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
A glance at the everyday lineup shows none of that is happening. Six of the eight position players are in their 30’s and were acquired via free agency or trade.
Baggarly asks the questions. Will an older, slower lineup score more runs?
I think they can,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.”
King of Cali thoughts: This lineup is definitely a slow one. You won’t see many straight steals, or anyone really burning up the base paths. I do however think this team will be more capable of scoring more runs on a consistent basis. The lineup is much more balanced throughout the lineup. I’m sure a couple players will have some bounce back years as well.
I do get tired of hearing the Giants over achieved last year. How is it over achieving if your pitching staff is really just that damn good? You have an ace in Tim Lincecum who can pretty much win every time out if he can get some decent run support. Matt Cain is capable of being a 20 game winner as well. Barry Zito has his ups and downs, but he had a stretch where he looked like the Zito of old. Jonathan Sanchez got his confidence back when he tossed a no-hitter, and he can possible take a big step this year as a more elite pitcher. Now you’re even throwing Madison Bumgarner in the mix at the end of the rotation. This guy can flat out pitch, and in time will be a front of the rotation kind of a guy.
The Giants are starting out with another great starting rotation in 2010, so if you can get a few more runs here and there. Then you would be able to get a few more wins than you did last year. Let me guess Giants critics… This will be considered another year of over achieving?
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Barry Bonds, Barry Zito, Bruce Bochy, Free Agents, Jonathan Sanchez, King of Cali, Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, 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
Dan Uggla – The Giants have been linked to Uggla all offseason. The Marlins wanted Jonathan Sanchez in the deal. The Giants have lost Randy Johnson (retired) and Brad Penny (Cardinals). With that said I’m sure that’s why the Giants felt like they couldn’t part with J-Sanchez.
Nick Johnson – It was reported that the Giants had an offer on the table for Johnson, but he decided to take less money to sign with the Yankees ($5.5 million). The Giants had upped their offer to Johnson to $6 million, but that wasn’t tempting enough to land him.
Johnny Damon – The Giants have been linked to Damon. This is because it’s been known that the Giants needed a outfielder and leadoff hitter. When the Giants decided Mark DeRosa was going to be in left-field. That pretty much shut the door on any Damon signing in San Francisco. Damon is still a free agent, so let’s wait and see where he lands.
Adam LaRoche – The Giants had a two year contract offer on the table for LaRoche. He declined it, and the Giants ended up signing Aubrey Huff. LaRoche signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks for a one year contract for less money ($4.5 million). The Giants had offered him a 2-year contract worth $17 million.
Eric Byrnes – The Giants never came out and said they were interested in signing Byrnes. KNBR the Giants Flagship station had Byrnes on the air a couple times and he made it public he wouldn’t mind playing for the Giants. Byrnes has since signed with the Seattle Mariners for the league minimum ($400,000). The Arizona Diamondbacks are paying his remaining $11 million that they owe him before they released him.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Adam LaRoche, Arizona Diamondbacks, Aubrey Huff, Brad Penny, Dan Uggla, Eric Byrnes, Florida Marlins, Johnny Damon, Jonathan Sanchez, King of Cali, Mark DeRosa, New York Yankees, Nick Johnson, NL West, Randy Johnson, San Francisco Giants Baseball, Seattle Mariners, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, St. Luis Cardinals
Chris Haft of MLB.com says the Giants and Jonathan Sanchez have agreed on a one-year contract. The deal is for $2.1 million. Sanchez went 8-12 with a 4.24 ERA in 32 appearances. He did pitch San Francisco’s first no-hitter in 33 years over the San Diego Padres on July 10th.
The Giants are expected to exchange salary figures later Tuesday with their two most pricey arbitration-eligible performers: Tim Lincecum and Brian Wilson.
King of Cali thoughts: We all know that all these arbitration guys are going to get raises. $2.1 million for J-Sanchez isn’t bad. I mean his win/loss and ERA is nothing to write home about, but the potential is there. He gets a lot of swings and misses. Plus he’s also got a no-hitter under his belt. I’m sure he’s going to be pitching with a lot more confidence this year.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Arbitration, Brian Wilson, Free Agents, Giants, Jonathan Sanchez, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, Tim Lincecum
Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports that the Giants and Brandon Medders agreed on a one-year contract for $820,000, avoiding salary arbitration.
Medders went 5-1 with a 3.01 ERA and 1 save in 61 games while earning $475,000.
King of Cali thoughts: Medders did a great job last year, so his raise is well deserved. It’s always better for teams to sign players before the arbitration hearings. I just don’t like the idea of a player submitting his worth and the team saying his worth less. Just seems like only bad feelings can come of that no matter who wins the hearing. The Giants still have three players that are arbitration eligible. Those players are Jonathan Sanchez, Brian Wilson and Tim Lincecum.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Arbitration, Brandon Medders, Brian Wilson, Free Agents, Jonathan Sanchez, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, Tim Lincecum
Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News says (via Twitter) Aubrey Huff will bat cleanup for the Giants, GM Brian Sabean says.
