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40 Days and Counting.....

The Holiday season has come and gone, which means Spring training is just around the corner. The Giants' official reporting date hasn't been announced, but pitchers and catchers are expected to be in Scottsdale on February 15th with the first full squad workout scheduled for February 20th. Brian Sabean has been MIA since the Aaron Rowand signing and there isn't much off-season left to upgrade the worst team in the division. There still are glaring holes that need to be addressed. They must decide what they are going to do at the corner infield spots and unless they have confidence in Jack Taschner and Randy Messenger miraculously turning into solid relievers, they have work to do with the bullpen as well. They also need another hitter in the middle of the lineup. If the season started right now, Bengie Molina would be the cleanup hitter by default, with Randy Winn and Aaron Rowand surrounding him. Not exactly the most intimidating 3-4-5 hitters out there. Actually, if the Giants decide to stand pat with this current squad, they could end up being the worst offensive team in all of baseball.

There aren't exactly a ton of options out there as far as young, offensively productive corner infielders, which is the Giants' biggest need at the moment. Bochy and Sabean have given a vote of confidence to Dan Ortmeier and it seems like they are willing to give him a shot at first base this year. I don't have a problem with that at all and I'd like them to also consider trying Nate Schierholtz at first base at some point this year. However, they are going to have to go outside the organization for a 3rd basemen. Kevin Frandsen and Rich Aurilia are the current in-house options but Frandsen is way better suited for second base and Aurilia can't be considered a full-time starter at this point in his career. Dallas McPherson, Joe Crede, Scott Rolen, Andy Marte, Edwin Encarnacion and of course Pedro Feliz are a few available 3rd baseman who have been linked to the Giants. I was hoping for some sort of Dave Roberts/Pat Misch for Joe Crede trade all offseason long, but it's doubtful the White Sox are still pursuing outfielders after acquiring Nick Swisher. Encarnacion would be the best of the bunch, but that's a long shot because the Reds are overvaluing him. McPhereson would be an interesting low risk, high reward type player that could fit nicely with this team. He could play first or third and even though he's been injured for much of the past 3 years, he still has upside at 26. I just hope Feliz's time in San Francisco has come to an end, no matter who they decide to replace him with. The team knows what they would get in Feliz, they don't know what they'd get in a healthy McPherson, Crede or Marte which is why I would much rather take a shot on one of them over rolling with Feliz again.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Awesome article dude.
Anonymous said…
The Giants never really had a great bullpen; their offense was what carried them in the early '00s. Now, they have Barry Zito, who turned out to be a total bust. Hopefully, he'll turn out better now that he's had the chance to get to know the lineups of the NL a little bit better. Tim Lincecum is a young pitcher with a lot of potential, and I think he can definitely make things happen for SF. As for the outfielders, yeah, I think they're done with them, as well as the rest of the offense. I'm really surprised at Bengie Molina though, and what he has done offensively. Feliz won't do well (at least that's what I think), and I think Rich Aurilia has lost his days.

I think they have to rely on their farm system a lot for the next couple of years, unless they can make something happen in a trade, but who are they gonna trade?
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KelsdadAAA-er
Anonymous said…
The A's and Giants will lose 200 games combined. It's gonna be a long season in the Cities by the Bay.
Anonymous said…
Well, at least they still have the 49ers and the Raiders.
Anonymous said…
Yeah, at least they'll lose what? A combined 25?
Unknown said…
I fear for the Giants and A's this year! Even if Oortmeir gets hot & Frandsen hits more often, they just don't have the bats to challenge opposing pitchers. Rowand will be a sparkplug, but they need more. Whatever happened to that young SS/3B on the Reds they were talking about trading for? I recall he could hit really well (300+ Avg).The Giants are going to lose games and money this year without Bonds to put butts in the seats.
Anonymous said…
Feliz is horrible. Nobody else wants to sign him. Why should the Giants? I'd rather just play Frandsen and Aurilia and save the dough if they can't get anyone better.
Anonymous said…
Roberts/Misch for Joe Crede?
That's IMPOSSIBLE!
Trevor Cole said…
We'll see how impossible it is anonomyous. He can be had and apparently the Giants are finally going after him. Maybe that specific package wouldn't work, but they wouldn't have to give up Lincecum, Cain or Lowry.
Anonymous said…
Brewers and showing serious interest in Feliz. I love it! If he goes, it's addition by subtraction in my book.
Anonymous said…
I sure hope that our San Francisco Giants have a really great season in 2008.

Thanks for keeping this blog running - it really looks great!
Anonymous said…
Giants maybe would buy Crede in 2009, but shouldn't and won't trade him right now.

Roberts? He's one of a old and slow OFer. And he is expensive($13M/2year).
So you think Ken Williams is a silly foll?
Anonymous said…
I see Feliz is unhappy for being offered just one year. What should a defensive specialist who can rarely hit expect? He's a late inning defensive replacement. I'd rather see Frandsen at 3B.
Anonymous said…
I think the Giants have enough to get Crede, but I doubt it will happen. Sabean has lost all his creativity and hasn't made a good trade in years.

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