| In the interest of speed and timeliness, this story is fed directly from the Associated Press newswire and may contain spelling or grammatical errors. |
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.''