Pointing in a new direction;GIANTS;Baer takes over: Will new CEO change the team’s philosophy?

In Bill Neukom's three years as managing general partner, the Giants didn't sign any playersbeyond two years, a far cry from the Peter Magowan regime, whenlong-term deals for Barry Zito and Aaron Rowand turnedregrettable. Larry Baer, who will succeed Neukom as CEO in January, didn'trule out longer-term contracts for premier free-agent hitters inthe wake of this season's run-producing woes.