From rotoworld about Erik Threets winter ball play:

Erick Threets - LHP Giants
1-2, 1.69 ERA, 15 H, 20/8 K/BB in 21 1/3 IP

Threets could overtake Steve Kline or Jack Taschner for a bullpen spot in spring training if his command holds up. He walked 35 in 54 2/3 innings for Triple-A Fresno last season.

It would be great if he has finally turned the corner and really cut down on the walks.

I know this is just silly stuff, but over at MLB.com's Hot Stove report they can't even get the Giants names right. Evidently Russ Ortiz has changed his name to "Ramon" and Omar Vizquel has been transformed into "Vizcaino." How do the people working on this website keep their jobs?

Chris Haft has an interesting article over at the Giants site about Bochy's decision to sit Roberts more often in order to give Rajai Davis more starts. Sounds like a wonderful idea to me. A trade of Randy Winn would be even better.

The Giants sign Bumgarner.

http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070815&content_id 2150014&vkey=pr_sf&fext.jsp&c_id=sf

A truly amazing feat. I'm glad to have witnessed it - even if only on the television, and I'm glad to have watched Barry play all these years. Thank you, Barry Bonds!

Does anyone know anything about this book, In Pursuit of Pitching Perfection? I've run across it and notice it is by two minor leaguers, Dave McKae and Nick Pereira, in the Giants' system. I thought it might give some insights into how the Giants develop pitchers. Any comments?

Tonight when Barry scored a run he passed Pete Rose for 5th place on the all-time runs scored list. I've seen this fact shown on the televised games, but what I haven't seen or heard is the fact this also gives Bonds the National League record. Have I missed someone remarking on this achievement or is this not deemed  important enough for the media to take notice of? Seems pretty impressive to me.

From RotoWorld.com

Ryan Klesko is expected to miss the next week with a strained muscle in his left side.
A healthy Klesko is the Giants' best option as a first baseman against right-handers, but it's anyone's guess whether he'll be 100 percent at any point during the season. As a result, Rich Aurilia seems like a safe bet to get at least 400 and maybe 500 at-bats.

Steve Finley has signed with the Colorado Rockies.

TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Rockies added Steve Finley to their outfield mix on Saturday afternoon, signing him to a Minor League contract to compete for a backup job.
Finley, who will turn 42 on March 12 and has played in 18 Major League seasons, has 303 home runs and 320 career stolen bases, and is one of six players in history to surpass 300 in those categories.

Last season, Finley hit .246 with six home runs and 40 RBIs in 139 games as the Giants' primary center fielder. Willy Taveras is the Rockies' projected starter in center and erstwhile starter Cory Sullivan is competing for playing time....

From the New York Times:

Altered Deal Hardly a Done Deal

By MURRAY CHASS
Published: February 3, 2007
It would seem that a player would be delighted if the commissioner's office struck from a contract he signed a clause that benefited the club and not the player. That's what happened with the contract that Barry Bonds signed Monday with the San Francisco Giants.

But is Bonds happy? No, he is not.

That's why he has refused to sign the altered contract the Giants sent to him two days later that didn't have the clause, which dealt with promotional appearances. People on both sides of the issue said yesterday that Bonds wanted the Giants to do something about another contract clause because he was unhappy it became public knowledge.

That provision is the indictment clause, which would allow the Giants to terminate the $15.8 million contract if Bonds were indicted on charges stemming from the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative steroid distribution case. Jeff Borris, Bonds's agent, declined to say if or when he thought Bonds would sign the altered contract....

Why the Giants management feels the need to take a swipe at Bonds through leaks to the press, I'll never understand, but I've got a feeling this clause is going to be out of the contract.

I hope it is true:

"Barry Zito is staying in the Bay Area with the San Francisco Giants.

Sources told ESPN's Peter Gammons that Zito will receive a seven-year contract from the Giants, with the deal averaging approximately $18 million per season. Zito will be formally introduced by the Giants this afternoon...."

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2710389

Just posted on the Giants site: "LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Giants agreed in principle on Thursday to re-sign slugger Barry Bonds for the 2007 season, said a source with knowledge of the negotiations...."

http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061207&content_id=1754473&a mp;vkey=news_sf&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf

I'm all for Baseball players getting whatever they can get, but the paying of $51.1 million to the Seibu Lions in order to be able to talk to Matsuzaka is obscene. It makes sure that great Japanese talent will only be signed by a select few teams. The is a system that is completely out of whack and in need of immediate change.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2662193

Henry Schulman's article in the Chron this morning opens with this disastrous possibility:

"Might the Giants look toward St. Louis for another key player? Two years after signing former Cardinal Mike Matheny and one year after luring Matt Morris from the Gateway to the West, the club has expressed an interest in free-agent starter Jeff Suppan, his representative said Saturday.

