How Brian Sabean Constructed the World Champion Giants: A Transaction Timeline

Giants GM Brian Sabean has steered the team to five postseason berths and two NL pennants in 14 years.
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With the bubbly still flowing onto the carpet in the visitors’ locker room and the Giants reveling in the franchise’s first world championship in 56 years, I thought it would be interesting to press the rewind button and review how exactly general manager Brian Sabean put Team Torture together.

In this chronological history, I mark how every player on the 40-man roster was acquired over the last eight years, not just to illustrate that Rome wasn’t built in a day, but also the situation the franchise faces now that this unforgettable season has come to an end.

2002: Cain and Ishikawa

Matt Cain, 2004 MLB Futures Game
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

June 4, 2002

Starting pitcher Matt Cain (pictured) is selected in the first round of the MLB Draft (25^th overall) out of Houston High School in Germantown, Tennessee.

(2010 salary: $4,583,333 – signed through 2012)

 

June 5, 2002

First baseman Travis Ishikawa is selected in the 21^st round of the MLB Draft (637^th overall) out of Federal Way High School in Washington.

(2010 salary: $417,000 – last year of deal; eligible for arbitration in 2012)

2003: Sandoval and Wilson

Al Bello/Getty Images

May 8, 2003

Undrafted amateur catcher turned third baseman Pablo Sandoval of Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, signs a free agent contract.

(2010 salary: $465,000 – last year of deal; eligible for arbitration in 2012)

 

June 3, 2003

Right fielder Nate Schierholtz is selected in the second round of the MLB Draft (62^nd overall) out of Chabot College in Oakland, California.

(2010 salary: $416,500 – last year of deal; eligible for arbitration in 2012)

 

June 4, 2003

Converted starter turned closer Brian Wilson (pictured) is selected in the 24^th round of the MLB Draft (723^rd overall) out of Louisiana State University. 

(2010 salary: $6,500,000 – signed through 2012)

 

October 31, 2003

Undrafted pitcher Waldis Joaquin of La Vega, Dominican Republic, signs a free agent contract.

(2010 salary: $400,500 – needs three years of MLB service to be arbitration-eligible)

2004: J. Sanchez

Sanchez pitches for Puerto Rico in the 2009 World Baseball Classic
Doug Benc/Getty Images

June 8, 2004

Starting pitcher Jonathan Sanchez (pictured) is selected in the 27^th round of the MLB Draft (820^th overall) out of Escuela Superior Blanca Maloret High School in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico.

(2010 salary: $2,100,000 – last year of deal; eligible for arbitration)

2005: Romo

Romo has appeared in 5 postseason games so far
Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

June 8, 2005

Relief pitcher Alex Hinshaw is selected in the 15^th round of the MLB Draft (462^nd overall) out of San Diego State.

(2010 salary: $400,000 – needs three years of MLB service to be arbitration-eligible)

 

June 8, 2005

Relief pitcher Sergio Romo (pictured) is selected in the 28^th round of the MLB Draft (852^nd overall) out of Mesa State University in Grand Junction, Colorado.

(2010 salary: $416,500 – needs three years of MLB service to be arbitration-eligible)

 

December 8, 2005

Utility player Eugenio Velez is selected in the first round of the Triple-A Phase of the Rule 5 Draft (seventh overall) from the Toronto Blue Jays.

(2010 salary: $416,000 – needs three years of MLB service to be arbitration-eligible)

2006: Lincecum and Bochy

Lincecum in 1997, his debut season
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

January 2006

Undrafted amateur outfielder Francisco Peguero of Nigua, Dominican Republic, signs a free agent contract.

(2010 salary: $416,000 – needs three years of MLB service to be arbitration-eligible)

 

January 2006 (approx.)

Undrafted relief pitcher Henry Sosa of El Seybo, Dominican Republic, signs a free agent contract.

(2010 salary: $416,000 – needs three years of MLB service to be arbitration-eligible)

 

June 6, 2006

Starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (pictured) is selected in the first round of the MLB Draft (tenth overall) out of the University of Washington.

(2010 salary: $9,000,000 – signed through 2011)

 

June 6, 2006

Second baseman Emmanuel Burriss is selected in the first round of the MLB Draft (33^rd overall) out of Kent State University.

(2010 salary: $410,000 – needs three years of MLB service to be arbitration-eligible)

 

June 6, 2006

Third baseman Ryan Rohlinger is selected in the sixth round of the MLB Draft (176^th overall) out of the University of Oklahoma.

(2010 salary: $400,000 – needs three years of MLB service to be arbitration-eligible)

 

June 6, 2006

Starting pitcher Kevin Pucetas is selected in the 17^th round of the MLB Draft (506^th overall) out of Limestone College in Gaffney, South Carolina.

(2010 salary: $400,000 – needs three years of MLB service to be arbitration-eligible)

 

June 6, 2006

First baseman Brett Pill is selected in the seventh round of the MLB Draft (206^th overall) out of California State Fullerton.

