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Giants' Roster Appears Set

Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in a little over a month, and the Giants 2007 roster appears to be pretty set, at least until spring training starts. The "Armondo Benitez to the Florida Marlins" rumor started up again earlier this week, and it appears that if Benitez can prove he can throw effectively off of a mound in the spring, then the Marlins will take him off the Giants' hands. Yusimero Petit is said to be the player who the Giants would get in return. Petit is a 22 year old right hander who had 12 wins and struck out 200 batters in the 2004 season, split between a few different levels. Anytime someone strikes out 200 batters in a minor league season, you know they have good stuff. Petit got roughed up last year in limited time at the big league level, but if the Giants could get him for Benitez I'd be all for it. Petit, Lincecum, Sadler, Micsch among others could give the Grizzlies a nice staff for the Giants' to choose from when someone on the big league roster goes down. Plus anytime you get rid of an unproductive player who doesn't want to be here, it's addition by subtraction. Other than the possible Benitez deal, it doesn't look like there is going to be much else done on the personel front by the Giants before the season starts. There aren't any relievers left who can really make a difference, so it looks a bullpen that was terrible last year, loses there best late reliver in Mike Stanton, and does absolutlely nothing else to fill that loss.

After the signing of Barry Zito, the rotation now appears set as well, and in much better shape than the bullpen. After seeing him sport the Giants uniform and cap, it finally sunk in with me that this guy was actually a Giant. As I said in the last post, I think this rotation has the ability to be one of the leagues best for years to come. I don't want to jinx anything, but it reminds me of the young Atlanta Braves staff back in the early 90's when they signed Greg Maddux. The Giants 5th rotation spot is still up in the air. Sabean is still keeping open the option of bringing back Russ Ortiz to compete with Jonathon Sanchez for the 5th rotation spot, but I wouldn't count on it. Signing Oritz would be a good move in my oponion. I like Sanchez and I think he could be a good starter at this level, but I would like to see him start the year off in the bullpen rather then being forced into the rotation by default. If he earns it in the spring then give it to him, but don't just hand it to him. I also don't think Ortiz is %100 done and he'd probably thrive in San Francisco. He'll walk guys and give up some majestic fly balls because he pitches up in the zone, but pitching in the spacious AT&T Park and not the bandboxes like Camden Yards and Chase Field will keep his flyballs in the yard. Give Ortiz the minimum and make Sanchez earn the spot.

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