Time to Wake Up

"Ok. Starting now, the Giants are going to turn it around and start winning again." You have no idea how many times I've said that in the last month and half. Well now instead of talking, the Giants need to show fans that they are committed to winning this season, or home games will start resembling Expo's games. Right now, there is nothing left to lose. At this point, it's act now or it's a lost season. The Giants need to wake up and realize how much their current roster is not working. Sabean needs to get on the phone, and shake up the roster. Trade some "key" players. Ship out Alfonzo, Durham, and/or Snow. Now, looking at the current market, the best option for the Giants right now, however unlikely, seems to be Todd Helton of the Rockies. Odds are, the Rockies aren't going to take any combination of Alfonzo and company. The other option to acquire Helton would be to ship out some minor leaguers while throwing in a middle infielder (Alfonzo, Durham or even Deivi Cruz). Just a little sidenote about the Rockies, their Rookie of the Year candidate shortstop, Clint Barmes is out for possibly the whole season with an injury. This means that they are in need of a middle infielder to finish the season. Here are some Giants Minor Leaguers that might wet the Rockies appetite:

Postion Players:

(3B, AAA) Mike Cervenak: .300-7-51 (.370 OBP) 28 years old, is ready to play for a club that will let him come up the Majors, and the Rockies could be his chance.
(OF/1B, AAA) Tony Torcato: MLB Career: 14 hits in 47 AB's, .298 BA, .346 OBP
(OF, AA) Carlos Valderamma: .322-3-27 (.375 OBP, 10 SB) Has raw speed, and gets on base. Could help fill the hole left by the absence of Aaron Miles
(OF, AA) Fred Lewis: .224-2-11 (11 SB) If Valderamma doesn't work out, then throw Lewis into a deal
(IF, AAA) Mickey Lopez: .281-4-24 (.340 OBP, 12 SB) 31 years old. Another player left by Sabean to rot in the Minor Leagues. Versatile player able to play just about any infield position.

Pitchers:

(SP, AAA) Brad Hennessy: 2-2, 4.42 ERA, No HR's surrendered in AAA this year in 6 starts
(CL, AAA) Kevin Correia: 2003 MLB as SP: 3-1, 3.66 ERA. 2005 AAA as CL: 7.42 ERA, 7 Saves. Better suited for a starting role
(CL, AA) Alfredo Simon: 4.53 ERA, 7 Saves, 4 HR surrender in 47 2/3 innings. Came over to the Giants in the Felix Rodriguez for Ricky Ledee deal during the trading deadline last season. Has split time between starting and closing. 6 starts, and 11 relief appearances


The minor leaguers named are ones that will likely not make an impact for the Giants in the Major Leagues, and therefore are better suited to filling roles on a team, such as the Rockies, plagued by injuries to position players and pitchers alike. Who knows maybe dealing someone like Snow, Durham, or Alfonzo with a few minor leaguers will be a reality check for the Giants; a reality check that will show them that not producing will result in them getting shipped out to no man's land. Right now is crunch time for the Giants. They need to shape up before not only their record, but also their morale takes a dive for the worst. Sabean is not the type of general manager to sit around and watch his team lose. He is also not the type of general manager to look for solutions in the minor leagues, so when there's a problem, the solution is going to come from a different team. Right now is the likely the most important point in this short season. The Giant's win-loss record is teetering right at the point where it's dangerously close to spinning out of control to the point of no return. Make a move Sabean. Waiting until the deadline to turn this team around won't do it, especially considering last year's deadline was a bust. It's now or never Brian.