The San Francisco Giants filled their need for left handed power by landing free agent first baseman Aubrey Huff with a one year deal. 

Okay, this is a little more like it.  Huff’s signing shores up a run producing need in the lineup as he is a bonafide power threat and will fit nicely in the lineup in front of or behind Pablo Sandoval.  Huff is just two years removed from a .304- 32-108 season.  He strikes out remarkably little for a power hitter (never triple digits in any of ten seasons).  These are the good things.  However, he also slipped a bit last season (.241-15-85).  (he hit .189 for the Detroit Tigers in 40 games to close the season)  This might suggest the beginning of a decline.  Also, if they’re counting on his to play first base, last season (93 games) was the first time he had many reps at that position.  Other than that, throughout his career, he’s been predominantly a 3B/DH.  Also, does this push newly acquired Mark DeRosa to the outfield?  It appears so.  Another question is what is the effect on the development of young first baseman Travis Ishikawa.  I’d hate Huff to be this years Ryan Klesko and/or Rich Aurilia (aka a vet in decline who is a name and little else).  I know that the Giants got him on the cheap (reportedly $3 million).  If he’s looking like dead weight early on, perhaps they’d be better suited to cut him lose.  However, this might just be a great off-season move.  It shouldn’t take too many games to know for sure.   

Free agent lefty starter Randy Johnson announced his retirement on Tuesday, thus ending a 22 year career that will no doubt be re-visited in five years when he is enshrined in Cooperstown.  Johnson finishes with a record of 303-166, ranking second on the all-time strikeouts list with 4875. 

For the Giants, this means little.  He was great to have around last year and might have played a big role in the development of some of their younger pitchers (Jonathan Sanchez in particular).  However, he was a free agent and the team had moved on with decisions concerning their rotation. 

The impact of his career on Major League Baseball can’t be overstated.  Enjoy retirement, Randy.

The San Francisco Giants made their first big move in the post-season by signing utility player Mark Derosa to a two year, $12 million contract.  Derosa can play many positions and will bring veteran leadership to the lineup.  He can fill in at all positions that are neither catcher nor pitcher.   He will bring a solid bat and stable glove to the team.

If it sounds as if I feel that this signing is rather lackluster, it’s because it is.  With Derosa, you get a ‘gamer’.  A guy with his head in the game in the right spot.  However, this is not the big impact bat that the team needed for next season.  But, let’s be honest here.  Jason Bay was the big target but he will be playing in New York next season.  As per Matt Holliday, I say no as a centerpiece to a lineup.  Ask Oakland how he worked in East Bay in 2009.   Nothing else really excites me in this offseason.  Laroche?  Meh.  Nady?  Ditto.  This might be a necessary move.  If 2010 goes well, Derosa might elevate the lineup as a whole.  Combine his abilities with those of Pablo Sandoval and Fred Sanchez and you have fertile grounds upon which young players like Travis Ishikawa, Nate Schierholtz, and Buster Posey will be able to blossom.  For that, I’ll be alright with this move.  Re-sign Juan Uribe and stick him at shortstop and it gets even better.   Edgar Renteria?  I’m sure there’s some place for him, though I would be alright with an outright release.  Just my two cents.

Utility infielder Juan Uribe and starting pitcher Brad Penny declined one year contract offers to remain with the San Francisco Giants.

Penny, signed as a free agent starter, was reportedly offered an incentive laden, one-year deal.  The 31 year old hurler was 4-1with an ERA of 2.59 in the closing month of 2009 after posting a mark of 7-8 with a 5.61 ERA in Boston. 

Uribe, signed to a minor league contract in the 2009 offseason, batted .289 with 16 home runs and 55 RBI, turned down a one-year contract with player option and buyout. 

The team aren’t in talks with representatives for either player at this time. 

Analysis of these two moves show that neither should really affect the team that much:

With Penny, while it was nice to have him pitching well for the final month, he was basically taking Randy Johnson’s place in the rotation.  Johnson’s now a free-agent.  The team has a rotation of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez, Barry Zito and probably rookie Madison Bumgarner.  Hence, he wasn’t really needed any more.  If Bumgarner can’t go, the team has farm-hands Kevin Pucetas, Joseph Martinez, and Ryan Sadowski to choose from. 

Uribe was slightly more valuable.  He provided unexpected pop with a versatile glove.  However, I think that he was a one-season wonder in 2009.  I have a feeling that he would have regressed if he was snapped up with multiple years (which he no doubt now will be with another club).  There’s really no reason to sink a salary buster into somebody who was making an encore to a career swoon. 

Thanks to both for their contributions in 2009 and best wishes for next season.  Now, if the team can figure out how to get rid of Renteria for 2010.  But then, that’s a debate for another time.

Tim Lincecum edged out strong competition from St. Louis duo Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright, second and third place respectively in voting, to win his second consecutive Cy Young Award.  Though he trailed Wainwright in first place votes, twelve to eleven, he garnered enough high votes to take the award.  Though Lincecum had the least victories (15) ever for a Cy Young winner, the third year phenom led the league in strikeouts for the second straight season.  In all fairness, the vote in St. Louis was split between the two Cardinal hurlers.  But Lincecum overcame a tough start to post improved numbers over those in 2008.  Good job Timmy. 

