With General Manager Brian Sabean stating that second year player Emmanuel Burris ‘won the job outright’, the Giants optioned Kevin Frandsen to AAA Fresno, ending the heated competition for second base.  A favorite with both fans and teammates, Frandsen, who missed most of 2008 with an achilles injury, will probably serve in a multipurpose role for the Grizzlies, moving around the infield to fill needs. 

It had been widely expected that the loser of the competition would remain on the Giants in the capacity of a backup.  The move all but guarantees that veterans Rich Aurilia and Juan Uribe will both remain on the club going into the season.   However, keeping in mind the situation the Giants had in 2008 when Eugenio Velez fizzled coming out of camp, it’s safe to think Frandsen will be back sometime this season.  However, should Burriss excel, perhaps look for the Giants to eventually try to trade Frandsen.  It won’t be too hard to find a taker for his hard nosed style of play.  

In other moves, the Giants reassigned slugging phenom Jesus Guzman to minor league camp, citing his need to find a defensive position.   I can’t imagine he won’t be back with the big league club at some time.

Hours after acquiring catcher Ronny Paulino from the Philadelphia Phillies for Jack Taschner, the San Francisco Giants traded him to the Florida Marlins in exchange for right-handed minor leaguer Hector Correa.  Correa, who has worked primarily as a starter over parts of three seasons, has compiled a record of 7-8 in that time with an equally unimpressive ERA of 4.52 in that time.  Rumor from the Giants front office is that Correa has potential upside.  Didn’t we hear that same thing about Vinnie Chulk and Randy Messenger (and myriad others)?   That and a dollar will buy you a cup of coffee.  We’ll see how this plays out.

Personally, I can’t imagine that this move will have a significant impact on the Giants.  However, it does improve the chances of Steve Holm of making the opening day roster (barring either a free agent pick up or the front office deciding that Buster Posey is ready to play at the major league level). 

The San Francisco Giants pulled the trigger on a long rumored deal by sending inconsistent left-handed reliever Jack Taschner to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for catcher Ronny Paulino. 

Paulino, who was traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Phillies in December 2008, is expected to compete with Steve Holm to be the Giants backup catcher. 

Taschner had spent all ten seasons of his professional career with the Giants organization. 

This move will free up some of the logjam in the bullpen as Taschner, who signed a new contract in the offseason, was expected to be a lock as a left handed reliever.  Basically, this means that the Jeremy Affeldt signing equals a straight replacement of Taschner in the bullpen. 

Giants minor league relief pitcher Kelvin Pichardo received a 50-day suspension Monday for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.  Pichardo, whose suspension will begin at the start of the regular season, was optioned to AAA Fresno on March 5. 

The Giants issued the following statement:

“The Giants were disappointed to learn that one of our players, Kelvin Pichardo, has failed a test for a performance enhancing drug. Our organization fully supports Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

“As an organization, we will continue to work with our players, Major League Baseball and the Players Association to do everything we can to eliminate these performance enhancing substances from our game.

“We will continue to provide Pichardo with the necessary support and counsel during his suspension.”

With the release of Dave Roberts (coupled with the team not signing Manny Ramirez in the off-season), the log jam in the outfield has been cleared up a bit.  However, aside from some spells of Eugenio Velez on the lawn, there are still four potential starters for three spots. 

In left field roams Fred Lewis.  I love this guy.  His bunion concerns seem to be cleared up and he’ll should be close to 100% for the season.  Also, it looks like he’ll be batting 3, which can only serve to help his numbers.  Leading off for the majority of last season stifled him a bit (though the 21 steals, 11 triples, and 81 runs scored were very nice).  While he’s a ravenous first pitch hitter, leading off requires taking pitches.   However, let’s not forget that the Pirates used to hit the Giants previous left fielder in the leadoff spot in 1986 and he did quite well when dropped down in the order.  Just sayin’.  Hitting 3 should help Lewis in 2009.

In center is the $12 million dollar man, Aaron Rowand.  2008 wasn’t exactly a great season for Rowand.  He got off to a fast start and then tailed off appreciably as the summer wore on.  Also, his defense wasn’t as incredible as the Giants were counting on.  If I sound like I’m not a huge fan hey, $12 million SHOULD buy .300, 25, 120.  The Giants didn’t get an wonderful return on investment last season.  I can’t claim that 2009 will be better, but it couldn’t hurt.

