Lately it seems like the Giants can't go through a full nine without losing someone, and it always seems to be the guys who are actually playing well. Not that I would wish an injury on anyone, because that's horrible. Anyway, straightforward poll, who do you think would be best at second for the foreseeable future? Personally I would like to see Pill just because it seems like the craziest move. Hell, if Neil Walker can play an average 2B (.2 dwar in 2011) why not Pill?

It's a subscriber only article. It's pretty interesting if you get a chance to read it.

Basically what it says is:

His college stance was too closed and resulted in a lot of metal bat opposite field jam singles. This resulted in a high batting average but a poor projection by scouts for wood bats.

Giant's opened up his stance which gives him better weight transfer and hand load and also allows him to see the ball better.

He attributes his strike zone knowledge to his time as a pitcher.

San Jose's manager Steve Decker thinks he could be a guy who hits for high average in the majors with a lot of doubles (he says 40) and about 15-20 homers and J.T. Snow like defense.

BA's Belt Article

Peep this homeskillets!

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3686992

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64lanlEb0Ys

The first link is to an article on espn.com about an Indian reality show called "The Million Dollar Arm". The two winners of which were trained in California by a former major leaguer in the hopes of signing a major league contract. The scout they interview at the end of the article is from the Giants.

The second link is a couple of clips from Indian news shows explaining the event. Brian Wilson's all over it like a cream cheese on a bagel.

I know this would probably work better as a fanshot but those things are dumb...and I don't partake in dumb...except those times when I do.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/10/cubs-searching.html

I came across the interesting idea of swapping Winn for Derek Lee.

I would personally approve of a straight swap because it would accomplish a few things:

PROS:

1. Schierholtz could play everyday in right

2. We acquire a first baseman with a gold glove, high batting average and at least moderate power

3. Sandoval could try his hat at 3rd or catcher if Molina is traded

4. Lee's Contract lasts only 2 more years; so we're not saddled with him long term

CONS:

1. We'd add about 5 million per year to the team payroll for this year and 12 million next year. (since Lee's contract lasts through 2010 and Winn is in the last year of his contract)

2. Ishikawa and Bowker get pushed back into reserve roles. (Though Bowker can still man the outfield corners and would be a very nice 4th outfielder)

3. Both players have no trade clauses, I think it would be more of an issue with Lee than Winn.

What does everyone else think?

Hey Guys and Gals,

This probably doesn't warrant a whole post but since we're on a baseball break I thought I'd ask:

Does anyone have any updates on draft signings? I've heard from various sources (in other words I can't remember who) That the top 4 picks are almost assuradly locks to sign, though they will obviously come down to the deadline.

The people I'm looking for info on are Juan Carlos Perez and Ryan O'Sullivan. I heard that Perez had visa problems that might prevent him from signing and O'Sullivan has the upside where people think he could go much higher if he ends up going to school.

Any info would be most appreciated, Thanks!

Yesterday, in the wake of the Brian Wilson bummer I was surfing through the minor league rosters and noticed a few transactions

1. C Dayton Buller promoted from AA to AAA
2. 2B Travis Denker promoted from AA to AAA
3. SP Paul Oseguera pitched his first game of the year for AA
4. C Nester Rojas promoted from low A to AA
5. 2B Brad Boyer promoted from Hi A to AA
6. OF Mike Mooney played his first game since coming off the DL for Hi A

All in all most of these moves (at least the ones involving catchers) seems to be in reaction to the Alfonzo suspension, but of course it is what was not done thats making me scratch my head. Why promote Buller to back up Jennings in Fresno when Jennings is hitting like he's swinging a dishrag at the plate? Why not take the opportunity to promote Witter who at age 25 would be more age appropriate in AAA and who has clearly been hurt my the unfriendly confines of Dodd stadium? Not only that but promoting Witter to AAA would also allow the Giants to promote Sandoval to AA as he clearly seems ready to make the jump as he is hitting .442/.491/.842 through the first month! That promotion in turn would also allow the Giants to start either Elio Sarmiento or Tyler La Torre full time, two players who have put up solid numbers in part time duty; I'm especially interested to see what Sarmiento can do with some more at bats.

