Giants Re-Sign Bengie Molina

In shocking news, Bengie Molina is a Giant again. He's agreed to a 1 year, $4.5 million contract with the club after negotiations for a multi-year contract with the New York Mets failed to go through.

This signing was made possible by the signing of Aubrey Huff. Before Signing Huff to a $3 million dollar contract, the Giants offered Adam LaRoche a 2 year, $17 million deal. LaRoche declined the offer and then choose to sign a $4.5 million dollar contract with the Diamondbacks. That money saved from not signing LaRoche has worked great. I am optimistic about Huff, and even if he isn't a huge threat like he has been previously, he will add depth to the Giants already deep bench.

This year Molina should be more comfortable in the lineup as well. As opposed to last year, he will not be the clean-up hitter. As of now Aubrey Huff is expected to be the team's #4 hitter, although Pablo Sandoval or Mark DeRosa could step into that role. Molina has admitted he is not a clean-up hitter, and with this pressure off of him, it will only bring good things.

Buster Posey will now also have another year to develop. Because he is only 22 years old and a rookie, he should be given the chance to develop into major contributor. Posey has only participated 132 professional games, and this year should help him in development.

Molina is a far better choice to fill the Giants' veteran catcher void. 20 home runs and 80 RBIs is better than any other alternatives could have offered. Even after his averaged dropped to .265 last season, Molina is still clearly better than the other candidates. With much of the NL's best pitching staff returning for this season, the Giants are destined to compete even harder for a playoff spot. Here is the comparison of the opening day starting lineup from last year, and the projected one for this year. It is obviously this year's opening lineup is better, and will consist of a deeper bench.

'09 Starting Lineup | Projected '10 Lineup

Winn rf |||||| Rowand cf

Renteria ss |||||| Sanchez 2b

Lewis lf |||||| Sandoval 3b

Molina c |||||| Huff 1b

Sandoval 3b |||||| DeRosa lf

Ishikawa1b |||||| Molina c

Rowand cf |||||| Schierholtz rf

Burriss 2b |||||| Renteria ss

(pitcher) |||||| (pitcher)

Aubrey Huff Signing

The Giants signing of Aubrey Huff to a 1 year contract for $3 million dollars is a good decision in my mind. This signing is a low-risk high reward type of deal that can have a positive effect on the team.

First off, this will add depth to the Giants team. It gives them another left handed bat, and also gives them an extremely deep bench. Juan Uribe and Travis Isihikawa are both going to be bench players now. In case of an injury or poor play by a starter, the team will have se3veral outstanding options to turn to. This move presumably makes recently signed Mark DeRosa the left fielder for the Giants, and will give the Giants greater depth in the outfield positions. This recent depth will help the Giants in late game situations, giving them more speed, quality bats, and great defensive substitutions coming off the bench.

Huff is coming off his worst season as a big leaguer. Last season he batted .242, with 15 home runs, and 88 RBIs. The previous season he hit .304, with 32 home runs, and 108 RBIs. Huff is a career .282 hitter, and should be able to jump back from his drop in production last season.

Huff seems to be in the same situation that Jose Cruz Jr. was in a few seasons ago. Cruz was coming off a down year, and signed a one year, $2.8 million deal with the Giants. He exceeded expectations by playing terrific defense and belting 20 home runs. His drop in left field during the post season will always be remembered, but none the less, he was a terrific sign and significantly helped the Giants get to the post season.

Huff is very versatile, he is able to play first base, third base, and both corner outfield positions. This only adds to the many combination of players Bruce Bochy will have to choose from when setting the lineup. The $3 million dollars due his way is easily worth the risk. It gives the Giants more depth as well as a player who has proven he can hit.

49ers Draft: 1st Round

As the season has ended for the 49ers, it is time to focus on the NFL draft. The San Francisco 49ers have made significant strides this season. Following an 8-8 season, the 49ers have the 13th pick in the draft. They also control the 17th pick from a trade they made last season with the Carolina Panthers.

The 49ers clearly have holes that need to be filled. Last season the Offensive Line was the weak link on the team. Injuries are a part of the NFL, so no excuses should be made. The team also struggled in the defensive backfield. These two holes have to be filled in the upcoming NFL draft.

With their 1st pick in the NFL draft the 49ers should address their biggest problem, the Offensive Line. It's hard to say now who will be available, but there is a lot of first round talent for linemen in this year's draft. After the Senior Bowl, and the NFL Combine, it will be easier to see which linemen fill the 49ers needs. The only reason the 49ers should not draft a O-Lineman here is if an elite talent, such as Eric Berry, falls into their laps.

The secondary of the 49ers should improve over last season with Walt Harris, and Nate Clements returning from injuries. So with the #17 overall pick, I think the 49ers should draft another Offensive Linemen. By fixing the Offensive Line, it will solve many problems with the Offensive. It would allow Frank Gore more opportunities to run the ball, and give better protection for Alex Smith. It would also allow the 49ers to spread the ball more, feeding Alex Smith's strengths.

Spending two first round picks on Offensive Lineman is not "sexy". However, following Mike Singletary's smash mouth football philosophy, the team does not have to be sexy. Alex Smith, Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, and Michael Crabtree are all set in place as the team's skill position players. The defense also improved this season. In the case of the 49ers it will improve the team the most by being "unsexy" and drafting two lineman in the first round. If you can win in the trenches, you usually win the game.

What DeRosa Adds

The signing of Mark DeRosa seems like a great deal. DeRosa is the type of player that you want on your team, he isn't amazing, but is consistently in the right place at the right time.

On the downside of this deal, the Giants get a player that is injury-prone, and is on the decline of his career. Mark DeRosa is 34 years old, and missed several weeks last season with a wrist injury. He also posted a .250 batting average, which is below his career marks. His averaged dropped .35 points last season. That could be compared to Edgar Renteria who prior to last season suffered a 62 point batting average decrease (.332 in '07, and .270 in '08). Renteria has not lived up to his 2 year contract he signed last season.

DeRosa brings a lot of upside though. Over the past two seasons he has average 22 homeruns, and 83 RBI's. His home run total is expected to drop moving to AT&T park. He also is a hitter that performs in clutch situations, as well as a great clubhouse personality. Moreover, DeRosa is a good defender that fits the Giants team philosophy of pitching and defense.

Mark DeRosa is a good player, but he is not a savior. The Giants still need to make some more transactions if the plan to contend in the improving NL. If no moves are made the Giants offense looks like it would be the same, if not worse than last season. Bengie Molina the team's #4 hitter is leaving, and they will have to rely on the very young Pablo Sandoval to contribute much more.