Chris Haft of MLB.com answers fans questions in his inbox article. Haft expects Matt Cain and the San Francisco Giants to reach a deal during Spring Training.
This would put a lot of Giants fans at ease since Tim Lincecum is in a two-year deal, and Giants fans wouldn’t be able to stomach the possibility of losing both pitchers to free agency. There is still two years to convince Lincecum that San Francisco is where he belongs.
When asked about Conor Gillaspie, Brett Pill and Justin Christian fighting for one of the last spots on the roster. Haft believes Pill has the best chance among this trio of making the club, because the Giants might need an extra right-handed bat.
Pill showed us his power last season, and it’s nice to have some pop coming off the bench. If he can show consistency at the plate, he could even force the issue that he should be getting some starts at first base. Let’s see if the 2010 version of Aubrey Huff shows up to Spring Training, cause that would guarantee Pill’s playing time will be off the bench.
~King of Cali (Steven)
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Technorati Tags: Aubrey Huff, Brett Pill, Conor Gillaspie, Giants Hot Stove, Giants Trade Rumors, Justin Christian, King of Cali, Matt Cain, MLB Rumors Giants, San Francisco Giants, SF Giants Rumors, Tim Lincecum
Chris Haft of MLB.com says it’s easy to envision Pablo Sandoval becoming one of the National League’s elite hitters. However, Sandoval can’t vault into baseball’s upper echelon by himself. Sandoval needs a consistent, effective complement in the lineup to prevent teams from pitching around him or prevent himself from trying to do too much.
Haft also points out that Sandoval hit .329 with 12 homers and 32 RBIs with Carlos Beltran hitting ahead of him (final two months). Prior to Beltran joining the Giants. Sandoval was hitting .304 with 11 homers and 38 RBIs.
Now that Beltran isn’t returning to the Giants. Who’s going to fill that void and take some pressure off of Sandoval? The San Francisco Giants have a lot of hope going into 2012, so it’s really a guessing game for now.
They hope Buster Posey and Freddy Sanchez will be healthy. They hope Brandon Belt will overcome his struggles, and Aubrey Huff will have a bounce back year since he’s reportedly in better shape.
Sandoval is a career .307 hitter with 64 homers. Do you see Sandoval staying consistent and becoming an elite hitter in the National League for years to come?
~King of Cali (Steven)
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Chris Haft of MLB.com tells SF Giants Rumors that he sees Melky Cabrera and Angel Pagan as assets overall, but thinks the offensive help they’ll provide will be only incremental. He says the San Francisco Giants are hoping both players will be motivated to have big years because they’re heading into free agency.
Haft does believe the Giants can have a decent lineup if Buster Posey and Freddy Sanchez return healthy and effective. Aubrey Huff will also have to rebound or Brandon Belt and Nate Schierholtz take quantum steps forward.
What’s your thoughts about the Giants offense in 2012?
~King of Cali (Steven)
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John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle says the San Francisco Giants need to sign outfielder Carlos Beltran. He’s the fourth best hitter in the free agent market.
Shea believes the Giants can go with Brandon Crawford at shortstop with Beltran, Buster Posey, Freddy Sanchez and a in-shape Aubrey Huff in the lineup. Let’s not forget about Pablo Sandoval either!
Now for the centerfield postion. Shea thinks Coco Crisp seems doable unless Brian Sabean sees a comeback story in Grady Sizemore.
Gary Brown Update
Henry Schulman said (via twitter) that the Giants are shutting down Gary Brown from playing in the AFL. Brown got a nasty virus and is still recovering. The Giants think he’s fatigued from his first full season and playing winter ball.
~King of Cali (Steven)
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Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says (via twitter) that he’s emailed Cody Ross, and it sounds like he still wants to be a Giant.
“I have talked to them briefly, but no negotiations have taken place. They have interest and so do I. Hopefully we can get something done,” Ross on returning to the Giants.
Ross had a subpar year, and would have to take a pay cut to return back to the San Francisco Giants. Ross made $6.3 million in 2011. The Giants might be willing to let him walk, and save some money. If the Giants try to acquire a guy like Coco Crisp to fill the leadoff spot, and play center field. There will be no spot for Ross if the Giants decide to use Brandon Belt in left field.
Cody Ross 2011 Stats
| YR |
TM |
G |
AVG |
HR |
RBI |
R |
BB |
OBP |
| 2011 |
SFG |
121 |
.240 |
14 |
52 |
54 |
49 |
.325 |
Here is a list of guys in the mix for the outfield positions.
Nate Schierholtz – Should be the starter in right field if Carlos Beltran doesn’t return.
Brandon Belt – Probably the starting left fielder if Aubrey Huff doesn’t lose his first base job in spring training.
Andres Torres – If the Giants tender him a contract, he would be coming off the bench in 2012.
Brett Pill – Will be working on his outfield to try to get more at-bats next season.
~King of Cali (Steven)
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Who’s the San Francisco Giants 2012 starting outfield? Your guess is as good as mine! With the potential departure of the Giants best hitting outfielder Carlos Beltran (Giants need to re-sign him), who’s left?
