by Andrew Baggarly

Away we go…

Bruce Bochy, on what the Giants accomplished while winning 88 games and finishing four out of a playoff spot:

Were disappointed we didnt take it a little further, and to be honest, I really thought we'd get there. We tripped a couple times in September. But you know, it's an invaluable experience for these guys to go through a season like this and play important games in September. You realize how arduous and grueling a season can be, but also how important every game is. Young players can look back early in the season and see how important each game is. We got close and it makes you hungrier. Sometimes you have to take it a step at a time, but it's going to help them next year.

And also, were in a win mode now, and there's a difference. When you have a couple losing seasons you're out there to compete and to survive, so to speak, but now you��TMre playing to win. You know you��TMre good. You know you can play with the other teams. This is a tough division and we played pretty well in the division, so this is a mindset we��TMll have going into spring training.”

Brian Sabean, on his contract situation:

��oeThe first thing we have to do, Boch and I, is to debrief on our end exactly what we feel transpired this year. And as we do that, depending on how long that takes, and the conclusions we arrive, we��TMll report to (owner) Bill (Neukom), and in that session, there will be some sharing and caring.

��oeBut I can definitively say this: There are no contracts in place. There aren��TMt any commitments to having any contracts in place. Bill has been true to his word and we have been fine with the repeated schedule that it was going to happen in due course, and frankly, we are both still under contract (through Oct. 31).

��oeSo things will take care of itself but you also have to understand that in this case you have to have three parties agree: The organization, myself and Boch.”

Sabean, on whether to re-sign Bengie Molina:

��oeFirst and foremost he had an incredible year given what he went through personally, the sudden death with his dad passing away, whom he and his brothers were very close to. It could��TMve knocked anybody on his heels.

��oeHe knew he was an impending free agent. He knew at some point we��TMd have to get in a position to evaluate what (Buster) Posey may or may not do, including the short term or as early as next year, that I think he went above and beyond the call of duty. His numbers speak for themselves, his tenure speaks for itself.

��oeWhat��TMs going to complicate the matter is our relative decision, which goes to the meetings we��TMll have and the recommendation we��TMll have to make, if Bengie comes back, and for how long, and forgetting the salary, against what Posey may or may not be able to do taking us into the future.

��oeThe thing I do know about Bengie��TMs situation is going into free agency he��TMs going to be in pretty darn good stead. There��TMs going to be more than the Giants interested and there are going to be teams that may be able to offer more years or salary than we at the end of the day may be able to compete for. So it��TMs a complicated issue but he certainly did his part and he deserves due consideration.”

Sabean, on whether he��TMd try to acquire one big bat or a couple complementary ones:

��oeWhat we��TMve talked about internally is we have to get more consistency at least 1 through 5 as to who��TMs going to go out there every day. The leadoff spot for instance, is (Eugenio) Velez and (Andres)Torres the option as the leadoff hitter? (Freddy) Sanchez, once his contract gets worked out, he��TMs shown the signs of being a No.2 hitter in the past and he��TMs hit other places in the order. We know Pablo��TMs here and hes��TM going to be third, fourth or fifth. We spoke of Bengie, in what form he might come back where he would hit, as well as (Juan) Uribe.

��oeBut it��TMs safe to say we need some more power, quite frankly. The team is going to have to take on a little different personality. As Boch pointed out to me at the end of the year, which makes sense, a lot of times when you have players like Pablo and Bengie who are free swingers, sometimes, especially with a younger team, or a team challenged to score a lot of runs, they��TMll take on that personality. In a selfish way you��TMd like to find somebody who��TMs different from them who can calm things down or act in the middle of the order in a different way.

��oeWe are going to be challenged in the market. I can��TMt mention names but you know the names (Matt Holliday, Jason Bay) that are going to be out there. There��TMs going to be huge action on them, including from their incumbent teams.

��oeAnd quite frankly we��TMre going to agonize over how prudent it would be to trade a pitcher per se for that type of piece. What I can say is we��TMre not interested in something in the short term, and if we did trade a pitcher, it would have to be for someone we could control under contract or have some cost certainty for more years than just a quick hit. The one thing we do know as Bruce pointed out, we are now in the position where we��TMve raised expectations in so many ways that we��TMll have to do something to be in more of a position now that these guys have been through a chance to go to the playoffs. We need to add to that … and show this group that we��TMre trying to take it to the next level.”

