Rumors: Giants looking at Cody Ross and Brad Hawpe

The front office of the Giants did absolutely nothing inspiring before the July 31^st trade deadline except pick up two average relievers.  Their only success this year has seemed to come from picking up players that are were cut and placed on waivers. 

The first and foremost example of course is Pat Burrell. 

Well that trend is seemingly continuing.  They picked up Jose Guillen after he was cut by the Royals for some cash and a player to be named later, which by all signs appears to be a very low level prospect.  They also acquired Mike Fontenot from the Cubs after he cleared waivers for Evan Crawford. 

Well it does not appear that Sabean and the front office is done with the waiver wire just yet. 

Whether the motive was to block the Padres, or actually acquire the player, the Giants were awarded the waiver claim on Cody Ross, the center fielder for the Marlins.  With such a crowded outfield and another two weeks before rosters expand it is unlikely that they want to actually trade for him.  All signs show that this was a move to block the Padres from acquiring him since they are in desperate need for some outfield help after Tony Gwynn Jr. broke his hand.

But that’s not to say the Giants still won’t get him.  Ross is owed just over $1 million on his current contract and is eligible for arbitration this year and the Marlins just may have no interest in keeping him especially when his stats are way down from the last two years. 

2010: 445 at-bats, .263 AVG/.313 OBP/.400 SLG/11 HR/29 BB/9 steals

The other player the Giants have been talking about is Brad Hawpe, who was cut last week by the Colorado Rockies.  Again he is an outfielder so it makes it difficult to sign him before the rosters expand.  Rumor has it that the Giants are looking into signing Hawpe but they would have to either cut or possibly DL Aaron Rowand or Nate Schierholtz to make a move for either of these guys. 

Hawpe’s numbers, like Ross’, are down significantly from his prior years.  In 2009, Hawpe was an All-Star but this year has been awful.

2010: 259 at-bats, .255 AVG/.343 OBP/.432 SLG/7 HR/36 BB/86 RBI

2009: 501 at-bats, .285 AVG/.384 OBP/.519 SLG/23 HR/79 BB/37 RBI

Now, whether Hawpe is a product of Coors Field is  yet to be determined but if getting this guy meant they would finally walk away from Aaron Rowand then I would be all in.