Ray Ratto of the San Francisco Chronicle says Buster Posey is probably headed to Fresno. Ratto says Posey’s first major league day of 2010 will be on one of two dates. June 1st, when the Giants can push his arbitration clock back another year, or the day catcher Bengie Molina gets hurt.
King of Cali thoughts: This is one of those catch 22′s. You’re damned if you, and you’re damned if you don’t. Posey is ready and has earned a spot on the 25 man roster. They just aren’t going to give it to him. They don’t want to have Posey sitting and not getting a good number of at bats. The smartest thing to do is let him go down to Fresno and continue to play everyday. Keep his stroke going and continue to master the catching position. The Posey era will have to wait a little longer to begin in San Francisco.
~King of Cali
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Technorati Tags: Bengie Molina, Buster Posey, Cactus League, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, sfgiantsbaseball.net
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San Francisco Giants broadcaster and former second baseman Duane Kuiper does his first show with Murph and Mac on KNBR. It’s his first show of 55 (Lincecum’s number.. Is that a sign for another Cy Young?). That is unless they make the playoffs. Then I’m sure more shows will be added.
Kuiper said the Giants did exceed in a lot of the things they wanted to accomplish this spring. The disappointing part of Spring was Madison Bumgarner didn’t win the 5th spot in the starting rotation. He is a homegrown kid and he didn’t light it up like everyone wanted him to.
He thinks Buster Posey put all the questions to rest about him not being ready defensively. He also hit like everyone thought he was going too. Kuiper doesn’t think he will make the 25 man roster, but says the Giants will see a lot of Posey at some point this year. He said the Giants can put him on this roster, and he would definitely help the team. He just thinks with the days off in April for the Giants. That may have hurt Posey chances of getting in some games behind the dish and at first base.
Kuiper says it seems to be a really good clubhouse this year, and a good clubhouse can win you a few games.
~King of Cali
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Technorati Tags: Buster Posey, Cactus League, Duane Kuiper, King of Cali, KNBR, Madison Bumgarner, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, sfgiantsbaseball.net, Spring Training, Tim Lincecum
Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says Freddy Sanchez cannot wait until the day he can start proving to increasingly skeptical Giants fans that the team did not blow $12 million for two years on a player who is done physically.
There is not set day for Sanchez to return to the Giants. The most optimistic prognosis for his return is May 1, but even that seems a stretch now.
King of Cali thoughts: I know, I keep having to defend Brian Sabean on this trade (has since been re-signed) for Sanchez. He’s a well proven bat and can handle himself at second base. He hasn’t been healthy since his arrival in San Francisco. Let’s just hope when he does return to the team. He’s 100% healthy. A healthy Sanchez can really spark this offense. He would be a guy that’s on base for Pablo Sandoval and Aubrey Huff to drive him in.
Bill James Handbook has the following projections for Sanchez. It’s predicted that he will hit .288 this year with 8 homers, 56 RBI’s and 67 runs scored. Now these are just projected numbers, but I have done my research on his projections and they are pretty accurate for most players.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Aubrey Huff, Bill James Handbook, Brian Sabean, Cactus League, Freddy Sanchez, Free Agents, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, sfgiants, sfgiantsbaseball.net
Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News says with a week remaining before the April 5th opener at Houston. The Giants still haven’t settled on an everyday man in right field. The Giants are likely to use the four games in a real stadium to decide whether John Bowker can handle the unexpected flight paths and pinball bounces. They also will Mark DeRosa, who would open up a spot in left field for Bowker if he moved to right.
King of Cali thoughts: The job was pretty much all but set in stone that Nate Schierholtz would be starting in right field. Nasty Nate who can hold down right field with the best of them, but was unable to stay consistent at the plate. The Giants need to decide now if they want to sacrifice some defense for a hotter bat in the lineup. It’s been noted that the Giants want to have the best defense possible to play good behind this pitching staff. With Aubrey Huff at first base. That’s already giving up some defense to help the lineup score some runs.
