The Logjam, and a Plan

[klaiggeb]

Like it or not, we've got a Logjam at 1B and thus, LF; Huff, Belt and Pill. And that doesn't even include the real outfielders; Melky & Blanco, who are vying for spots out there.

Now, throw the versitile Burriss into the mix, and that's a one heck of a log jam.

It's still early, but by the end of Spring Training, or shortly there-after, I'm trading Aubrey Huff.

Why?

Many reasons:

1-The biggest of all; Belt HAS TO PLAY. He HAS TO be in the line up.

2-With a decent spring, he's a tradeable commodity.

3-He's not slow, but when compared to Melky, Blanco, Pagan, Burriss and Shierholtz, he's a base clogger

4-Yeah, we can put him in LF, but not really. He'll make the routine plays, and little more. In our park, that could spell disaster; M-O-O-N (to Quote The Stand), that spells disaster.

5-I've said for 5 years now, we MUST have a faster team. Keeping Blanco instead of Huff, or Burriss, or both, gives us that.

6-I contend that Belt will provide the power lost by moving Aubrey. But then again, 12 HRs last year? And now he's 35? sorry, I only see the upside in moving him.

7-Maybe... just may...be, we can get some young arm for him who "Might" just work out. We need to restock the farm, and moving Aubrey could help.

"Could.... help."

Anyway, that's my plan.

boly

[Islandboagie]

Not a horrible plan, but you forgot one thing..Pill nor Belt have proven to be a starter at the major league level. You saw what that pressure did to Belt last season, we don't want to see it happen again. Also, what if Huff goes back to 2010 form? Aren't we banking on Pagan going back to his 2010 form...why not Huff? I was the biggest supported for Pill to be called up last season, and I'm one of Belt's biggest supporters this year, but like 'em as I may, they have yet to prove themselves.

Aubrey has proven himself...recall him leading the team in homeruns, runs and rbis? He was a HUGE part of the 2010 season and post season. He did have a bad year last year, but for the Giants to make the post season, they need a guy who can be consistent. Right now, out of players forming the log jam at first, he's the only one to have ever done it at the major league level.

As for the infield situation, I think that will be worked out in April. I don't think Sanchez is going to be ready to break camp with the team, so he will be in Fresno for a few weeks until he can play second base on a regular basis. If it were up to me, and Sanchez was ready I'd take Burriss over Theriot. We'll see how that turns out.

We have alot of questionmarks right now, but the one thing we know for sure, is we have alot of depth. How likey is it that Huff, Belt and Pill are crap this season? Chances are, we'll have one viable first baseman out of the mix, so lets not decrease our chances by trading one away. Plus, Belt might find himself being more of a left fielder. I know alot of people blindly like Pagan, but I've now seen him in a few spring training games in person and on tv...I don't know if it's just because it's spring training, but from what I've seen, He gets awful jumps on balls and doesn't make it up with good routes to the ball. Throw in the fact that alot of his 10 errors last year were throwing errors, just his defense alone could be a huge liability, especially at AT&T. I think Cabrera will soon be our centerfielder and Belt will have to be our left fielder.

[allenreed]

Me? I start Belt in LF with Pagan in center and Melky in right. I let Huff start the season at first, but let him know he's on an extremely short leash, and maybe even platoon him with Pill. I then give myself some time to see if Belt and Pill are ready. If they seem to be, then I look at moving huff at or near the trading deadline.

[sfgdood]

I agree with Allen. Belt showed he had some growing to do last year, and from what I have seen he has. There is absolutely no doubt this kid has a fantastic stroke and it's only a matter of when (not if) he becomes a stud. I personally think that time is now, but we shall see.

Boly--I don't think Burriss will be vying for an OF spot, but he would give us an additional option there from the bench, and his speed is not a whole lot less than Blanco's. Definitely not a base clogger.

Boagie--I'm with you on Huff. It's an even numbered year and it's a walk year. He'll be playing for a new contract. That said, his rope will also be shorter this year due to what happened last year and all the young power behind him.

Here's what I would do...I start Huff at first, with occasional days off when Posey will be playing there. I start Belt in left, with Melk and Angel. I cut Fontenot when Freddy is healthy and keep Burriss in the super sub role all year. Manny is out of options and I have no doubt that he'd be claimed if the Giants try to send him down, owing to his fantastic Spring at the plate and in the field. Pill I would send down to Fresno and play him in the OF every day.