Bochy, on changing his offensive philosophy and emphasizing different offensive skills in spring training:

��oeObviously, we struggled with the bunting part. The pitchers were pretty good but when we sent a position payer up there to bunt we had trouble getting it down. And really, what you have to do is just spend more time and get them to understand it��TMs a part of the game we��TMll have to play.

��oeI��TMll probably have to adjust a little bit depending on the lineup. With this pitching staff, every run is critical. I understand that. I know there��TMs questions sometimes about why we don��TMt bunt more. Really, the game will dictate when we bunt. I��TMm not a big bunter early in the game with position players. I really expect a major league hitter to be able to move a runner over without bunting him over, and plenty of times we did fail there. So maybe there��TMs an adjustment there on my part but also on their part. We��TMre going to spend more time on it, how we do it. We��TMve already started talking about this with the staff. For example, instead of just having somebody out there throwing easy, maybe crank up a machine. Make it a little more difficult for them.

��oeBut it��TMs just getting them to understand the importance of these little things that will make a difference in a ballgame. We played teams that had trouble doing it, too. It��TMs not just us. My philosophy is you work harder at it. If I have to adjust my style to do something to get us a run with this offense, then that��TMs my job.

��oeThat��TMs not just the only area, either. I thought as hitters that we weren��TMt aggressive enough in certain counts, especially ahead in the count. I want these guys to let the bats go. I thought we were late a lot on fastballs in hitter��TMs counts. We want to work on that too. That��TMs a big part of the game. Power comes from being aggressive.

��oeThe walks issue, that��TMs something I know Brian touched on with our hitters.You are what you are with your style. You��TMre not going to change Pablo (Sandoval). That��TMs who he is. Bengie, he has success doing it. These are things that are going through our heads already as far as improving next year.”

Sabean, on whether he saw enough to consider Madison Bumgarner ready to open in the rotation next season:

��oeI personally didn��TMt. He just turned 20. He didn��TMt pitch at all in Triple-A. That��TMs a roundtable discussion with a lot of people in the room. Do I think he��TMs a major league pitcher? Stuff-wise, yes. Did he do some things in these games to show he can get a major league hitter out? Yes. But it would be a big leap of faith to count on him or to forecast that he��TMll be in the rotation. That��TMs going to have to be a lot of people sitting around raising their hand that that��TMs the right thing to do.”

Sabean, on whether his ��oeno way, no how” stance on trading Matt Cain has softened:

��oeYou know, I have a hard time trading anybody of that ilk. Why would we? Well, to answer why you wouldn��TMt, it��TMs my experience, and I��TMve done this awhile, as crazy as it sounds, it��TMs very difficult to get value back for a position player with that type of pitcher. And contrary to popular belief, we have Matt under control for two more years, not one.

��oeEven if you could, what you��TMre probably looking at is … I don��TMt want to say a rental, but you��TMre looking at somebody you wouldn��TMt control as long as Matt, or don��TMt know you��TMd have in the organization as long as, let��TMs say, if Matt was extended. So you��TMre getting into kind of a black hole. Trust me, it��TMs very difficult to trade for a middle-of-the-order hitter.

��oeAnd they usually want somebody else (in addition to Cain) and I��TMm not saying the player you��TMre taking back is going to have some warts, but I know one thing: it��TMs going to be for a lot of money and it��TMs going to be probably for a shorter term than you��TMd like, contract wise.”

Interjection: Boy, sure sounds like Sabean was describing Prince Fielder right there.

Bochy, on whether Juan Uribe would be the shortstop if he re-signs:

��oeCould he play short? Sure. But I don��TMt think we��TMve seen the best of Edgar (Renteria). I really don��TMt. This guy is a pro and he had a down year, I think, because of how much that elbow was bothering him. It didn��TMt just bother him throwing. It bothered him hitting. And this game��TMs hard enough to play when you feel great, but when you��TMre hurting and you��TMre trying to hit major league pitching, it��TMs not that easy. So I think it��TMs a workable situation with both of them.”

Sabean, on what the plan would be at second base if Freddy Sanchez��TMs $8.1 million option isn��TMt picked up or he otherwise doesn��TMt re-sign:

��oeOur aim is to try to get something done with Freddy and I expect that probably will happen.”

Sabean, on the payroll remaining in the $90 million range:

��oeIt��TMs not going to change all that much per se. Some of the models we��TMve done obviously reflect what��TMs going to happen in arbitration with (Tim) Lincecum and (Brian) Wilson, and even (Jonathan) Sanchez. With Freddy��TMs situation, being the second base spot, the number��TMs been folded in there.