With less than a week left till the start of the 2010 season. Let’s see which man wins the right field job.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Cactus League, Free Agents, John Bowker, King of Cali, Mark DeRosa, MLB Hot Stove, Nate Schierholtz, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors
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Chris Haft of MLB.com gives some insight on the Giants and Prince Fielder saga. Pitching in relief last June 28th at Milwaukee, Sanchez opened up the ninth inning by plunking Fielder, who was seen loitering in the corridor near the Giants clubhouse after the game. Nothing came of that non-incident, though the Giants sought revenge for Fielder’s theatrical game-winning home run celebration last Sept. 6. Barry Zito hit Fielder with a pitch on March 4th, which settled matters according to baseball’s rough yet time-honored etiquette.
King of Cali thoughts: Jonathan Sanchez hit Fielder (yesterday’s game), and then both teams were immediately issued warnings. Umpires are aware of the feud going on between the Giants and Brewers since Fielders walk-off homer in September against the Giants. Zito was the first Giants pitcher to face Fielder since that homer/celebration. Zito plunked him on the first pitch. Fielder just picked up the ball and tossed it back to Zito. Fielder knew it was coming, and just took it. That should have ended that.
Now that Sanchez has hit Fielder again. I’m starting to have a feeling that this feud is far from over. Although Sanchez didn’t appear to hit Fielder on purpose. I’m sure there will be some retaliation coming when the Giants face the Brewers for the first time during the season on July 5th in Milwaukee. Let’s see how this turns out. That July 5th date may end up being a bench clearing brawl waiting to happen. Only time will tell…
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Barry Zito, Cactus League, Free Agents, Jonathan Sanchez, King of Cali, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, Prince Fielder, San Francisco Giants, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors
The Associated Press reports that the Giants have agreed to a three year deal with starting pitcher Matt Cain. It’s a $27.25 million dollar deal. Cain will receive a $1 million signing bonus, and will be paid $4.5 million this year, $7 million next, and then $15 million in 2012.
Giants closer Brian Wilson signed in January a one year deal to avoid arbitration for $4,437,500. He has since signed an extension with the Giants. He will make $6.5 million in 2011 and then $8.5 million in 2012.
Relief pitcher Jeremy Affeldt also received an extension. He will receive $4.5 million this season, $4.5 next year, and has a $5 million club option for 2012 with a $500,000 buyout.
Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News also says (via Extra Baggs Blog) the Giants will have roughly $35 million committed to Cain and Barry Zito for the 2012 season, and they’ll have Tim Lincecum eligible for arbitration again. It’s bound to be a very, very expensive starting five.
King of Cali thoughts: My thoughts always depend on which mood I’m in. Sorry, that’s just how I roll. Today I’m thinking positive, so I’m happy that these guys have all been rewarded for their great performances. Every team in baseball would love to have Cain, Affeldt or Wilson on their team. The Giants are smart and are taking care of these guys.
Now from a business standpoint. That’s a lot of money that is locked up between Cain and Zito in 2012. If I wasn’t in such a great mood today. I would say that would definitely jeopardize the Giants being big spenders around that time on any key free agents.
However, since I’m in a great mood. I’m looking at it like this. As fans you shouldn’t get to caught up in how much these guys are making. Just hope that the owners pay these guys what it takes to keep them happy to be in San Francisco. We just need them to be committed to putting out a team every year that has a chance to do something. Let’s just be thankful we aren’t a team that brings up good players then trades them away before it’s time to pay them what they deserve.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Barry Zito, Brian Wilson, Cactus League, Free Agents, Jeremy Affeldt, King of Cali, Matt Cain, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, Tim Lincecum
Although the deals haven’t been officially announced by the San Francisco Giants. It’s been reported by multiple news outlets. That the Giants have reached an extension with two of their big arms in the bullpen. Wednesday USA Today reported that the Giants reached a two-year deal with Jeremy Affeldt. Thursday Comcast SportsNet Bay Area reported the Giants and Brian Wilson had agreed to a contract extension.
Side Note
Kevin Frandsen has been dealt to the Boston Red Sox for a player to be named later or cash.
“I think Kevin is going to benefit from a change of scenery,” Sabean said.
King of Cali thoughts: This is good news for Giants fans. It’s nice to see that the Giants are trying to take care of their players that have performed well for them. Both of these guys has great season last year. Affeldt had a career year and was the show stopper in relief. He was able to keep the lead intact and pass the ball to Wilson in the ninth to close it out.
These extensions have not been made official yet, so more details on these signings will be coming once they’re available.