Naturally adjustments could be made based on what production we're getting, but this is how I start the year.

~Dood

[allenreed]

.

Boagie--I'm with you on Huff. It's an even numbered year and it's a walk year. He'll be playing for a new contract. That said, his rope will also be shorter this year due to what happened last year and all the young power behind him.

Allen- If Huff were still in his 20s, I would agree with this, but he's 35. I's have him on an extremely short leash, and be paying special attention to his bat speed, which seemed to be lacking last year.

Here's what I would do...I start Huff at first, with occasional days off when Posey will be playing there. I start Belt in left, with Melk and Angel. I cut Fontenot when Freddy is healthy and keep Burriss in the super sub role all year. Manny is out of options and I have no doubt that he'd be claimed if the Giants try to send him down, owing to his fantastic Spring at the plate and in the field. Pill I would send down to Fresno and play him in the OF every day.

Allen-Agree with some. By your plan, Fontenot will never be cut, because Freddy will never be healthy. I would have told pill to start taking grounders at second after the final game last year and never stop. I would have given him every chance to make himself a second baseman. Burris can be a valuable backup because he can play alot of positions and can run. He makes Blanco kind of expendable though.
As is, I would be shopping Huff and Freddy to AL teams big time, as both could be good as a DH. Maybe we could pick up a decent fifth starter, although Surkamp didn't look that bad yesterday.

[Islandboagie]

We agree for the most part, Randy. I know, surprising right? What we don't agree on is Brett Pill. You've been denying his legitimacy as a major leaguer ever since I mentioned they should call him when their offense was struggling mid-season. They finally called him up a day before the rosters expanded if my memory is correct. He proved in limited time that he appeared ready for the promotion. This spring he is also showing he deserves the chance, and has also put in alot of work at other positions. Pill has played 2nd base and 1st base at Fresno for a substantial amount of time, this spring he's played 3rd base and the outfield numerous times. He may indeed get left off the roster but not because he wouldn't be a valuable piece off the bench. It's going to come down to who do we need more, right now it would appear that Pill, Burriss, Theriot and Blanco are all vying for that last spot, or last 2 spots if they go with 11 pitchers. I also don't know if Belt is being considered as the starting left fielder yet..it may that Bochy wants an outfield of Cabrera, Pagan and Schierholtz. So Belt too could actually be fighting for one of those last spots. I really wish we could take them all, we have alot of depth and that's very important while the style of baseball we've been playing over the last few years. I know what you're thinking "start Belt in Fresno? are you nuts Boagie!?" This is not my opinion, I'm just considering what Bochy is thinking, and his thought may be that if Belt is not slated to be a starting player, that he'd certainly be better off getting at-bats in Fresno. Also, if it comes down to Belt and Pill, Pill is a right handed bat, and we have an alarming shortage of those this year.

Another move that might shock alot of fans is the fact that Hector Sanchez could also find himself in AAA starting the year, eventhough all logic would say that he's by FAR better than Whiteside or Stewart...I would certainly break camp with Sanchez, but in a recent interview I heard with Bochy, he mentioned the battle between Whiteside and Stewart for the backup catcher role, with no mention of Sanchez. It might be that Bochy thinks Sanchez needs more time in Fresno. He's correct in thinking that, he does need more time in Fresno to develop his skills behind the plate. I hate to beat up on Whiteside and Stewart too much, it's not like they didn't give 100% last year, they just arent capable of being in a major league lineup on a regular basis. So to me, the backup catcher is much like our situation at shortstop this year. Crawford and Sanchez could both certainly use some time in AAA, but right now at their respective positions, they're the best option we got.

I love Bochy, but if he's not breaking camp with arguably the best 25 players, then he's not doing his job. there are always different opinions on who the best 25 would be, but after last year, and considering Posey will likely not catch alot of games, especially in April, there's not a logical person on the face of the earth that can argue Whiteside or Stewart would be a better option than Sanchez.