��oeWhat I��TMm confident (from) the dealings we��TMve had with Bill the last two years is no matter what number gets set, if we have something compelling baseball wise to bring to him, he certainly will consider it and take it through the proper channels. I think we��TMll have the latitude to see what we can recommend. Now how it presents itself or how involved we can or will be to follow through with that, there��TMs no telling. It��TMs not a very attractive free agent market in my mind.”

Sabean, and then Bochy, on the likelihood Buster Posey will be ready to start next season behind the plate:

��oeTough position to jump from where he��TMs been, not only as a collegian to convert to the position, but he flew through the minor leagues. You don��TMt call your own game in college. He played in San Jose, didn��TMt play in Double-A, played in Triple-A. I think he��TMs a quick learner. He��TMs got tremendous aptitude.

��oeBut having said that, I think what��TMs amazing about somebody like Bengie even at the advanced stage of his career, is there��TMs so much expected of you, not only handling the pitching staff and calling the game, which is taxing, but in this case, we need some offense. And I really don��TMt know how ready he might be offensively. It��TMs hard to predict.

��oeOne thing I do know, and I don��TMt want to say you can get fooled, but I��TMm learning faster and faster that the statistics in the Pacific Coast League that anybody puts up is somewhat of a misnomer or jaded. It��TMs a big jump to the big leagues. And I think the good thing is we��TMve seen a snapshot (inaudible). It��TMs probably the toughest place on the field to break in a younger player.

Bochy:

��oeIn the little bit of time we had to watch Posey, I think he showed he understands the catching part of it. I think at this point, in how to call a game, he impressed me there. He followed a game plan. I mean, this kid is sharp. He is a quick learner. I think he gets it. For him to be up here on the fast pace he came up here on, it has been impressive.

��oeNow, the hitting, that��TMs a big jump and I agree with Brian. There��TMs a pretty big difference even between Fresno and here. There��TMs going to be growing pains with this kid. He��TMs going to the Fall League. He will be discussed quite a bit. I think when you look at a kid like this, depending on what we end up doing, spring training can play a part in the decision.

��oeBut I will say this kid works hard. He was up here doing everything we asked, catching guys in the bullpen, and when he went back there he started to get more and more comfortable. I thought the two games in San Diego he caught well. I know Matt Cain kind of struggled in his five innings, but I thought he did a good job with him. And a little more comfortable with the bat. So that question, I think, will be answered as we go into spring training.”

Sabean, on whether he��TMd overlook a player��TMs defensive deficiencies if his bat can remedy the offense:

��oeI think there are exceptions to the rule, and we��TMre willing to visit that.”

Then Sabean went off on a tangent, although an interesting one that could reflect on hitting coach Carney Lansford, on the team��TMs lack of offensive identity:

��oeThe one thing that didn��TMt happen was, collectively as a group, we just couldn��TMt get marginally better. … Whether it��TMs moving runners over or the bunting game, in some ways, we might have gotten caught in between. We were waiting for guys to hit three-run homers. We were waiting for guys to hit a double with the bases loaded. The more we found out we couldn��TMt do that, later in the year, we decided that we were going to have to do some other things ��" bunting guys over or running a little bit more.

��oeI think what��TMs going to be interesting is, … the sooner you can identify the style of play and expect that from day one, then it��TMs easier on everybody mindset wise. Everybody pretty much knows how it��TMs going to play out. I��TMll say this: between Boch and the coaching staff, everybody got their chance. Everybody got their chance to play, stay in the lineup or, moreso, get rotated back in when it didn��TMt work out for somebody else.”

Sabean, on Eugenio Velez��TMs role:

��oeIf you��TMre asking me personally, he probably is a little bit more comfortable as an outfielder. He probably plays a little bit more relaxed. Having said that, he really has come a long ways as a defensive player both as a second baseman and as an outfielder. It kind of goes to what can make it easier on the manager. Let��TMs say if Velez and (Andres) Torres are the leadoff component, it��TMs probably better-suited (for him) to be in the outfield. That��TMs not to say that he would never play second base. But I think we would look at it that way.”

Sabean, on the appetite to discuss a multiyear deal for Tim Lincecum and/or Brian Wilson, and how arbitration will play out (with Sabean��TMs reference to the Phillies��TM Ryan Howard, who received a record $10 million as a super-two player):

��oeFirst, in Lincecum��TMs case, it��TMs Howard-like, in terms of where this could go as a first-time eligible player. Secondarily, because of the potential number that that it could go to, even in Wilson��TMs case, we may be guarded not wanting to discuss or talk about a longer-term situation until you know that range.

