Giants news I can take

Well, even though the Giants have already added 5 players this off season, the rumor mill wont leave them alone.

Jayson Stark is reporting the Giants cannot afford Manny Ramirez.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3814396

Thank god!

I have to admit - seeing big Ole #99 hitting third and playing left is a sexy idea, but in all reality, it wouldn't work.

First, like the article said - they cannot afford him.

Second, after doing a little poking around, he is a type A free agent. While the Giants first pick is protected because its a top 15 pick, they would lose their second rounder and hinder the youth movement they are trying to build.

In other words? I'm already over Manny.

Plus, the Giants can contend in a weak NL West without him. Would Manny really make them title contenders?

I'm not the only one who thinks so:

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9000272/Rebuilding-Giants-heading-in-the-right-direction

Which lead me to Ken Rosenthall, who is reporting Nick Swisher is available:

Nick Swisher might not be a Yankee for long. The signing of free agent Mark Teixeira eliminated any chance of Swisher playing first base, and the team's outfield surplus almost certainly will lead to a trade.
Both Swisher and Xavier Nady are drawing significant interest, according to major-league sources. The Yankees are not in a rush to trade either; their only desire is to make the best possible deal.
The versatility of both players is appealing; Nady plays both outfield corners and first base, while Swisher plays all three outfield positions and first.
Nady, 30, is a free agent after next season. Swisher, 28, is signed through 2011 with a club option for '12. Either would be more affordable to the Giants than Ramirez. Swisher also would fit for the Braves and Pirates.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9036288/Manny-in-L.A.-still-makes-sense

The minute I heard Tex was going to the Yankees, I called for a bay area reunion for Swisher and the Giants - if nothing else but Swish doesn't belong on a team with facial hair constrictions.

http://samadamsrandomthoughts.blogspot.com/2008/12/big-unit-becomes-giant.html

He is signed long term, is only 28, can play all three outfield positions AND first base, and has hit 35 home runs in a season. Not to say he can hit 25 at Pac Bell, but he can field, he can get on base, and he can put a charge into a ball left out over the plate

I couldn't imagine him being to expensive - the Yankees aren't going to start him, and they can use pitching - something the Giants can afford to part with - and I seriously doubt any the team's starting five pitchers wold be necessary to get a deal done.

GM Brian Sabean has had a very solid off season, and I am not the only one who thinks so. If the team does nothing else, they have improved the line up with a full season of Pablo Sandoval and Edgar Renteria, improved the bullpen, and strengthened the starting rotation. While adding a large veteran presence, he has done nothing to hinder the youth movement. Acquiring a guy like Swisher could push this scrappy team over the top to contend in 2009.