If there is one opinion I have never swayed from, its the fact that San Francisco GM Brian Sabean is completely and totally incompetent. True he helped the Giants to the World Series with a few moves, and has had 8 winning seasons during his tenure… oh and he’s also raped and pillaged the Giants farm system - so he’s got that going for him too.

After growing up in the Bay Area, I’ve always had a place in my heart for the Giants, but as a fan who has common sense and a rational train of thought, it’s impossible for me to be a fan of the franchise as long as they stand idly by and let Sabean tear the team down bad decision after bad decision. I was truly hopeful, that one day soon the Giants ownership would not only see this, but that they would emphatically tell Brian to pack his shit and hit the road. I won’t even re-hash the atrocious trade that sent Francisco Liriano, Boof Bonser, and Joe Nathan to the Twins for a mediocre backstop… who is of course no longer with the team. I will point out though the problems with Brian’s strategy. For example, last season Sabean traded away a young relief pitcher who is closing out games right now in Toronto with a good deal of success (Jeremy Accardo) for a first baseman who was recently waived by his team (Shea Hillenbrand). If that’s not being completely and totally neglectful of your team’s future, I’m not sure what is.

So you can only imagine how many breakable objects near my persons were in danger when I read this headline: Giants, Sabean talking extension. Despite my instincts, I read on past the title, hoping that by “extension” that Brian needed a longer rope or possibly an extension cord to hang himself with. Sadly I was incorrect; the Giants not only are somehow neglecting the fact that the team is currently going to finish their third straight losing season and that they have very little to rely in in terms of prospects as their best and brightest youngsters have been dealt away for crappy short-term veteran help… but they are actually going to reward the man with a new contract and like his work? This must be opposite day… someone, is this opposite day?

Contrary to rumors that the Giants are preparing to fire Brian Sabean, ownership has decided it wants Sabean back next year for a 12th season as general manager, and the two sides have begun discussions about a contract extension, The Chronicle has learned.

The reasons are unclear, and nobody involved in the discussions would comment Tuesday.

But even in putting Sabean on notice during spring training, Magowan said, “I think the world of Brian. He’s done some great things for the organization. I expect him to be our general manager in the future.”

Obviously I highlighted my favorite part of the article… “the reasons are unclear.” The local paper too, has no idea why this would happen. I’m stunned, I hope Giants fans are stunned as well. I know Dayn Perry of Fox Sports is stunned too. The frequent contributor to FOXSports.com and author of the new book, “Winners: How Good Baseball Teams Become Great Ones” wrote - 117 days ago - about how Sabean was done in SF:

There’s no questioning his record of success as the Giants’ GM, but it is appropriate to ask whether the Sabean model (willful neglect of the draft, prospects as nothing but trading chits, aging veterans above all) is sustainable for much longer. Barry Bonds is nearing the end of his career, and the team will be saddled with the thoroughly ill advised Barry Zito contract for years to come.

If there is one thing that I can take out of this as a positive, just one thing, its that Brian Sabean makes me remember why I’m an A’s fan.

In Billy We Trust