We've almost hit the Christmas break in Major League Baseball (when offices shut down for a few days), and most teams are looking for final additions to their roster at this stage in the winter. However, I still see some tinkering with the Giants' roster before spring training 2012 next February, and this is how I think the opening day 25-man roster will play.
Projected Signings: OF Ryan Ludwick (1 YR/$3.5M), C Ronny Paulino (minor league deal), IF Ryan Theriot (minor league deal) - Again, not my personal choices on signings, just guys I see fitting the Giants needs/budget/Sabean's weird obsession with mediocre, mid-aged players!
Opening Day Lineup:
CF Angel Pagan
2B Freddy Sanchez
LF Melky Cabrera
3B Pablo Sandoval
C Buster Posey
1B Aubrey Huff
RF Ryan Ludwick
SS Brandon Crawford
Starting Rotation:
RH Tim Lincecum
RH Matt Cain
LH Madison Bumgarner
RH Ryan Vogelsong
LH Barry Zito
Bench: C Hector Sanchez, C Ronny Paulino, 1B/OF Brett Pill, OF Nate Schierholtz, IF Mike Fontenot, IF Ryan Theriot
Bullpen: CL Brian Wilson, SU Sergio Romo, LH Jeremy Affedlt, LH Javier Lopez, RH Santiago Cassilla, RH Guillermo Mota
So, there you have it, the lineup I could see easily rounding out this roster. Now, I think the Giants still want a RH-hitting outfielder and they aren't bringing back Ross. Problem is they really don't have space on their 40-man or their budget to do so. Though I'd DFA someone like Justin Christian for the right add. One thing you probably notice immediately is no Brandon Belt. I say unless he's starting 5 times a week at first, he should start in Fresno, Pill is also RH and can play some corner OF. They have to get creative though and guarantee some mid-range FA looking for work like a Ryan Theriot or Ronny Ceneno (about the only 2 still out there) a roster spot and legit at-bats if they take the minor league contract and compete with Burris/Crawford to possibly start at shortstop. That's incentive in itself, even if it's only a minor league deal.
Otherwise, Manny Burris backing up BC at short is about all they have right now, and as much as I like Manny as a person, I wouldn't just give him that job. Now, if the Giants did sign a Ludwick, I think Schierholtz would still get most time as the starter in right, but on opening day, I could see Boch going with the veteran (especially with the L/R/L/R combo he praises). The Giants probably see Ludwick as a RH-hitting outfielder who can at least drive in runs, threaten to go deep, and play a decent outfield, with a shot at starting if need be, though they'd again be looking like San Diego north if that became the case. You'll notice I used 3 catchers and only 6 relievers. I think that's how they'll start things off, at least for the first few weeks to see how much Buster can handle. Paulino just got non-tendered and was discussed last August. Nice hitter and has a good reputation as a backstop.
Bottom line though, is that after Cuddyer got $10M and Willingham $7M (ranted both younger than Carlos) it's being said that Beltran won't get much more than $10M per year (though not familiar with the source on that), on a short deal. WOW! is the only adjective I can think of in regards to the Giants bowing out with Beltran. I really hope that's Sabean putting on his typical not interested front, but It seems like they're sincerely out. If Beltran signs with the Nats or Rockies for 2 years and $20 million, I'm protesting at 3rd and King! My guess is he ends up in St. Louis 2 Years and 22.5 million w/3rd year, $12M mutual option to help pick up some of Pujols' slack.One things we never saw in '11 was Panda, Beltran and Buster all together in the lineup, and now with Cabrera and Pagan, that could really be a dynamic group. Simple as that!
MLB NOTES: Literally seconds upon finishing this post, click on the Yahoo Sports homepage to see that Jimmy Rollins has re-upped with the Phillies for 3 years and $33 million. Another guy
who got less than he was originally hoping for (4 Years/$50M), and hopefully that further cuts down the salary demands on Beltran cause JRoll was much more valuable. Seems like Beltran's worth is closer to 2 years/$20 million based on that deal.... Also making MLB headlines was a blockbuster deal in which the San Diego Padres sent their ace Mat Latos to Cincinnati for Edinson Volquez and one of Cinci's top hitting prospect in first basemen Yonder Alonso. I could talk about this deal forever as I think San Diego robbed Cinci blind. I'd have even considered Latos for Alonso straight up. He's a top prospect who hit .330, 5 HR with 15 RBI supported by a .943 OPS in 98 ML AB's in '11. He's just the power bat the Pads need to help build around and Volquez in that park could return to pre-2011 form. Great deal for San Diego, now even the Pads are improving in the West this winter!
Projected Signings: OF Ryan Ludwick (1 YR/$3.5M), C Ronny Paulino (minor league deal), IF Ryan Theriot (minor league deal) - Again, not my personal choices on signings, just guys I see fitting the Giants needs/budget/Sabean's weird obsession with mediocre, mid-aged players!
