Giants celebrate victory
SAN FRANCISCO Giants CEO Larry Baer wants to add more World Series championships to the two his franchise has captured the past three seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO Giants CEO Larry Baer wants to add more World Series championships to the two his franchise has captured the past three seasons.
Why not build a baseball dynasty in the Bay Area?
Baer said Wednesday, amid a citywide celebration of the Giants' World Series sweep of the Detroit Tigers, that the front office is already hard at work beginning plans for the 2013 roster - and he is optimistic many familiar faces will stick around.
"Nobody thinks we should be done," Baer said.
The Giants and the city celebrated with an orange-and-black parade through downtown Wednesday. Officials estimated the crowd at more than 1 million people.
Brandon Crawford, a native of the San Francisco suburbs, lifelong Giants fan and the team's rising-star shortstop, said he was living the dream.
"When I was growing up, I wanted to be in a World Series with the Giants," he said. "To be here is awesome."
Two-time World Series champion Tim Lincecum said the 2012 ride gave him chills, brought back memories and sparked a few tears.
"This is better than the first time," he said. "We enjoyed it last time, but this time it's better."
Noteworthy *
Rafael Soriano appears poised to leave the New York Yankees, after opting out of the final year of his $35 million, 3-year deal with the club. The Yankees will give him a $1.5 million buyout. The righthander, who was set to make $14 million next season, had 42 saves last season after longtime closer Mariano Rivera tore knee ligaments in early May.
* The Kansas City Royals acquired Ervin Santana from the Los Angeles Angels for minor league reliever Brandon Sisk, and declined their $8 million club option on closer Joakim Soria after he had elbow ligament-replacement surgery and missed last season.
* All-Stars David Wright ($16 million) and R.A. Dickey ($5 million) had their contract options picked up by the New York Mets.
* The Orioles exercised their $1 million option on righthanded reliever Luis Ayala, but declined an $11 million option on first baseman Mark Reynolds.
* The Indians exercised their $5.75 million option on pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez, and declined options on designated hitter Travis Hafner ($13 million) and starting pitcher Roberto Hernandez ($6 million).
* The Pirates picked up their option on 25-year-old third baseman Pedro Alvarez ($700,000) and parted ways with catcher Rod Barajas, who had a $3.5 million option.
* The Blue Jays exercised their $3 million option on lefthanded reliever Darren Oliver.