Oh, and I agree that trading a REAL prospect for Crede would not make sense at all. The Giants have a list of prospects who are keepers and then uses the non-keepers in trade. With the transition acknowledged, I don't see how they can trade from the keeper list without getting a long-term keeper back. And Crede is not a long-term solution, even if Villalona is fated (as some suggest) for 1B. A bad back at 3B is not a good thing, look at Edgardo Alfonzo, who came here with a history of bad back problems, we must learn from that lesson.

Frank, Feliz turned down the Giants two year contract even though it was for more than what he eventually signed with the Phillies. It was noted that he was insulted and felt he deserved a raise. That shows how far apart from reality Feliz is, let him go stink up 3B for the Phillies like the last Giants ingrate 3B to sign with the Phillies, David Bell. Feliz is a huge upgrade for the Phillies at 3B, the Phils were one of two teams that actually had a lower overall OPS than the Giants so Feliz is both an offensive (albeit tiny gain) and huge defensive addition over what they had last season. And their lineup is one of the most robust around. Plus, with the HR park factor of their park, it would not be out of the question for Feliz to hit 30-35 HR (look at his home/away splits in 2007) and cause consternation for some Giants fans who don't know better, for even if he did that, he would still be the same Feliz whose OBP is below .300 that we grew to loathe. It's one step at a time. People speculate and get all bent out of shape over what they are fearing what Sabean will do. Well, what Sabean has actually done this off-season has been pretty good, I think: kept Cain/Lincecum, acquired Rowand, even Vizquel signing was good, and now dumping Feliz and getting a draft pick out of it that replaces the Rowand one, so we are now even (or even ahead, the Feliz pick comes before the pick we lost for Rowand).

Frank, I think my basic philosophy with third base right now is that I don't really care as long as it's A) A short term deal with someone like Ensberg, who I think still can be decent, or at least close to league average or B) Letting someone already on the team like Frandsen play third. Basically, as long as we don't trade prospects for someone like Crede I'd be OK with whoever they throw out there next year. I doubly agree with you that trading for 1-year of Crede is insane. Maybe if the Giants were a 80-win team and needed just a couple of pieces to make a run at the playoffs. But as the team stands now, I think we'll be lucky to crack 70 wins in 2008. Trading for 1-year of Crede, who's exactly the same as Feliz, just makes no sense.

Yes, your last paragraph is my worry. And, unfortunately, there is one 25 man roster spot available. With his defense, I would rather see Feliz for 2 years, until Villalona is ready (hopefully in '10). I think he is better than Ensberg, a platoon player with bad defense, who put up good numbers by virtue of playing in a platoon. I would be completely OK with MacPherson, but consider him a long shot. The worst option, but the one I fear is coming, is Crede. Even tho he will take ABs away from Frandsen, I wouldn't mind Crede for Roberts or Durham - or some minor minor leaguer. But to give up a bona fide trading chip for Crede, I think, is the worst of all possible worlds - including resigning Feliz