B.J. Rains of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat chimes in with some Brad Penny insights. Rains says Penny choose the Cardinals over the San Francisco Giants, wanting to fulfill a life-long goal of playing in St. Louis.
He also picked the Cardinals for another reason.
“I think St. Louis has a better chance of winning to be honest with you,” Penny said. “It should be a lot of fun. That’s the reason I signed here, the reason you put the uniform on – to play in October.”
Emmanuel Burriss X-rays did not reveal a fracture to his foot.
Travis Ishikawa is no longer wearing a walking boot and has started to take batting practice.
Mark DeRosa said his wrist becomes fatigued, but if the season opener were today, he’d be able to play
King of Cali thoughts: It was obvious why Penny didn’t re-sign with the Giants, and opted for St. Louis. They are a team that is on the brink of something great. I would be willing to wager the farm (I do not have a farm) that his numbers will not be as good as when he was in San Francisco. AT&T Park is a pitcher’s park. There is so much space to track down balls that would be homers in other parks.
I never was a Penny fan, and when he came to San Francisco I loved him! He’s a player that you only root for when he’s on your team. At least that’s just my opinion on him.
I’m not sure if anyone cares, but the Giants are looking like they could be the Spring Training Champions, and might not lose a came in Arizona. I’m only kidding, so please save the hate emails.
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.
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.
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
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.
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?
Mark DeRosa did a phone interview today with Murph & Mac on KNBR. DeRosa was on his way to the airport to fly out to San Francisco, so he can be here for Fan Fest. DeRosa was close to signing with the Giants before he signed with the Chicago Cubs three years ago. He said the Cubs made him an offer that he couldn’t refuse.
DeRosa feels like the Giants are on a verge of something great. Tim Lincecum has won two Cy Young’s, Matt Cain is one of the better pitchers in the league, and Barry Zito had a strong second half of the season. He thinks if the Giants can offensively give this pitching staff some early runs. The sky is the limit.
DeRosa said Pablo Sandoval, Aubrey Huff and him sound good as 3-4-5 hitters in the lineup. He thinks the 5 hole in the lineup is a RBI spot to drive in runs. He said he really doesn’t care where he hits. He will let Bruce Bochy figure out the lineup and where he will play defensively.
DeRosa closes out the interview by saying he’s never liked the Dodgers, so now that he’s a Giants. He can hate them (was said while laughing). Are you excited to have DeRosa on board?
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?
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.
B.J. Rains of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat chimes in with some Brad Penny insights. Rains says Penny choose the Cardinals over the San Francisco Giants, wanting to fulfill a life-long goal of playing in St. Louis. 
Chris Haft of MLB.com gives us some mixed injury news. He reports that 
