Teams are inquiring about free agent Marco Scutaro not just as a shortstop, but also as a second baseman, according to his agent, Peter Greenberg. One team even asked if Scutaro would consider moving to third.

Scutaro, who played Gold Glove-caliber defense for the Blue Jays last season, will “entertain all possibilities,” Greenberg said — including a return to the Jays on a one-year deal if, as expected, he is offered salary arbitration.

The Jays offered Scutaro a contract extension during the season and another after the season ended, Greenberg said. Scutaro wants to explore the free-agent market, but he likes the city, team and manager Cito Gaston, who gave him his first chance to play every day.

“He definitely hasn’t closed the door on Toronto at all,” Greenberg said.

The Mets, who had Scutaro at the start of his career in 2002 and ‘03, likely are one of the teams interested in him at second base. If they trade Luis Castillo, Scutaro and Orlando Hudson would loom as possible free-agent replacements.

The Tigers, Cubs and Dodgers are among the other clubs that could be in the market for a second baseman. The Mariners, Phillies, Angels, Orioles, Twins, Cardinals and Giants are among the teams that could look for help at third.

Season in seven words: “88 wins with one functional hitter. Wow.” …

Hero: Here’s why my nonexistent Cy Young vote goes to Tim Lincecum: more innings than Carpenter, more bats missed than Wainwright …

Loserhead: Aaron Rowand can’t hit and has slipped defensively to the point where he doesn’t cover centerfield so much as keep it company …

Key need: Hitters that can hit. In an ideal world, they’d replace no fewer than six 2009 regulars …

Prognosis:: Buster Posey will upgrade the Molina-free lineup. Alas, with Bruce Bochy still captaining the ship, expect more batting-order bingo and strategic choices that defy both common sense and international law.

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And for a very, very long time.  It’s a team of over the hill 30 and 40-somethings who are too washed up to play anywhere else.  It’s a team of a few young guys who haven’t even produced above High-A ball.  They have two young future aces in the pitching staff, but the two are accompanied by one of the most overrated pitchers in baseball, Barry Zito, who is quickly proving that his contract is one of the worst in MLB history, if not the worst already.  Mike Hampton has nothing on him.

They’re really not in any position to compete any time soon.  The vets they have are washed up.  Bengie Molina batting CLEANUP?  That’s a joke, and everyone knows it.  They were playing a guy who hit .165 in High-A ball last year, so it’s not like any of these young guys have potential.  The offense is expectedly horrid and they have absolutely nobody to turn to in the minor leagues.  They have one of the worst systems in baseball..

My condolences to Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum.  Both of these guys are future aces and dominant starters.  The guys can’t get any damn run support.  Cain lost 16 games last year despite an ERA in the 3’s, poor guy.  I know wins aren’t everything, but my psyche would be crushed if I kept pitching gems only to have either the offense score no runs or the bullpen blow the game.  If I were them, I’d be counting the days until I could leave San Francisco.

They’re also strapped in salary, considering they’re paying Barry “6.95″ Zito over 18 million dollars, and for the next 6 years following 2008.  They have so much less room to work with just because of that.  Considering that he’s a whiner/crybaby, I doubt he’s ever going to come out of this, and the contract will be even worse years down the road.  Nice work there, Brian Sabean.

As I said before, this team has no hope.  Barely any talent on the ML roster, and the farm is barren.  The only two legit prospects they have are Angel Villalona and Madison Bumgarner, and both of them are under 20 years old and won’t reach the bigs for another 3-4 years, maybe longer.  If I was a Giants fan, I’d start wearing the paper bag right about now.