Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says Bobby Evans told him that he and Pablo Sandoval’s agent are negotiating only a one-year deal for the Panda. The Giants are not ready to buy out any of Sandoval’s future arbitration years.
The Giants use precedent as a guideline for negotiating and setting salaries with their younger players, but there is no recent precedent for the Giants position player hitting .330 with 25 homers and 90 RBI’s in his first full season.
Tim Lincecum (last spring) and the Giants agreed to a $650,000 deal, but he had a few more months of service time than Sandoval. Schulman thinks Sandoval might get less than that for 2010.
King of Cali thoughts: Giants fans have nothing to worry about. Sandoval is in the same boat as Lincecum. Which means he’s not going anywhere for a while. He’s still under the Giants control, and I’m sure the Giants will definitely try to lock him up long term as he gets closer to becoming a free agent.
I did some due diligence of my own today. I wanted to check his (Sandoval) value for his last season’s performance. Sandoval was worth $23.3 million, better than I even expected. I’m sure the Giants are happy to get that kind of production from someone that made less than a million.
Okay since I did the research on Sandoval to see how much his numbers actually should have paid him. I figured I would have to do the same for Barry Zito. Everyone know’s he’s overpaid for the production he’s giving the Giants at this point of his contract. Well with that said. He should have made $10 million last year by going 10-13 wit ha 4.03 ERA. All of his numbers factor in to this, but those are the main stats I wanted to add in this post.
~King of Cali
Related Articles
Technorati Tags: Barry Zito, Bobby Evans, Cactus League, Free Agents, Giants, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, Tim Lincecum
Chris Haft of MLB.com reports that the Giants finally get revenge on Milwaukee slugger Prince Fielder. He was plunked in the back by left-hander Barry Zito. This is the first time the Giants have seen the Brewers since Sept. 6, when Fielder upset the Giants with a choreographed home-plate celebration after homering to end a 12-inning, 2-1 Brewers victory at Milwaukee. His teammates fell as if they were bowling pins, as Fielder reached home plate.
King of Cali thoughts: Justice is finally served! I must say, I have a little more respect for Zito now. I honestly didn’t see it coming from him. I’m sure it’s best that it was him, since there was not guarantee that Fielder would still be in the game later when a new Giants pitcher took the mound.
I have been going back and forth on this stunt since it happened in September. I didn’t like it cause it was done to the Giants. I’m sure I would have loved it if the Giants did it to them. I would have probably justified it and said they are just a team that is having fun out there!
I have received emails from Giants fans saying how happy they are that Zito plunked Fielder, and he got what he deserved. Yes, Fielder did get what he deserved. Any guy that pulls a stunt like that is going to get payback sooner or later. I just don’t know if I’m set on saying it should have never happened. These guys are entertainers/athletes and they do whatever is going to keep the money flowing in their pockets. Do you think this stunt was something that should have no place in baseball?
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Barry Zito, Cactus League, Free Agents, Giants, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, Prince Fielder, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors
“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.
~King of Cali
Related Articles
Technorati Tags: Cactus League, Eugenio Velez, Freddy Sanchez, Free Agents, Giants, Juan Uribe, King of Cali, Mark DeRosa, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, Spring Training
Murph and Mac of KNBR the Giants Flagship Station. Did a phone interview this morning with Pablo Sandoval. He says feels great so far this spring.
Pablo says he’s going to stay a free swinger, but he will take some pitches this year. He’s still going to be aggressive, but when guys are on base and he’s trying to drive in runs. He will look for better pitches to hit.
Sandoval says he will be wearing new prescription glasses this year. He will be using them for defense and at the plate. They are sporty glasses (Oakley’s), so no goggles. He says he can see the ball better now with these glasses.
Brian Murphy asked Sandoval if he’s okay with whatever weight he’s at or if he wants to change his body. Sandoval said he does want to change his body, so he can prolong his career.
When asked about the new (team) socks. Sandoval said he’s going keep his pant legs down, and not sport the high pants to show the socks.
He thinks this year is going to be different. He believes they have a stronger team. They have the good pitching staff and now they have the offense. The Panda says everyone has to be-careful of the Giants this year.
~King of Cali
Related Articles
Technorati Tags: Free Agents, Giants, King of Cali, KNBR, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, SFGiants Blog, The Panda
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.
