GIANTS GRAB FINLEY FOR ALFONZO
The San Francisco Giants acquired outfielder Steve Finley from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for third baseman Edgardo Alfonzo.
What does it give the San Francisco Giants
As if the Giants weren't old enough already, the Giants have acquired an outfielder who will be 41 by Opening Day in Finley. That means that by mid-season, their outfield of Finley, Barry Bonds and Moises Alou will all be 40 or older. There's no denying that Finley has been a very good player throughout his career, both as a center-fielder and as an offensive threat with speed and power. But though he keeps quite physically fit, he started to break down last year in Anaheim both physically and on the stat sheet. The Giants are banking on his ability to return healthy and give them one more big season, and if he does, they've made a great deal, but it's a gamble. And with Alfonzo gone, Pedro Feliz can concentrate on being an everyday third baseman rather than serving a super-sub role.
What does it give the Los Angeles Angels
At 32, Alfonzo is much younger than Finley, but after signing with the Giants before the 2003 season, his all-star-quality bat seemed to vanish and still hasn't returned, though his defense remained strong. At the outset, the former all-star probably won't play an everyday role with the Angels, serving mostly as an insurance policy in case promising young third baseman Dallas McPherson can't come through. He can also be used at second base as a backup for Adam Kennedy. Meanwhile, with Finley out of town, Chone Figgins can become the everyday center-fielder.
Fantasy impact