I do agree with the Denker move, I hope he salvages his season after a rough start in AA though I'm not holding my breath, if he can't handle Fresno a demotion to Hi A would probably be in the cards. I don't have a problem with Boyer being promoted either as he was hitting pretty well in Hi A.

Its nice to see Mooney and Oseguera back from their injuries as well

I know he seems spookily similar to Feliz in respects to their gloves and low obp. but I was wondering what people think about the Giants going after Brandon Inge to fill the 3rd base hole? A couple years ago he hit 27 homeruns albeit with a 250ish average. I've always liked him and he's signed fairly reasonably at around 6.5mil a year over the next 3 years, he's also still fairly young (31 next year) He had a tough season last year and reportedly the Tigers are having a difficult time unloading him, He could probably be had for a low level prospect depending on how much salary the receiving team is willing to take on.

So like the title says, the Giants non-tendered Scott Munter today before the deadline at midnight thursday. I believe that leaves the roster set at 39 so far. It seems odd to me that they would leave send him to the AFL and non-tender him, were they attempting to show him off to other clubs? Giving him one last shot? I don't know. I always rooted for him because he was such a late round pick and he occasionally showed flashes of effectiveness. I predict that the giants will resign him to a minor league contract.

the end.

Spring Training Invites I'd like to see (In no specific order) Based off of MLB's FA Tracker (Which doesn't seem complete to me):

1.   SP Jorge Campillo
   
2.   2B Jorge Cantu
   
3.   2B Jose Castillo
   
5.   RP Willie Eyre
   
6.   3B Eric Hinske
   
7.   C J.R. House
   
8.   3B Corey Koskie (maybe 1 yr incentive deal)
   
9.   1B Scott McClain
   
10.  1B Josh Phelps
    
11.  RP Chin-Hui Tsao
    
12.  UTL Craig Wilson
    

Hey, I don't know how many people are interested in this but The A's apparently have invited a couple of ex-Giants players to spring training, Justin Knoedler and Todd Linden.

I always liked Knoedler and don't think he was ever given a fair shot by the Giants to prove what he was capable of, I hope he claims the A's backup job behind Suzuki though it seems unlikely because they have Bowen on board already.

I was a Linden believer until the very end, and although I was wrong about him I still hope he sticks in the Majors as at least a 4th outfielder.

http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/team/roster_nri.jsp?c_id=oak

Hey I just saw on espn.com a rumor headline that said "Tejada to Giants?" but its an inside account. does anyone else have any info on this or have an inside account, I haven't seen any reference to it on any other websites.

Hey everyone, its been a while since I posted anything so I thought I would drop this little nugget for you. For those of you with a BA account they have a really complimentary article on Eugenio Velez today. Basically they say that he's sort of a Jose Reyes lite, they say he doesn't have great homerun power but that he certainly is not a slap hitter and "will wear out the gaps" and "knows how to go the other way" they say as a lefty he can get down the line in 4 seconds and that his age is no longer a concern. They also say that they really like his glove at second which was a surprise to me, with soft hands, fantastic range and an above average arm which allows him to throw across his body or make the throw moving away from first. Anyway, it got me really pumped up, so here it is, enjoy!

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/features/265084.html

The title is pretty self explanatory, he signed for an even $1 Million, $10,000 over MLB's slot recommendation, not bad.

Here's the article from BA, it's really short and pretty uninteresting, but...yeah, its proof that I'm not making things up for my own amusement.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=202

The Diamondbacks announced that they signed Their 5th round pick from this year for 220,000, which is well above slot for that round. The reason I think this is relevant is that like our 1st round pick, Fairley, Worthington was a 2 sport star in high school and is considered raw but very promising. This most likely sets the precedent for Fairley to sign for above slot money for his draft position.

I think he'll sign in the next couple of days (i think there's still a week left before the deadline) for well above the recommended slot.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=190

Hey everyone, I don't know about the rest of you but I'm really pulling for Rajai Davis, the only game in which he played the full 9 was really fun to watch, I don't see why he shouldn't get a chance over Roberts right now besides ownerships commitment to play Roberts because of his multi-million dollar contract and the fact that he's been playing pretty well lately. He brings a lot of the same tools that Roberts does except that he's about a decade younger that him with a cannon for an arm.

