General manager Brian Sabean remains involved in trade talks -- most likely for a third baseman or reliever -- although nothing's imminent. But nobody in free agency interests Sabean, who's prepared to rely on younger players on the existing roster to fill the Giants' needs.

Sabean thus reaffirmed a significant change in the approach of the Giants, who spent much of Barry Bonds' 15 years with the team complementing the roster with veterans in a search for short-term success. Obviously, the Giants meant what they said last September when they declared they would chart a new path and not re-sign Bonds.

"We're working on trying not to answer the phone because everybody's calling and we don't have much interest in who's calling," Sabean said Friday. "We just don't see anybody out there who's going to change our fortunes dramatically in the present or future, especially the future, on the free-agent market."

Sabean said that some trade talks have been "ongoing" but would be tabled until later in Spring Training to allow the Giants time for further evaluations. That would seem to fuel the rampant rumors that have linked the Giants to the Chicago White Sox, who are dangling third baseman Joe Crede. Having undergone lower back surgery last year, Crede will require the sort of evaluation Sabean mentioned as he performs in exhibition games.

But Sabean pointed out that those evaluations include internal ones.

"The bigger dilemma is always who you're going to give up," he said.

Safe in S.F.: Tim Lincecum was fully aware of the trade talk involving him at December's Winter Meetings, but he tried not to dwell on the possibility.

Lincecum's agent, Rick Thurman, and numerous friends updated Lincecum on the proposed swap that would have sent him to the Toronto Blue Jays for outfielder Alex Rios. Thurman told Lincecum to remain calm since nothing was imminent, which proved to be sound advice.

"I tried to distance myself from thinking about it too much," said Lincecum, in town to participate in Saturday's KNBR/Giants Fan Fest at AT&T Park. "I can't control anything that goes on. I can't say, 'Hey, I want to stay' or 'I want to go' -- even though I didn't."

Lincecum, 23, endeared himself to fans by quickly displaying the skill that made him the Giants' No. 1 selection (10th overall) in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft. He finished 7-5 with a 4.00 ERA and struck out 150 batters in 146 1/3 innings last season, pleasing crowds with his searing fastball and arresting curveball. Having gained comfort with the Giants, Lincecum felt pleased when the Giants and Jays broke off talks.

"In the back of my mind I was thinking that I just got into this organization a year and a half, two years ago. I don't want to leave yet," Lincecum said. "I want to get my feet wet here. I've had such a great time with this organization is such a short time."

Correia agrees: The Giants avoided salary arbitration with right-hander Kevin Correia, their lone remaining player eligible for the process, by agreeing with him on a $1,075,000 contract for 2008.

Correia, 27, is San Francisco's leading candidate for its fifth starter spot. He left the bullpen in mid-August last season to post a 3-1 record and a 2.54 ERA in eight starts, finishing 4-7, 3.45 overall.

The Giants and Correia settled at the midpoint of the arbitration figures they filed -- $850,000 and $1.3 million, respectively. Correia also can earn up to $75,000 in performance bonuses, as his deal includes $25,000 payments for making 25, 27 and 29 starts.