Today was the day that the Giants and Tim Lincecum had their arbitration hearing. It’s been reported that they were outside and asked for a little time so they can work out a deal before going in the arbitration room. Well they got the time they needed, because they got a two-year deal worked out. Lincecum and the Giants agreed to two years at $23 million. Lincecum will get $8 million this year, and $13 million next year. Yes, I know that doesn’t add up to $23 million. The remaining $2 million is going to be paid as a signing bonus, which will be paid over the two years.
Now that Lincecum has been signed. The Giants are pretty much set to start spring training. I don’t see anymore signings happening before the season starts. There has been a lot of players that have been linked to the Giants this offseason. Below is a list that SF Giants Rumors put together of who’s in for 2010.
Key Additions
Aubrey Huff - 1B (free agent from Detroit Tigers)
The Giants are hoping Huff can return to his 2008 form with the Baltimore Orioles. Where he hit .304 with 32 homers and 108 RBI’s
2009- Huff had a down year. He batted .253 with 13 homers in Baltimore in 110 games. He was then traded to the Detroit Tigers where he hit .189 with 2 homers in 40 games.
Contract – 1 Year, $3 Million (2010)
Career – .282 AVG 203 HR’s
Mark DeRosa - IF/OF (free agent from ST. Louis Cardinals)
DeRosa will likely play left field for the Giants. The Giants are penciling him in to the 5th spot of the order where they are hoping he can turn into a RBI machine.
2009 – DeRosa started the year out with the Cleveland Indians and then was later traded to the St Louis Cardinals. DeRosa played 71 games for the Indians and batted .270 with 13 homers.
For the Cardinals he hit .228 with 10 homers in 68 games.
Contract – 2 Years, $12 Million (10-11)
Career – .275 AVG with 92 HR’s
Bengie Molina - C (re-signed by the San Francisco Giants)
The Giants shocked me with the signing of Molina. I mean if you would have asked me before if I would love Molina back for 4.5 million for 1 year. I would have have said yes in a heartbeat. I am ready for the Posey era but it can wait a bit for Molina. Pitchers love to pitch to him. Now we don’t need to replace his production of 20 homers and 80 RBI’s. The best part of it is he’s going to hit 6th in the lineup. He’s out of the cleanup spot. Molina wanted a muliti-year deal so the Giants counted themselves out of the hunt. The Mets didn’t give him what he wanted, he decided to pass the Mets $5 million offer to sign with the Giants for $4.5 million for one year.
2009 – .265 AVG with 20 HR’s and 80 RBI’s
Contract – 1 Year, $4.5 Million (2010)
Career- .276 AVG with 139 HR’s
Juan Uribe - IF (re-signed by the San Francisco Giants)
Uribe was the hottest Giants hitter towards the end of the season. He was having big hits and big homers. This Guy was a true asset to bring back because he can play multiple positions and he has some pretty good pop too. If Renteria isn’t pulling his weight. Uribe can force himself into the starting role at SS when Sanchez is back and healthy.
2009 – .289 AVG with 16 homers and 55 RBI’s in 122 games
Jon Heyman of SI.com gives his eight teams that he says have been losers this offseason, at least for the months of November through February. The Giants are listed as the #4 team, so I guess that’s better than the worst team which happens to be the New York Mets.
Heyman says the Giants brought in a collection of hitters – Mark DeRosa, Aubrey Huff, Juan Uribe and Bengie Molina, but ignored the two true middle of the order threats that were available (Jason Bay and Matt Holliday) and badly needed.
King of Cali thoughts: I don’t think the Giants really are losers this offseason. No we didn’t get that one big bat that we have said we needed for the last two years. We did however upgrade our offense. No, it’s not the Yankees lineup. This team does have the potential to score more runs this year. We still are missing our ideal leadoff hitter, and we have no team speed. We do however have some decent hitters.
2010 Projected Lineup
1. Aaron Rowand CF
2. Freddy Sanchez 2B
3. Pablo Sandoval 3B
4. Aubrey Huff 1B
5. Mark DeRosa LF
6. Bengie Molina C
7. Nate Schierholtz RF
8. Edgar Renteria SS
9. Tim Lincecum P
Now we all know this lineup is subject to change. If Sanchez isn’t ready for opening day. The Giants will likely start Juan Uribe and 2nd base. Which means the lineup would need some shuffling.
This was the 2009 Starting Lineup.
1. Randy Winn RF
2. Edgar Renteria SS
3. Fred Lewis LF
4. Bengie Molina C
5. Pablo Sandoval 3B
6. Travis Ishikawa 1B
7. Aaron Rowand CF
8. Emmanuel Burriss 2B
9. Tim Lincecum P
Now by the looks of that. I would say we are definitely starting off this season with a better starting lineup than last year. Would you say the Giants are losers this offseason?
Mychael Urban of CSNBayArea.com chat’s with fans. Urban says if he had to pick which Giants acquisition this offseason that he thinks would have a greater impact. He would have to go with Mark DeRosa. He doesn’t see Byung-Hyun Kim making the team.
When asked about Bam Bam Meulens. Urban said he likes the hire a lot. Meulens is said to have a more gentle touch, and he’s gotten along well with players everywhere he’s been. Lansford couldn’t change Bengie Molina, Edgar Renteria and Aaron Rowand’s free-swinging ways.
If Fred Lewis has a good spring. Urban thinks the Giants should keep him. He says he’s the only Velez backer in the Bay Area, it seems, and he’d like to see more of Bowker. Torres is okay in spot duty, but he’ll get exposed with extended run. This is why he wouldn’t be so quick to give up on Fred Lewis.
When asked about Emmanuel Burriss. Urban said he’ll be at camp, trying to ear a job filling in until Freddy Sanchez is ready, but you have to assume that’s Uribe’s gig to lose. At best, Burriss is a backup middle infielder this year.
Urban’s prediction on a breakout 2010 season. He says Velez, Schierholtz and Romo.
He also wouldn’t be shocked at all to see someone like Kevin Pucetas win the No. 5 spot in the rotation out of camp.
King of Cali thoughts: I love to read stuff like this, so I figured I would post some of Mychael Urban’s answers to fans questions. With Fan Fest right around the corner. I’m starting to get really excited for this season to start. The great thing about this time of the year is every team still feels like they have a shot at making the playoffs. =) Who else is feeling pumped?
Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com gives us MLB.com’s Top 50 Prospect list. Only two Giants made that list, and I’m sure Giants fans are not surprised as to who the two players are. Yes, that’s right it’s Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner.
King of Cali thoughts:
Buster Posey, C
Posey is ranked 4th on the list. He was penciled in as the starting catcher during the offseason, but all that has changed since the Giants have signed Bengie Molina. The scouting report on Posey is that he’s a very good athlete. He can hit well to all fields. He’s not going to be a big power guy, but could hit 15-20 homers a year. Scouts believe Posey’s bat is ready to contribute to the Giants now if given the chance. The reason the Giants want to have Molina behind the plate is they feel Posey still needs more seasoning behind the plate. I’m really excited to see what this guy can do when he gets the chance to get a lot of playing time for the Giants.
Madison Bumgarner, LHP
Bumgarner is ranked 10th on the list. The Giants have penciled him in as the #5 spot in the rotation. Bumgarner went 12-2, 1.85 ERA and 92 K’s in 25 games in the minors last season. He did pitch in 4 games for the San Francisco Giants. He had a 1.80 ERA and 10 K’s in 10 innings. The Scouting report on Bumgarner is his velocity has dropped a bit, but it’s believed to be because of the heavy workload that he had last season. He does have a mid-90’s fastball with good command. His secondary pitches continue to improve, and he’s got a tremendous work ethic. He has the potential to be a front of the rotation kind of guy. I can picture Lincecum, Bumgarner and Cain as the top three in the rotation of the future. No, I’m not saying in 2010! I have no doubt that Bumgarner will win the #5 spot in the rotation.
Chris Haft of MLB.com answers fans questions. He believes Bengie Molina’s return should benefit the Giants. Few players care more intensely or prepare more thoroughly than he does. His willingness to mentor Posey is another intangible asset.
King of Cali thoughts: The two best things about Molina coming back is Buster Posey can learn his preparation for each game with each pitcher. The 2nd is he already has this pitching staffs comfortable with him behind the plate. If Molina can hit 20 homers or close to that in the 6th spot of the lineup. That’s pretty good production down in the lineup. I’m just hoping he can try to control some of his bad swinging habits. I hate that fact that he will be clogging the bases still, but if he’s going to do it. Then it’s better to be lower in the lineup, and not right smack in the middle of it.
Fred Lewis
When asked about Lewis. Haft said he envisions this scenario: Lewis will play well enough in the Cactus League to ear a starting role, but that will make it easier for the Giants to trade him, which they will do. He probably needs a change of scenery.
King of Cali thoughts: I was really excited watching Lewis in the minors. I couldn’t wait to see him in San Francisco. He just has that ballplayer look. Then when he got up here. He just couldn’t hit the ball. Seems like he strikes out like every other at bat. Then he’s been having stone hands in the outfield. I really do want to see him do well, but his time in San Francisco is almost up.
Eric Byrnes
When asked about the chances of the Giants signing Byrnes. Haft said at the point, it’s extremely doubtful that the Giants will sign Byrnes. It would be an excellent feel good story, but they already have plenty of extra outfielders.
King of Cali thoughts: As I have posted before. I would sign Byrnes and release Lewis. I just think a healthy Byrnes can bring a lot to the Giants. Even if this is coming off the bench. He has what we need in the lead-off spot, and he has some pop here and there too. I’m also very doubtful that the Giants will sign him, but it wouldn’t be a bad deal if they did.
Chris Haft of MLB.com told me (via email) that Buster Posey is going to be up here once he proves that he’s ready. On paper, having Bengie Molina bat sixth or seventh might not be all bad. Haft said he’s heard from tons of fans this offseason saying “anybody but Bengie,” and his OBP and more advanced offensive metrics are sub-par. But he should be able to make himself a lower-half-of-the-order presence, which isn’t all bad.
King of Cali thoughts: This signing was a shock to me, and pretty much all of us that follow the Giants. Now that I’ve had time to digest it. I must say I like the signing too. Yeah he’s a free swinger, and he clogs the bases. The only difference this time is he will be lower in the lineup.
Molina did hit 20 homers and had 80 RBI’s. The question we have been asked since the end of the season is who’s going to fill that void? Well now that Molina is back consider it filled. I must admit the Giants lineup is starting to have me excited for the season to start. I know it’s not the Yankees lineup, but it has potential to put us some runs. With our pitching staff and this lineup. We just might have enough to win the NL West. No other team in the NL West has made improvements to their team to separate themselves from the rest.
Dennis O’Donnell of CBS 5 breaks another Giants signing. He’s reporting that the Giants and Bengie Molina have agreed on a one-year contract worth $4.5 million.
Molina’s wife has confirmed the agreement, and said they are excited to be returning to San Francisco.
Molina had rejected the Mets most recent offer. The offer was reported as being $5 million.
King of Cali thoughts: Wow I don’t even know where to start. This signing caught me by surprise! I have so many mixed reactions to this signing as well as other Giants fans out there. I have had fans telling me they want Molina back. I have had others saying lets give Buster Posey the job.
I know I have said it’s time for Molina to move on and it’s Posey time. The Giants still don’t think Posey is ready to start out as the everyday catcher. I think this is a good signing. The reason I’m changing my stance is because it’s not a multi-year deal. It’s just a one year deal and it’s only $4.5 million. As long as they don’t put Molina in the cleanup spot then this is a great move. He can show Posey the ropes and share some time with him. I can’t see Molina batting anywhere higher than 6th in the Giants lineup. I can’t wait to read your comments on this signing, so please leave your thoughts.
John Manuel of Baseball America has an article on SI.com. He has listed his the top 20 prospects. I’m not going to run through the list, but did want to pass along to Giants fans. That number 9 and number 10 on the list are Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner. Below is what he had to say about each player.
Buster Posey, C, Giants
Why he’s here: The 2008 College Player of the Year, Posey combines athletic ability and hitting prowess with playing a premium position.
What he’ll be: Remember Russell Martin before Joe Torre played him 150 games a year? Posey may not have Martin’s fiery leadership, but he’ll be a similar catcher with better hitting ability.
When he arrives: As soon as he shows he can receive effectively for pitchers such as Brian Wilson and Matt Cain, who have premium velocity. Then he’ll have to take it up another notch to handle Tim Lincecum.
Madison Bumgarner, LHP, Giants
Why he’s here: No pitcher has had Bumgarner’s sheer results the last two seasons, when he went 27-5. He did it in 2009 with diminished velocity but it didn’t seem to matter as he mowed down Double-A competition at 19.
What he’ll be: Bumgarner’s mound presence and ability to pitch off his fastball evokes Cliff Lee. He has similar mound presence and could match Lee if he regains some of his slider’s lost bite.
When he arrives: The Giants have enough other rotation options to keep Bumgarner on the farm for at least part of 2010, and perhaps until late in the season, when he could get another bullpen cameo.
King of Cali thoughts: Now this is good to know that we have two of our top prospects in the top 20 list. Fans had said to me they would rather have Bengie Molina back, and aren’t confident in Posey. I hope this post changes their mind a bit. No he’s not going to come in and just be the best catcher in the Majors, but he does have a nice upside. I think he’s ready to get his feet wet in the pro’s and see what he can do out there.
Sabean wanted to re-sign Brad Penny and leave Bumgarner in Triple-A for more seasoning. He has recently said that Bumgarner does have a shot to be the teams No. 5 starter. Yes, he’s young, but he’s shown that he can dominate the minors. I think Bumgarner is ready to be a starter for the Giants. I’m not saying he’s going to be lights out, but I’m sure we will see him grow into a front of the rotation guy right before our very eyes.
Troy Renck of the Denver Post says Yorvit Torrealba, who turned down a two-year, $4.5 million deal from the Rockies. Is expected to receive an offer soon from the clubs that have called about him, including one from the NL West. Troy says he hasn’t pinpointed the NL West team, but the Giants make a lot of sense since they are expected to lose Bengie Molina and need someone they can trust in prospect Buster Posey needs more Triple-A seasoning.
King of Cali thoughts: I have always liked Torrealba, and think he would be a good fit with the Giants. Yorvit did hit .291 in 64 games, so sharing time between him and Posey would also work for Posey’s first full year in the show.