��oeNow, it goes in stages. You have to file a number (in January); hopefully the number you file you feel good about. Of course, the agent��TMs threat is, basically, we can try to get something done in and around those filing numbers, or let��TMs go (to arbitration). (Lincecum��TMs) party won��TMt have any downside, believe me. So, in this case, we��TMre very much going to be prepared, if we have to, to go on all our arbitration cases, including (Jonathan) Sanchez.”

��oeThere��TMs different stages of the game, date-wise, (where) you don��TMt want to tip your hand and you��TMre certainly not going to do that publicly … Lincecum is a complicated one. It��TMs one I have not been through, nor will many people in baseball go through. You��TMre going to have the union, on their side, very much interested to see how this turns out, and Major League Baseball is going to have an eye and ear to this as to where it could go on a one-year deal. And maybe, until you establish what that threshold is, how do you get to the next level, which is a multiyear contract?”

Sabean, on whether he��TMs confident he met Neukom��TMs criteria to return:

��oeFrom day one, … there was a pretty good vibe as to what we wanted to lay out in terms of taking this to the next level. … And I think we��TMve checked those boxes off. … We made a concerted effort to try to do this with more homegrown talent for a lot of reasons and we��TMre in the process of seeing that come to fruition with guys that have been here this year. … There were some things in motion even as last year ended that in a lot of ways have come about. And I think we all should be proud of that and the partnership should be proud of that. Not just Bill, now being the steward.”

Bochy, same question:

��oeBOCHY: ��oeI think as we talked last winter, we wanted to get better. We had to. And that��TMs what we talked about. This club had to get headed in the right direction. Yeah, I feel like we��TMve done some things that we talked about we wanted to do, what we wanted to accomplish. … Sure, we have some work to do, but going from last year and where we finished this year, I think as a group we all should feel like we��TMre doing what we need to do, what we want to do, and that��TMs from ownership to Brian and the staff and players.”

Sabean, pressed on whether it��TMs a matter of time before he and Bochy sign new deals:

��oeYou know, I shouldn��TMt go there because, again, whatever��TMs been put out has ��" I��TMll just say it the way it should be said ��" it��TMs really jumping the gun, because within Bill��TMs timetable, there��TMs a process. I��TMve done this a while, (Bochy has) done this a while, and while Bill��TMs new to his position, he has been in the organization for a long time involving major decisions. Everybody has the right (to say, `Let��TMs share and let��TMs see what we can decide, not only what��TMs happened but where we��TMre going.��TM Until that actually happens ��" and again, there are three parties involved here ��" it��TMs not my place to comment.”

Sabean, on what it means to be the game��TMs longest tenured GM (13 years), following Kevin Towers��TM dismissal in San Diego:

��oePretty amazing. I don��TMt feel particularly good about a colleague of mine like Kevin Towers being let go the way he was, but that��TMs the business. There are only 30 of these jobs. I��TMve always tried to treat the position with the utmost respect and be humble going about it. To think that we��TMve been here this long as a group is pretty amazing and I��TMm thankful. I don��TMt ever think about how long I want to do this or how long I have done it, but it��TMs been a good run. We��TMve had ups and downs but as an organization, I think that the Giants have a lot to be pleased with, not only from our past but especially as we��TMre talking about going into the future.”

Sabean, on his reputation for preferring veteran players:

��oeWe don��TMt sit here as general managers making unilateral decisions. At the end of the day do you have to make the final final? Yes. But the manager and those involved, including ownership, pretty much know what you��TMre trying to do and who you��TMre trying to bring in.

��oeI��TMm not going to speak to track record. You guys keep score. We keep score. What I can say is that a lot of times it doesn��TMt come down to just dollars and cents as to how you got somebody or brought somebody in (as much as) what they do for the club.

��oeAnd I��TMll mention this, not in any way of being defensive, but the (two-year, $18.5 million) Renteria situation: We made a management decision on all levels that we needed a veteran shortstop. Looking back, the choice internally would have been somebody like (Emmanuel) Burriss, which as we all know sitting here today, wouldn��TMt have been the right thing to do. Secondarily, no matter what the contract threshhold ended up being, if you talk to Tony LaRussa, if you talk to Bobby Cox, if you talk to anybody around baseball who��TMs had this type of player and you listen to how Boch witnessed what he was able to do on and off the field, including or especially just with somebody like Pablo, who he took under his wing in Spring Training and carried that out through the season and let alone how he went out there most days not at 100 percent, probably 75 percent.