(2010 salary: $400,000 – needs three years of MLB service to be arbitration-eligible)

 

October 27, 2006

Manager Bruce Bochy, formerly of San Diego, signs a three-year contract.

(2010 salary: undisclosed – signed through 2011; club option for 2012)

 

December 29, 2006

Free agent starting pitcher Barry Zito, formerly of Oakland, signs a seven-year deal worth $126 million.

(2010 salary: $18,500,000 – signed through 2013; club option or buyout in 2014)

2007: MadBum and Rowand

Bumgarner in the 2009 Futures Game
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

June 7, 2007

Starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (pictured) is selected in the first round of the MLB Draft (tenth overall) out of South Caldwell High School in Hudson, North Carolina.

(2010 salary: $400,000 – needs three years of MLB service to be arbitration-eligible)

 

June 7, 2007

Relief pitcher Dan Runzler is selected in the ninth round of the MLB Draft (284^th overall) out of the University of California, Riverside.

(2010 salary: $400,500 – needs three years of MLB service to be arbitration-eligible)

 

December 12, 2007

Free agent center fielder Aaron Rowand, formerly of Philadelphia, signs a five-year, $60 million contract.

(2010 salary: $13,600,000 – signed through 2012)

2008: Posey, Affeldt, and Renteria

Posey tags Carlos Ruiz out in Game 4 of the NLCS
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

June 5, 2008

Catcher Gerald “Buster” D. Posey III (pictured) is selected in the first round of the MLB Draft (fifth overall) out of Florida State University.

(2010 salary: $400,000 – needs three years of MLB service to be arbitration-eligible)

 

June 5, 2008

Third baseman Conor Gillaspie is selected in the first round of the MLB Draft (37^th overall) out of Florida State University.

(2010 salary: $400,000 – needs three years of MLB service to be arbitration-eligible)

 

July 20, 2008

Milwaukee trades minor league outfielder Darren Ford and minor league pitcher Steve Hammond to San Francisco for second baseman Ray Durham.

(2010 salary: $400,000 – needs three years of MLB service to be arbitration-eligible)

 

November 17, 2008

Free agent relief pitcher Jeremy Affeldt, formerly of Cincinnati, signs a two-year deal worth $8 million.

(2010 salary: $4,000,000 – last year of deal; club option or buyout for 2011)

 

December 4, 2008

Free agent shortstop Edgar Renteria, formerly of Detroit, signs a two-year deal with a club option for a third year worth a total of $18.5 million.

(2010 salary: $10,000,000 – last year of deal; club option or buyout for 2011)

2009: Uribe, Torres, and F. Sanchez

Uribe touches them all after his game-winning homer in Game 6 of the NLCS
Al Bello/Getty Images

January 9, 2009

Free agent third baseman/utility infielder Juan Uribe (pictured), formerly of the Chicago White Sox, signs a minor league deal.

(2010 salary: $3,250,000 – last year of deal; club option for 2011)

 

January 9, 2009

Free agent center fielder Andres Torres, formerly of the Chicago Cubs, signs a minor league deal.

(2010 salary: $426,000 – last year of deal; eligible for arbitration)

 

January 9, 2009

Free agent catcher Eli Whiteside, formerly of Minnesota, signs a minor league deal.

(2010 salary: $405,000 – needs three years of MLB service to be arbitration-eligible)

 

July 29, 2009

Pittsburgh trades second baseman Freddy Sanchez to San Francisco for minor league pitcher Tim Alderson.

(2010 salary: $6,000,000 – signed through 2011)

 

December 29, 2009

Free agent utility player Mark DeRosa*, formerly of the Chicago Cubs, signs a two-year contract worth $12 million.

(2010 salary: $6,000,000 – signed through 2011)

 

*not on 40-man roster (60-day DL)

2010: The Final Pieces...and Ross

Ross, the 2010 NLCS MVP, lifts his new hardware
Pool/Getty Images

January 10, 2010

Free agent first baseman Aubrey Huff, formerly of Detroit, signs a one-year contract.

(2010 salary: $3,000,000 – last year of deal; eligible for free agency)

 

January 20, 2010

Free agent relief pitcher Santiago Casilla, formerly of Oakland, signs a minor league deal.

(2010 salary: $400,000 – last year of deal; eligible for arbitration)

 

February 2, 2010

Free agent relief pitcher Guillermo Mota, formerly of the Los Angeles Dodgers, signs a minor league deal.

(2010 salary: $750,000 – last year of deal; eligible for free agency)

 

May 29, 2010

Free agent left fielder Pat Burrell**, formerly of Tampa Bay, signs a minor league deal.

(2010 salary: $300,000 – last year of deal; eligible for free agency)

 

June 30, 2010

Texas trades relief pitcher Chris Ray*** and minor league pitcher Michael Main to San Francisco for catcher Bengie Molina and cash considerations.