Scott Leventhal said the Giants asked about Suppan during a discussion about another of his clients, center fielder Gary Matthews Jr., whom the club also plans to pursue."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/11/05/SPGK7M6I9L1.DTL

It also states that "the Giants will not bid for high-priced Japanese star Daisuke Matsuzaka." A depressing, if expected, revelation.

It is about friggin time.

"Giants open talks with Bonds
San Francisco has yet to make offer, but slugger in no hurry
By Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com

The Giants have opened preliminary discussions with Barry Bonds, a baseball source close to the talks said Friday.
The Giants can exclusively negotiate with the left-handed slugger, who filed for free agency Saturday, until Nov. 11, when he also can begin talking to other clubs...."

http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061103&content_id=1731891&a mp;vkey=news_sf&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf

I know, I know, bring out all the "dead horse" pictures, but I saw this interesting take on the deal and thought I throw it in the stew pot of pain and horseflesh.

"Trade History: The Pierzynski Deal
November 14th, 2003.  A day that will forever haunt Giants fans.  On that day, Brian Sabean dealt Boof Bonser, Francisco Liriano, and Joe Nathan to the Twins for A.J. Pierzynski and cash.  A year later, the Giants would release Pierzynski.  Bonser may become a tolerable fifth starter in the bigs, while Liriano and Nathan are among the very best starters and closers in baseball, respectively...."

Here's the kicker of the analysis:

"At the time, here's how I think each player was evaluated:

Liriano: interesting raw prospect with major injury concerns
Bonser: impressive young starting pitching prospect whose stock fell a bit in '03
Nathan: converted starter coming off his best season; history of shoulder problems
Pierzynski: one of the game's best-hitting catchers entering his prime with several seasons before free agency

Pierzynski was a coveted young backstop, and Sabean really only gave up one bona fide Major Leaguer to get him.  Back in November of 2003, this looked like a deal that would benefit both teams.  Liriano and Nathan could've easily been lost to the injury abyss and we wouldn't be talking about this."

Make anyone feel better? Thought not.

read the whole post at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

From MLB Trade Rumors.com:

"Todd Walker To The Giants?
According to a source of Bleed Cubbie Blue, Todd Walker will be traded this month.  The source indicated that the Giants are the likely suitor and that they would use him at first base."

Why would we bother with this guy?

I've just read a rumor over at "MLB Trade Rumors" about the possibility of the White Sox getting Andruw Jones for Brian Anderson and prospects. If this is the going price, I sure hope we are bidding. Of course, there is also a rumor of A-Rod going to the Cubs for Aramis Ramirez and Jacque Jones, and just how close to zero are the chances of that happening?

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Barry Bonds friend and personal trainer Greg Anderson faces possible contempt charges for refusing to testify before the grand jury investigating possible perjury charges against Bonds.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/06/29/MNGULJMU3D8.DTL

In what looks like a good development, former Senate majority leader George Mitchell is likely to head up the investigation into past steroid abuse in baseball. The most important part of this is it isn't an investigation into Barry Bonds' alleged steroid abuse, but rather past use of steroids in the league. If true I'm all for it.

http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060329&content_id=1370504&a mp;vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

It looks like Kent is happy with the new regime in Dodgertown. I'd bet he moves to first pretty soon. Maybe as soon as Izturis can play. Which could in turn force Nomar to left field. Regardless, they will be tough this year.

http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060329&content_id=1366180&a mp;vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

From SFGiants.com:

"Greene's progression: Greene's experience and know-how made him the logical No. 2 catcher behind Mike Matheny, easily dispatching Justin Knoedler and Yamid Haad, although the Giants will take No. 3 Eliezer Alfonzo with them to San Francisco until the regular season begins.

"Greene threw out [the Padres'] Dave Roberts [on a steal attempt on] Sunday and called a good game with Noah [Lowry]," said Alou. "We know he's a good hitter and calls a good game. He's a very lively guy, and he happens to know this division well -- that's a plus here."