Opening Day Lineup:
CF Angel Pagan
2B Freddy Sanchez
LF Melky Cabrera
3B Pablo Sandoval
C Buster Posey
1B Aubrey Huff
RF Ryan Ludwick
SS Brandon Crawford
Starting Rotation:
RH Tim Lincecum
RH Matt Cain
LH Madison Bumgarner
RH Ryan Vogelsong
LH Barry Zito
Bench: C Hector Sanchez, C Ronny Paulino, 1B/OF Brett Pill, OF Nate Schierholtz, IF Mike Fontenot, IF Ryan Theriot
Bullpen: CL Brian Wilson, SU Sergio Romo, LH Jeremy Affedlt, LH Javier Lopez, RH Santiago Cassilla, RH Guillermo Mota
So, there you have it, the lineup I could see easily rounding out this roster. Now, I think the Giants still want a RH-hitting outfielder and they aren't bringing back Ross. Problem is they really don't have space on their 40-man or their budget to do so. Though I'd DFA someone like Justin Christian for the right add. One thing you probably notice immediately is no Brandon Belt. I say unless he's starting 5 times a week at first, he should start in Fresno, Pill is also RH and can play some corner OF. They have to get creative though and guarantee some mid-range FA looking for work like a Ryan Theriot or Ronny Ceneno (about the only 2 still out there) a roster spot and legit at-bats if they take the minor league contract and compete with Burris/Crawford to possibly start at shortstop. That's incentive in itself, even if it's only a minor league deal.
Otherwise, Manny Burris backing up BC at short is about all they have right now, and as much as I like Manny as a person, I wouldn't just give him that job. Now, if the Giants did sign a Ludwick, I think Schierholtz would still get most time as the starter in right, but on opening day, I could see Boch going with the veteran (especially with the L/R/L/R combo he praises). The Giants probably see Ludwick as a RH-hitting outfielder who can at least drive in runs, threaten to go deep, and play a decent outfield, with a shot at starting if need be, though they'd again be looking like San Diego north if that became the case. You'll notice I used 3 catchers and only 6 relievers. I think that's how they'll start things off, at least for the first few weeks to see how much Buster can handle. Paulino just got non-tendered and was discussed last August. Nice hitter and has a good reputation as a backstop.
Bottom line though, is that after Cuddyer got $10M and Willingham $7M (ranted both younger than Carlos) it's being said that Beltran won't get much more than $10M per year (though not familiar with the source on that), on a short deal. WOW! is the only adjective I can think of in regards to the Giants bowing out with Beltran. I really hope that's Sabean putting on his typical not interested front, but It seems like they're sincerely out. If Beltran signs with the Nats or Rockies for 2 years and $20 million, I'm protesting at 3rd and King! My guess is he ends up in St. Louis 2 Years and 22.5 million w/3rd year, $12M mutual option to help pick up some of Pujols' slack.One things we never saw in '11 was Panda, Beltran and Buster all together in the lineup, and now with Cabrera and Pagan, that could really be a dynamic group. Simple as that!
MLB NOTES: Literally seconds upon finishing this post, click on the Yahoo Sports homepage to see that Jimmy Rollins has re-upped with the Phillies for 3 years and $33 million. Another guy
who got less than he was originally hoping for (4 Years/$50M), and hopefully that further cuts down the salary demands on Beltran cause JRoll was much more valuable. Seems like Beltran's worth is closer to 2 years/$20 million based on that deal.... Also making MLB headlines was a blockbuster deal in which the San Diego Padres sent their ace Mat Latos to Cincinnati for Edinson Volquez and one of Cinci's top hitting prospect in first basemen Yonder Alonso. I could talk about this deal forever as I think San Diego robbed Cinci blind. I'd have even considered Latos for Alonso straight up. He's a top prospect who hit .330, 5 HR with 15 RBI supported by a .943 OPS in 98 ML AB's in '11. He's just the power bat the Pads need to help build around and Volquez in that park could return to pre-2011 form. Great deal for San Diego, now even the Pads are improving in the West this winter!
Comments
Know that they'd have to start him if they signed Ryan, and we know Boch loves playing vets on opening day.
Another rule he needs to re-visit.
Same lineup as you said except Nate starting in right and Christian on the bench. Also no way Belt doesn't make it. Sorry Pill, but Belt should be starting 1b'men.
i kinda see where you say if he's not starting, might as well have him in the minors.
If they can get a better player, hopefully 600K doesn't break the bank!
I'm still curious about this Nakajima shortstop. Looks like the Yanks will pass, but maybe they take another releiver (Affeldt) and Fotenot for him? Who knows, PTB or cash even... seems like worth a shot if you ask me.