Before beginning today's columns, we need to mention a brief problem we discovered this morning. We're concerned we may have missed several e-mails since we left for Arizona. As we've replied to all e-mails we've received since October 31st, if you've sent us e-mail within the last two weeks and haven't received a response, please re-send your message if possible and we'll make every effort to address your questions and comments by the weekend. We apologize for any inconvenience.

San Francisco GM Brian Sabean evidently didn't have any doubt about who he wanted to replace former manager Dusty Baker. The Giants didn't even offer Baker, whose contract expired after the season, an extension. Reportedly, Sabean contacted the Tigers on Sunday night to seek permission to speak to Felipe Alou. Alou served as bench coach under Detroit interim manager Luis Pujols and had a two-year deal, though under the terms of the contract he would have moved to the front office this season since Pujols will not stay on as the permanent manager for the Tigers. Sabean met with Alou in Florida on Monday morning, and on Wednesday San Francisco announced that they had given Alou a three-year contract to manage the Giants.

The contract also reportedly includes provisions for Alou to move to the Giants' front office as a special assistant to the GM after he's finished managing. This arrangement should allow Alou to finish his baseball career where he began it over 44 years ago. Alou made his debut as a major league player with the Giants on June 8, 1958 and played a part in several historical moments for the team during his six years in San Francisco.

Alou will be 71 when his managerial contract expires, so an extension is unlikely. His age might be a concern, as the travel and hours involved in managing a major league baseball team make the position more of a middle-aged man's job if not a young man's job. Nevertheless, with the quality of travel accommodations now available, I don't think Alou will automatically be hindered by his age. Many younger managers, including his predecessor, have encountered serious health problems while still holding their posts.

When he took over the Expos, Alou had a dozen seasons of minor league managing under his belt, so he clearly was prepared for the challenge. His record shows that he can lead a winning team when he has talent, though Montreal struggled due to the exodus of players following the 1994 season. The Giants should possess sufficient talent to support a winning team under Alou for the length of his contract, however their off-season transactions will have a significant influence on the team given the players San Francisco has eligible for free agency.

One of the biggest questions that surrounded the Giants' managerial hunt was how a managerial change might affect Barry Bonds and the clubhouse situation. I don't think it was as pertinent an issue as many people made it out to be, as I think Bonds is a professional who would have found a way to work with anyone San Francisco hired, even if he had been older than that person. However Alou supposedly has a friendly standing relationship with Bonds, and they certainly found someone older than the slugger.

Before the team fills out, it's difficult to predict specifics of how Alou might affect the Giants. Hopefully we've seen the last of Bonds batting in the four hole. Alou is not particularly easy on his pitchers, but he likely won't emulate Jeff Torborg either. Additionally, even San Francisco's less experienced pitchers aren't very young. Alou has a good reputation for working with young players, so the Giants won't need to worry about bringing up rookies. His coaching staff also will play a role in those areas. At this time, no coaches have been named to his staff. I don't believe any of Baker's coaches have departed, so a few of them likely will be retained while Alou brings in a few new people.

Of course, whenever someone with a son in the majors takes a managerial position, there is speculation as to whether his new team will acquire the child. With Reggie Sanders probably gone, San Francisco could easily pursue Moises Alou to replace him in the outfield. While I consider him a health risk due to age, Alou's contract isn't overly burdensome and I don't think the Cubs would be averse to dealing him for decent compensation.

My main concern about this hiring is that it might limit Bonds' chances of retiring with a ring. However there's also the possibility that with the clock ticking on Alou's time with the team, San Francisco could make a very strong push in one of the next three years, since at this point Alou isn't someone you'd pick to guide a long rebuilding project.