Cody Ross, Pat Burrell and Beltran are free agents. That leaves outfielders Justin Christian, Francisco Peguero, Darren Ford, Nate Schierholtz and Andres Torres left on the active 40 man roster.
The Giants have already said that Christian isn’t the answer in centerfield. Peguero has yet to make his Major League Debut, so we can count him out too. Torres (arbitration eligible) has come back to reality from his great 2010 season. I would love for him to come back, but in a backup role. He’s a great guy to come off the bench in a defensive replacement role, or even a spot start here and there.
That now leaves Ford and Schierholtz. Ford hasn’t received much playing time from the Giants. He’s just usually a guy off the bench in steal situation. His bat isn’t where it needs to be to get his name in the starting outfield mix at this time either.
I really like Schierholtz but I’m not sold on him being an everyday outfielder, just yet. I love him off the bench, and would pick him to start in the outfield over any of the Giants other choices on the active roster.
Brandon Belt is listed as an infielder, but did play some outfield for the Giants. He’s currently in the Dominican League working on his outfield game at this time.
Brett Pill is going to be using an outfield glove this offseason as well. He could possibly get himself more at-bats next year by learning to catch some fly balls.
Let’s also not forget that Aubrey Huff can move from the dirt to the grass if needed, but I’m sure you wouldn’t want to see that again!
~King of Cali (Steven)
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Highlights from Brian Sabean and Bruce Bochy‘s end of the year conference.
- Sabean says they have 13 arbitration eligible players and they’re not going to bring all of them back.
- The budget for the Giants in 2012 will be right around $124 million. Where the budget was when they ended the 2011 season.
- Jonathan Sanchez will be competing for the 5th spot in the rotation in Spring Training.
“Our pitching is going to get expensive, and that’s the punchline. We have to take care of that first,” Sabean on paying for pitching.
- Brandon Crawford is going to the Fall League, and Brandon Belt is going to the Dominican League.
- Sabean doesn’t think Hector Sanchez will be ready to backup Buster Posey at the start of the 2012 season.
- “He’s going to have to come in ready. He’s going to have to come in and pull more weight, and if he can’t as we’ve shown before. The manager is going to be in a position to have other choices. We will put in other people in there if need be,” Sabean on Aubrey Huff. Huff was told he might have to go to the outfield next year.
- Sabean says they’re not sure yet if Gary Brown will start in AA-Richmond or AAA-Fresno next season.
- Bochy says Nate Schierholtz should be the starting right fielder in 2012. “His job to lose now at this point in his career,” Bochy on Schierholtz.
- Sabean expects Jeremy Affeldt to be in a Giants uniform next year. He’s not sure if it’s going to be by the Giants using the team options, or re-signing Affeldt to a new contract.
- Justin Christian is seen as an extra man, and is not in the mix as the Giants leadoff hitter.
- Brett Pill may work on playing some outfield in winter ball or spring training.
- “It might be a luxury item at the price point. I’m not sure, but again we know he hits 2nd. We know he plays the position for some reason if (Freddy) Sanchez isn’t ready. It gives you good protection, or if something happens with Sanchez’s comeback. He also can play 3rd and can play 1st base. We like the bat,” Sabean on Jeff Keppinger.
~King of Cali (Steven)
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Welcome to the big leagues Brett Pill. For those of you that missed the game last night. Pill hit a 2-run BOMB in his first big league at-bat. The last Giants player to do that was Will (The Thrill) Clark back on 4/8/86.
Pill hit 25 homers for the Fresno Grizzlies this year, and is showing that he has the power potential to do it at the big league level. The Giants should trot him out to first base and see what the kid can do.
We have seen Aubrey Huff struggle for most of the year, and if he continues to do so next year. The Giants may want to give Pill the job at first base, and leave Brandon Belt in left field. It’s a good way to get some good young bats in the lineup.
It’s just something that Brian Sabean and Bruce Bochy should start considering if they want to find a way to jump start the offense with some young talent from the farm system. What’s your thoughts?
~King of Cali (Steven)
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Brett Pill is expected to be in the lineup tonight and this will be his Major League debut. Aubrey Huff will be given the day off. Huff left yesterdays game (sixth inning) with a sore back. Huff is listed as day-to-day.
Pill’s Stats in Fresno
133 G, .312 AVG, 25 HR, 107 RBI, 82 R
~King of Cali (Steven)
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There is something about home cooking that Pablo Sandoval loves… Sandoval finished the homestand by hitting .351 (13-for-37) with 2 homers and 4 RBI. Let’s hope the Kung Fu Panda can keep the show going on the road, as the Giants start a 10 game road trip.
Everyone has been waiting for Aubrey Huff to find his swing, and it appears that he might be starting to heat up! Huff hit .353 (12-for-34) with 4 extra base hits during this 10 game homestand.
~King of Cali (Steven)
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Chris Haft of MLB.com answers fans questions in his inbox article. Haft expects Matt Cain and the San Francisco Giants to reach a deal during Spring Training.
