Location: San Francisco, Calif. | Ballpark: AT&T Park (41,777) | Spring Training: Scottsdale, Ariz.
Owners: William Neukom, Sue Burns | GM: Brian Sabean | Manager: Bruce Bochy | World Championships: 5
The Giants don't have Barry Bonds. Some say they don't have much else, either.
It could be a long year in San Francisco. Bonds is gone, and Aaron Rowand has arrived. But there are concerns throughout the roster.
Until the final week of spring training, the starting pitching was sloppy. Plus, Noah Lowry is shelved through late April, at least.
The bullpen is untested. No reliever in camp has spent a full season closing in the majors. The closer is Brian Wilson, who was given the job in August.
The offense ranked among the worst in the majors during spring training. The Giants' 3-4-5 hitters aren't prototypical heart-of-the-order guys: Randy Winn, Bengie Molina and Rowand. Power is not part of the Giants' arsenal.
The defense has been spotty, especially on the infield. With one week before Opening Day, the Giants had no idea who would play any of the four infield positions.
Molina is the catcher, and Dave Roberts, Rowand and Winn were the outfielders, though Fred Lewis could push Roberts.
As for the infield, the Giants have several options, but none were all that encouraging. Second basemen Ray Durham and Kevin Frandsen have been hurt, and shortstop Omar Vizquel is on the disabled list after undergoing knee surgery. Daniel Ortmeier hasn't been impressive at first base, and Rich Aurilia could wind up at first or third.
Brian Bocock, 23, who hasn't appeared above Class A, played most of the spring games at shortstop, but the Giants claimed Jose Castillo off waivers from the Marlins and could insert him at second, short or third.
PRIMED FOR A BIG SEASON INF Eugenio Velez led the majors in steals in spring training and is the Giants' most exciting baserunner since Deion Sanders in the mid-'90s. He hit well in training camp, but his defense is suspect. If the Giants can find him a position, fans will love his energy. His best spot is second base.
ON THE DECLINE 2B Ray Durham had leg issues again in spring training. Though he looked good at the plate, his defense was still an issue. He was shelved camp with a tight left hamstring. He's coming off his worst season and is battling Kevin Frandsen for the starting job. But he's in the final year of his contract, and that generally means his numbers will get better.
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
With the Yankees losing Posada, I would think Bengie Molina would be on their radar.
If they are interested, we should demand they take Zito and we would pay half his contract. If they are willing to take Zito, I dont care what we get in return.&nbs
Sabean, nice job getting rid of Ray and his 7.5 million. Now we just need to dump Visquel and Roberts combined 11.5 million and we will really have something.
If we can rid ourselves of these salaries and not finish in the cellar it will be a good year.
Jack Tashener, Pat Misch, Backup catcher for Molina and Castillo for Greg Dobbs, I think that is his name, backup 3rd base for Feliz and one of the Phillie catchers
This helps the Phillies out with pitching and some backup for their loss at 3rd base an
...(more)
MLB trade rumors reports the Giants have interest in trading for the Rangers 3rd basemen Hank Blalock. What do you guys think? Solid fielding, 30 HR pop, injured the last two years and this year but allstar before
...(more)
