Giants wonder if they should raise white flag

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jul 7, 2008 | by Andrew Baggarly

NEW YORK -- The fans were incensed, the players felt betrayed and the organization suffered at the gate for the next two seasons.

The year was 1997, the executive under fire was Chicago White Sox general manager Ron Schueler, and the nine-player transaction he approved became forever known as the "White Flag Trade.''

Schueler traded two-fifths of his rotation (Wilson Alvarez, Danny Darwin) and his closer (Roberto Hernandez) to the Giants for six prospects at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. But here's the memorable part: The White Sox were three games out of first place at the time.

As fate would have it, Schueler now works as a special assistant for Giants GM Brian Sabean, his trade partner nearly 11 years ago. And with the Giants just five games back despite a 39-50 record, it could be Sabean who waves the surrender flag from the prow of a would-be contender.

"I think his focus is still on youth," said Schueler last week, as he watched batting practice from the Giants dugout. "I'll talk to Brian about what he wants me to look for. My guess is, unless we talk about (trading) some of these veterans, we'll keep our youth and continue along that path."

The difference is that Schueler had pitchers who were impending free agents. Sabean's pitchers are either young (Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, Jonathan Sanchez) or carrying a $126 million contract (Barry Zito), making it virtually impossible to trade them.

Sabean sees his current situation as more closely related to 2005, when the Giants were 13 games under .500 -- yet just 5-1/2 games out of first place -- on July 31. They acquired Randy Winn from Seattle for pitcher Jesse Foppert and catcher Yorvit Torrealba.

Sabean will look for a similar deal in an effort to support the club's bid to compete, but he is realistic about his chances.

"We've got some disposable money, and we'll explore everything," Sabean said. "But we've completely changed our tune. We're not interested in the year-to-year planning we've done in the past. While you'd like to add a bat to the lineup, we're not going to add (an impending) free agent. And to get somebody of note, they'll want pitching we're not going to give up.

"If everybody can understand that, you can understand why we would or wouldn't do something.''

Schueler recalled the events that set the white flag in motion. He wasn't in position to bolster his club, and he learned that the first-place Cleveland Indians were about to swing deals for pitchers John Smiley and Jeff Juden.

"So I went to (owner Jerry) Reinsdorf and said, 'Jerry, if you have any intentions on doing something, now's the time,''' Schueler said.

Dick Tidrow, Sabean's top lieutenant, happened to be in Chicago and asked about Darwin. Over a few drinks in the Bard's Room at Comiskey Park, the deal expanded like bread in an oven.

"Believe it or not, it was Darwin for Keith Foulke and that was it," Schueler said. "The only problem is Sabean let Dick stay in town for five days, and by the time he left, it was six for three."

While some of the highly regarded prospects (Lorenzo Barcelo, Mike Caruso) didn't pan out, the White Sox received two valuable bullpen pieces in Foulke and Bobby Howry. The Giants won the NL West by two games and lost a postseason series to the Florida Marlins.

The White Sox were long-term beneficiaries, winning the AL Central in 2000 due in part to a strong bullpen. But when the trade was made, the impact was devastating. Players felt management sold them out.

"It was all over talk radio," said Giants second baseman Ray Durham, whose eight seasons with the White Sox included that one. "They wanted Reinsdorf's head, Schu's head, the manager's head. I mean, we were three games out."

Fate intercedes again. This time, Durham could be the one leaving a club still in contention. He and Rich Aurilia are impending free agents and likely to be traded for a prospect and a little salary relief.

"With a veteran, especially a free agent, you have to be open- minded," Sabean said. "Arguably, is it worth more to give a younger player a chance and also get something tangible back?"

Durham said he wouldn't use his 10-and-5 rights -- 10 years service, five with one team -- to block a deal. But he'd just as soon help the Giants reach the postseason as opposed to anyone else, and he knows the next three weeks will be crucial. With the trade deadline looming, there's no better time to start a winning streak than today against the Mets at Shea Stadium.

"If we go out there and play well, I'd think ... I mean, I'd hope they'd keep us together," Durham said. "But they'll probably start getting some guys out of here. I'd probably think me, Richie or possibly even Randy. Who knows, maybe Doc (Dave Roberts) too."

Sabean agreed that the next few weeks would be pivotal.

"We'll have to look at how we finish the first half, what we're doing to start the second half and what we're up against," he said.

Note: The Giants recalled infielder Eugenio Velez from Triple-A Fresno on Monday to take Brian Horwitz's spot on the roster. Velez is expected to be in uniform tonight.