Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News says when asked about easing into taking swings. Will you take dry swings or using a tee, the Giants second baseman Freddy Sanchez said..
“Nah, I think I’ll just start swinging for the fences, hitting bombs.”
In reality Sanchez doesn’t anticipate picking up a bat for at least another week, perhaps two. A few days ago Sanchez status was changed to doubtful for opening day.
“I’d go with very doubtful,” Bochy said. “As much as he’s moving along, that would be rushing him. We’d have concerns about that. And besides, we’re covered. We have experienced guys to help out there.”
King of Cali thoughts: It would be nice if Sanchez was ready for opening day, but it’s not going to make or break the opening day lineup. The Giants have plenty of options. They can have Juan Uribe play second base, and that can add some pop to the lineup. They can also have Eugenio Velez start and second, and that would add some speed to the lineup.
They can really go with whoever is hot. Mark DeRosa is also capable of playing there as well. That would only happen if the Giants had some hot guys going into the start of the season to play in left and right field. I know, not very likely. Let’s just hope they give Sanchez all the time he needs to full recover, so this doesn’t turn into a nagging injury throughout the season.
Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News has some Spring Notes on his blog. He has some notes about the intrasquad game. He also has a link to his youtube channel. Looks like he’s starting to add some pretty cool videos. I did see one of Freddy Sanchez taking some ground balls.
King of Cali thoughts: The San Francisco Giants are taking the day off before the Cactus League opener tomorrow. They did have an intrasquad game yesterday. John Bowker hit a ball that hasn’t landed yet (home run) in the first inning off of lefty Clayton Tanner.
It’s really nice to see Bowker get off to a hot start. This is a guy who’s proved he’s got what it takes to make that next step to join the Giants in San Francisco. It’s just when he get’s there. He hasn’t been able to prove that he belongs. Who knows what it really is. Maybe he just like’s the life he has in Fresno better than San Francisco (just kidding). Let’s just hope this is the year he shows the Giants he’s going to be here to stay!
Side Notes
Madison Bumgarner has returned back to Arizona to join the Giants camp. He left the team to go to North Carolina to bury his half-sister. She died suddenly at the age of 36.
“I wanted to be with my family, of course, but I was anxious to get back to work,” Bumgarner said. “Because when I’m on the mound, I don’t think about anything else but the game.”
Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says reliever Sergio Romo limped briefly after he twisted his right ankle during pitchers fielding drills on Wednesday. It was a minor ankle turn that did not prevent him from continuing with drills or throwing a bullpen session.
Team president Larry Baer said tickets sales are up, and they are one pace to reach 3.1 million.
Bruce Bochy said Freddy Sanchez might take ground-balls as soon as this weekend.
King of Cali thoughts: I’m glad it’s just a minor sprain. I really think Romo is a good piece in our bullpen. He’s got an edge to him when he’s on the mound. He gets the crowd into it when he gets that strike out to end the inning, and runs off the mound. I’m sure his ankle will be better by opening day, and not worse.
I can see why the tickets sales have gone up this year. It seems like a lot more fans are excited going into the start of this season. We know what our pitching staff can do. Now we are starting this season with a more balanced offense than we did a year ago. We just needed to score more runs last year. This year we know we have the potential to score a few more runs.
It’s nice to hear that F-Sanchez is getting close. This guy is going to be a big key to our lineup. He’s going to be on base in-front of our middle of the lineup. He’s a great hitter that Giants fans haven’t really got to see yet. I’m sure he will change a lot of minds of the fans that have been critical of him since the trade.
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.
What If…Freddy Sanchez isn’t ready for Opening day? What does it mean for the Giants lineup By Darrin Reyes
Guest Post
Freddy Sanchez had shoulder surgery in the off season and may not be ready for opening day. Based off the signing this off season the easy stand in for Freddy would be Juan Uribe. I think that putting Uribe in while Sanchez is away would be a good move but I’m not sure if it would be the best move for the Giants. All Giants fans hope that Freddy Sanchez will be ready for opening day. What if he isn’t?
Freddy Sanchez is a career .299 hitter with only 38 career home runs in 9 MLB seasons. He is not the big bat that all Giants fans are accustomed to but he serves a different role in the Giants line up. He is a great situational hitter that will help the Giants greatly when healthy. His absence will change the whole dynamic of the Giants line up.
Projected Line up with Sanchez 1. Rowand 2. Sanchez 3. Sandoval 4. Huff 5. DeRosa 6. Molina 7. Renteria 8. Schierholtz The Giants have 4 players that could fill in as second baseman in Freddy’s absence. Juan Uribe, Eugenio Velez, Mark DeRosa and Emmanuel Burriss.
Juan Uribe Juan Uribe was third on the team with 16 home runs last year but with the additions made this off season he becomes the player with the 5th most in 2009. Everyone knows that he is a free swinger and is the complete opposite of what Sanchez is. I think he would be a good fit but not the best for the Giants. He wouldn’t be a player you would want batting 2nd in your line up. Possible Line up with Uribe at 2B 1. Rowand 2. DeRosa 3. Sandoval 4. Huff 5. Molina 6. Uribe 7. Renteria 8. Schierholtz
Eugenio Velez After being called up in July he was one of the most productive Giants in 2009. He is someone that can be put in at the top of the line up and not damage the heart of the line up that the Giants have built from the moves this off season. He had 10 stolen bases while batting in the lead off spot in 2009. Having Velez at the lead off would bring Rowand to bat 2nd. Moving Rowand to 2nd in the batting order could give him better pitches to hit because he would have Sandoval batting behind him. The other benefit of having Velez is that he is also able to play outfield. Which brings one of the other possible players that could stand in for Sanchez.
