Bear
07-22-2008, 09:05 AM
Henry Schulman, Chronicle Staff Writer
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
(07-21) 19:23 PDT -- Shortstop Omar Vizquel poses a sticky wicket for the Giants.
On one hand, they surely want to see prospects such as Emmanuel Burriss and Ivan Ochoa at shortstop for the rest of the season. But with Vizquel hitting .166, he might be difficult to trade.
In similar cases, the Giants simply released struggling older players, but they are loath to embarrass a player of Vizquel's stature that way.
If a contending team needs a backup defensive shortstop and a strong clubhouse presence for a playoff push, regardless of his hitting, Vizquel would be a great choice. Vizquel said Sunday he prefers to stay in San Francisco for the rest of the season. He will be watching and waiting ahead of the July 31 trade deadline like everyone else.
"I don't think my season has been what they expected," Vizquel said. "I don't know at what point they're waiting for me to do good. It just depends on what they think, if they really feel I can influence the younger guys by talking to them or guiding them to get better, or whether they're going to start unloading the veteran guys. I don't know where I stand right now."
It's over Omar! Time to get off the stage. You have had a HOF career, and have been a great Giant, but father time has caught up with you, and it is time for a change.:(
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
(07-21) 19:23 PDT -- Shortstop Omar Vizquel poses a sticky wicket for the Giants.
On one hand, they surely want to see prospects such as Emmanuel Burriss and Ivan Ochoa at shortstop for the rest of the season. But with Vizquel hitting .166, he might be difficult to trade.
In similar cases, the Giants simply released struggling older players, but they are loath to embarrass a player of Vizquel's stature that way.
If a contending team needs a backup defensive shortstop and a strong clubhouse presence for a playoff push, regardless of his hitting, Vizquel would be a great choice. Vizquel said Sunday he prefers to stay in San Francisco for the rest of the season. He will be watching and waiting ahead of the July 31 trade deadline like everyone else.
"I don't think my season has been what they expected," Vizquel said. "I don't know at what point they're waiting for me to do good. It just depends on what they think, if they really feel I can influence the younger guys by talking to them or guiding them to get better, or whether they're going to start unloading the veteran guys. I don't know where I stand right now."
It's over Omar! Time to get off the stage. You have had a HOF career, and have been a great Giant, but father time has caught up with you, and it is time for a change.:(