The Detroit Tigers might be looking to move left fielder Marcus Thames. If they are then the Giants should be interested in making an offer for him. Emmanuel Burriss and Merkin Valdez would likely be enough to get the job done for Thames. Thames has huge power but he has always been platooned. He could probably hit 30-40 homers with full time at bats and that’s what he would likely get with the Giants. The great thing about getting a player like Thames is that the Giants would also have more than enough money left in the budget to find a big bat for RF and 1B.

The San Francisco Giants will likely put a ton of their players on the trade market. They will likely keep the starting rotation in tact but almost everyone else can be had for a price. The Giants need young position players in return for their veterans as the farm system is pretty weak right now. 3B Jose Castillo, 2B Ray Durham, C Bengie Molina, infielder Rich Aurilia, shortstop Omar Vizquel and 1B/OF Dan Ortmeier likely will be gone by the end of July if the Giants can find takers for them. Righty relievers Tyler Walker, Keiichi Yabu and Vinnie Chulk also might have new home parks soon. The Giants should not be waiting as they should be moving players right now.

The Braves want another outfielder with some pop and Randy Winn fits the bill. With starting oufielders Mark Kotsay and Matt Diaz out the Giants could probably get a good prospect like shortstop Brandon Hicks if they make a move sooner rather than later. Sure, Winn is one of the best players on the Giants but he wasn’t likely going to play with them much longer as the Giants weren’t likely to pick up his option for 2009. The 34-year old switch hitting Winn has played in 69 games for the Giants this season and he is 77 for 259 (.297 avg, .804 OPS) with 38 runs scored, 5 homers, 27 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Brandon Hicks is a 22-year old righty swinging shorstop. Hicks has played in 59 games in AA-ball this season and he is 56 for 223 (.251 avg, .869 OPS) with 44 runs scored, 13 homers, 38 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. If the Braves agreed to trade Hicks for Winn the Giants would have to jump at it.