Mark DeRosa DeRosa has been a utility man for most of his career. He is projected to be the starting left fielder but he has spent 282 games of his 12 year career at second base. He only has 12 more games at third base over second. It is very possible for him to start at second base while Sanchez is away then move him back to outfield upon his return. There is no downfall to him being at second or in the outfield. I believe the most important factor would be keeping him in the heart of the line up.
Possible Line up with Velez 2B/LF and DeRosa at LF/2B 1. Velez 2. Rowand 3. Sandoval 4. Huff 5. DeRosa 6. Molina 7. Renteria 8. Schierholtz
Emmanuel Burriss Burriss has arguably the best arm for a position player in the Giants organization. He is among the fastest on the team. He’s a switch hitter that can possibly be the table setter that the Giants need at the top of the line up. He was sent down last year and did suffer a season ending foot injury in July. In 2009 he beat out Velez, Uribe, Aurilia and Frandsen in spring training to become the opening day second baseman. If he does well this spring training he may be able to win his spot as the stand in. This is something that could happen but I don’t it happening. I think he should stay down and would be better to be the short stop of the future.
Possible Line up with Burriss 1. Burriss 2. Rowand 3. Sandoval 4. Huff 5. DeRosa 6. Molina 7. Renteria 8. Schierholtz
Kevin Frandsen and Matt Downs are not currently at the level of even Emmanuel Burriss. One of them could have a great spring training that could earn them a spot on the opening day roster but its something I don’t see coming. Burriss won the starting second baseman job last year only to be sent down mid season. The versatility of DeRosa could change the future for a Giant in 2010 while Sanchez is away. A good spring training for Torres or Bowker could even win one of them the spot in left field and have DeRosa start the year at second base.
I think the best fit for the Giants on opening day would be Velez put in at the top of the order while Sanchez is away. Having Velez at the top would keep the new core of the giants line up intact. That would bring Rowand to second in the order and may help him improve his numbers. I think any change to the line up should be only done at the first and second place in the order. I believe that Uribe does not make the best fit for the Giants line up in Sanchez absence. Uribe may be a better replacement for Renteria but that What If has not been written yet….
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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?
The Giants Flagship Station KNBR reported that Bruce Bochy was on the Giants Hot Stove with Jon Miller. When asked about Freddy Sanchez. Bochy said that he had shoulder surgery a month ago. Sanchez will be rehabbing most of spring training. It’s not likely that he will be in the Opening Day starting lineup.
I just hope this is the last of his injuries in a Giants uniform. Giants fans haven’t got to see how good of a hitter this guy really is. I’m just glad he at least had the surgery a month ago and didn’t wait till the season started to decide he needed it. Him not being available opening day isn’t the end of the world. That just means Juan Uribe will get the start, and we know what he can do in the lineup.
Andrew Baggarly of San Jose Mercury news writes on his blog some of the main news points of the Mark DeRosa conference call. DeRosa doesn’t care where he plays as long as he’s in the lineup everyday. Pablo Sandoval’s position is still in limbo, because the Giants are still looking to add another bat.
Brian Sabean remains focused on adding another hitter: “it’s a chess game at this point. We’re engaged in a lot of possibilities. We’ve still got some offers on the table.” Strides have been made in bringing back Juan Uribe. There is a possibility he could be the everyday third baseman.
Matt Holliday doesn’t seem like a fit for the Giants. His contract demands are too high for the Giants. Baggarly says other sources say the Giants haven’t re-engaged Scott Boras on Adrian Beltre, either.
Buster Posey is a perfectly fine option to start the season if free agent catchers continue to demand multiple years at high figures.
DeRosa said he came up as an infielder, which is where he feels more involved in the flow of the game, but he doesn’t care where he plays. He has always enjoyed playing in San Francisco and the Giants showed the greatest interest in him. “I was just tired of being a lot of teams plan B,” DeRosa said.
King of Cali thoughts: I’m sure most of the Giants fans that keep it real to themselves knew the Giants wouldn’t be a real contender to land Bay or Holliday. The Giants can still put a good team together for 2010. Now that Sabean has said the Giants are still looking to add a bat.
The Giants still had a very good season last year, and that was with a very bad offense. This year we will have Freddy Sanchez for a full season, and now DeRosa as well. That’s already two positive things to look at for next season. I’m not saying that’s enough, but at least we are moving in the right direction. Let’s see what else Sabean has cooking.
It’s expected that Uribe will remain in a super utility role. The Giants are still looking for a regular first or third baseman.
King of Cali thoughts: Now this is nice to hear on Christmas Eve. At least we know the Giants are still planning on trying to make this team better. Let’s hope Sabean gets on a role and starts handing out contracts like Santa hands out gifts.
Even though this is just bringing back a player from last year. I see this as a big signing. Uribe keeps the Giants going on and off the field. This guy has this guys having fun in the dugout. He keeps the team loose. Uribe also is valuable in case Freddy Sanchez goes down, or if Edgar Renteria isn’t pulling his weight. I can see Renteria turning into the utility role if his bat doesn’t come around. Now lets hope this deal becomes official soon, so we can have at least one deal done for Christmas.
Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News says when asked about easing into taking swings. Will you take dry swings or using a tee, the Giants second baseman Freddy Sanchez said..
Chris Haft of MLB.com gives us some mixed injury news. He reports that 