Rumors have injured Giants left-fielder Fred Lewis heading north to the Toronto Bluejays via trade perhaps as soon as Thursday.  No word on who the team can expect to receive in return.

On one hand, should these rumors be true, I’ll miss Lewis.  I don’t think he ever hit his full potential in San Francisco.  However, he was expected to take over left field for Barry Bonds.  Good luck living up to that one.  The glut in the Giants outfield signalled that his days by the Bay were numbered.  If he stays healthy, the Blue Jays will be getting a good leadoff hitter who might blossom in the great north.  Enjoy the weather, Fred.  Good luck and God bless.

A smile crosses my face when I think of how well the Giants have performed on the season.  I guess I was used to losing or something.   In my wildest dreams, I don’t think I would have ever predicted 49-39 at this point in the season.  Factor in that they have the third best record in the National League and lead the wild card and my smile widens.

First and foremost, the secret to the Giants success this year is their pitching.  The starters start the games, so we’ll begin with them.  The two headed beast of Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain has given the team an awesome stability at the top of the rotation.  I will set this one two punch against any in the majors.  With Timmy, after two hiccups to begin the season, he’s merely continuing what won him the Cy Young award last season.  As for Cain, he’s showing us what he can do when he has the comfort level a little run support will allow.  Incredible.  If each continues their first half performance, the Giants will be well.  Randy Johnson’s been good, not great, not stellar.  He’s been a stable influence in the rotation when he’s not giving up taters.   However, his 8-6 record is gone until August (or September).  A lot will happen between now and then and his return should be viewed on a par with a late season trade.  It could push them over the top but won’t help them in the short term.  After him, Barry Zito’s been hit and miss, sink or swim, bouquet or stink.  In other words, a great number four.  For every dominating outing he has, there is seemingly one bad one and two that can go either way.  I’ll take the dominating ones when we can get them.  However, while he’s nice when on, he can’t be depended upon in crunch time.  So that leaves us with the kids.  Jonathan Sanchez was great in his last outing (no-hitter) and mostly abyssmal in the previous 13 before that.  It’s imperative that this last start was not an anomaly and that the Giants can depend on more of that sort.  If he starts walking the world in his next outing, the team should be concerned.  If the next batch are the same as the first 13, a change will be in order.  If he continues this dominance, then the Giants are in for a treat.  The rookie, Ryan Sadowski, has been good in three starts.  As a true #5, whatever the team can get from him will be gravy.  If he can remain accurate with his pitches (in his lost, he walked four), it appears he can be a consistently good juxtaposition to the fireballers at the top of the rotation.  He’s one to watch in the second half.

The bullpen was awesome.  Between Justin Miller, Brandon Medders, Sergio Romo, Jeremy Affeldt, and Bobby Howry, leads were often safe in the first half.  The only real question mark is oft-injured Merkin Valdez and his ‘just under five’ ERA.  Perhaps they could use an upgrade in this department.  Every other pitcher who hasn’t produced in the bullpen this year (Matos, Misch, Hinshaw) has been shown the door in short order.  Let’s hope the Giants don’t get too tentative about this one.  Perhaps a returning Joseph Martinez is the answer.  Brian Wilson, as usual, gave us a few nervous moments but, more often than not, came through for the Orange and Black.  I don’t see why that should change in the second half.  Nor do I see any need for a different closer (though the reactionaries will always scream that the sky is falling and somebody other than Wilson should be the closer….they are wrong). 

For the lineup, I’ll be brief:

First base-The lineup improved once 1) Travis Ishikawa started hitting and 2) once Travis Ishikawa started playing consistently.  I love this guy at first.  He should be the starter from here on out.  They need no upgrade at this position.  He saves uncountable runs with his scoops at first and, I’ll call my shot, he will end up the season with 20 homeruns and 80 RBI.  Mark it down. 

Second base-After the failed (can we declare it failed yet??  Yes, we can.) experiment with the combination of Emmanuel Burriss (didn’t hit/sent to the minors and currently missing the rest of the season with a broken foot) and Kevin Frandsen (sent to the minors/recalled and didn’t hit/currently being given a second look in the majors as a pine rider), Juan Uribe was a pleasant surprise at second base.  He’s hitting .301 and fielding second base like he was born to play it.  I don’t trust him 100% to continue this torrid pace and don’t think either Matt Downs or any minor league youngsters are the answer should he fail.  Therefore, if they are going to grab a stick by the deadline, second base is a good area to shore up.

Shortstop-I know many have been very critical about Edgar Renteria but, to be honest, he hasn’t been playing that badly.  Very average with his range.  His stick is nothing to write home about but he is good about tossing gas on the fire when the team starts blasting balls around the field.  In other words, he’s doing exactly what the Giants thought he would.  He is an accompaniment.  Nothing more, nor less. 