Greene admitted he's labeled a poor defensive catcher, but he felt his defensive woes may be due to bad footwork or trying too hard, not a weak arm. His throw to nail the fleet-footed Roberts was a hard strike.

"You never know -- I've been released the last day of spring three times when I was on the roster," said the 34-year-old Greene. "So I've never taken anything for granted since I first put this uniform on, and I'm not going to now.

"I think they needed me to prove to them that the reports about my defense aren't completely true," he said. "Obviously, there are things I don't do well, but there's a whole lot of things I do do well."

On his sixth big-league squad, Greene has a .248 lifetime average, but he hit .282 for the Rockies in 2004.

Players reassigned: Pitcher Brad Hennessey, reliever Merkin Valdez and outfielder Dan Ortmeier were optioned to Triple-A Fresno on Monday.

Hennessey was in line for the fifth starter's spot, but his 1-1 record and 7.02 ERA in five Cactus League outings was no match for Wright, who has thrown scoreless ball over nine innings.

"He knows what he needs to do -- get command of pitches," said Alou. "He's a guy we called up a number of times now for help. The best scenario would be for the five guys we have now to pitch like crazy all year. We'll let Hennessey pitch there, but there's always something -- always a need for a starting pitcher."

Valdez, 24, had a solid spring, with only one poor outing over eight innings. That was a blown save in Surprise against Texas on March 16.

"He's going to be a late-inning pitcher, a closer-type guy," said Alou. "He's been throwing the ball hard and improving his breaking ball."

Trade for Linden? "They told me I'm still with the team, but I think they've been talking to people," said outfielder Todd Linden on Monday. He has lost the fifth outfield spot to hotter-hitting Jason Ellison and now expects to be traded.

"They're looking for a better fit for me," said Linden, batting .260 this spring -- compared to Ellison's .431 -- with six RBIs but no homers. He also has one more option year left, and if traded, it opens a spot on the Giants' 40-man roster.

Linden has been curious about possible deals in the works for the past year, especially after having a torrid 2005 with Fresno, batting .321 with 80 RBIs and a best-in-the-Minors .682 slugging percentage.

At 25, he's still getting better, but he's struggled at the Major League level, batting .207 over 94 games in three partial seasons, including a .216 mark with San Francisco last year.

He said the Giants feel he's grown beyond the Triple-A level.

McMains honored: Minor League infielder Derin McMains, who had a team-pleasing "Giants Idol" competition -- hey, he also bashed three homers in his first four at-bats and hit .417 with six RBIs in 10 Cactus League games -- was elected the 2006 Harry S. Jordan Award recipient on Monday.

The award, named for a long-time Giants Minor League trainer, is presented to a player in his first big-league camp whose performance and dedication best exemplifies the Giants' spirit.

Durham resting: Second baseman Ray Durham's plantar fasciitis of the left foot has flared up again, and he's out at least for another day. He's slated to return on Wednesday.

Coming up: Wright (1-0, 0.00 ERA), who was named the fifth starter Monday, takes on the Colorado Rockies in Tucson on Tuesday at 12:05 p.m. PT. He'll oppose right-hander Zach Day (1-3, 10.42 ERA)."
http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060327&content_id=1364609&a mp;vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf

The possible trade of Linden is a major mistake in my opinion. His upside is far greater than Ellison's.

For those interested here is the link to the interview done by Ralph Barbieri and Mark Ibanez with Barry's attorney, Michael Rains.

http://24.104.40.88/KNBR/0324rains.mp3

The lawsuit goes on and does anyone know who the hell is "Steve"?

From ESPN,

"The Nationals are off Tuesday, then travel to play the St. Louis Cardinals in Jupiter on Wednesday. If Soriano refuses to play in that game and again at home against the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, the Nationals will take action.

'We told him if we get to Thursday, and he refuses to play left field, we told him at that point we will request that the commissioner's office place him on the disqualified list, at that time -- no pay, no service time,' Bowden said.

'If he refuses to play and goes home, and the commissioner's office accepts our request to place him on the disqualified list, then at that point, if he were to sit out this year, he would not be a free agent, he would stay our property because his service time would stay the same.'"

Do all young men with millions of dollars in their pockets have such huge egos that they can't see straight? He could have played left field - badly - for a year and came out the other side with a great offer and the pick of teams he wanted to play for, but now who wants a player who refuses to take the field?

This from Rich Draper.

"SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Any time you hear the words 'foot problems' when it involves Giants second baseman Ray Durham, the red flags pop up.
On Sunday, however, the warning flags were only pale pink, for the veteran player has only mild plantar fasciitis, or irritation on the bottom of his feet, especially the left one.

That was good news, and Durham gave a double thumbs up on his status after doing baseball work, but not running.

Still, Durham's history of leg injuries prompted manager Felipe Alou on Sunday to declare fleet center fielder Randy Winn as the Giants' leadoff hitter this season.

Winn was spectacular the second half of 2005 after being acquired from Seattle, batting .359 over 58 games and hitting in the No. 1 spot 48 times, and Alou stressed Winn's strong body, leadoff experience and speed will be essential...." http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060226&content_id=1323886&a mp;vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf

OK, I've been one of Pedro's biggest defenders on this site, but I must admit even I found this funny. Pedro, the man who aged three years in one, is now declared to be 25 years old by Rich Draper.

"While Feliz is ostensibly the starting third sacker, he has played the other positions in emergency roles, and the gloves are insurance for being the club's most versatile player.

'Third base is my natural position, but I have to be ready physically and mentally to play, do what I have to do,' said the 25-year-old Dominican Republic native. 'You never know what will happen.'"
http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060220&content_id=1316746&a mp;vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf

Draper is always on the ball isn't he? btw, the Giants site lists Pedro's birthday as as "04/27/75." Even I can do that math. Come on Rich, going on 31 doesn't equal 25 in anybody's book.

There is a very nice article about former Giant pitcher and pioneer Japanese MLB player, Mansanori Murakami over at the Hall of Fame's website. Check it out.

http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/library/columns/rw_060201.htm

"Paving the Way for Ichiro: Masanori Murakami

Today's Major League Baseball rosters are dotted with players from Japan. From Seattle's Ichiro to the Matsuis on either side of New York, these skilled and colorful players have added a new dimension to the American game. Despite being scrutinized by both the media, as well as baseball fans, over a pair of hemispheres, they have fit in and adjusted seamlessly. It would be hard to imagine the U.S. game in the twenty-first century without the unique Japanese presence in the lineup.

Relief pitcher Masanori Murakami can roughly be described as "the Jackie Robinson of Japanese baseball." Murakami, from Otsuki, Japan, was the first player from that nation to appear on a major league roster, albeit briefly. Though Murakami only appeared in 54 games for the San Francisco Giants from 1964 to 1965, his legacy as a baseball pioneer cannot be denied. Murakami's abbreviated appearance in the States, and his eventual return to Japanese baseball, is a story shrouded in mystery and international intrigue. Ironically, after Murakami, the U.S. would not see another Japanese player in its major leagues for another thirty years...."

In the thread I started about a SF Dream Team a lot interesting discussions came up. One of those was surprising to me - a dispute over who was the best first baseman to play for the SF GIants. So I decided to take a poll of all those savvy McCovey Chronicles posters and see what people think. Remember, only players for SF Giants, so no Bill Terry votes allowed.

Poll

Who is the All-Time best Giants First Baseman?

83%

Willie McCovey

75 votes

5%

Orlando Cepeda

5 votes

7%

Will Clark

7 votes

3%

J.T. Snow

3 votes

0%

Other

0 votes

90 votes | Poll has closed

Some of this Hall of Fame discussion has made me think about the Giants teams of the past, and I thought it might be interesting to say who I thought would make up a dream team of SF Giants - who the best players to wear a San Francisco uniform at each position. Here's my list.

Bobby Bonds (rf)
Robby Thompson (2b)
Willie Mays (cf)
Barry Bonds (lf)
Willie McCovey (1b)
Matt Williams (3b)
Bob Brenly (c)
Omar Vizquel (ss)

Starting Pitchers
Juan Marichal
Gaylord Perry
Vida Blue
Mike McCormick
Jason Schmidt

Bullpen
Rob Nen (closer)
Rod Beck (set up)
Gary Lavelle (left hand specialist)
Greg Minton (middle relief)
Craig Lefferts
Frank Linzy

Bench
Orlando Cepeda (1b-of)
Jack Clark (of)
Jose Uribe (ss)
Tom Haller (c)
Will Clark (because I can't keep him off for sentimental reasons)

That's team I think can take on anybody and stand a good chance of winning. And I've really only had to cheat at starting shortstop. ;)

Can anyone tell me the latest on Wade Miller's health, and, assuming he's healthy, why aren't the Giants looking at him?