Final Roster

[sharksrog]

I'm not sure I got ANYBODY right among the final roster battles, but Boagie was right on the money with Nick Noonan. And while his 13 pitcher prediction didn't come true, he had the right idea, as the Giants kept three catchers.

I guess two subplots remain.

When Tony Abreu is ready to come back, will Noonan keep his job as the 6th infielder, or will the Giants go with the more experienced Abreu and have Nick play every day in Fresno?

And how will the catching situation resolve itself? I can't imagine the Giants' going with three catchers for long. That could open up the 5th outfielder battle again.

In another roster arena, Wednesday will be a VERY important day for the Giants. It is far from a certainty that as Tim Lincecum goes, so go the Giants -- but it is a real possibility.

A year ago, who was the Giants' top star? Tim had a pretty tight hold on the spot. A year later, Buster Posey has seemingly taken a stranglehold on the role, and Tim is among the also-rans.

That isn't to say Tim is no longer important, though. He could easily be the most important ingredient of this season.

Still, what a difference a year makes.

[Islandboagie]

Rog- I'm not sure I got ANYBODY right among the final roster battles, but Boagie was right on the money with Nick Noonan. And while his 13 pitcher prediction didn't come true, he had the right idea, as the Giants kept three catchers

Boagie- Thanks for the credit, Rog, but I wouldn't even give myself that much. In the end I predicted them to take two pitchers and 1 outfielder. I did flip flop a lot though, and at one point I pushed for Noonan. Honestly Noonan won the role out of default. Pablo is day to day, and the rest of candidates crapped out or were battling injuries. But, obviously they see something in Noonan. I like what I see too.

Rog- When Tony Abreu is ready to come back, will Noonan keep his job as the 6th infielder, or will the Giants go with the more experienced Abreu and have Nick play every day in Fresno?

Boagie- This will be determined heavily on how Nick Noonan performs prior to Abreu being healthy.

[sharksrog]

I have a question regarding guys like Francisco Peguero, Nick Noonan and Hector Sanchez. Are the Giants expressing more confidence in the player by sending him down to Fresno to play full-time, or by keeping him up for spot duty?

Another idea for such players might be to do some of each. Play them part-time in the majors to further their development (including off the field development), then sending them to the minors for a while so they can get consistent at bats or innings.

I know the Sharks do that in hockey, and it seems to work fairly well.