Second chances

Giants talking with Durham as Kent's replacement

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- If the Giants lose All-Star second baseman Jeff Kent, they might try to replace him by reaching across San Francisco Bay.

Giants assistant general manager Ned Colletti said Friday he spoke briefly with the agent for Ray Durham at the general managers meetings this week in Tucson, Ariz.

Durham is a free agent second baseman who played for the Oakland Athletics the last two months of the season after being traded by the Chicago White Sox.

Giants introduce Alou SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Felipe Alou pulled on his new No. 23 San Francisco Giants jersey top and had a little flashback. "It's not the first time I wore this. The last time was 1963," he said Friday. "It's too big for me." Alou, hired as the Giants' manager Wednesday to replace Dusty Baker, has returned to where his major league career started nearly half a century ago. If anybody can replace the well-liked Baker, Alou seems to be the one. Inside Pacific Bell Park, where the grounds crew was digging up the home plate area, the center-field scoreboard read: "Welcome back to San Francisco! Felipe Alou." Baker, meanwhile, was close to becoming the manager of the Chicago Cubs. He left a good-luck note for Alou on the desk in his former office, which Alou will take over. The gesture meant a great deal to Alou. "I know my profession is major league manager," Alou said. "I want to thank [owner] Peter Magowan and [general manager] Brian Sabean for having the confidence in me. I believe I am the man. "I am taking this very seriously. I know what to expect. I know my expectations here. They are to win one more World Series game."

Durham had expressed interest in staying with the A's, but wants to play in the field. He was mainly the designated hitter for Oakland, which had rookie Mark Ellis as its everyday second baseman.

Durham hit .289 this season with 15 home runs and 70 RBIs, committing 17 errors.

The 34-year-old Kent, the 2000 National League MVP, is not expected to return to the team for a seventh season.

The Giants have increased their offer to free-agent third baseman David Bell, Colletti said, and were waiting to hear back from Bell's agent.

Bell has expressed interest in returning to the Giants, but wants a multiyear deal. He has been contacted by several other clubs, with the Philadelphia Phillies making the hardest push to sign him.

In addition, the Giants have been in contact with the agents of Kenny Lofton and reserves Tom Goodwin and Bill Mueller. Lofton was the team's leadoff hitter after being acquired in a July 28 trade with the White Sox for two minor league pitchers, but he spent the past four seasons with Cleveland. He hit .267 in 47 regular-season games for San Francisco, which was looking for a leadoff man to spark the offense. But it is uncertain whether the Giants will bring him back.

Durham could potentially be the leadoff hitter.

The Giants have declined the $1.2 million option on reserve outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo. Shinjo apparently wanted to play every day, but the Giants saw him more as a fourth outfielder.

He hit .238 in 362 at-bats, with nine homers and 37 RBIs. Without Shinjo, and with right fielder Reggie Sanders also a free agent, the Giants have only two outfielders under contract -- slugger Barry Bonds and Marvin Benard.

The Giants also have spoken to the agent for Arizona's Steve Finley. Finley, an outstanding center fielder coming off a good offensive year, will be 38 when spring training begins, but remains in prime physical shape.

 

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