Right field is the the territory of Randy Winn.  He’s hit .300 each of the last two seasons and is a solid player and team leader.  In 2008, he helped with speed, too (25 steals with only twice being caught and 84 runs scored).   So far this spring, he’s been leading off consistently (and performing poorly in doing so).  If he can get his game together, he’ll be a good, if not spectacular, contributer in 2009.  If not, then perhaps it’s time for a changing of the guard.

Said change would be found in Nate Schierholtz.  This guy has murdered pitching wherever he’s wielded a bat (minor leagues, major leagues, and olympics).  He’s recorded back to back .300 seasons in limited major league action and is probably ready to be the starter in right.  However, right now he’ll have to bide his time.  As the fourth outfielder, he’ll get his share of at bats and a good chance to prove his worth.  He missed some time in the spring training with a tweaked back.  Hopefully, that’s behind him and exciting things are to come from Schierholtz.  Even as the fourth outfielder, he’s still incredibly more lethal than either Dave Roberts or Rajai Davis.  Something to look forward to. 

It’s also important to note that non-roster invitee veteran Andres Torres is making a push for a spot on the major league club.  He’s been playing well and leads the Cactus League in runs scored, thus far.  However, his age (31) might work against him.  Also, as a runner, the spot he’s gunning for might well be the one that appears to belong to Velez, who has proven himself to be a more adept hitter.  However, the Giant management seems to have a warm spot for veterans.  As a result, he might get to bring his cleats to AT&T park when the team opens the season.  If that happens, look for either Velez or Burriss to get a ticket to Fresno.  However, Torres will still have to prove himself, regardless.  It’s not his job to lose (or at least, shouldn’t be).   

Lurking behind the plate (and the mask) for the 2009 Giants is a stalwart presence with youth echoing on the horizon.   Both should serve to excite this season. 

In charge of the Giants pitching staff will be the veteran hitting machine Bengie Molina.  In addition to handling the pitching staff well, Molina improved his defense in 2008, lowering his passed balls from 16 to 5 while throwing out 35% of potential base stealers (a respectable amount).  Molina is one of the key team leaders for 2009.  His seeming immobility, while an asset for blocking the plate, tends to be a detriment on the basepaths.  For this reason, perhaps batting cleanup is a bit high for Molina and he should be dropped in the order to either 6 or 7. 

When Molina needs a rest, Steve Holm will serve as backup, for now.  It’s no secret that, as a rookie, he didn’t exactly dazzle (21 of 23 base stealers got away with their crimes on his watch).  However, if that’s what they have, then that’s what they have.

Perhaps the Giants would be better suited to give third baseman Pablo Sandoval a few repetitions behind the plate.  He is naturally a catcher and nailed 3 of 10 stealers in 2008.   However, if he continues to excel at third base, perhaps it’s best to save his knees and leave him there.

The elephant in the room which we have yet to discuss is the youngster, Buster Posey.  He’s having a noteworthy spring and perhaps could get a call up later in the season if he is effective in his first minor league season.  However, it would probably do him a disservice to start the year in the bay area to sit on a major league bench while minor league starts are given to others.  Again, repetition is the key here.  2010 will probably be his year to blossom, but don’t be surprised to see him in the orange and black in 2009, if only for a cup of coffee. 

Some rumors have the Giants looking to trade or sign for a veteran backup backstop this season.  I think that could very well be a mistake (barring injury to Molina).  However, ya’ never know what you are going to find when you go bargain hunting.  We’ll see how it plays itself out.

In a move echoing their commitment to a youth movement, the San Francisco Giants released veteran outfielder Dave Roberts, parting ways with a player whose tenure with the team could be described as underwhelming, at best.  Since signing a three year, $18 million contract with the Giants prior to the 2007 season, Roberts has spent substantial time on the disabled list and has never been the table setter originally envisioned by the Giant brass.   His release signals a vote of confidence for Nate Schierholtz and suggests that the Giants are serious about giving the talented young player a serious look as their number four outfielder in 2009.   The Giants are still obligated to pay Roberts contract for 2009, however. 

In other moves, relief pitchers Keiichi Yabu and Kelvin Pichardo were both optioned to AAA Fresno.  Yabu played a significant role in the Giants bullpen in 2008, appearing in 60 games.