I’m sure most Giants fans knew the day was coming when the Giants would be parting ways with Frandsen. Sabean said they have other options internally that they have identified. Which is what makes Frandsen expendable.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Boston Red Sox, Brian Sabean, Brian Wilson, Cactus League, Free Agents, Giants, Jeremy Affeldt, Kevin Frandsen, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Trade Rumors, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors
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Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle lets us know two Giants that are currently on the trading block. Schulman says the Giants have been shopping infielder Kevin Frandsen and outfielder Fred Lewis, but have not gotten a nibble on either.
Matt Downs seems to have passed Frandsen in the backup middle-infield competition, and the team likes Eugenio Velez and Andres Torres as backup outfielders, says Schulman.
King of Cali thoughts: Frandsen is a guy that I seen expendable once Freddy Sanchez came to the Giants (via trade), and then again when they signed Sanchez to a two-year contract. Frandsen does have a lot fans in the Bay Area that would love to see him in a Giants uniform. Frandsen graduated from Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose and later attended San Jose State. Frandsen left San Jose State as the all-time leader in hits. His road to the Giants just took a few detours, and he may end up trying to make another big league club if he’s traded.
Lewis is someone that still shows some flashes of being a very good player, but when he got his chance last year. He didn’t do anything to win the fans and coaching staff over. I have heard fans call him stone-hands Lewis, and he seems to always strike out in clutch situations. The Giants gave him his fair shot, and he didn’t capitalize on it. Now a new start somewhere else may be what he needs to get back on track.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Andres Torres, Cactus League, Eugenio Velez, Fred Lewis, Freddy Sanchez, Free Agents, Kevin Frandsen, King of Cali, Matt Downs, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Trade Rumors, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, San Jose State, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Trade Rumors
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Chris Haft of MLB.com reports that the Giants have optioned left-hander Madison Bumgarner and right-hander Joe Martinez to Triple-A Fresno. This removes Bumgarner from the number 5 starters role.
Bumgarner lacked command and a crisp fastball in his three Cactus League outings, posting a 6.43 ERA (five runs in seven innings) over three outings.
King of Cali thoughts: I honestly thought Bumgarner was going to win this fifth spot in the rotation hands down. Didn’t see anyone coming close to taking this spot from him. The good news is he’s only 20 years old. He can still go down to Triple-A Fresno and be the first guy called up if someone goes down.
The two leading candidates for the fifth spot in the rotation is Todd Wellemeyer and Kevin Pucetas. These guys are both pitching like there’s no tomorrow. Wellemeyer has a 1.20 ERA in 5 games so far this spring. Pucetas has a 0.64 ERA in 5 games as well.
It’s looking more and more like the Giants will give the fifth spot in the rotation to Wellemeyer. Although I wouldn’t mine seeing Pucetas get his shot. I just think the Giants will go with Wellemeyer, cause they like the fact that he already has big league experience. Who would you like to see as the fifth starter?
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Cactus League, Free Agent, Giants, Joe Martinez, Kevin Pucetas, King of Cali, Madison Bumgarner, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, Todd Wellemeyer
Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the future Giants backstop Buster Posey is feeling comfortable at first base. He currently rates himself a 7 on a scale of 1-10. The Giants are giving Posey a longer look at first as they try to gauge what he can bring to the 25-man roster if he makes the team out of camp.
Posey went 0-4 at the plate against the Oakland A’s, but still is hitting .375 this spring.
King of Cali thoughts: The reason the Giants brought Bengie Molina back was because they felt like Posey wasn’t fully ready to handle the pitching staff. They thought he can use some work, so what I heard was they would probably send him down to triple A so he can continue to work on his catching.
Now it’s sounding more and more like they are really considering him as the backup catcher/first baseman. I really think that’s a really good idea. If they can give him enough AB’s in San Francisco then it’s a no brainer. He can catch one or two games a week. This will keep Molina fresh, and Posey can have Molina talking to him between innings about different things he’s doing right/wrong behind the plate.
There is no doubt that Posey can handle himself with the bat, so by making him the backup. They can ease him into more and more playing time. That way when he really takes over as the everyday backstop there is no surprise as to what we may get from him. Before I get the hate mail. I’m not saying he’s taking over anytime soon. Even if it’s next season. At least by then he will have big league experience under his belt. What do you think the Giants should do with Posey?
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Baseball, Bengie Molina, Buster Posey, Cactus League, Giants, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors
