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Spring Training Notes

Most all of the Giants' 40-man roster had arrived in camp Monday, with the first full squad workout of the spring scheduled for Tuesday morning. Not much new news to talk about yet, but that should change Tuesday when the whole calvary goes to work. Most of the talk around the camp so far has been about the Giants' impending second base battle as well as their new philosophy on running more as a team. It seems like they have been talking about running more every year for a while now, but this year they are actually going to have to do some things on the bases in order to produce runs. Outside of Aaron Rowand and Bengie Molina, I would be pleasantly surprised to see any other player on the current roster top 15 home runs or 75 RBI's this year, so they are going to have to manufacture runs and taking extra bases will be crucial. Everybody in the Giants projected starting lineup is a threat to take a base except for Molina so they have the pieces to enforce that kind of baseball if they so choose.

Both Ray Durham and Kevin Frandsen seem to be taking the forthcoming battle for the starting second base job very well as they were both joking around on the field Monday. I will be surprised if Ray Durham doesn't rebound and claim the everyday job this spring. It would benefit the Giants as well to give Durham the chance at getting his stroke back. Ever since Durham signed with the Giants, prior to last year, he's arguably been the Giants' second most important hitter besides Barry Bonds. If he can regain some of his pre-2007 form, he would not only help out this teams' punchless offense, but he also would give them a nice trading chip come June and July. There also is the chance that Frandsen could start the year as the starting third basemen if the Giants don't make any additions this spring. Eugenio Velez is another guy that needs to be given strong consideration at getting a roster spot and time at second base. It would be interesting for Bochy to have the option of playing Frandsen at third base and Eugenio Velez at second. Velez could very well be the fastest player in the Giants' organization and he has come to camp and impressed management early on.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I have a two new reasons to like the Giants this year:

No Bonds

One Aaron Rowand (You'll love him!)...sad part is topping 15 HRs and 75 RBIs for Rowand is kinda weak. The Giants lineup is sub-par and Rowand is going to be asked to do a lot. He'll be a great guy to lead the youth as the Giants rebuild but based on numbers he'll underperform his contract

of course, i don't really think the 12 a year was strictly to produce runs and patrol center
Anonymous said…
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Anonymous said…
I like Rowand, but they did overpay, and I think his defense is a lil overrated....

Velez is soooo skiny, buy has blazing speed. Very exciting player.
Anonymous said…
well, everything i've heard has lead me to believe the phils offered 5 years 48 mil (1 less year at 12 mil, essentially) and let rowand walk to the giants for it...

I really think it was stupid because they seemed willing to add the payroll this season and I don't see where else they would have added significant salary...especially because they were considering lowell at essentially the same amount anyways...

Anyway, I think Rowand's clubhouse presence will be missed in Philly...which will also be my rational should the phils finish 3rd in the NL East...

Sorry Davis, but I had this thought out for months...and I have it documented...somewhere, Pat Burrell is heckling me...asshole
Trevor Cole said…
Yeah, Rowand is being paid to be more than a solid center fielder and hitter. He's already taken on the role as team leader and has embraced it very well. Seems like he's rubbing off on other players already, especially the young guys like Frandsen. I don't expect much from this Giants team in '08, but I am anxious to see the new brand of ball they are supposedly implementing this spring. Also anxious to see which of these youngsters are for real.
Anonymous said…
I read an article the other day, I think it was on Dugout Central, which listed the top ten players most likely to be traded by the deadline....Ray Durham was ranked I believe third.
Anonymous said…
are you surprised...

I think Durham might keep his job because the giants want to keep his value up...
Anonymous said…
I'm embarrassed to say that the Giants are a team that I know next to nothing about. I think for so long they have been characterized (at least in the media) by Barry Bonds and I've never really paid much attention to them after that. It'll be interesting to see how they fare in this new era they are about to begin. I look forward to learning more, and this is a good start.
Anonymous said…
Eugenio looked pretty comfortable on his "home" turf at Scottsdale, by the way. He was taking extra grounders - Saturday, keep in mind...

Saw a bunch of the media guys from the Chron, Etc. To bad I don't know who any of them are.

Not much to report, though...

Telling him "But I'm good was not enough..."
blogger said…
@JuTMSY4, yeah, no Bonds, and Ray can more than bring it.

Hey why no comments about Barry Zito regarding Barry Bonds today???



http://barrybondstrial.blogspot.com/
Anonymous said…
What about barry zito and Bonds?
Anonymous said…
I'd still like to see them get a cleanup hitter. I'd take Chavez over Crede if both were healthy. He has experience as a 4 hitter and is a great clubhouse guy. Not sure what his contract situation is though?
Anonymous said…
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Anonymous said…
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