NewsGiants trio would create buzz in market
Molina, Penny, Uribe likely among top eligible free agents
By Chris Haft / MLB.com
11/05/09 7:46 PM EST
SAN FRANCISCO -- General manager Brian Sabean, who signed left-hander Jeremy Affeldt shortly after open bidding in free agency began last offseason, recently said that the Giants might chart a new course by taking a "wait-and-see" approach toward players on the market. Circumstances could disrupt Sabean's plans, at least if he wants to prevent a Giant or two from departing. Three Giants headed for free agency -- catcher Bengie Molina, right-hander Brad Penny and infielder Juan Uribe -- could be among the most highly sought performers at their respective positions once bidding expands to all Major League teams on Nov. 20. Penny and Uribe officially filed for free agency Thursday as the 15-day filing period for eligible players began. Right-hander Bob Howry and outfielder Randy Winn also filed. Left-hander Randy Johnson and infielder Rich Aurilia are the only other Giants eligible for free agency. Coming off a season in which he hit a career-high 20 home runs, Molina, who batted .265 with 80 RBIs, is widely considered the top offensive catcher available in free agency. At 35, Molina remains a respected presence on defense, further enhancing his value. Molina received a three-year, $16 million deal from San Francisco before the 2007 season and is believed to be seeking another multiyear package. The Giants appreciate Molina's contributions but are unlikely to offer him that kind of contract, given projections that top prospect Buster Posey could be ready for everyday duty behind the plate by 2011 at the latest. Gustavo Marcano, Molina's agent, declined to comment Thursday on the status of talks with the Giants regarding his client. Penny, 31, probably pitched his way into a handsome contract by posting a 4-1 record with a 2.59 ERA in six September starts for the Giants after Boston released him. Penny yielded 31 hits and walked only nine in 41 2/3 innings as a Giant, though his total of 20 strikeouts might arouse some skepticism. Uribe, 30, carried San Francisco's offense in the season's second half, heightening his value as a utility man. He hit .289 with 16 homers and 55 RBIs, garnished by a .347 September batting average as the Giants attempted to stay in postseason contention. Conventional wisdom suggests that the Giants won't sign all three. And they'll need to reinforce their roster if any of them depart. Should Molina bolt, the Giants almost surely would seek a veteran to serve as a caretaker behind the plate until Posey has sufficiently progressed. Keep an eye on Dec. 1, the deadline for clubs to offer salary arbitration to their former players who become free agents. Since Molina's productivity has made him a "Type A" free agent, the Giants would receive two selections in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft as compensation for losing him -- if he signs elsewhere before Dec. 1 or is offered arbitration and declines. Losing Penny probably would eliminate any chance that the Giants would trade one of their prized starting pitchers for hitting help. If Uribe leaves, the Giants probably would seek another veteran to provide infield depth, even if they determine that Emmanuel Burriss, Kevin Frandsen or Ryan Rohlinger can handle a utility role. Overall, Sabean indicated that the Giants won't resume the pace they set last year, when they signed Affeldt, Howry and shortstop Edgar Renteria in the first three weeks of free agency. Many useful players remained available last offseason into February, and Sabean hinted that he might prefer to stalk for a while instead of quickly pouncing. "We don't have a relative sense of urgency," he said, "which we think will play into our favor." Johnson, the 303-game winner who turned 46 in September, must decide whether he wants to continue playing. He finished 8-6 with a 4.88 ERA and has no desire to return as a reliever, the role he occupied after a shoulder injury sidelined him in early July. Winn, 35, enjoyed three-and-a-half mostly strong seasons with the Giants, but homering twice in 538 at-bats while hitting .262 this season won't help his marketability. Aurilia, 38, gratefully said farewell to the organization at the end of the season and might retire. Howry, 36, should generate some interest after shaving his ERA from 5.35 in 2008 to 3.39 this year.Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
