Giants to Make Run at CC Sabathia

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Rather than weaken the rotation, the Giants might take one bold move to strengthen it. There are indications the Giants plan to investigate the Hope Diamond of free-agent pitchers this winter, CC Sabathia, to gauge his interest in returning to his native Bay Area.

The team does not plan to wade into the rest of the market for starters. As Sabean said Monday, “We’ll look heavily in the market for relief help. Whether we decide to do that with a starting pitcher remains to be seen because I think the price is going to be exorbitant.”

Sabathia is going to command a massive contract, too, but could be the one starter worth the millions he gets. His signing also could provide Sabean the flexibility to move other pitchers for offense.

The question is whether Sabathia wants to come to San Francisco. One national columnist reported the Giants are his first choice, but Sabathia told The Chronicle in June he was wary of pitching so close to his Vallejo home.

Sabathia is not the team’s highest priority, however. More offense is, and Sabean said he expects it to come via trade rather than free agency. Besides the Angels’ Mark Teixeira and Dodgers’ Manny Ramirez, the list of impact free-agent bats is skimpy.

Full Story: SF Chronicle