interesting developments

[sfgdood]

So some cuts were made today...Ramon Ramirez and Wilson Valdez were given their outright releases. Johnny Monnell was sent to Minor League camp. And Nick Noonan was brought back to Major League camp.

Should be an interesting week and a half.

~Dood

[Islandboagie]

Interesting developments indeed. With Tanaka and Valdez out of the picture, and Abreu only having 1 at-bat, it would appear that Noonan now has the best shot at getting the infield backup role. That is if they take another infielder, my prediction of 13 pitchers is starting to gain momentum.

[sfgdood]

My feeling is they wouldnt have brought Noonan back if they were considering the 13 pitcher thing. It's either Abreu--if healthy--or Noonan for that 6th infielder spot. I read in the Merc today that they still hope to bring Ramirez back to Fresno if no other team offers him a spot. And given his horrid spring, that's not a long shot.

~Dood

[Islandboagie]

Dood- My feeling is they wouldnt have brought Noonan back if they were considering the 13 pitcher thing. It's either Abreu--if healthy--or Noonan for that 6th infielder spot.

Boagie- That was my feeling too, but at the same time they might be lacking able bodied infielders after the cuts and the injuries to Sandoval and Scutaro. If the injuries to both Sandoval and Scutaro continue through the end of March then Noonan is sure to break camp with them. If they both recover, and the 6th infielder situation doesn't get better, 13 pitchers is a possibility.

[Islandboagie]

Dood- I read in the Merc today that they still hope to bring Ramirez back to Fresno if no other team offers him a spot. And given his horrid spring, that's not a long shot.

Boagie- I hope so, it would nice to have some pitching depth in Fresno.

[allenreed]

Still disappointed that they can't bring back Theriot. He's just sitting at home waiting for some team to call? Pretty stupid. I'd take the money and come back. Someone's going to get hurt along the way> Most likely Pablo. Ryan will get some time here.

[sfgdood]

I'm sure Ryan doesnt mind the time off. He doesnt mind waiting even if it means he misses part of the season...he doesnt want to sit on any team's bench. Plus if he signs with a team as a backup, then he wont be available to a team with an immediate need for a starter.

~Dood

[allenreed]

If that team was out there, they would have come forward by now. It must be nice to be able to forego that kind of money waiting for the ideal situation.

[sharksrog]

Boagie -- Interesting developments indeed. With Tanaka and Valdez out of the picture, and Abreu only having 1 at-bat, it would appear that Noonan now has the best shot at getting the infield backup role. That is if they take another infielder, my prediction of 13 pitchers is starting to gain momentum.

Rog -- The 13 pitchers could indeed be becoming more feasible (remember, only one day off in the first week and a half, and two in the first three weeks), and I believe you have also supported Nick Noonan.

I'm going to throw another name out there: Ryan Theriot.

With the injury issues Pablo Sandoval has been incurring, the Giants would seem to need the added infield depth a sixth infielder would provide. Teams throughout baseball are said to be needing middle infielders, as might be indicated by the Marlins' scarfing up Wilson Valdez already.

The Giants might also use a 13th pitcher or use Noonan to buy time for Tony Abreu to get healthy. Abreu is the guy the Giants thought would win the job.

Read more: sfgiantsmessageboard.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1615#ixzz2OTWgRSHG

[sharksrog]

Randy -- I'm sure Ryan doesnt mind the time off. He doesnt mind waiting even if it means he misses part of the season...he doesnt want to sit on any team's bench. Plus if he signs with a team as a backup, then he wont be available to a team with an immediate need for a starter.

Rog -- Good points, although I'm not sure Theriot's case for being a starter is a good one. I don't think Ryan's defense has improved with age, and his OPS the past three seasons has been .633, .662 and .637.

Ryan was an EXCELLENT hitter in 2006, posting an imposing .934 OPS and a 135 OPS+. But since then his OPS+ has been 71, 93, 83, 71, 85 and 84. Even for a middle infielder, that's pretty weak hitting.

Ryan's combined Wins Above Replacement the past three seasons is only 0.3 wins.

Boagie mentioned the (minor) injury to Marco Scutaro. Marco is getting old enough and Pablo is already enough injury-prone that it would appear the Giants' need for a 6th infielder is more than it otherwise woiuld be.

I'm not exactly stoked about Tony Abreu, either, even if he were healthy. Abreu's career WAR is MINUS 1.7 wins. An OPS+ of only 66 (!) will do that.


Hey, Nick Noonan is looking better all the time! Even Manny Burriss is starting to look like a stud. (Actually, Burriss' career WAR is also negative -- minus 2.5.

Thank goodness for Joaquin Arias!

Read more: sfgiantsmessageboard.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=1615&page=1#ixzz2OTYam36Q

[sfgdood]

If that team was out there, they would have come forward by now. It must be nice to be able to forego that kind of money waiting for the ideal situation.

Dood - injuries can happen anytime Allen. Ryan knows this

~Dood

[sharksrog]

Ryan is taking a risk by having not yet signed, but as Randy mentioned, his patience might wind up being rewarded with both more money and more playing time.