I know, I know this topic has been talked to death, and if you feel the need to scream at me, I understand. I realize that every way it can be measured, clutch hitting doesn't exist. However, anyone who has played baseball at a semi-serious level (including Little League when you were twelve) just knows that when you're in the batter's box with the winning run on second and two out, the bat gets gripped a little harder. Legs get a little stiffer, and the pitcher seems a little closer. How do we then reconcile the human element with the proof in the numbers? Is the pitcher feeling the same stress, thereby nullifying the hitters feelings? Are MLB-er's somehow immune to this feeling? Is clutch hitting somehow not defined properly, therefore not measured properly? I'm very curious to know what ya'll think.

I, like many others 'round these parts, believe that the Giants are set up for an extended run of excellence. The farm system seems loaded, most of the youngins' getting a long look this season are meet and/or exceeding expectations, and there is a lot of payroll that's going to be freed up this coming offseason. Hey, the Giants' are even ahead of schedule, win wise. All this aruges against trading for Doc Halladay, a go for it move if there every was one. However, there is the Curious Case of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Loaded with prospects, a little ahead of schedule in 2007, good times are here to stay!! Or not. Nearly all of their young players have failed to develop the way nearly every expert expected (and a lot of us amatures as well).

I guess the real question here, and one that I'm not smart enough to decide for myself, is do the Giants' try for the blockbuster Halladay/Rios trade and go for it now, when they clearly have a chance, or keep the prospect core intact moving forward?

It's been awhile since I've really had a Dodger that I want to sink my teeth into and watch him struggle like that wildebeast that the croc nailed in "Planet Earth". However, Matt Kemp is stepping up admirably to fill that void. He's so damn good, more than a bit arrogent, and just seems like the kind of guy who you would invite over, have a nice dinner, then notice that all your good booze was gone.

Who is the Dodger you want to throw into the Cove most now?

Well, as we are about to enter the long, dark winter of the baseball soul, we must turn to fine drink and meals to sustain us through the cold, baseball-less winter.

I thought I would throw this one out before it turns into a hijack. What is your favorite resturant and why? My two favorites are:

1) Folie Deuce - Arcata, CA - Highlights include and incredible salami, brie, and apracot jam pizza, and a roqfort steak (filet with a roqfort and cream sauce). Laid back atmosphere, great food, and good people. Good wine list as well.

2) Farallon - San Francisco, CA - Great wine menu, fantastic service, and a bold pairing menu. Loved the crab gumbo with Chimay ale, and my wife still raves about the blood orange martini she had there.

Adam J. Morris (Houston, Texas): Smoak, Chris Davis, or Max Ramirez? And does any other team have three pure hitting prospects as good as those three?

 Keith Law: Smoak, Davis, Ramirez. The Rangers' system is stacked. Other orgs ... no, you may be right on that one. Giants could make a case if you want to project on Villalona and give them Posey and Gillaspie

From Keith Law's chat today on espn.com. Looks like our buds in orange and black are treding in the right direction on the farm. Law also reiterates in the chat that he ranks the Giants' farm system in the top 5 in the game. Nice little change, eh?

Well, it's time to make my pilgrimage to Yankee Stadium. My wife, daughter, and I will fly out Friday morning from Oakland to JFK, and catch a Yankee game Sunday and a Mets game on Tuesday. Are advise for visiting the Stadium for the first time? Any can't miss ideas for Shea (I'm sure that list will be long).

Any help from the fine assembilage...umm...assembled here will be...helpful. Thanks in advance.

As I read a little more hype about Joba Chamberlin, and his much anticipated first start, I wonder how were loyal readers here at McCovey Chronicles would react if the Giants' treated Tim Lincecum in such a manner. Set up work, ship to rotation with a hard limit of 65 pitches per game. I understand that Joba is a special talent, and the Yankees are much smarter than I am, but this seems boarderline crazy to me. If you want the kid to start, let him build up innings in the minors and have him start. If you want him setting up, have him set up this year and play winter ball to ready him for starting duty next year. Now, the Yankees have created a situation where they've created a huge hole at the end of thier bullpen, while severley  taxing the front end. Any thoughts? 

Well, sadly, I've been thinking about Dan Johnson a lot these past few weeks. I know there was a sort of ground swell here at mccovey chronicles to pick up Mr. Johnson when he was DFA'd (twice). After many, many hours of quite, contemplative thought on the subject, I have to say the Giants' made the correct decision in not picking him up. I know that many think that Bowker should be in AAA, but the more I see him play, the more I like him. Even in the depths of his slump, he hit quite a few balls hard, and they all found gloves. He seems to be adjusting to the superior off speed offerings at the highest level, and he finally hit a HR against a team not named after a small red bird. My point, in this boring, long winded, over 75 word post, is that Bowker hitting against right handers is great, Johnson can suck it in Durham. I hope he does hit the bull, however.

