Pablo Sandoval will start his rehab assignment tonight for the San Jose Giants. Sandoval is scheduled to play six innings, and will also take the field for the SJ Giants in tomorrows game as well.
Sandoval was hitting .313 with 5 homers, and 14 RBI’s for the Giants before his injury. The Buster Posey-less Giants sure can use the Kung Fu Panda’s bat. They had a good offensive game last night, but their offense is crying for some attention.
Barry Zito is scheduled to start his rehab on Monday for the SJ Giants.
Marc Kroon decided he still wants to chase his dream of getting back to the major league. He chose to not exercise his out clause with the Fresno Grizzlies. Which means he will stay in Fresno and hope to get a call up from the Giants soon.
Kroon has played in 21 games, and is 1-2 with a 3.10 ERA (12 saves).
Aubrey Huff had a HUGE night for the Giants last night in St. Louis. Huff brought out the big stick and hit 3 homers and collected 6 RBI’s in the Giants 12-7 win over the Cardinals.
Huff is hitting .233 with 8 homers, and 30 RBI’s in 55 games for the Giants. We know the power is still there for Huff. He just needs to find his stroke to get his average up. Let’s hope last night’s game was the spark he needs to catch fire!
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Aubrey Huff, Barry Zito, Buster Posey, Fresno Grizzlies, Giants Hot Stove, King of Cali, Marc Kroon, NL West, Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants Baseball, San Jose Giants, SF Giants Rumors, SFG Rumors
John Perrotto of the Beaver County Times recently said that the Giants would be a possible destination for Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit.
Perrotto tells SF Giants Rumors that it wouldn’t cost the Giants any Major League players to get the deal done. The Pirates would like a decent prospect, and he’s pretty sure the Pirates would be interested in Brandon Crawford.
Crawford was recently called up for the injured Mike Fontenot. Crawford is one of six players (All Time) to hit a grand slam in his major league debut.
Check out the Q&A with Crawford that he did with SF Giants Rumors during the off season.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Brandon Crawford, Giants Hot Stove, Giants Trade Rumors, King of Cali, Mike Fontenot, NL West, Ryan Doumit, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, SFG Rumors
Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says Giants prospect Brandon Belt raised the heat on management by having a big day against the White Sox.
“Were staying open-minded,” Bruce Bochy said. “We’re not looking at rosters. We’re looking at what’s best for the club. He’s playing great.”
Schulman also says in the same article that Aubrey Huff hasn’t played a single inning in LF this spring, so that might be a hint that Brian Sabean is likely to send Belt to Fresno to start the season.
I believe Belt will have to catch fire for the remainder of Spring to really force the issue. If he has another skid then they will use that as confirmation that he still needs some seasoning in Fresno before he’s ready.
The Giants don’t need him to be ready and start for them at 1B. If Belt stays hot and forces the issue. He will also be forcing the Giants to move Aubrey Huff to LF and Pat Burrell to the bench. My prediction is Huff will be at 1B, Burrell will be in LF and Belt will be in Fresno getting AB’s on a daily basis. The Giants are not adding him to the 25 man roster unless he’s going to be a starter.
Ever Wonder What Lincecum Orders at In-N-Out?
Alex Pavlovic of the San Jose Mercury News says Tim Lincecum chimed in on his weight with the media. Lincecum is 168 pounds, and that’s probably after a good meal. Lincecum shared with the media what he orders from In-N-Out. Keep in mind that this guy is only 168 pounds.
“Lately it’s been three double-doubles, two fries and a half strawberry/half chocolate milkshake. That’s just one meal. No animal style. I get plain cheeseburgers with some ketchup and that’s about it, maybe that’s why they go down easier.”
Little Nuggets
Jeff Suppan to start Friday against the hated Dodgers, and Matt Cain will be pitching at Minor League Camp.
Jim Bowden of Fox Sports tweets that Bruce Bochy told him that the last spot on his pitching staff will come down to Dan Runzler or Guillermo Mota. Runzler doesn’t seem to have his best stuff this spring, so I would have to predict Mota will win that lost spot in the bullpen.
Opening Weekend Events
4/8 – World Series Championship Flag Is Raised
4/9 – Players Receive World Series Championship Rings
4/10 – Posey Receives Rookie Of The Year Award
SF Giants Rumors will be at Spring Training this weekend. Please check out SF Giants Rumors Facebook to keep updated with any Rumors/News over the weekend.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: 2010 World Series Champions, Aubrey Huff, Brandon Belt, Brian Sabean, Bruce Bochy, Dan Runzler, Guillermo Mota, Jeff Suppan, King of Cali, Matt Cain, Pat Burrell, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, sfgiants, Tim Lincecum
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Here is some little nuggets, and no not chicken nuggets. Just some quick notes. Update to yesterday’s post about Buster Posey and the Giants reaching a 1-year agreement. We have now learned that Posey will be making $575,000 in 2011.
Got Seats?
Since the Giants have won the World Series. There is now over 5,000 new season ticket holders. If you want good seats to game you better start buying them now.
World Series Banner
The Giants home Opening Day is one month away from today, and the World Series Banner will be raised. If you don’t already have tickets to the game. You better get your saw out, cause it will cost you an arm and a leg to try to score some tickets now.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Buster Posey, Giants Hot Stove, King of Cali, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, sfgiants
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Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times says Ex-Giant Juan Uribe was moved by how the Dodgers pursued him, calling his agent almost every day. “They were really interested in having me here,” Uribe said. “When a team wants you that much and tells you that you’ll be a key part of their team, it’s extremely moving.”