[sfgdood]

I actually have come around on Pill, Boagie. Now that I've seen him play, last September and in the Cactus League, I do believe he is ready. It's just a matter of the numbers and him playing positions that are stocked already with veterans and with Burriss, who is out of options and who would be a more versatile infield backup. Clearly this team is built more for speed, not power.

I'm coming around on Crawford too...he looks like he's shortened his swing tons and hopefully he'll get his pitch selection improved as well. If he does, I see him easily hitting 250+ with some pop.

Not bothered that you still want Belt kept down, as lots of people are using the same logic I just used for Pill to say Belt should be kept down. However, unlike last year when I thought Belt needed to play everyday, this year I think Brandon will be fine on the bench if Bochy wants to stay with vets in the starting lineup. Belt did a lot of learning and growing last year as well as the winter and he's ready to contribute, whether that be in the lineup or on the bench.

One other reason I think Pill should be kept down is to work on his defense, either at 2nd base or in the OF, since our corner infield spots will be sewed up for the next 4 or 5 years by Panda and Belt. I think Joe Panik will be the second baseman after this season. That's why I let Pill play OF in Fresno.

I have to admit Allen you were so right about Freddy...the thing I worry about is that Urban yesterday on 95.7 the Game said that Freddy is usually ultra optimistic about his injuries and last week he was more pessimistic than Urbs had ever heard him be. That said, I do expect Freddy to be back at some point, probably in late April or May. He's on his last year so there's no harm in seeing how much more we can squeeze out of him. If Burriss and/or Theriot have banner seasons then we could always shop Freddy or cut him. But either way, I still cut Fontenot...he's useless.

I'm sooo with you Boag about Bochy. This spring he's showing way too much loyalty to vets. I think he was against bringing Belt up to start last season and got outvoted by Sabes...and so this year Sabes is giving him more say, which is why Hector basically has no shot, regardless of his winter and spring numbers. When asked about the backup catcher competition yesterday, Boch didnt mention Hector's name and when talking about Eli and Stwie, he was mostly talking about defense, which tells me they dont really care what offense they get out of the backup to Buster.

Like I said before, I cut Fontenot, Whiteside and Stewart in favor of Burriss and Hector Sanchez. But Bochy wont because he likes the vets.

[sharksrog]

It's still early, but by the end of Spring Training, or shortly there-after, I'm trading Aubrey Huff.

Why?

Many reasons:

1-The biggest of all; Belt HAS TO PLAY. He HAS TO be in the line up.


(I'm with you all the way there, Boly.)


2-With a decent spring, he's a tradeable commodity.


(I don't think so. I don't think the Giants could get much, and I think they would need to eat a lot of salary. Perhaps the best strategy would be to play him, hope he gets off to really good start to develop his trade value and THEN trade him. Of course, if he even approaches 2010 with the bat, the Giants could probably benefit from keeping him. Someone or someones are likely to be injured somewhere along the way.)



3-He's not slow, but when compared to Melky, Blanco, Pagan, Burriss and Shierholtz, he's a base clogger


(If the Giants go for speed and defense they do indeed play the first three you mentioned along wth Belt.)


4-Yeah, we can put him in LF, but not really. He'll make the routine plays, and little more. In our park, that could spell disaster; M-O-O-N (to Quote The Stand), that spells disaster.


(Even though Brandon should develop into a very fine first baseman, he's decent in the outfield, just as Aubrey is average at first. I think I would have to play Brandon in left field. That would make it easier for Buster Posey to platoon with Aubrey, as well.)

5-I've said for 5 years now, we MUST have a faster team. Keeping Blanco instead of Huff, or Burriss, or both, gives us that.


(If the Giants play Gregor, I think they might approach 150 steals on the season. They haven't approached that figure since -- well, this millenium. They did somehow pilfer 119 in 2007 and 108 in 2008.)

6-I contend that Belt will provide the power lost by moving Aubrey. But then again, 12 HRs last year? And now he's 35? sorry, I only see the upside in moving him.

(I think Aubrey is a decent gamble. I think if the Giants were to trade him now, he would bring nothing of true value in return -- and the Giants would likely have to eat something like $8 million of the $12 mill they still owe him.

Aubrey is likely a $3 million or $4 million (net) gamble. In addition, he has been a team leader. I like to sell high, and that definitely wouldn't be the case with Aubrey.)

