Giants won’t go after Pujols or Fielder

According to the team’s top brass, the San Francisco Giants are unlikely to pursue Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder or St. Louis’ Albert Pujols, both of whom are set to become free agents after this season.

“Our pitching is going to get expensive,” general manager Brian Sabean said in a press conference yesterday that was broadcast live on sfgiants.com. “That’s the punch line, and we have to take care of that first.”

And that means deciding how many years the Giants can hold onto their star pitchers — Tim Lincecum, Madison Bumgarner, Ryan Vogelsong and Matt Cain, who will become a free agent at the end of next season. Sabes explained that the rest of the roster would have to be built around that.

Translation: Forget about Pujols or the Prince in Orange and Black. Despite what incoming CEO Larry Baer may have teased us with a couple of weeks ago.

Personally, I’m not as concerned about first base. Not with Brandon Belt in the wings and Pablo Sandoval capable of playing the position. Heck, maybe Aubrey Huff will turn it around next season. (Yeah, I know, that’s a BIG maybe.)

More concerning to me is the leadoff spot. Andres Torres, God love him, just didn’t cut it in 2011. After a magical run in 2010 (.268/.343/.479, 16 HR, 63 RBI, 26 SB) Torres slumped badly in 2011 (.221/.312/.330/0.643 OPS, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 19 steals).

Just as concerning is the shortstop position. Don’t get me wrong. I loves me some Brandon Crawford, but the kid looked lost at the plate for most of the season and he may have been rushed to the big leagues.

That brings me to Jose Reyes.

The Mets don’t want to lose him this winter, but the speedy, slick-gloved shortstop will surely look at all offers.

Might there be one from the Giants?

Without using Reyes’ name specifically, Sabean said, “No matter what we have on the field … we have to start defensively. We have to run the bases better.”

Sabean also said that the team would definitely make a run at Reyes’ former teammate, Carlos Beltran (.300, 22 HR, 84 RBI, .385 OBP). I would love to see Beltran in San Francisco for a full season.

How about you? What do you think the Giants need to do this winter?