The voting was rounded out with Atlanta’s Javier Vazquez and Arizona’s Dan Haren in fourth and fifth, respectively. 

Tim Lincecum tossed seven strong innings and Andres Torres homered as the San Francisco Giants completed a three game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 7-3 victory, finishing a National League best 52-29 at home. 

Lincecum (15-7) allowed two hits and two earned runs while striking out seven, increasing his National League leading strikeout total to 254.  Torres led an eleven hit assault against Dan Haren (14-10) with his sixth homerun of the season.  He also added a triple.  Randy Winn, playing in perhaps his final game for the Giants, collected two hits in the effort.  Randy Johnson closed out the ninth.  Rich Aurilia, facing his finale as a Giant, started at first base and was applauded loudly by the home crowd each time up to the plate. 

In the opener, Benjie Molina had four hits and homered twice (19, 20) as the Giants lifted Jonathan Sanchez (8-12) to a 8-4 victory.  Pablo Sandoval also collected four hits lifted a ball into orbit for his 23rd of the season.  Doug Davis (8-14) was pummeled for seven hits and four runs in four innings for the loss.  Ryan Garko and Randy Winn each had two hits for the Giants.  Miguel Montero homered twice (15, 16) off Sanchez for the Diamondbacks in a losing effort.

In the middle game, Brad Penny (4-1/11-9) went the distance, striking out five, as the Giants won 4-1.  His only run allowed was unearned.  Eli Whiteside hit his second homerun of the season off Kevin Mulvey (0-3). 

Okay, they got the sweep, but the Rockies are in the playoffs (good luck, gents).  Therefore, what do we say?  If I came up in spring training and told you that the Giants would be in it until the second to last series of the season, would you have believed me?  I rest my case.  Full season recaps are for later, but let’s touch on what we see from the series.  First, Lincecum is awesome.  However, he will not win the Cy Young.  Neither will my fave horse of the season (Matt Cain).  No, that award belongs in St. Louis this year.  For who should get it, check out their blog.  Probably Carpenter.  Second, it’s time to say goodbye to some veterans.  I’m thinking of Winn and Aurilia.  Probably Molina, too.  However, the front office and manager love Benjie.  Therefore, he’ll probably get another year.  However, let’s bat him where he should be batting.  Seventh.  Finally, about the front office and manager.  The lineups were questionable at times.  The Renteria signing was pointless.  The Garko trade?  Pointless.  Freddy Sanchez?  Well, I hope Alderson was worth it.  Yes, the Giants overachieved this season.  However, was it because of or in spite of the front office and management?   I hope it’s the former but fear it is the latter. 

One more series on the season.  The Giants will travel to San Diego to face the Padres.  The Diamondbacks travel to Chicago to face the Cubs.  Finish strong.  GO GIANTS!!!!

New addition Brad Penny tossed seven strong innings as the San Francisco Giants beat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 7-2, to snap up a victory in the final game of the weekend three game set. 

Juan Uribe slammed a two run homer (13) off loser Chad Billingsley (12-10) and Travis Ishikawa picked up three hits, driving in a run with an RBI double, as the Giants picked up a critical victory heading into a three game set against the Colorado Rockies.  Brad Penny improved to 10-8 on the season, 3-0 with the Giants, surrendering only five hits and two runs in the effort.   Freddy Sanchez drove in two insurance runs with a two run single in a four run sixth.  The Giants slammed fifteen hits in the game as the offense woke from a four game slumber.

About time they started scoring.  Cain loses game one due to no offensive support.  The bullpen implodes in two straight games.   This was an awful series to watch.  Bochy should take a cue.  PLAY THESE PEOPLE FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON.  Uribe was at short.  Ish at first.  Freddie at second.  Pablo at third.  THAT’S YOUR INFIELD!!!!  DO NOT DEVIATE!!!  They need to bust out the brooms again against the Rockies.   Currently 4 1/2 back, they need the sweep.  That’s all there is to it.  To lose this series would mean the series, in my humble opinion.  Hopefully Bochy will field a team that can put up some runs. 

The Giants next toss Tim Lincecum at home against the Colorado Rockies.  This series is the last time the two teams will face one another this season.  The Dodgers, probably too far ahead for the Giants to catch at this point, will host the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

Youngster phenom Madison Bumgarner will start the middle game of the Padres series tonight, bumping an ‘injured’ Tim Lincecum, and making his major league debut.   Lincecum will be rested for two days and then re-evaluated.  No long term outage is expected. 

First of all, Timmy’s back seems to have flared up with spasms.  If this is true, I, along with the entire Giants fan base, pray it flares down.  However, more on that later.

Second, it’s awesome that Bumgarner will get a start.  I’m excited too see him pitch. 

