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.
Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle gave some insights on the game today. Schulman said first baseman Aubrey Huff summed up his entire reputation by hitting a monster homer to right-center on his first pitch as a Giant. Then, in the bottom of the first, he dropped his first throw from an infielder, allowing Ichiro Suzuki to reach on an error.
Tim Lincecum threw 33 pitches in his lone inning and said he is having the same balance issues he has every spring.
“First game, excuses aside, I felt a little more amped up,” he said. “My arm was ahead of my body, I wasn’t using my legs and my front side was leaking out, and the ball was riding into the right-handed box.”
As Lincecum was talking to reporters, Ken Griffey Jr walked in, introduced himself and shook hands with Lincecum, who rooted for Griffey as a kid.
King of Cali thoughts: I know this is just Spring Training, so you can take the games as just practice. It seems like anything a player does in spring is just taken in a positive way. Like if Lincecum doesn’t have a good outing. People may say it’s because he’s working on something. If someone has a good game it’s because they are hot and ready for the season.
In all honesty no one knows what each player is working on when they are playing these games. I know some guys pretend their is a runner on first and try to hit to the right side, so I hope no one takes their favorite players performances to seriously in these games. The players that are trying to win spots on the team are a different story. I’m sure Madison Bumgarner isn’t going to go out there and try to look bad. He’s going to try to dominate and show he should be the 5th man in the rotation.
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?
Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News says the Giants have been saying since the end of the Barry Bonds era that the team was going to get younger, faster, healthier and homegrown.
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?
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?
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
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.
Shea says a source told him the Giants have made a three year $37 million offer with annual salaries of $9.5 million, $12.5 million and $15 million. Team Lincecum countered with a proposal north of $40 million.
If they don’t work out a deal by Friday. The case will go to an arbitration hearing. Then it will be decided if Lincecum should be paid what Team Lincecum submitted ($13 million) or what the Giants submitted ($8 million).
SIDE NOTES
Bobby Evans said the Giants view Todd Wellemeyer as a long reliever, but he also could be available to start if there’s a need. If he makes the team, Wellemeyer would make $1 million. He would also have a chance for an additional $500,000 in performance bonuses.
King of Cali thoughts: It would be nice to see a multi-year deal worked out, but the clock is ticking. They have a hearing set for tomorrow if nothing is worked out. If the Giants can’t get this multi-year deal with Lincecum. They should just walk into the hearing tomorrow and say we will pay $13 million without a fight. That’s still nothing compared to what he would be worth as a free agent. Let’s just keep him happy, and be thankful we have him.
As for Wellemeyer being viewed as a long reliever, that’s perfect! That’s exactly how I would like to see him used. I really don’t think he can beat out Madison Bumgarner for the fifth spot in the rotation. Wellemeyer would be a decent spot starter if needed as well. Spring Training is getting closer and closer Giants fans. Let’s get this season started already!
Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports says (via twitter) he’s hearing Tim Lincecum’s hearing is Friday. He said neither side has budged, and wondering why the Giants are picking this fight?
King of Cali thoughts: I’m with Tim on this one. The Giants just need to give him the $13 million. He’s worth it, and that’s still getting off cheap for one year. He’s won two Cy Young Awards, and is the ace of your pitching staff. He puts fans in the seats every night he’s on the mound. They need to just fork out the money, and keep him happy. Only ill feelings come out of arbitration hearings.
UPDATE
Mychael Urban said (via twitter) the Giants have signed Todd Wellemeyer. He has a non-roster spot with an invite to camp.
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?
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.