(2010 salary: $975,000 – last year of deal; eligible for arbitration)

 

July 31, 2010

Pittsburgh trades relief pitcher Javier Lopez to San Francisco for relief pitcher Joe Martinez and right fielder John Bowker.

(2010 salary: $258,000 – last year of deal; eligible for arbitration)

 

July 31, 2010

Boston trades relief pitcher Ramon Ramirez to San Francisco for minor league pitcher Dan Turpen.

(2010 salary: $555,000 – last year of deal; eligible for arbitration)

 

August 11, 2010

The Chicago Cubs trade utility infielder Mike Fontenot to San Francisco for minor league shortstop Evan Crawford.

(2010 salary: $1,000,000 – last year of deal; eligible for arbitration)

 

August 13, 2010

Kansas City trades right fielder Jose Guillen to San Francisco for starting pitcher Kevin Pucetas and cash considerations.

(2010 salary: $250,000 – last year of deal; eligible for free agency)

 

August 21, 2010

After blocking San Diego’s similar claim, the Giants acquire right fielder Cody Ross (pictured), formerly of Florida, on waivers.

(2010 salary: $1,100,000 – last year of deal; eligible for arbitration)

 

**As a result of adding Burrell, relief pitcher Brandon Medders was outrighted to Triple-A Fresno on June 4, and his one-year, $820,000 contract is on the 2010 payroll.

***The Giants are still on the hook for $4,000,000 of Molina’s 2010 salary.

Breaking Down the Roster

Manager Bruce Bochy with his first world title
Pool/Getty Images

Via MLB Draft (16)^:

Cain, Ishikawa, Schierholtz, Wilson, J. Sanchez, Hinshaw, Romo, Lincecum, Burriss, Rohlinger, Pucetta, Pill, Bumgarner, Runzler, Posey, Gillaspie

 

Via Trade (7):

Ford, F. Sanchez, Ray, Lopez, Ramirez, Fontenot, Guillen

 

Via Free Agency/Minor League Deal (6):

Uribe, Torres, Whiteside, Casilla, Mota, Burrell

 

Via Standard Free Agency/Major League Deal (5):

Zito, Rowand, Affeldt, Renteria, Huff (6 if you count DeRosa)

 

Via Undrafted Amateur Free Agency (4):

Sandoval, Joaquin, Peguero, Sosa

 

Via Rule 5 Draft (1):

Velez

 

Via Waivers (1):

Ross

 

bold denotes on 25-man roster

^all four playoff starting pitchers came through the MLB Draft

Looking at 2011

Could this be only the beginning?
Pool/Getty Images

It will be interesting to see what managing general partner Bill Neukom and team president Larry Baer decide to do about payroll in 2011 considering the Giants’ astonishing run to the World Series this year.

If ownership chooses to build on the momentum of this postseason, I imagine they would open up the checkbook.  Currently, the payroll sits slightly under $99 million, and with a little more leeway from a profitable season, Sabean could very well have a little over $100 million to play with in the winter.

Based on the aforementioned numbers, the departed Bengie Molina’s contract will immediately come off the books. The team will cut another $820,000 since the duration of the contract with Brandon Medders was for only one year.

In addition, Jose Guillen is completing the final season of a three-year, $36 million deal, and in light of his inability to crack the postseason roster, is probably on his way out.  Edgar Renteria has a club option for a very steep $10.5 million, or he could be bought out for $500,000.  I don’t see the team bringing back either of them unless they're open to a discount.

The Barry Zito and Aaron Rowand contracts will cost the Giants $81.5 million over the next three seasons, a number that will definitely take a bite out of any potential aggressive moves through standard free agency.

Here’s where it gets tricky.  Several key players are eligible for arbitration, and are due sizable raises in the offseason.  Andres Torres, Jonathan Sanchez, Javier Lopez, and NLCS MVP Cody Ross are among the members of this group.

Then there are the outright free agents, who will probably command a bidding war or two based on their playoff heroics.  Juan Uribe and Aubrey Huff immediately come to mind.  Sabean was able to pay Pat Burrell peanuts in 2010 by picking him off Tampa Bay’s scrap heap, but his resurgence in the National League will undoubtedly result in a price tag increase.

Perhaps most important of all, the Giants three core hurlers—Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Brian Wilson—will enjoy roughly $10 million in composite raises.  That figure will assuredly be taken into account when determining Sabean’s offseason budget.

Maybe the Giants will serendipitously find another franchise cornerstone within the organization.  Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner are making the rookie minimum, and neither will be eligible for arbitration.  However, it's safe to say that catching lightning in a bottle two years in a row would be wishful thinking at best.

In my last article (link here), I explained how torture aptly explained not only the 2010 season for the San Francisco Giants, but my lifelong fandom of the Orange and Black.  But it also might possibly describe the imminent offseason when the team looks to make another run for next year’s Fall Classic.

Information from Cot’s Baseball Contracts, Baseball America, Baseball-Reference.com, the San Francisco Chronicle, and ESPN.com contributed to this report.