King of Cali thoughts: I know what you’re thinking. What’s up with that face before you hit play? I know, it’s pretty crazy looking. I guess when I shot the quick video that’s how my face looked when I first hit record. I will be sure to not let that happen again.
These are just my thoughts on Lewis and Posey. I look forward to reading your comments on these two players.
Chris Haft of MLB.com reports that Muhammad Ali visited the Giants Camp yesterday. Ali appeared to help promote Athletes for Hope, an organization created to educate athletes about the importance of community service and connect them to the charity of their choice.
After the 40-minute presentation, nearly every Giant took turns sitting next to Ali and posing for photos with him.
Haft gives some insights on yesterdays game in another article. The Giants were victorious in another Cactus League game today (Giants 6, White Sox 2).
Matt Cain pitched three innings and allowing one run.
The big noise came in the bottom of the 8th inning. The Giants were down 2-1, and then they had a break out inning. It was capped off with back-to-back homers by Fred Lewis and Buster Posey.
King of Cali thoughts: I must say I’m impressed with the Giants. Everyone seems to be stepping it up. I think it’s the battle for the few spots on the roster that are still available. I have received emails from fans saying I hope the Giants aren’t peaking too soon. I know those are just jokes, but it’s nice to see what some of these players are capable of doing.
I know I have said before that I’m done with the Lewis experiment, and it’s time for the Giants to move on. Are you done with it, or do you think their might be something there? He has the potential, but I feel like I’m always left disappointed. The Giants may just be putting him on display, so they can move him in a trade. Things that make you go hmmmmm.
It’s nice to see Posey play yard ball yesterday. This guy may start down in Fresno, but it won’t be long before he gets the call. All it takes is for a slumping Bengie Molina, or a hurt Molina. Then the Posey era will start to creep it’s way with a little bit of playing time here and there.
Bruce Bochy told the media that the fifth spot in the rotation is more of an open competition now that the Giants have signed Todd Wellemeyer. Bochy also mentioned Kevin Pucetas and Joe Martinez as peripheral candidates.
Bochy also wanted to clear up some comments he made earlier this month. Buster Posey will take some grounders at first base, so the organization can have some options. This will also give him occasional rests from catching to stay fresh while keeping his bat in the lineup every day.
“He’s a catcher,” Bochy said. “We’re not trying to convert him.”
Uniform Number Change
Kevin Frandsen gave back his No.19 to pitching coach Dave Righetti and received No.9 instead. Frandsen said it’s time for a fresh start. Hence, the new number. He’s trying to win a utility job, but he still does have one more minor league option left.
Baggarly said in his article with the San Jose Mercury News that Aaron Rowand has lost 10 pounds. Rowand says he feels stronger and quicker. He’s been cycling since October, long before Bochy called to tell him that he would be the teams leadoff hitter. He averaged four days a week on the cycle and roughly figures he ticked off 2,200 miles.
King of Cali thoughts: I must say I’m really impressed. It’s one thing for players to say they are going to get in better shape during the offseason, and it’s another to do it. Rowand just looked to big and bulky last season. Like he couldn’t move good swinging the bat. I just hope he doesn’t try to hit homers and just makes good contact with the ball. If he does that. Then I’m sure we will see him on base a lot more. Maybe the leadoff spot is the best spot for him, cause he knows he has to get on base. Not try to drive in runs.
I think the open competition for the fifth spot in the rotation is a good thing. Let your pitching speak for itself on the field. I say whoever has the best stuff going into the start of the season. Should be the guy in the fifth spot of the rotation. With that said, I don’t see any of these guys beating out Madison Bumgarner. He’s going to show everyone that age doesn’t matter. When you’re ready… you’re ready!
Chris Haft of MLB.com gives us some mixed injury news. He reports that Freddy Sanchez said that his surgically repaired left shoulder was healing ahead of schedule. Sanchez will begin taking ground balls this week. He’s still unsure whether he’d be ready to play by Opening Day (April 5th in Houston).
Haft reports that Travis Ishikawa tore two ligaments in his left foot in a mishap at home three weeks ago and will not participate in workouts until early March. He slipped while descending a stairway. The injury is described as an extreme case of “turf toe.”
Ishikawa will be re-examined on Feb. 26 an he hopes to avoid an operation.
King of Cali thoughts: Well this isn’t the worse news possible, so lets be happy that Sanchez is on the right track. We need to get his bat in the lineup sooner rather than later. He will be a big key to sparking rally’s in-front of Pablo Sandoval, Aubrey Huff and Mark DeRosa. This isn’t really a sexy lineup, but I’m starting to really feel it. Baseball is in the air Giants fans!
The Ishikawa news is sad for him to start off hurt, but I’m just glad it’s not a key player that were banking on. Now with this injury and possibly surgery. I wonder if this will give the Giants more reason to get Buster Posey some playing time at first base. Things that make you go hmmmmm.
Andrew Baggarly reported on his blog (last week). Buster Posey isn’t “etched in stone” to begin the season at Triple-A Fresno. Bruce Bochy said him and Brian Sabean have talked about giving Posey a look at other infield positions. This is to increase Posey’s options of getting into games.
Photo by Damon Tarver
When Baggarly told Posey about Bochy’s comments. Posey’s first response was “I hope someone gets me some new gloves!” It’s also been reported by Baggarly that Posey has put on 15 pounds this offseason.
Side Notes
Edgar Renteria (elbow surgery) is healthy and so is Mark DeRosa (wrist surgery).
King of Cali thoughts: Now this really got me thinking. Wouldn’t it be best to just move Posey to another position, so he doesn’t have to go through the everyday grind of being a catcher? Moving him to another position can also prolong his career by a couple more years. I’m sure the Giants are pretty set in having him as their future everyday catcher. They probably won’t really consider moving his position until later on in his career. We just need to get this guy use to some major league pitching, so he can hit like we know he’s capable of.
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.
Chris Haft of MLB.com says the the Giants and Yorvit Torrealba maintain mutual interest in a one-year contract. Torrealba will be meeting with the Giants soon, but wants to finish his playoffs with his Venezuelan Winter League team.
“At this time, we are prepared to go to Posey,” Sabean said. “But we’ll keep an open mind.”
Torrealba rejected a two-year, $4.5 million offer from the Rockies, his previous club, earlier this offseason. The Rockies also declined to pick up a $4 million option on his 2010 contract, which made him a free agent.
King of Cali thoughts: Having Torrealba back in a Giants uniform would be nice. Having him would also keep any pressure off Buster Posey of feeling like he needs to step in and be the man. I just can’t see Torrealba wanting to accept a one year contract. He still has teams that are interested that may be willing to offer him two years. The Padres, Rangers and Mariners have all expressed interest.
I’m sure Merkin will be picked up by another team. I really like this kid, so this is some sad new to me. He’s got great stuff, but hasn’t been able to put it all together yet. I’m sure he will be a great pick up for whatever team claims him. Let’s hope all the other teams pass on him, so we can keep him in our system.
Chris Haft of MLB.com gives us some mixed injury news. He reports that 