Third base-Hey, hey, what can I say?  Pablo Sandoval is the man at this position.  At the hot corner, he has been awesome.  Most of his seven errors came during his little stint at first base.  At third, he has been special.  His bat is awesome.  The league will grow to fear him.  As an added bonus, his power came around, in a hurry.  We’re looking 30+/100+ from him by the end of the year.  This is a bat to build a lineup around.  It’s also one that can carry a team offensively for a stretch. 

Catcher-Benjie Molina first, should not be hitting cleanup.  His power hitting seems to have abandoned him.   The pitchers like him, however, so we’ll continue to see him in the lineup.  However, don’t expect a ton from him.  And, lest we forget, he does like to surprise, at times.  Dependable bat that should be more potent in the second half.  Eli Whiteside has been a nice surprise.  I enjoy him playing in small doses.  The white hair is a bit freaky, though.  Eh.  I guess it matches his name.  Bucks the team trend, too, as it’s not a mohawk. 

Left field-Fred Lewis, who I pushed hard in the preseason, appears to have worn out his welcome.  Too many strikeouts with too little production will do that.  Sorry Fred.  I did lobby hard for ya’ for three years.  Nate Schierholtz has been nice as a substitute (though he’s better suited for right field) and should get more starts in the second half.  His scorching bat seems to have cooled a bit.  If he can’t pick it up by the end of this month, then that’s another spot where they might be able to use an upgrade. 

Center field-Aaron Rowand has experienced a renaissance since moving to the leadoff spot.  Amazing.  He’s hitting well and playing good defense (although the strikeouts are a bit high).  He swooned last season.  However, I think he’ll keep this up for the duration.  He’s playing with a vigor that is nice to see. 

Right field-Earlier stated, I think that Schierholtz is best suited to play here and move starter Randy Winn over to left.  Winn’s good.  He’s a leader.  He’s rather unspectacular.  However, he’s a veteran and, as such, is an asset to the team.   Important to have these down the stretch. 

I’ve read a great deal of ‘experts’ and ‘fans’ desiring that manager Bruce Bochy get the axe and that general manager Brian Sabean be smoted with the same stroke.  I think this idea is silly.  While I was a little miffed at Bochy for sticking with some veterans in the field early when I thought they should be on the bench or seeking other employment, he came around and now Ishikawa’s playing at first while Rich Aurilia’s riding the bench.  I think Bochy’s doing a great job with this team, overall.  Let’s see if he can get them to the playoffs and beyond.  I think he can.  That should keep the aforementioned smile beaming on my kisser.  Now, round one was fun and is in the books.  Let’s get going on round two of the season. 

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.

The San Francisco Giants enter spring training 2009 with roughly the same feel at first base as when they entered in 2008.  In 2008, the heir apparent for to start was Dan Ortmeier, fresh off an impressive 2007 season.   To back him up was Rich Aurilia.   After the youngster suffered through a poor spring training, riddled with defensive lapses, the seasoned veteran snapped up the position for opening day. 

2009 isn’t that much different, as yet. 

This time around, Travis Ishikawa is the man to watch.  And yes, the slugger is a rookie this season.  After a strong 2008 on the farm and a eye opening cup of coffee with the big league club, the slick fielding Ishikawa appears ready to take the job.  Mark my words as they are important.  He can ‘take’ the job, if he wants it.  It is ’his’ to lose.  If he performs adequately in spring training, he’ll be the starter on opening day.  If all goes according to plans, he’ll be pumping out homeruns from the bottom of the lineup starting in early April.   The big question is, how has Ishikawa worked on the breaking ball down and in which seemed to vex him a bit last year?  If he takes care of that one hole in his swing, he should be fine.

However, should Ishikawa stumble out of the gate, the eyes of the Giants will turn to the veteran Aurilia.  He brings a solid stick and glove to the proceedings and can do the job, though he’s certainly no long term fix. 

Another candidate would be second year man John Bowker.  Though he excited early last year, he truly slumped down the stretch and probably shouldn’t be looked at as more than a dark horse candidate for the position.  Of course, if he decides the he wants to collect singles, doubles, and triples in addition to homeruns, it could make the competition interesting.  This is all complicated with the fact that, unlike either Ishikawa or Aurilia, Bowker is a converted outfielder, a factor that might have contributed to Ortmeier’s less than stellar performance last year. 

The final candidate is newcomer journeyman Josh Phelps.  Signed to a minor league deal, for Phelps to start, it would probably require a combination of Ishikawa and Bowker flopping, Aurilia forgetting where he left his glove, and minor leaguer Scott McClain forgetting the route to the stadium.  In other words, it’s probably not happening.

One must still take into account wunderkind Pablo Sandoval.  If the Giants snap up a front line third baseman (even at this late in the game….Crede’s still available), then Sandoval will bring his sledgehammer to first and everybody else will take the bench. 

Let’s just all hope that Travis learns how to hit that down and in breaking ball, m’kay? 