The Giants will need to keep close tabs on Lincecum.  This guy’s the franchise.  No need to overpitch him (even if he can do it).  However, there was no warning of this injury.  Could it be a smokescreen?  Pushing the kid back to face the Dodgers?  I don’t know.  This is the pennant race.  It’s imperative that the team is clicking on all cylinders and, to be honest, the starting pitching is doing just that.  The inclusion of a rookie (no matter how good) into the mix might be a bit risky.  However, assuming that this is legit, then this is the biggest hammer the Giants can bring down in this situation.  It definitely looks better than either Ryan Sadowski, Joseph Martines, Justin Miller, or Kevin Pucetas.  The kid’s getting baptized by fire tonight.  We’ll see if he remembers his asbestos underwear. 

Too many roster moves have been happening since the last series for me to wait to write about until the end of the swing through Philly.  Let’s touch on those, right now. 

First things first, and most important for the time being (like say….tonight) is the addition of Brad Penny to the rotation.  He comes at a low cost to the Giants as I believe that the BoSox will be picking up most of this tab on the year.  Penny appears to be healthy and back in the league where he’s most comfortable.  I say this is a good move.  He’ll be starting tonight and installed at the #5 spot in the rotation.  This spot is one that might be of importance due to the neck and neck run for the wild card against the Rockies.  I like his veteran savvy more than any rookie that could occupy that spot.  That included Kevin Pucetas, whom I’ve been pumping up for several months.  We’ll see how he does.  His test starts tonight against the Phillies.

The other move is a recall from the minors that should turn the head of any Giants fans with a pulse.  Catcher Buster Posey, the Giants top pick in the 2008 draft, was brought up for the September roster expansion.  This is critical because Benjie Molina has been fighting a nagging leg injury for about a week now.   Eli Whiteside isn’t what the team needs in a starter.  Posey’s excelled wherever he’s played.  I hope he’s plugged in for more than just token ‘cup of coffee’ starts.  If he continues his hitting charge, it might be bye bye for Molina in the offseason.  Also, should Molina be unable to go in the post-season, the team could plug Posey into his roster spot.  He should be suited up for Wednesday’s game. 

And it all starts tonight…..

Much maligned off-season free agent signing Edgar Renteria launched a grand slam as the Giants rallied to beat the Colorado Rockies, 9-5, completing a three game home sweep to lift San Francisco into a wildcard tie.

Renteria’s seventh inning shot (4) off losing pitcher Rafael Betencourt (1-3) turned a three run deficit into a 6-5 lead.   Ryan Rohlinger and Eugenio Velez added to the hit parade in the eighth with a bases loaded two run double and RBI double, respectively.  Brandon Medders (3-1) picked up the win and Brian Wilson pitched the ninth in a non-save situation.  Matt Cain pitched well, but only lasted six innings, giving up back to back homeruns to Todd Helton (13) and Troy Tulowitzski (24) in the fifth. 

In the opener, Tim Lincecum (13-4) shone, tossing eight shutout innings as the Giants beat the Rockies, 2-0.  The defending Cy Young winner struck out eight and surrendered only four hits in the victory.  Pablo Sandoval broke a scoreless tie with his twentieth homerun in the fifth off loser Ubaldo Jiminez (12-10).  Brian Wilson tossed the ninth for his 31st save.

In the middle game, Barry Zito (9-11) played the role of stifler, tossing 8 1/3 innings, striking out seven and surrendering only one run on a solo homerun by Brad Hawpe (19) in the ninth as the Giants won 5-3.  Pablo Sandoval homered (21) for the second straight day and had three hits as the Giants used a balanced offense to beat Jason Marquis (14-9).  Brian Wilson recorded the final out to quell a late Colorado rally and notch his 32nd save.  

Well, a sweep’s great, especially when it’s mathematically needed.  Awesome job by the Giants on this six game homestand.   Especially when taking into account that they went 5-6 on the road trip.  Add the two together and that’s 10-7 in that stretch.  Not great, but good enough for a wild card tie going into the next series.  Pablo is awesome.  The Giants will only get better when they get Freddy Sanchez back next week.  Randy Johnson also might be back soon, but appears headed for the bullpen.  When taking into account that Joe Martinez got a bus ticket to Fresno, I have no idea who will be #5.  Ryan Sadowski hasn’t been that great in AAA since going back down.  I will again make my pitch for Kevin Pucetas.  I hear that newly returned Alex Hinshaw might be getting a turn.  Huh?  You’ve got to be kidding me.  Right now, with every game critical, they can’t be holding tryouts for that slot.  The Giants don’t play until Tuesday and it appears that they’re content skipping the five spot in favor of Lincecum going Wednesday.  Smart.  Today’s rally was huge.  All the more better that it came at the expense of a rival.   I don’t think I approve of the job that Ryan Garko’s been doing, thus far.  Yes, he hit two homeruns the other day.  However, they were in Colorado and the Giants lost the game, 14-11.  Travis Ishikawa’s shot against the Arizona broke the tie late.  I’m much more comfortable with Ishikawa at first.  Just my opinion.  Oh, and Nate Schierholtz forcing out a runner at second on Saturday night was awesome.  Great cannon in right. 

The Giants will next travel to play the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night.  The Rockies host the New York Mets Tuesday night.