While the Giants' main focus this winter is on finding some way to add offense -- no surprise since San Francisco was 29th in the majors in runs scored -- they've also told teams that they'd love to dump Barry Zito.
"They're trying to give him away," said an official of one team that had spoken to the Giants. "I think they would eat as much money as it would take to get rid of him."
You can be sure it would take a lot. Zito has $101.5 million and five years still to go on the $126 million, seven-year deal he signed with the Giants two winters ago. Two years into that deal, Zito has lost his fastball and has also lost 30 games, going 21-30 with a 4.83 ERA for the Giants.
The Giants have decided to build their team around young starters Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, and they've told teams both are untouchable in trade talks. Somehow, though, the Giants will need to find some hitters.
"They're starving for power at the corners," the official said. "They want a third baseman, a right fielder, a first baseman. They just need bats."
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