After doing most of their heavy lifting this offseason by re-signing Angel Pagan and Marco Scutaro, the Giants made the first move towards filling out their roster by bringing Andres Torres back on a one-year deal.
This is a solid move to add some depth to the bench and get more speed onto the roster, and it's one I saw coming from a mile away. Torres was non-tendered by New York last month and became a free agent at a time when the Giants had only Hunter Pence and Gregor Blanco assured to return, so I'm sure the discussions with Torres have been ongoing for a while now. He really hasn't done much since his breakout year in 2010 when he was a catalyst during the Giants' first World Series run, but he also hasn't been fully healthy for much of the past two seasons. I was hoping the Giants would find that right-handed, power hitting corner outfielder they were looking for, but apparently in this market, even guys like Scott Hairston are out of their price range. That being said, Torres is not a bad fallback option at all and should be more than capable as the fourth outfielder and may even give Blanco a run for playing time in left field if he gets hot. The Giants like Torres' switch hitting abilities, his solid defense and his speed on the base paths, so if they aren't able to add another outfielder for depth between now and February, they have to feel pretty good with their depth chart heading into 2013.
After the signing of Torres, it does fill out another spot on the prospective 25-man roster the Giants will head into next season with, but there are still three or four spots that are are up in the air. They have an opening in the
bullpen with Guillermo Mota's departure, and also have to be looking into backup infielders to help out Joaquin Arias. Heck, they could even take on another outfielder if they found the right fit. If the season started tomorrow, the only guys assured a bench spot would be Hector Sanchez, Arias and Torres. Assuming they carry a 12-man pitching staff to start the season, that leaves two openings on the bench. Those two spots could come down to in-house candidates like Roger Kieschnick, Francisco Peguero and Brett Pill, or if they want to dip into free agency to find some veteran help, that could still be an option. You also have to figure that Buster Posey will continue to see more and more time at first base as the Giants try to keep him fresh and in the lineup, which means Brandon Belt could be seeing more outfield time in 2013. You can definitely start to see things fall into place for the Giants, who didn't want to shake things up too much from their 2012 squad and have succeeded in doing so. Again, I'd still really like to see another right-handed bopper added to the outfield, another power armed righty to the bullpen and a utility infielder. I'm not sure that they'll be able to accomplish all those tasks, but I don't think Brian Sabean is quite done yet.
As far as the Brian Wilson saga, there really isn't much new on that front, although the deeper Wilson goes into the offseason without finding a new home, makes me believe he will indeed be back with the Giants in 2013. He wants to close, but no team will sign him to be their main closer for next season, it's just not logical. His best bet is to take a one-year deal with a team like the Giants who know what he can do and would have no problem inserting him back into that role if he proves he's ready. If you thought last years bullpen was tough, just imagine all those guys, plus a healthy Wilson pitching in! It makes too much sense for both parties for him to return.
This is a solid move to add some depth to the bench and get more speed onto the roster, and it's one I saw coming from a mile away. Torres was non-tendered by New York last month and became a free agent at a time when the Giants had only Hunter Pence and Gregor Blanco assured to return, so I'm sure the discussions with Torres have been ongoing for a while now. He really hasn't done much since his breakout year in 2010 when he was a catalyst during the Giants' first World Series run, but he also hasn't been fully healthy for much of the past two seasons. I was hoping the Giants would find that right-handed, power hitting corner outfielder they were looking for, but apparently in this market, even guys like Scott Hairston are out of their price range. That being said, Torres is not a bad fallback option at all and should be more than capable as the fourth outfielder and may even give Blanco a run for playing time in left field if he gets hot. The Giants like Torres' switch hitting abilities, his solid defense and his speed on the base paths, so if they aren't able to add another outfielder for depth between now and February, they have to feel pretty good with their depth chart heading into 2013.
After the signing of Torres, it does fill out another spot on the prospective 25-man roster the Giants will head into next season with, but there are still three or four spots that are are up in the air. They have an opening in the
bullpen with Guillermo Mota's departure, and also have to be looking into backup infielders to help out Joaquin Arias. Heck, they could even take on another outfielder if they found the right fit. If the season started tomorrow, the only guys assured a bench spot would be Hector Sanchez, Arias and Torres. Assuming they carry a 12-man pitching staff to start the season, that leaves two openings on the bench. Those two spots could come down to in-house candidates like Roger Kieschnick, Francisco Peguero and Brett Pill, or if they want to dip into free agency to find some veteran help, that could still be an option. You also have to figure that Buster Posey will continue to see more and more time at first base as the Giants try to keep him fresh and in the lineup, which means Brandon Belt could be seeing more outfield time in 2013. You can definitely start to see things fall into place for the Giants, who didn't want to shake things up too much from their 2012 squad and have succeeded in doing so. Again, I'd still really like to see another right-handed bopper added to the outfield, another power armed righty to the bullpen and a utility infielder. I'm not sure that they'll be able to accomplish all those tasks, but I don't think Brian Sabean is quite done yet.As far as the Brian Wilson saga, there really isn't much new on that front, although the deeper Wilson goes into the offseason without finding a new home, makes me believe he will indeed be back with the Giants in 2013. He wants to close, but no team will sign him to be their main closer for next season, it's just not logical. His best bet is to take a one-year deal with a team like the Giants who know what he can do and would have no problem inserting him back into that role if he proves he's ready. If you thought last years bullpen was tough, just imagine all those guys, plus a healthy Wilson pitching in! It makes too much sense for both parties for him to return.
Comments
Great offseason so far by San Francisco. Just hope we can get back Wilson, then we're ready for a repeat!
I would have rather seen a right-handed bat added too, but there just aren't many options in the Giants price range.
Torres was added as a backup outfielder, so unless he catches fire, he shouldn't be starting many games. If he does catch fire though and they get a nice 2009-10 performance out of him, then this is a steal. It's a low risk, potentially high reward deal.
I don't know, I don't love the deal, but I do like it, especially considering the 4th outfielder on the depth chart before the signing was Francisco Peguero.
I also have a copy of the Matt Cain Perfect Game Commemorative DVD with your name on it if you want it. Just shoot us an e-mail if your interested... Been saving some for some of our loyal readers.
As far as the Torres signing goes, even if he doesn't pan out, the Giants don't really lose anything. I think Javier Herrera is going to compete for a MLB spot, and should provide pop if he can get in the lineup. He's also great defensively, and can platoon with Blanco as a righty
Very appropriate..Great choice!!!Success for next 2013