Indians May Designate Marte or Michaels

Outfielder Ben Francisco will join the Indians for Tuesday's game against the Yankees.  The Tribe will have to make room for him by then, and Mike Harrington believes the jobs of Andy Marte and Jason Michaels are at risk.  Marte could be designated for assignment, while Michaels might just be released.

Michaels, 32, has been awful in 21 games this year.  He earns $2.15MM this year.  Michaels typically hits lefties well, but he's been an easy out this year.

Marte, 24, is out of options and would have to clear waivers if the Indians try to demote him.  The formerly well-regarded prospect has only 16 plate appearances on the year.  He made the team after hitting .204/.333/.519 in 54 spring ABs.

mlb trade rumors

Hey, why not take a shot at Andy Marte? If the Indians do place him on waivers, Bocock could easily be sent down, Burris could man short, and Castillo could become jack of all infield trades! Sadlly, a guy hittng .204/..333/.519 makes me swoon, but that's the way it is.

Lowry to sit: Pitcher Noah Lowry will be "shut down" for the next three or four weeks, as the Giants trainers evaluate his left forearm, which was surgically repaired March 8.

Lowry is experiencing a "pins and needles" sensation in the affected area, according to team trainer Dave Groeschner. Lowry had a nerve exam Tuesday and will get another opinion later this week. But he will not be pitching anytime soon.

"It could be three weeks, it could be longer," Groeschner said. "We need to shut him down until this thing is right. Otherwise, we are just spinning our wheels."

Michelle Smith - sfgate

This is quite scary to me. The longer this drags on, the less chance we see Noah ever pitching in the bigs again. These lingering mystery  injuries seem to never quite heal, and now I'm wondering if the Giants' are going to have to shop for a fifth starter untl Correria heals up, and with an obliquie strain that could be a long, long time.

AAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!

I hate him I hate him I hate him I hate him  I hate him  I hate him  I hate him

 I hate him  I hate him  I hate him  I hate him  I hate him  I hate him  I hate him  I hate him  I hate him  I hate him  I hate him  I hate him  I hate him  I hate him  I hate him  I hate him  I hate him  I hate him  I hate him

Rant over, thank you for being supportive in my time of need.

This has been a no-risk proposition for the Giants. Castillo cost them a $20,000 waiver fee and he will earn $850,000 in 2008. If he sticks, the reward can be great. He is not eligible for free agency until 2010.

(from sfgate.com - http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/04/17/SPK3106QMG.DTL)

This could end up being a terrific waiver claim. Castillo is free (in baseball terms), has picked it pretty well at 3B, and seems to be doing okay. Not a bad placeholder until Frandsen can heal up.

I remember reading here a few weeks ago that the vast majority of us wouldn't want Furcal to be signed this offseason. Are there any particular reasons (aside from the Dodger connection)? Seems to me if you could sign him to a 2 year contract with an option for a 3rd he would be ideal. That would take him until he's  34 (cough), and it's not like Bocock is going to outhit him. Thoughts?

from mlbtraderumors, the Giants' may claim Humberto Quintero off waivers, and the Dan Johnson talk has picked up again. I guess Johnson would be an improvment (god, it really is that bad) and I can't really care about Humberto Quintero one way or the other. Johnson at least provides some power, and he does hit left handed to help balance the lineup a little. I know that AT&T kills left handed hitters, but there needs to be some balance.

 San Francisco is serious about moving veteran second baseman Ray Durham, who is guaranteed $8 million this year, and outfielder Dave Roberts, guaranteed $6.5 million this year and next. The Giants admit they will pick up part of the salary for both. - Tracy Ringoldsby, Rocky Mountain News

Eat all of Robert's contract if you have to. If you can trade him, great, if not DFA. With Durham, it's a little different. The Giants' are not exactly swimming in middle infielders these days, so it may make some sense to keep him for a bli.

According to the Wall Street Journal. In other good news, the Dodgers WAY overpaied...

http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-baseballMgrs08.html?n=50&page=1&sd=ASC&sort=overall

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20080326_Phillies_Notebook__Mystery__intrigue_as_deadline_nears_for_Phillies_final_roster_spots.html

Notes from Philly the the Giants and Phillies are talking about a Steve Kline for Wes Helms swap. Helms is not good at all, but it would clear roster space for Threets, and Helms can be released or Castillo sent down if needed. Still, I would rather release Kline and pass on Helms.