Jeremy Affeldt News

Cubs pitcher Carlos Marmol's performance on the field and Mr. T's off-key singing of the seventh-inning stretch off of it are among the candidates for MLB.com's This Year in Baseball Awards.

Two guys named C.J. are among the Rangers nominees for the 2009 This Year in Baseball Awards.

These were the first words out of my mouth when I read the voting results for the National League MVP.

When Brian Sabean recently announced that he planned to exercise stealth instead of speed in pursuing free agents this offseason, the Giants general manager probably didn't have history in mind.

Relief pitching, as usual, will be one of the busiest counters in the free-agent department store.

It's obvious that the Giants need to upgrade the offense. What do you think their priorities should be in targeting free agents or players in trades? For example, a run producer at first base, third base or left field, or an outfielder/leadoff hitter? Also, general manager Brian Sabean indicated that he'd rather wait for the free-agent market to ...

General manager Brian Sabean, who signed left-hander Jeremy Affeldt shortly after open bidding in free agency began last offseason, recently said that the Giants might chart a new course by taking a "wait-and-see" approach toward players on the market.

This offseason is crucial to the future of the San Francisco Giants. While good moves and shrewd signings will undoubtedly make them viable threats in the National League West, a simple misstep or two could put them back below .500 in 2010.

Hitting? That's the bad news. That's opening up the pantry after not eating for a week and finding nothing put potted meat .

"Numbers constitute the only universal language." -- Nathanael West, Author/Screenwriter 0 : The number of right fielders who hit .300 with 30 homers and 100 RBI .

After guiding the Giants back to the doorstep of the playoffs, general manager Brian Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy will get at least two more years to push the team over the threshold.

So Brian Sabean and Bruce Bochy got their deals, as expected. And the new season begins in 172 days, and the Giants will be handed new and grander expectations because, as we know, every time a team gains 16 wins, it must by definition pick up another 16 the next year, give or take a few.

Happy birthday to Trevor Hoffman, who turned 42 on Tuesday and will become the Brewers' first 42-year-old pitcher when he steps on the mound next season.

The Giants appreciate more about Matt Cain than just his pitching. The right-hander known for his aggressive approach on the mound received the "Willie Mac" Award, given annually to the most inspirational Giant through a vote conducted among players, coaches and the training staff.

Jeremy Affeldt is about to complete a career year. Even so, Affeldt said Tuesday, it could benefit the team next year to have a second lefty, such as rookie Dan Runzler.

Nobody in the usually stout rotation, including Sanchez, could do that in the first five games of a trip that ended with some true 2009 Giants baseball - good pitching and just enough offense to win.

The victory moved the Giants within four games of idle Colorado in the NL wild-card chase with 12 games to play.

It could be said that Jeremy Affeldt has excelled at staying grounded this season.

The Giants are the inebriate at the bar who cannot recognize that you and your sweetie want to be alone.

PHOENIX The Giants are a playoff contender and the Arizona Diamondbacks are not.