Juan Uribe Stats as a Giant (2years, 09-10)
Games – 270
Average – .266
RBI – 140
Runs – 114
Homeruns – 40
Hits – 244
2B – 50
3B – 6
Walks – 70
Strikeouts – 174
Uribe deserves the standing ovation when he has his first bat at AT&T Park. After that, the only chants he will get is Booooo-Ribe! Once he hangs up his spikes and calls it a career. I will then cheer for Uribe and welcome him back to the Giants family like Jeff Kent. I will never forget what these guys did for the Giants when they had the Black and Orange on!
Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says Buster Posey and the Giants reached an agreement on a 1-year contract. It’s under a million (no exact figure yet) but higher than the league minimum. Posey still is pre-arbitration eligible which means he has no leverage and could have had his contract renewed at whatever salary the team choose. The team however did negotiate the one year deal with Posey.
Schulman also says that Pablo Sandoval’s contract (2011 salary) is a done deal too, but doesn’t have the details. Madison Bumgarner’s is still not finalized at this time.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: 2010 World Series Champions, AT&T Park, Buster Posey, Giants Hot Stove, Jeff Kent, Juan Uribe, King of Cali, Madison Bumgarner, NL West, Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, sfgiants
Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle say Giants manager Bruce Bochy hinted to reporters that Mark DeRosa will concentrate on left field but could play third, first and even some shortstop.
Lincecum and Wilson Update
Tim Lincecum must be fine, cause he was on the field today. Brian Wilson is going to skip his throwing session today, his back is still sore. Wilson wanted to throw today, but the team said no.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: 2010 World Series Championship, Brian Wilson, Bruce Bochy, Giants Hot Stove, Giants Trade Rumors, King of Cali, Mark DeRosa, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, sfgiants, Tim Lincecum
The San Francisco Giants beat writer Chris Haft said (in his blog) that the Giants have signed RHP Josh Banks to a Minor League deal.
Banks spent most of last season with the Houston Astros Triple-A team, finishing 9-12 with a 4.04 ERA in 27 starts.
Don’t worry Giants fans, Lincecum, Cain, Bumgarner, Sanchez and Zito are still going to be the five starters. This signing is to add depth incase a starter goes down. Banks is likely to start the season in Fresno.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: 2010 World Series Champions, Barry Zito, Chris Haft, Giants Hot Stove, Giants Trade Rumors, Jonathan Sanchez, Josh Banks, King of Cali, Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, Tim Lincecum
If you haven’t heard by now, Showtime wants to follow the 2010 World Series Champions during spring training. I hear that MLB Productions is really behind this, and they actually were talking to the San Francisco Giants before they won the World Series. It actually came to more of a reality in November.
The idea is to focus on a few key players, and show the Giants behind the scenes. Now who wouldn’t love to see their team with an all access pass? Anyone that watches the MLB Network channel knows that MLB Productions is always in locker rooms and on the fields during batting practices. It was never a distraction then, so I don’t see this being one now. Do you see this being a distraction?
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: 2010 World Series Champions, 2011 Spring Training, Giants, Giants Hot Stove, King of Cali, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors
The San Francisco Giants have 22 non-roster invites to Spring Training. Ten out of the 22 players are pitchers (7 right-handed, and 3 southpaws). The remaining 12 players are position players. There is 4 backstops (catchers), 5 infielders, and 3 outfielders. Below is the 22 non-roster invitees to 2011 Spring Training.
Pitchers
Casey Daigle – RHP
Waldis Joaquin – RHP
Shane Loux – RHP
Guillermo Mota – RHP
Felix Romero – RHP
Jason Stoffel – RHP
Ryan Vogelsong – RHP
Wilmin Rodriquez – LHP
Ryan Verdugo – LHP
Matt Yourkin – LHP
Catchers
Tommy Joseph
Hector Sanchez
Chris Stewart
Jackson Williams
Infielders
Brandon Belt
Brandon Crawford
Charles Culberson
Brad Eldred
Nick Noonan
Outfielders
Gary Brown
Terry Evans
Juan Perez
You can view the Press Release to read a little about each of these players.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: 2011 Spring Training, Brad Eldred, Brandon Belt, Brandon Crawford, Casey Daigle, Charles Culberson, Chris Stewart, Felix Romero, Gary Brown, Guillermo Mota, Hector Sanchez, Jackson Williams, Jason Stoffel, Juan Perez, King of Cali, Matt Yourkin, Nick Noonan, NL West, Ryan Verdugo, Ryan Vogelsong, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, Shane Loux, Terry Evans, Tommy Joseph, Waldis Joaquin, Wilmin Rodriquez
Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says he has heard from a number of folks that Pablo Sandoval‘s conditioning work at a private facility in Arizona is paying dividends. Sandoval told Rich Aurilia just before Christmas that he had lost 17 pounds.
Sandoval would like to drop 24 pounds by the start of spring training.
Shawon Dunston said if Sandoval gets back to his 2009 form then watch out, because Sandoval will be like their new free agent.
Side Notes
The Reds have not only signed Edgar Renteria, but they also signed ex-Giant Fred Lewis according to the Cincinnati Reds twitter.
Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com said (via twitter) 5 days ago that ex-Giant Kevin Frandsen signed a minor league deal with the Padres. Frandsen will make $575,000 if he makes the big league roster.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Edgar Renteria, Fred Lewis, Giants Hot Stove, Kevin Frandsen, King of Cali, NL West, Pablo Sandoval, Rich Aurilia, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, Shawon Dunston
Pablo Sandoval will start his rehab assignment tonight for the San Jose Giants. Sandoval is scheduled to play six innings, and will also take the field for the SJ Giants in tomorrows game as well.
