SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants want to make sure Madison Bumgarner never goes elsewhere.San Francisco general manager Bobby Evans spoke with Bumgarner and reached out to the ace left-handers representatives to let them all know the Giants are ready to begin discussions on a new contract whenever they are.Bumgarner signed a $35.56 million, six-year deal through 2017 that includes $12 million club options for the 2018 and 2019 seasons.We want to make sure Madison is here for the long haul, Evans said Thursday. Well certainly be available when theyre ready to talk. We continue to exchange volleys. Were ready when theyre ready. Ive even talked to Madison. Were very clear.MadBum pitched a four-hitter in a 3-0 road win against the Mets in the wild-card game last week to continue his October dominance, then had a no-decision in Monday nights 6-5, 13-inning Game 3 victory against the Cubs. Chicago eliminated the Giants the next night.The 27-year-old left-hander 15-9 with a 2.74 ERA this season. Two years ago, his spectacular postseason instantly put him right up with the best ever in October. He tossed 270 innings, including 21 with two wins and a save in a World Series that went to Game 7 against the Royals.His value to the Giants, its sort of incalculable, CEO Larry Baer said, noting hes already fielding questions about when the pitcher will get a statue. Hes been a tremendous asset for us. Hes done historic things.The Giants like to keep their homegrown players around well into the future.In April, first baseman Brandon Belt received a $79 million, six-year contract that takes him through the 2021 season. Shortstop Brandon Crawford signed a $75 million, six-year contract last November through the 2021 season.I have spoken with Madisons agent about what the timing would be, Evans said. Again, this is a conversation Ive had with each of his representatives that hes had this year. Timing on that I cant speak to.While the sting of falling short was still felt by the brass two days later -- the Giants would have played a Game 5 on Thursday back at Wrigley Field -- a team that clinched the second wild card on the seasons final day was credited for sticking it out through a tough second half.The group still hates to lose as much as they like to win, and thats a powerful statement, said Brian Sabean, executive vice president of baseball operations.Manager Bruce Bochy insists his health is good and he is ready to get exploring out in the mountains this offseason and prepare to win another championship. He spent a night in a Miami hospital in August but insists he is strong and energized to improve at age 61.Nobody is hurting more than this team and myself that were not playing tonight with a chance to move on, Bochy said. Im hungry to get back to the World Series, win another one. I couldnt feel better to be honest.San Francisco is strongly considering promoting from within the organization to fill spots in left field -- with Jarrett Parker or Mac Williamson -- while Eduardo Nunez and Conor Gillaspie are likely to play third. Nunez, whose strained right hamstring limited him down the stretch and in the playoffs, is someone Evans likes on an everyday basis with his fire offensively and athletically and I think he did a really nice job defensively.Its important to value our internal options, Evans said, noting both third basemen are both very strong options for us at third. Thats most likely the direction well go.Finding a closer will be a top priority, with Evans saying he would explore every opportunity to make sure that no ninth inning goes unstaffed.Well find ways to improve our bullpen. We have a good core there for years to come, he said. An overhaul would be a tremendous overstatement.Game notesBuster Posey is likely to play as regularly behind the plate despite down power numbers this season, 14 homers and 80 RBI. ... Third base coach Roberto Kelly and first base coach Bill Hayes will not return to those duties. Evans said it hasnt been determined whether they will remain part of the organization in reassigned roles. ... Evans said he has exchanged messages with one NL West club with a managerial opening -- either Arizona or Colorado -- regarding bench coach Ron Wotus. ... San Francisco plans to offer a contract to reliever George Kontos.Kenta Maeda Dodgers Jersey . First off, the fans ripped the Cubbies introduction of a fuzzy new kid-friendly mascot named "Clark". Fernando Valenzuela Dodgers Jersey . The 43-year-old closer, in his 19th and final big league season, has said hed like to play the outfield. Yankees manager Joe Girardi says hes thinking about allowing Rivera to do it this weekend, when the Yankees finish their season with a three-game series at the Houston Astros. http://www.dodgerssale.com/dodgers-cody-bellinger-jersey/ . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. Max Muncy Jersey . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. Chris Taylor Jersey .C. -- Charlotte Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said after all of these years in the NBA hes still amazed at some of the things LeBron James does.UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- Top-ranked Duke bounced back from its loss to Kansas by beating Penn State, but watched another player go down with an injury.Freshman Frank Jackson led five players in double figures with 17 points and Amile Jefferson added 16 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Blue Devils to a 78-68 win Saturday in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off tournament.Sophomore Chase Jeter rolled his left ankle in the first half and didnt return.Tony Carr had 20 points and Shep Garner added 15 to lead Penn State (2-2).Jeter went down under the Penn State basket while going for a rebound. The 6-foot-10 sophomore was on the floor for several minutes before being helped off the court. His injury came minutes after Grayson Allen left the game, favoring the right foot he hurt in Tuesdays loss to Kansas.Allen went back to the locker room, but returned to the floor a few minutes later. He finished with 12 points and needs just three more to become the 65th Duke player with 1,000 points for his career.Matt Jones and Luke Kennard added 15 points each for Duke, which will play No. 21 Rhode Island for the tournament championship on Sunday.Were banged up more than any team Ive ever coached, said Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski. Before the game and then during the game. I mean, Amile has been hurt this week. He has 15 rebounds and 16 points.Despite the injuries, the Blue Devils went on an early 13-2 run that turned a tie game into a 21-10 lead. They led 36-24 at the half, despite some poor shooting from Allen and Kennard, who were a combined 4-15 from the floor. But Jackson picked up the slack, scoring 11 of his points before intermission.To be able to have the next man up, coach does a good job motivating us, Jones said. We didnt come to Duke to lose, be second fiddle or bow down to anybody. We know what were capable of and everyone on that sideline can help. That confidence that is instilled in us, takes us to where we need to go.A 3-point play by Allen stretched the lead to 64-51 midway through the second half.Penn State trailed 72-57 with just under 5 minutes to play, but went on a 9-2 run before the Blue Devils closed out the game.ddddddddddddDukes short bench outscored Penn States 19-5.BIG PICTUREDuke: Jeters injury further depletes a Blue Devils team that is still without three highly touted freshmen -- Harry Giles, Jayson Tatum and Marques Bolden -- as well as junior Sean Obi. They may have just seven players available for Sundays championship game. Krzyzewski pegged Jeters status for the game as doubtful.I know if he can play, he will play, Krzyzewski said. Were going to try and win. We would like to win.Penn State: The Nittany Lions are using the tournament as a measuring stick to see how the young team stacks up against top-level competition. This was the programs first game against a No. 1 ranked team since 2011, and theyre now 0-14 in those games.We took another step today, said coach Patrick Chambers. We got better. And thats our goal Just keep getting better. Its a process thats going to take some time, but were going to eventually get there.POLL IMPLICATIONSDuke was No. 1 in the preseason poll and the first voting of the regular season, but likely will fall a few spots after its loss to Kansas. How far may depend on how they do in this tournament.PERIMETER DEFENSEDuke held Penn State to six 3-point baskets on 21 attempts. Thats not a fluke. The Blue Devils held their first three opponents under 15 percent from the outside and were giving up fewer than three 3-pointers a game coming into the tournament. Duke was 9 for 24 from 3-point range.UP NEXTDuke will play No. 21 Rhode Island in the tournaments championship game Sunday afternoon. The Rams beat No. 24 Cincinnati 76-71 in the second game of the evening.Penn State will play Cincinnati tournaments consolation game.----More AP college basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25. ' ' '
