Giants go for it by trading for Guillen

Pitcher Barry Zito vouched Friday for new Giants right fielder Jose Guillen.
"Neukom's an animal. He's getting after it," Zito said before the Giants began their divisional showdown with the first-place San Diego Padres. "He's doing things this team hasn't seen in years.
"We love it. It shows management has faith in us. nfl throwback jerseys
It gives us motivation."
This evolution of a pennant contender is not something Neukom nor his minions are taking lightly.
Like everyone else, they thoroughly considered whether they were sacrificing clubhouse chemistry by adding Guillen, a mercurial showman who brings yet another respected bat to the ever-changing heart of the Giants' order.
"When you've got a good thing going, and you're not desperate, and you want to be stronger, you want to be sure of the next player that comes in and see how he fits," Neukom said.
The all-around vibe is that Guillen is one animal who can be tamed amid a contending ballclub that polices itself well with trusted veterans. Guillen is not in Kansas (City) anymore.
Nor was he in Friday's lineup (joke: he does have tons of, ahem, baggage to pack) but he will become a constant presence, likely beginning today.
"I hope he'll come and help us in the stretch drive," Neukom added. "It's also important he wants to prove himself and extend his career. He'll fit in very well. It's a very positive clubhouse."
Zito seconded that motion, recalling how Guillen was a "good dude" when they teamed together on the 2003 A's. Zito has heard the stories of Guillen's discontent elsewhere but never saw such sideshows with the A's.
One obvious explanation for that: Those A's were the only team Guillen accompanied into the postseason San Francisco 49ers jersey
during his 14-year career. Guillen was acquired by the A's in a July 30 trade and contributed eight home runs in 45 games (plus a .455 batting average in the divisional playoffs vs. the Boston Red Sox). The Giants are his 10th club.
"He's a great guy, a great baseball player," said Padres shortstop Miguel Tejada, who hit cleanup on those 2003 A's while Guillen batted second. "Everyone knows what he can do. He can hit, and he's a great acquisition for San Francisco."
Understand this: Guillen is not the only acquisition the Giants have made during this season-long pursuit of the Padres. The precious clubhouse chemistry that everyone is suddenly so protective of will endure Guillen's presence. Otherwise, the Giants should sever ties with him at the first sign of disruption.
What is so striking about this club is its constant reconstruction. This is not the same outfit from when the Giants dropped seven of eight games with the Padres in the season's first two months. Welcome aboard: catcher Buster Posey, left fielder Pat Burrell, starter Madison Bumgarner and relievers Javier Lopez and Chris Ray (not to mention the emergence of Andres Torres and Aubrey Huff).
"Brian (Sabean, the Giants general manager) put a lot of time in finding a piece here or there to fit in and help," manager Bruce Bochy said.
OK, so Neukom is not the only, um, animal getting after it. The Giants czar is pleased how his club has dug in for a race he predicts will go "down deep into September."
"We have to continue to count mostly on homegrown talent and find a way to complement things with trades or strategic free-agent signings," Neukom said of the Giants makeup. "Fortunately our baseball guys have been very vigilant in finding key pieces."
As for his animal instincts, Neukom responded: "That's nice of (Zito) to say, that Buffalo Bills jersey
I'm doing things useful and constructive."
Is it OK to call the boss an "animal?"
"He's a trial lawyer," Zito quipped. "I'm sure he's been called a lot of things."
So has Guillen, who the Giants have called upon as yet another piece to a puzzle that is coming together nicely.