7-Maybe... just may...be, we can get some young arm for him who "Might" just work out. We need to restock the farm, and moving Aubrey could help.

(I really like the idea of restocking the farm system, but I don't think the Giants could get anyone truly meaningful for Aubrey. Now, if they could get Zack Wheeler (traded for Carlos Beltran) back, I'd be all over it.

But not for Thomas Neal (the player they traded for Angel Cabrera). The Giants have traded a lot of minor leaguers recently, but aside from Wheeler and perhaps the lefty reliever included in the Sanchez/Melky trade, they have given up little of value. Perhaps Tim Alderson, whom they traded for Freddy Sanchez.)


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[sharksrog]

Me? I start Belt in LF with Pagan in center and Melky in right. I let Huff start the season at first, but let him know he's on an extremely short leash, and maybe even platoon him with Pill. I then give myself some time to see if Belt and Pill are ready. If they seem to be, then I look at moving huff at or near the trading deadline.

(Good idea, Allen. I would point more to Belt and Blanco though, instead of Brandon and Pill. I don't think Brett will be more than a potential platoon partner for Aubrey.

So it really comes down to Belt. And then in order for Brandon to play first base, outfielders Blanco or Schierholtz need to beat out Huff so Brandon can be moved to his natural position -- although he did play outfield in high school, as well as pitch.)

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[sharksrog]

Another move that might shock alot of fans is the fact that Hector Sanchez could also find himself in AAA starting the year, eventhough all logic would say that he's by FAR better than Whiteside or Stewart


(This will depend on two things IMO.

First, do the Giants want Hector playing every day in Fresno or part-time in SF? He likely still needs some polish.

He does have the potential to make the eventual move of Buster from behind the plate more palatable -- or he could conceivably have some trade value.

Second, the more Buster can catch, the less Hector could play and thus the greater the chances of him playing full time in Fresno.

If Buster is able to catch four out of five games, the Giants could continue to use Chris Stewart as Tim Lincecum's personal catcher. One would hope that the benefit to Tim of such an arrangement would be more than the cost of Stewart's bat. As we know, Chris is an excellent fielder.)

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[sharksrog]

I love Bochy, but if he's not breaking camp with arguably the best 25 players, then he's not doing his job.


(That's not necessarily true, Matt. For instance, Brandon Belt was certainly arguably in the best 25 healthy players at the beginning of last season, but things would likely have worked out better for both him and the Giants had they sent him to Fresno so they could call him up later.

That may be the case with Hector Sanchez this spring.)
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[sharksrog]

Like I said before, I cut Fontenot, Whiteside and Stewart in favor of Burriss and Hector Sanchez. But Bochy wont because he likes the vets.


(I'm not sure we should be speaking for MLB Network's top-rated manager. He will almost cetainly cut one of the three, and I would put the over/under at one and a half. It is conceivable he could cut all three, and there is almost no chance he won't cut any of the trio.)

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[Islandboagie]

Let me first start by saying welcome to the new board, Rog. You're a pain in mah arse sometimes, but your input has been missed.

As far as Chris Stewart being an exellent fielder, I disagree. He's got a good arm and throws out alot of runners, but far too many passed balls and wild pitches that could be stopped for him to be anywhere near exellent. That's not even including his calling of games, which is questionable, imo.

-Rog says-(That's not necessarily true, Matt. For instance, Brandon Belt was certainly arguably in the best 25 healthy players at the beginning of last season, but things would likely have worked out better for both him and the Giants had they sent him to Fresno so they could call him up later.

I will agree to a certain extent, but after the year Huff had in 2010 Huff was arguably better than Belt. You could make cases for Burrell, Rowand, Schierholtz, Ross, Torres and Ishikawa being better than Belt too. If it didn't effect Belt's progress I wouldn't have a problem with the Giants breaking camp with him, because you could make a solid argument that with his ability, he could be as good or better than any of the players mentioned. It could go both ways.

In Sanchez's case, he's far better than Whiteside or Stewart already, because he's not an immediate hole in our lineup all year long. As far as his defense goes, there's no obvious issue there either. He seems to have good instincts behind the plate, and he's got a good arm. We know what Stweart and Whiteside are capable of, and it's not something I want to see for another season.