Baggarly wasn’t done tweeting either. He also had a few followup tweets. He said in his next tweet. Giants Manager Bruce Bochy says he envisions Sandoval-Huff-DeRosa hitting 3-4-5.
The next tweet says No corresponding 40-man move yet to make space for Aubrey Huff. GM Brian Sabean said someone will be designated. Frandsen? Merkin? Lewis?
In his final tweet. Baggarly says Pablo Sandoval has gained weight in Venezuela, “but not enough to worry about,” Giants GM Brian Sabean said.
King of Cali thoughts: This lineup with Sandoval, Huff and DeRosa hitting 3-4-5 does make sense. Your best hitter should be your 3rd hitter. Then the cleanup guy is someone that should be able to clear the bases with one swing.
There has been a lot of mixed reactions regarding the Huff signing. Who else could the Giants have got for so cheap that does have the potential to put up a lot of homers? This signing was only one year for $3 million and we didn’t have to trade Jonathan Sanchez for a bat. Please comment with your thoughts.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Andrew Baggarly, Aubrey Huff, Brian Sabean, Free Agents, Jonathan Sanchez, King of Cali, Mark DeRosa, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors
Sabean said he is comfortable with catching corps of Buster Posey and Eli Whiteside. If Madison Bumgarner is the top option for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, you can bet Sabean will not trade No. 4 starter Jonathan Sanchez for a bat.
Sabean said We are still pursuing more help. Selfishly, we’d like it to be a left-handed hitter. Adam LaRoche did decline the Giants two year $17 million contract offer.
King of Cali thoughts: I have been receiving a lot of emails from fans with mixed feelings about Damon. Fans think he can help, but he has a big asking price. Plus he’s likely going to start his decline once he puts a Giants uniform on. His defense and arm isn’t great. Now Cust is another story. This guy does have the power that the Giants need, but he can’t play defense and he strikes out all the time. I would rather have a guy that puts the ball in play, so at least something can happen. You can’t help the team when you can’t make contact.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Adam LaRoche, Buster Posey, Eli Whiteside, Free Agents, Giants Baseball Blog, Jack Cust, Johnny Damon, Jonathan Sanchez, King of Cali, Madison Bumgarner, MLB Hot Stove, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald says since the Giants are reluctant to trade pitcher Jonathan Sanchez for Dan Uggla, Florida will need to reengage Baltimore, Texas and Atlanta on Uggla talks. He says the Marlins also haven’t ruled out keeping Uggla if they can’t get good value. Florida is eager to stay just below $40 million in payroll.
Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe says There was a lot of early talk about Dan Uggla going to the Giants, but that seems to have quieted down. Some scouts believe Uggla is best suited for the American League as a DH or someone you can move around, like Mark DeRosa.
King of Cali thoughts: A lot of Giants fans that have visit this site have voted that they would trade for Uggla. With that said it seems like trade talks for Uggla have quiet down. This isn’t really a bad thing if you think about it. Sabean isn’t rushing in and giving up the farm for the deal. He’s seeing what free agents he can snag first before having to make the trade for Uggla. He could be hoping the Marlins just want to dump him so they don’t have to pay him and will take less for him. I’m sure we haven’t heard the last of the Uggla to Giants rumors.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Dan Uggla, Free Agents, Giants, Jonathan Sanchez, King of Cali, Mark DeRosa, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Trades, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors
Chris Haft of MLB.com who’s the Giants beat reporter answers fans questions. When asked about the Jonathan Sanchez and Dan Uggla rumors. Haft said his Florida counterpart Joe Frisaro has suggested that the Marlins might be willing to “sweeten” a potential deal by offering to send a player or two along with Uggla.
When asked about Adrian Beltre. He said there’s almost no way the Giants or any other team will pay Beltre $10 million annually, and it’s unlikely any suitor will offer him a four year deal. If you would like to read more of the questions and answers in this article click here.
King of Cali thoughts: I’m curious as to which players the Marlins may be willing to add to the Uggla deal. If the Giants don’t land Beltre, DeRosa or Tejada any time soon. They will end up forcing themselves into pulling the trigger on the Uggla deal. Which isn’t a bad thing, cause he does have the power that we need. It just depends how desperate Sabean gets and what he parts with in the deal that’s kind of scary. I know a lot of Giants fans are back and forth with trading for Uggla. Do you think we should move forward with the trade or sign DeRosa, Tejada or Beltre?
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Adrian Beltre, Dan Uggla, Florida Marlins, Giants, Jonathan Sanchez, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Trade Rumors, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors
