The Giants have designated left-handed reliever Jason Christiansen for assignment with the hopes of trading him. He was 6-1 with a 5.36 ERA in 56 games this season. The Giants acquired him in a 2001 deadline deal, and he pitched well enough to earn a three-year, $6.8 million contract to be the left-handed setup man. But "Tommy John" surgery early in 2002 derailed his Giants career. The club re-signed him for $1 million this season with a mutual option for 2006, but he had no plans to return as long as Alou was still manager. Christiansen publicly complained on the last road trip about how Alou used his relievers. He had no harsh words Friday and even suggested the Giants were heading in the right direction, with his departure and those of Brower and Herges. "Look at the guys who stepped into that situation," Christiansen said. "You've got (Jeremy) Accardo, Munter, Taschner. Jeez, these guys have electric arms. They're young, energetic, fresh faces. That's what they need around here, some young kids to go out there maybe a little bit more hungry. Maybe that's what they're looking for, something to spark this team a little bit."