SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Giants general manager Brian Sabean is
bracing for another busy offseason and is already thinking about
how the franchise will possibly replace Barry Bonds when the
slugger decides to retire.
``In a perfect world, you want to dovetail him and have someone
in line,'' Sabean said Tuesday. ``Having said that, he's a rare
bird and I'm not sure you can replace him. He's taken us to the
promised land because of his presence. It's a little bit fragile, a
little bit nerve-racking'' to think about not having him.
The NL West champion Giants were eliminated by the wild-card
Florida Marlins in their division series Saturday, and Sabean was
back to work the next day.
He will be limited by a smaller budget for the 2004 season,
which could make it hard to sign a big hitter to complement Bonds.
The 39-year-old Bonds has said his body hurts all over and he's not
sure how much longer he will be able to play, though he's signed
through 2005 with an option for 2006 and expects to finish out his
contract.
``We've already discussed it,'' Sabean said. ``It's delicate.
Barry's contract is hefty. It's easier to track somebody else while
we have Barry Bonds in uniform.''
The five-time MVP probably headed for a record sixth batted
.341 this season with 45 home runs and 90 RBIs and finished two
homers shy of tying his godfather, Willie Mays, for third on the
career list with 660.
Aside from Bonds, pitching ace Jason Schmidt and a couple
others, nearly everyone's future is in question.
Shortstop Rich Aurilia's contract is up, 38-year-old catcher
Benito Santiago isn't expected to be back, and decisions must be
made on first baseman J.T. Snow, injured closer Robb Nen, right
fielder Jose Cruz Jr., Pedro Feliz, relievers Scott Eyre, Felix
Rodriguez and 12-game winner Joe Nathan.
And Sabean expects San Francisco's payroll to drop about $10
million from this year, when it was just under $85 million.
``We do have a lot of decisions,'' he said. ``We know who the
free agents are and who has options. This will probably be as big a
task as last year to fill out the team. It's going to be a makeover
no question.''
After losing the World Series last season to the Anaheim Angels,
the Giants were overhauled starting with the hiring of Felipe
Alou as manager to replace the popular Dusty Baker. The Giants had
Cruz, Marquis Grissom in center, Edgardo Alfonzo at third base and
Ray Durham playing second, and they all were new additions.
Sabean said he has yet to speak to representatives of players
with options.
The 33-year-old Nen, a three-time All-Star who had 43 saves and
a 2.20 ERA last year, spent the season on the disabled list and had
right shoulder surgery to repair a torn tendon May 7.
Nen, the Giants' saves leader with 206, has a player option for
2004.
``We're going to know in spring training with Robbie one way or
the other,'' Sabean said. ``He's either going to return to form or
this won't go well and we're going to be scrambling again.''
If Santiago and Snow aren't back, Sabean has confidence in
backup catcher Yorvit Torrealba and infielder Neifi Perez to take
on greater roles.
Whatever they do, the Giants want another shot at that World
Series ring that eluded them last year.
``Baseball's about parity now, especially in the National
League,'' Sabean said. ``It really doesn't mean a heck of a lot
what you do in the regular season.''
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)