Juan Uribe News

The White Sox Venezuelan connection at shortstop added on another link Monday afternoon, with the announcement of the official signing of Omar Vizquel.

Finally, we've got some baseball news that doesn't pertain to the World Series. With organizations analyzing where there team stand and what needs to be done to improve their outlook for 2010, here are some of the stories that are currently making the rounds.

The World Series may still be fresh in your mind, but MLB GMs are already focusing on next season.

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.

John pulls no punches in his coverage of the Giants and his support of Barry Bonds.

A few quick notes from the Freddy Sanchez conference call, plus Justin Miller's release I'll get into more detail for the story I write for the paper, but some bullet points: -- Sanchez feels like he's ahead of schedule on rehab from his knee surgery and is just beginning to rehab his sprained shoulder.

It isn't difficult to pick out who doesn't belong in this foursome. It's Edgar Renteria.

Chicago Cubs at San Francisco Giants , 10:15 p.m. The San Francisco Giants are back at home and will try to move closer to a playoff berth tonight, when they open a four-game series versus the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park.

Giants general manager Brian Sabean has been known for some awful deals. This season was no exception as he proved to make a disastrous blunder in signing shortstop Edgar Renteria to a two-year, $18.5 million deal prior to the 2009 season.

Although general manager Brian Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy just received contract extensions, it is safe to say that both already had their wish lists set out for the 2009 offseason.

With the news that both GM Brian Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy have received two-year extensions to stay in their respective roles for the San Francisco Giants, fans and media alike are starting to look for a new scapegoat.

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.

The San Francisco Giants hope to continue their tear at season's end, as they resume a three-game set Saturday night against the NL West-rival San Diego Padres at Petco Park.

San Francisco starter Barry Zito was forced to leave Friday night's game at San Diego when he was hit near his left elbow by a line drive by Adrian Gonzalez in the sixth inning.

I suppose we can all use a little break. Two hits. A couple of walks. No runs. Wade LeBlanc.

Juan Uribe's solo homer touched off a six-run seventh inning Friday that lifted San Francisco to a 7-2 victory over San Diego.

Barry Zito turned catcalls to cheers in his third year as a Giant, but a respectable season came to a sudden and painful end Friday night.

With four games left, including Thursday's home finale against the Arizona D-backs, several Giants still have plenty to play for.

The Giants conjured quite a trick Friday night, playing one game that spanned two seasons.