��oeWhat we��TMve tried to do is bring guys in here, no matter what the contract was like, or really, how it turned out against the contract, that could make a difference. Have we made mistakes? Yes. But in our keeping score, we��TMve made a lot of good decisions, too.”

Bochy, on his reputed veteran love:

��oeI think a lot of us, not myself, managers around baseball, you may even get labeled that you like or prefer veteran players. There��TMs no getting around it. Sure, there��TMs a little sense of security or confidence with a veteran player. But you never stop playing the game to win and you never stop trying to put the right player out there who��TMs going to help you win that game or help him succeed and put him in the right position.

��oeI like young players. I love the energy from Pablo Sandoval, what he brings. Geno Velez. You need those kind of players. But you also need guys like a Renteria or Uribe and what they do. And again, not just on the field but in the clubhouse. It��TMs great to have a nice blend of these guys and I thought we had that this year.

��oeThat��TMs going to get asked a lot because you may have a young guy sitting on the bench. I��TMll use Posey, for example. There were questions about him playing down the stretch there. Well, you still want to do what��TMs right for the ballclub at the time. Maybe that starting pitcher (has) his sense of security with the guy who��TMs been catching him. Matt Cain, for example, was stuck on getting that 14th win. So I let (Eli) Whiteside catch him and he did a great job.

��oeBut you sometimes have to be patient with them and try to do it in the right way and that��TMs where you get caught sometimes as a manager. I said this about Johnny Bowker. Johnny Bowker had a great year (in Fresno) and there��TMs a settling-in process. But you have to do it at the right time, I think, or against the right pitchers. I think you need both of them. I really like the blend of veterans and the young guys.”

Sabean, on whether Pablo Sandoval could be even better next year:

��oeHe��TMs been asked to make a trip with some kind of All-Star team from Major League Baseball to Korea. I think that��TMs a two-week trip. I don��TMt know whether he��TMs going to accept that. Secondarily, he has somewhat of a commitment, a countryman��TMs commitment, let��TMs say, with winter ball (Magallanes in Venezuela). I��TMve heard somewhere in the range of wanting to play for three weeks.

��oeBut lastly, he understands that we have to do some more things to get him in better shape not only coming into spring training but as the season goes along. And as we know that��TMs only going to prolong his career, and he understands that. We just have to figure out the place, the time frame and the cooperation (for a conditioning camp). Because some of it is a change in lifestyle. But he��TMs saying the right things and he does believe that he needs to make some changes. He��TMs not the only guy on the ballclub who will go to (a conditioning program).”

Sabean, after reporting on arthroscopic surgeries (Brandon Medders, left knee; Justin Miller, right elbow; Rich Aurilia, right elbow), on whether any of his other three arb-eligible players ��" Medders, Miller and Ryan Garko ��" could be non-tendered:

��oeFor the first time, we have more eligible players than I can remember. Secondarily, it comes down to roster manipulation or machinations where we��TMre going to need spots to add folks from our minor leagues (to shield them from the Rule 5 draft). And we��TMre also going to want to have spots available in case of signing a free agent or making a trade. So each one of them is going to have to be visited to see what the value of that spot is, let��TMs say. Not only the 40-man roster, but how we predict the 25-man roster could be crafted.”

Sabean, on the possibility of re-signing Brad Penny:

��oeIt��TMs a possibility. But we also have other business at hand, as you know. The one thing I want to say about Brad that a lot of people might not know, is that to his credit, he chose in coming to the Giants. … Other than one start, what��TMs not to like about what he did?”

Finally, Sabean launched into a speech about the pitching staff ��" which we all know is better and deeper than most of the eight staffs that reached the postseason:

��oeWe got some guys who are tough SOBs. And I think that (Randy) Johnson really helped with that mindset. And Penny coming in with his bravado. And in some ways, I��TMm not so sure our whole team didn��TMt take on that type of personality. These guys wanted to win every inning and every game … and in some ways, took the pressure off what we couldn��TMt do offensively.

��oeThere weren��TMt many position players that would dare half-step that type of group. It��TMs tough to find a pitching staff not only that good, but that competitive ��" that competitive among themselves and moreso as you went into the game. That��TMs one of the reasons I think we won as many games as we did. The opposition knew that (pounds table for emphasis), our team knew that and they all deserve so much credit. Because they all talk different, they all have different styles, they all act different, but individually and collectively, this was a tough-minded group of people.”