Anyway, now to the point of the post. I recently asked Matt Eddy on his post trade deadline chat about Davis and this is what he said:

Q:       Keen from San Francisco asks:
I know he wasn't one of the big time prospects dealt at the deadline, but what do you think of Rajai Davis? can he be an everyday centerfielder in the majors? his first game in San Fran was awesome!
A:     Matt Eddy: I'm a Davis fan, personally, but I'm not sure he's an everyday center fielder. At least that can't have been the Pirates' projection for Davis, seeing as they dealt him for an expensive veteran -- while picking up the entire tab.

Matt Eddy: Davis is a classic overachiever, though. Drafted in the 38th round from Connecticut-Avery Point JC, where he focused on basketball, Davis plays up his strengths extremely well. He's very fast, offers tremendous range in the outfield and has a plus throwing arm. An easy guy to root for.

Even though the Pirates didn't see him as an everyday guy why shouldn't the Giants?! This is a young guy who knows his strengths and exploits them, a guy who plays within himself, who try's to beat the competition with speed rather than the homerun. He's performed exceptionally at every minor league level, why should he not perform in the majors. Eddy, himself, said that he's an overachiever, so maybe he can play beyond his modest tools.

Anyway, I really like him, and I hope that he gets a serious chance to prove himself to be more than just a 4th or 5th outfielder.

Ok, maybe Im just behind the curve but I'm pretty sure the Giants haven't announced a roster move yet in accordance with the Misch call-up so I propose a roster move guessing game.

I believe the traditional Giants logic would suggest that the recently acquired Rajai Davis to be the player sent down, which I'm against.

I assume that just about every Giant short of a handful of the pitchers have been put on waivers, yesterday the D-backs claimed Cirillo from the Twins in accordance with them bringing Cuddyer of the 15-day DL, is a similar move likely with the Giants?

My personal hope is for Sweeney to be claimed by a contender, probably in the AL--maybe Anaheim or Seattle.

1,000,000,000 Schrute bucks to the Winner!

ESPN announced this morning that Ensberg has been designated for assignment. There has never been a better time to take a very limited risk on this guy, Im sure a couple teams may go after him but I'm sure it wouldn't take a whole helluva lot to get him...maybe like a Scott Atchison or something. While there at it, they should try to pick up Jason Lane as well, another guy who had a huge season a couple of years ago but has fallen on rocky times, maybe changes of scenery would lift both of them.

GET HIM.
GET HIM.
GET HIM.
GET HIM.
GET HIM.
GET HIM.
GET HIM.
GET HIM.
GET HIM.
GET HIM.
GET HIM.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2953424

I got this off of Baseball America, that the Giants have signed two international free agents.

OF Angel Joseph - 16 yo switch hitter from the Dominican republic signed for 6 figures. He reportedly got larger offers from other clubs but wanted to sign with the Giants. Andy Baggarly compares him to Alfonso Soriano (though im sure its a stretch) BA says he's a leadoff centerfield type player but Baggarly says the Giants expect him to fill out, gain more power and stick as a corner outfielder.

LHP Maladi Perez - 20 yo he supposedly was going to get a huge signing bonus from some other clubs before it came out that he was 20 years old instead of the previously believed age of 16. However he is 6'5" and left handed so its worth taking a little risk I think.

Here are the links, the second one is the Giants organizational report from BA so unless you subscribe you won't be able to see it, though I pretty much paraphrased what it says anyway. the second link only talks about Angel Joseph and doesn't mention Perez.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/minors/features/264539.html

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/features/264523.html

Hey everyone, I don't know if anyone is interested in this but Ellison had a big day for the Mariners going 4-4 and starting a fight with Joe Blanton...who's easily got like 100 lbs on him.

Fairly Awesome. GO ELLISON! I hope he gets more ab's in the second half for the Mariners now that Hargrove is out; maybe Mclaren will play him a bit more.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270708111

I just wanted to know if it were possible for Lowry (9-6 3.35 era) to take Smoltz's vacated all-star spot? Its criminal that one of the Giants pitchers isn't already an all star, I think Cain would if his record were better...though all-star pitchers shouldn't be judged on their win-loss record anyway so thats bull and Morris and Lowry have been pitching their asses off this year and I believe are more deserving than Hamels or Brian Fuentes who's sucked this year.

Anyway, so is it possible, who decides who takes Smoltz's spot or am I completely off base with this thought?

Thanks!