So, the rumor wire has been burning up again about a meal that Manny Ramirez and his agent Scott Boras might or might not have shared with members of the Giants front office.  There are several things we might or might not know about this dinner.  Here are several (though not nearly all).  They might or might not have been discussing a contract.  Boras might or might not have been in town to show Man-Ram that there are people who will overpay for an aging slugger (or at least that have in the past).   They might or might not have gone with the bisque.  However, the meeting also might or might not have happened. 

Where I’m going is that this dinner and its tangibility aren’t at issue here.  In my opinion, there are one of two things that Manny’s going to do this offseason.  1) he’s going to sign with the Giants 2) he won’t.  Beyond that is not important.  There are reasons to sign him.  There are reasons not to.

The reasons to sign Manny Ramirez are rather obvious to anybody who knows his name.  No doubt, it’s agreed upon that he’s among the elite sluggers in the game today.  His entire presence in the lineup will sway how the opposition pitches to a team (not unlike Barry Bonds, once upon a time).  He carries a heavy piece of lumber that can send baseballs into orbit and is an RBI machine.  He puts butts in the seats and probably would deliver a divisional crown to the Bay in 2009.  When he came to LA at the trade deadline last season, they were 54-54 and in second place in the West.  He proceeded to hit .396 with 17 long balls and 53 RBI in 53 games and the Dodgers went on to win the division.  It’s not a reach to give him a lion’s share of the credit for this pennant. 

Now that we have discussed what everybody knows, let’s look at why the Orange and Black might be better suited to look the other way. 

First of all, the outfield isn’t a problem for the Giants.  They already have a log jam with Winn, Rowand, and Lewis starting and Schierholtz biding his time on the bench.  With Manny Ramirez on the team, go ahead and move everybody down one notch. The electric Fred Lewis takes the bench, along with his healthy foot.  Be prepared to see him leave once his contract is up.  Better hope that one won’t turn into the next Giant regret (though I feel it just might).  Schierholtz, with his sweet swing, +.300 MLB average, and no options would probably be shipped out via trade.  I wonder what we’d get for him?  Again, do we really want to see what he does when another team is willing to give him at bats.  What about the veteran Dave Roberts?  I couldn’t see that much changing for him as his contract and speed would probably keep him around for a year.  On defense, Manny Ramirez patrol left field with the grace of a battleship.  Couple this with a less than stellar track record of mental concentration and you get Barry Bonds circa 2007 with a bad case of ADD.  Better hope that Aaron gets some amazing jumps on fly balls in left center.  Also, Manny will probably get +$25 million per.   Rumor has it that Boras is looking for 3-4 years on a deal.   That’s potentially $100 million tied up for four years.  Couple that with the enormous contracts for Rowand and Zito that are also going to be sucking money from the team for the next four seasons.  Want to guess how many quality Giants will say their fair-the-wells to the team in that time?   Lincecum?  Cain?  Sanchez?  These guys are going to need money if the Giants want them to stick around.  Also, Ramirez isn’t exactly young.  At 36, a long term deal will carry him to the doorstep of forty, if not across the threshhold.  Are we to believe that he can still sustain this level of play at that age?  If not, the Giants front office will be mortgaging the future again. 

Again, the Giants will either sign Manny or not.  I just hope that the sayers for the Giants think long and hard before asking him if he wants to stick around for some baked alaska for dessert. 

The San Francisco Giants have signed free agent relief pitcher Bob Howry to a one year contract. The contract has a base value of $2.75 million but he can earn up to $4.25 million with incentives. Howry is an inning eater who has made over 75 appearances three of the last four years.

A little bit of a trade rumor that is swirling around this afternoon about the Giants as well. Jorge Cantu from the Florida Marlins would be coming to the Giants in return the Giants would be sending Jonathan Sanchez to the Marlins. I don’t like this trade at all for the Giants as Cantu really isn’t worth giving up Sanchez for in my opinion.

Your thoughts? Leave us a comment

The San Francisco Giants have their minds set on some off the free agents including Joe Beimel, Rafael Furcal, Casey Blake, Bob Howry, Juan Cruz, Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixeira, and C.C. Sabathia. MLB.Com reporter Chris Haft mentioned these names in his most recent artcle.

I can see the Giants going after the likes of Beimel, Blake, Howry, and Cruz but the rest of the players I just don’t see them spending that kind of money for.

Giants Rumors

There is a new San Francisco Giants Baseball Blog on the Internet! SfGiantsHomePlate.Com has been created to blog about the Giants Baseball team.  From game reviews to tickts, all the way to Giants merchandise we will be blogging about it all!

The Giants have a long road ahead of them coming into the 2008 season.  They will go on without Barry Bonds more then likely.  Management is looking to possibly trade Matt Cain or Tim Linecum for Alex Rios of the Blue Jays.  I don’t see why they would want to do that however.  You have to build your team around those two stud pitchers.

What do you think?  Is trading Cain or Linecum a good idea at this point?  Leave us a comment and let us know!