team we'd certainly give serious consideration to. But that's been the extent of it." Money in St. Louis is still a major issue. And in the meantime, a bunch of other teams are lined up to pursue Giles, who hasn't ruled out any coast, time zone, league or hemisphere as a potential new place of employment.

 

[CubsWin]

Jayson Stark had this to say about Brian Giles:

 

Another big assumption this winter is the Cardinals already have the best of the free-agent corner outfielders, Brian Giles, all gift-wrapped and are just waiting to unwrap him. Uh, not so fast. "We've had one conversation," says Giles' agent, Joe Bick. "They indicated to us they were very interested in him. We told them they were a team we'd certainly give serious consideration to. But that's been the extent of it." Money in St. Louis is still a major issue. And in the meantime, a bunch of other teams are lined up to pursue Giles, who hasn't ruled out any coast, time zone, league or hemisphere as a potential new place of employment.

 

And the choir sings...Halleluja! Halleluja! Halleluja!

[CP_414]

Jayson Stark had this to say about Brian Giles:

 

Another big assumption this winter is the Cardinals already have the best of the free-agent corner outfielders, Brian Giles, all gift-wrapped and are just waiting to unwrap him. Uh, not so fast. "We've had one conversation," says Giles' agent, Joe Bick. "They indicated to us they were very interested in him. We told them they were a team we'd certainly give serious consideration to. But that's been the extent of it." Money in St. Louis is still a major issue. And in the meantime, a bunch of other teams are lined up to pursue Giles, who hasn't ruled out any coast, time zone, league or hemisphere as a potential new place of employment.

 

 

Thats good news. I acutally think the Yankees have to be the leader for his services. If you believe the agent he has spoke to Cashman 3 times already about Giles.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Jayson Stark had this to say about Brian Giles:

 

Another big assumption this winter is the Cardinals already have the best of the free-agent corner outfielders, Brian Giles, all gift-wrapped and are just waiting to unwrap him. Uh, not so fast. "We've had one conversation," says Giles' agent, Joe Bick. "They indicated to us they were very interested in him. We told them they were a team we'd certainly give serious consideration to. But that's been the extent of it." Money in St. Louis is still a major issue. And in the meantime, a bunch of other teams are lined up to pursue Giles, who hasn't ruled out any coast, time zone, league or hemisphere as a potential new place of employment.

 

 

Thats good news. I acutally think the Yankees have to be the leader for his services. If you believe the agent he has spoke to Cashman 3 times already about Giles.

 

My guess is the Yankees interest in Giles is to keep Matsui at the bargaining table. I figure when Matsui is signed, the Yankees interest in Giles will wane. While the Yankees would be in awe over the offensive production of a Matsui-Giles-Sheffield outfield, I think if they sign Matsui, they'll look for defense in CF.

[CP_414]

Jayson Stark had this to say about Brian Giles:

 

Another big assumption this winter is the Cardinals already have the best of the free-agent corner outfielders, Brian Giles, all gift-wrapped and are just waiting to unwrap him. Uh, not so fast. "We've had one conversation," says Giles' agent, Joe Bick. "They indicated to us they were very interested in him. We told them they were a team we'd certainly give serious consideration to. But that's been the extent of it." Money in St. Louis is still a major issue. And in the meantime, a bunch of other teams are lined up to pursue Giles, who hasn't ruled out any coast, time zone, league or hemisphere as a potential new place of employment.

 

 

Thats good news. I acutally think the Yankees have to be the leader for his services. If you believe the agent he has spoke to Cashman 3 times already about Giles.

 

My guess is the Yankees interest in Giles is to keep Matsui at the bargaining table. I figure when Matsui is signed, the Yankees interest in Giles will wane. While the Yankees would be in awe over the offensive production of a Matsui-Giles-Sheffield outfield, I think if they sign Matsui, they'll look for defense in CF.

