San Francisco Chronicle
Henry Schulman

These games should help general manager Brian Sabean formulate a plan for the trading season, although he has some idea which way he plans to go.

Sabean made two things clear Thursday: The pitching triumvirate of Lincecum, Cain and Jonathan Sanchez will not be dealt, and the Giants will not make any trades solely for short-term gain.

"We want to hold onto as many guys as we can and we're not interested in a rent-a-player," Sabean said. "That direction makes no sense for us in the position we're in right now."

Sabean reiterated what he told The Chronicle last month, that he is not thinking of trading Randy Winn or Bengie Molina, who are signed through 2009, but if he can place a pending free agent such as Ray Durham, Vizquel or Aurilia on a contender, he might do it.