Chris Haft of MLB.com says the San Francisco Giants may have a better chance at acquiring outfielder/designated hitter Jose Guillen than his teammate right fielder David DeJesus. The Giants have long been linked to DeJesus with many Giants’ officials intrigued about his offensive and defensive skills, but his affordable contract through 2011 will likely cost the Giants a prospect or two.

At the end of June, the Jim Bowden of FOXSports first brought up the rumor that the Giants were interested in Guillen, but only if the Royals were to pay for most of his salary. At the time, this is what a scout said regarding Guillen:

Guillen has shown sufficient bounce-back punch after an injury-filled 2009 to generate interest if a contender finds itself with a hole to fill. That might not happen until August, but he is likely to clear waivers (which allows him to be traded after the July 31 deadline). He is in the final season of a three-year, $36 million contract, which means a two-month rental would cost about $4 million. After that, even less.

The Giants have previously said they won’t rent players, and since Guillen is a free-agent after the season, he would fall into that category. But being a free-agent may work in the Giants’ favor since his price would be less than that of a Corey Hart from the Milwaukee Brewers. The word last week was that a deal involving Hart for left-handed pitcher Jonathan Sanchez was in the works, but Giants’ GM Brian Sabean didn’t pull the trigger.

Guillen, 34, is hitting .279/.340/.467 with 15 home runs and 54 RBIs with the Royals this season. Despite playing most of the season as the Royals’ DH, he’s been well accustomed to playing the outfield and at one time his throwing arm was considered one of the strongest in the National League.

Related posts:

1. Update – Jose Guillen Rumors: San Francisco Giants interested in DH/OF
2. Jose Guillen Rumors: Kansas City Royals pushing to move OF/DH
3. San Francisco Giants Rumors: Corey Hart, David DeJesus, Ryan Theriot, Derrek Lee
4. Kansas City Royals Rumors: Will Royals move DH Jose Guillen and RHP Kyle Farnsworth?
5. San Francisco Giants Rumors: Trade for DeJesus, Hart or Pence?