 

Possibly. All mentions of Giles to the Yankees have him pegged as the CF. With or without Matsui, the Yankees have enough offense to get by with a defensive center fielder. Maybe it is just my perception, but the Yankees have always seemed to care more about finding ways to plug as many good bats into a lineup, than on worrying about catching the ball. I expect them to make a run at Giles for CF, if they can't land Torii Hunter in a trade.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

This doesn't bode well.

 

A source said the Yankees are possibly looking at Giles in addition to Matsui, although Cashman said last week Bubba Crosby could also start the season in center.

 

Giles can play a number of different positions, Cashman acknowledged yesterday.

 

Bick asked Giles to rank the teams he wants to play for in order, and the agent said it's fair to say the Yankees were ranked towards the top of the list.

[Mizzou]

I'm under the assumption that we wont sign Giles, so my main hope is that he goes somewhere besides St. Louis. If we do sign him, fantastic. But if not, it wont come as any surprise.

[gflore34]

This doesn't bode well.

 

A source said the Yankees are possibly looking at Giles in addition to Matsui, although Cashman said last week Bubba Crosby could also start the season in center.

 

Giles can play a number of different positions, Cashman acknowledged yesterday.

 

Bick asked Giles to rank the teams he wants to play for in order, and the agent said it's fair to say the Yankees were ranked towards the top of the list.

 

 

If the Cubs don't sign Giles, I'd rather he sign with Yankees than watch him put a 1.00+ OPS as a Cardinal.

[BigbadB]

Giles can play CF, but I think it would be nuts to expect him to play there everyday.

 

I'm not so sure he would want to do it, either. Who knows? Money makes people do weird things.

[E.J.]

I thought the Yankees wanted a CF that could play defense. Giles in CF everyday would be a joke. It would be like having Burnitz play CF every day for us last year.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

More Yankee interest in Giles.

 

Assuming they get a deal with Matsui done, the Yankees already have their next moves in mind. They have been in contact with the agents for B.J. Ryan, Tom Gordon and Brian Giles, and want to have those three as their lefty setup man, righty setup man and center fielder.

 

Giles, who played the last two-plus seasons with the Padres, is exactly the sort of player that top Yankee evaluators covet. In 11 seasons, the 34-year-old has a .413 on-base percentage with 902 walks against 631 strikeouts.

 

"Brian is flattered by the Yankees' interest," said Giles' agent, Joe Bick, who spoke with Cashman briefly yesterday. "He is still listening to all the information and just wants to consider everything before making a decision."

 

[Guest]

More Yankee interest in Giles.

 

Assuming they get a deal with Matsui done, the Yankees already have their next moves in mind. They have been in contact with the agents for B.J. Ryan, Tom Gordon and Brian Giles, and want to have those three as their lefty setup man, righty setup man and center fielder.

 

Giles, who played the last two-plus seasons with the Padres, is exactly the sort of player that top Yankee evaluators covet. In 11 seasons, the 34-year-old has a .413 on-base percentage with 902 walks against 631 strikeouts.

 

"Brian is flattered by the Yankees' interest," said Giles' agent, Joe Bick, who spoke with Cashman briefly yesterday. "He is still listening to all the information and just wants to consider everything before making a decision."

 

How sick would an outfield of Matsui/Giles/Sheff be? And add it to an infield with ARod and Jeter? That's one serious offense.

[RockTheIvy]

More Yankee interest in Giles.

 

Assuming they get a deal with Matsui done, the Yankees already have their next moves in mind. They have been in contact with the agents for B.J. Ryan, Tom Gordon and Brian Giles, and want to have those three as their lefty setup man, righty setup man and center fielder.

 

Giles, who played the last two-plus seasons with the Padres, is exactly the sort of player that top Yankee evaluators covet. In 11 seasons, the 34-year-old has a .413 on-base percentage with 902 walks against 631 strikeouts.

 

"Brian is flattered by the Yankees' interest," said Giles' agent, Joe Bick, who spoke with Cashman briefly yesterday. "He is still listening to all the information and just wants to consider everything before making a decision."

