More turnover is expected. Pablo Sandoval is penciled in at first base, and Emmanuel Burriss likely will play short or second. At least one rotation spot is open, along with every bullpen role except closer (Brian Wilson's job).
BIGGEST NEEDS: The Giants, last in the majors in homers, need more players with pop and could beef up at third base. Except for Wilson, the bullpen will be overhauled. GM Brian Sabean must decide whether to trade one of his starters (RHP Matt Cain or LHP Jonathan Sanchez) to fill holes elsewhere. FREE AGENTS: SS Omar Vizquel, INF Rich Aurilia, RHP Tyler Walker, RHP Brad Hennessey, RHP Kevin Correia
Vizquel, who hit .222 at age 41, won't be coming back, Sabean said. Aurilia, 37, was a valuable corner infield fill-in, hitting .283. He said he'd like to return, but the Giants are trying to get younger.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: LHP Jack Taschner
Three other arbitration-eligible players -- Walker, Hennessey and Correia -- were removed from the 40-man roster, and they will become free agents.
IN LIMBO: RF Randy Winn, C Bengie Molina, RHP Matt Cain, LHP Jonathan Sanchez.
Winn and Molina will make $8.25 million and $6 million, respectively, next season, then they'll be free agents. The Giants could package Winn or Molina or dangle a young starting pitcher to acquire a power hitter. But it would be tough to part with Cain, a tough-luck pitcher who had a respectable 3.69 ERA over the past two seasons but went 15-30.
MEDICAL WATCH:
LHP Noah Lowry (left forearm surgery in March 2008, left elbow surgery in September 2008) still hopes to be ready for spring training.
INF Kevin Frandsen (left Achilles tendon surgery in March 2008) had one at-bat in 2008, a grounder to short in the finale. He hopes to be 100 percent for spring training and compete for the second base job.
LF Fred Lewis (bunion surgery, right foot) is to wear a protective boot into November and could start running in mid-December or January.