~King of Cali
Related Articles
Technorati Tags: Bruce Bochy, Freddy Sanchez, Free Agents, Giants, King of Cali, Larry Baer, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, Sergio Romo, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors
Chris Haft of MLB.com chimes in on John Bowker. Bowker possesses more power than any other Giants with the possible exception of first baseman Aubrey Huff. Bowker has recorded his best numbers in the high Minor Leagues, since he has tended to swing over-anxiously during his stints in San Francisco in the previous two seasons.
Bruce Bochy said “Johnny has the power to this the ball out of any ballpark anywhere, [even] right-center in our ballpark.”
Bowker thrived last year at Triple-A Fresno, where he led the Pacific Coast League in batting average (.342), on-base percentage (.451) and slugging percentage (.596) while amassing 21 homers and 83 RBI’s in just 366 at-bats.
King of Cali thoughts: Bowker doesn’t seem like the same player in San Francisco than he does in Fresno. He starts to press and looks over-matched. He’s only going to get more comfortable in San Francisco with more at-bats. The power is there. It’s just getting him to his comfort zone at the plate. I really do see him turning into a major league player in the near future. He’s only got one option left, so he may not make the opening day roster.
One good thing is he does have the same hitting coach as he did in Fresno. He might be able to keep Bowker’s head in the game at the plate. If he can get hot at the plate and show some power. You better believe Bochy will find ways to get his power bat into the lineup. He can play left, right and first base.
~King of Cali
Related Articles
Technorati Tags: Aubrey Huff, Bruce Bochy, Free Agents, Giants, John Bowker, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, Spring Training
Chris Haft of MLB.com reports that Jonathan Sanchez has gained 12 pounds to boost his weight to 200 pounds. “Slender” still best describes the 6-foot-2 Sanchez’s physique says Haft.
Sanchez’s weight gain should help him impart more force on his pitches, particularly his already lively fastball. “it’ll have more velocity and it’s going to rise more,” and upbeat Sanchez said recently.
Imagine how formidable the Giants rotation, led by Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Barry Zito, would be with Sanchez, the projected fourth starter, winning 12-15 games. The Giants haven’t had four double-digit winners in one season since ‘02, when all five primary starters (Livan Hernandez, Russ Ortiz, Kirk Rueter, Jason Schmidt and Ryan Jensen) exceeded 12 victories apiece for the National League champions.
King of Cali thoughts: I believe Sanchez’s confidence is exactly where it needs to be going into this 2010 season. He’s always showed some dominate stuff, but once someone got a big hit off him. You knew it was all down hill from there. He just seems to have taken a big stride ever since he tossed that no-hitter. He may end up having a pretty good year in the 4th spot of the rotation this year.
Sanchez career numbers are 21-30 with a 4.81 ERA. It’s nothing to write home about, but I think he’s going to turn a corner this year. I’m hoping he’s going to hit the gas and not stop till he’s headed towards an elite pitching status. What are your thoughts on the kind of year you think Sanchez will have?
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Barry Zito, Free Agents, Giants, Jason Schmidt, Jonathan Sanchez, King of Cali, Kirk Rueter, Livan Hernandez, Matt Cain, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, Russ Ortiz, Ryan Jensen, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, Tim Lincecum
Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune says why some people are picking the Giants to win the NL West: Rookie left-hander Madison Bumgarner, penciled in as the fifth starter, is 27-5 with a 1.65 ERA in 49 games as a pro. Imagine that stacked behind Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Barry Zito and Jonathan Sanchez.
King of Cali thoughts: I really can’t see anyone beat out Bumgarner for the fifth spot in the rotation. I’m sure the Giants management would like to see him get more seasoning in the minors, but he’s already proven that he’s far superior in the minors. He’s young, but he’s already got big league stuff. Do you think Bumgarner is ready to be our fifth starter?
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Barry Zito, Free Agents, Giants, Jonathan Sanchez, King of Cali, Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, Tim Lincecum
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
Contract – 1 Year, $3.25 Million (2010)
Career - .257 AVG with 127 HR’s
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Aubrey Huff, Bengie Molina, Free Agents, Giants, Juan Uribe, King of Cali, Mark DeRosa, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, Tim Lincecum
It’s been reported (via twitter) by multiple sports writers that the Giants and Tim Lincecum have reached a two-year deal. I will update this post with more information as it comes in. 
It was reported by Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com (via twitter) that Lincecum gets $23 million for two years.
UPDATE – More Updates to follow
Mychael Urban of CSNBayArea.com says (Via Twitter) the Lincecum deal with the Giants is worth $23 million. He will get $8 million this year, and $13 million next year. Then $2 million in signing bonus. That will be spread over both years.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Free Agents, Giants, Ken Rosenthal, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, Mychael Urban, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, Tim Lincecum