 

How sick would an outfield of Matsui/Giles/Sheff be? And add it to an infield with ARod and Jeter? That's one serious offense.

 

And Giambi. Whoah.

[E.J.]

More Yankee interest in Giles.

 

Assuming they get a deal with Matsui done, the Yankees already have their next moves in mind. They have been in contact with the agents for B.J. Ryan, Tom Gordon and Brian Giles, and want to have those three as their lefty setup man, righty setup man and center fielder.

 

Giles, who played the last two-plus seasons with the Padres, is exactly the sort of player that top Yankee evaluators covet. In 11 seasons, the 34-year-old has a .413 on-base percentage with 902 walks against 631 strikeouts.

 

"Brian is flattered by the Yankees' interest," said Giles' agent, Joe Bick, who spoke with Cashman briefly yesterday. "He is still listening to all the information and just wants to consider everything before making a decision."

 

How sick would an outfield of Matsui/Giles/Sheff be? And add it to an infield with ARod and Jeter? That's one serious offense.

 

I thought they wanted a defensive CF?? Why do they need more offense than they already have? I guess I don't understand why you put a 35-year-old in CF when it's probably not his natural position.

[Guest]

More Yankee interest in Giles.

 

Assuming they get a deal with Matsui done, the Yankees already have their next moves in mind. They have been in contact with the agents for B.J. Ryan, Tom Gordon and Brian Giles, and want to have those three as their lefty setup man, righty setup man and center fielder.

 

Giles, who played the last two-plus seasons with the Padres, is exactly the sort of player that top Yankee evaluators covet. In 11 seasons, the 34-year-old has a .413 on-base percentage with 902 walks against 631 strikeouts.

 

"Brian is flattered by the Yankees' interest," said Giles' agent, Joe Bick, who spoke with Cashman briefly yesterday. "He is still listening to all the information and just wants to consider everything before making a decision."

 

How sick would an outfield of Matsui/Giles/Sheff be? And add it to an infield with ARod and Jeter? That's one serious offense.

 

I thought they wanted a defensive CF?? Why do they need more offense than they already have? I guess I don't understand why you put a 35-year-old in CF when it's probably not his natural position.

While Giles certainly wouldn't be a defensive wizard in CF, he has played many games there over his career. (Including 17 this past season.) He'd certainly man the position adequately, and if your CF is capable of putting up a .900-1.000 OPS, I'm sure you can make due with "adequate" defense.

[E.J.]

More Yankee interest in Giles.

 

Assuming they get a deal with Matsui done, the Yankees already have their next moves in mind. They have been in contact with the agents for B.J. Ryan, Tom Gordon and Brian Giles, and want to have those three as their lefty setup man, righty setup man and center fielder.

 

Giles, who played the last two-plus seasons with the Padres, is exactly the sort of player that top Yankee evaluators covet. In 11 seasons, the 34-year-old has a .413 on-base percentage with 902 walks against 631 strikeouts.

 

"Brian is flattered by the Yankees' interest," said Giles' agent, Joe Bick, who spoke with Cashman briefly yesterday. "He is still listening to all the information and just wants to consider everything before making a decision."

 

How sick would an outfield of Matsui/Giles/Sheff be? And add it to an infield with ARod and Jeter? That's one serious offense.

 

I thought they wanted a defensive CF?? Why do they need more offense than they already have? I guess I don't understand why you put a 35-year-old in CF when it's probably not his natural position.

While Giles certainly wouldn't be a defensive wizard in CF, he has played many games there over his career. (Including 17 this past season.) He'd certainly man the position adequately, and if your CF is capable of putting up a .900-1.000 OPS, I'm sure you can make due with "adequate" defense.

 

It'd be like us putting Burnitz in CF all of last year. Of course Giles is going to outproduce Burnitz by far. I'm just so sick and tired of the Yankees and them gobbling up every FA.