December 15, 2008 Omar Vizquel was released by the Giants after the season, but he stated that he wants to continue playing in 2009, according to MLB.com. The 41-year-old vet said, "I feel really good and I don't want to retire knowing I can be a little better than I was last season. I don't have anything yet, but I want to play and my agent has been talking to a couple of teams. I can't tell you who they are."
Our View:He prefers to remain in the NL, and the Padres and Dodgers were believed to have some interest. Vizquel has 2,657 hits and needs just 21 more to pass Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio for the most hits in MLB history while roaming shortstop.
December 10, 2008 The Press-Enterprise reports that the Padres have interest in shortstop Omar Vizquel and that the Dodgers do not, as was previously reported.
Our View:It doesn't seem likely that the 42-year-old would be interested in joining a team that does not figure to contend next season, but they may be the only team interested in offering him a deal. He hit .222 in 92 games last season with the Giants.
December 10, 2008 The Dodgers may be interested in adding verteran free-agent Omar Vizquel if they lose shortstop Rafael Furcal in free agency, according to the Daily News.
Our View:He'll turn 42 in April, and he hasn't hit better than .250 in three years. But he IS an 11-time Gold Glove winner and would be another excellent addition to the clubhouse.
November 4, 2008 Omar Vizquel's option for $5.2 million was declined by the Giants on Tuesday, according to Mlb.com.
Our View:The free agent pool is pretty shallow at shortstop after Rafael Furcal, which could lead to Vizquel finding a job as a starter still.
October 7, 2008 Omar Vizquel is recovering from laser surgery that he had performed on his eye, according to the AP.
Our View:Vizguel was told by the Giants that there is zero percent chance that he would be back with the team in 2009. That doesn't mean the 19 year veteran is done. "There’s no doubt in my mind that I can still play."