[sfgdood]

Hector Sanchez caught basically a full year in Fresno then a winter ball season, I believe in Venezuela. He should be plenty ready for a backup position by now. With Susak and Joseph crawling up his bunghole, it would also be completely unfair to Sanchez to keep Whiteside and Stewart around clogging up the position. They completely suck. You cannot make a solid argument that either Eli or Chris are good enough defensively to keep Sanchez' bat down.

[sharksrog]

Actually one can make a good argument to keep Hector down. Part of the reason is even a tribute to Hector himself.

First of all, Chris Stewart is more valuable than it first appears. He is a top defensive catcher and the favorite target of the Giants' ace. He will likely hit a bit better this season. I mean, how much WORSE can he hit?

Second, it may benefit Sanchez and the Giants for him to be playing every day. Two years ago the Giants took that approach with Buster Posey, and Buster was more than ready when he was called up two months into the season. Last season they took the more aggressive approach with Brandon Belt, and the results were far less beneficial.

With all the Giants' catching depth coming through the minors and the likelihood of Buster's playing a significant amount of time at other positions, it may actually be in the Giants' best interest to develop Sanchez into a top prospect and then trade him -- perhaps at the deadline -- to fill in gaps that develop.

Heck, in a best-case scenario, the Giants might be able package Hector and Aubrey Huff for a good pitcher or very good pitching prospect. (Zack Wheeler might be available. Or a good shortstop if Brandon Crawford doesn't succeed this season. Or a good second baseman if that position doesn't develop. Or a good third baseman if Pablo Sandoval becomes injured.

You get the idea.

[sfgdood]

hey Rog...none of that sounds very good for Hector Sanchez. Just tell him "stay in AAA while we have inferior backups take your spot in the big leagues...and then by the time you're good enough to back up Buster--who will be at full health--then we'll dump you to make room for our other catching prospects so that we can make up for the bad decisions we expect will blow up in our face."

No, Stewart isnt very good at all. If he was, he would not have been acquired on the cheap. Also, tell me how Brandon Crawford flopping and Sandoval getting injured is in any way a "best case" scenario.

~Dood

[sharksrog]

hey Rog...none of that sounds very good for Hector Sanchez. Just tell him "stay in AAA while we have inferior backups take your spot in the big leagues...and then by the time you're good enough to back up Buster--who will be at full health--then we'll dump you to make room for our other catching prospects so that we can make up for the bad decisions we expect will blow up in our face."

(My guess is that they would indicate to him that while he would be disappointed, sending him down is actually an ironic sign of confidence and that it will be better for what they view as a long career.

As for the potential problems with Sandoval and Crawford being a "best case" scenario, I think you will find the context was best case for another player making the roster and/or contributing.

If you read something I posted and it doesn't seem to make sense, realize you may well be misunderstanding it -- or I didn't write it just the way I intended.

No, Stewart isnt very good at all. If he was, he would not have been acquired on the cheap. Also, tell me how Brandon Crawford flopping and Sandoval getting injured is in any way a "best case" scenario.

I too sometimes become confused over the net with just how something is meant -- sometimes from not reading carefully enough -- but fortunately I don't think that happens too often.

(Another hit for Brandon Crawford!)


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[klaiggeb]

How much worse can Stewart hit? Ummm, I would say, a lot worse.

Personally, I would keep Sanchez, and I have a couple of reasons;

1-We have a veteran staff, who know how to pitch. I'd be willing to give up what we lose in defense for his offense.

2-When I saw the play happen to Buster, and then confirmed what I saw on the replay, I was more than a little concerned. A break is bad enough, but as I pointed out at the time, the ligament and tendon damage was even worse. IF he can catch 110 games this year, I'll be surprised.

IF he can even come close to his first season numbers, I'll be surprised.

The most fundimentally important part of a hitter and catcher is his legs; each leg supported by an ankle. That ankle, and the muscle atrophe that occurred, will be weak for a long time, likely most of the year. Thus, I don't think he'll catch 110 games.

He may PLAY 110 but not catch

That leaves 52 games for Sanchez, and for a kid just learning, that'll have to do. He wouldn't be the first, or the last kid to sit, and play sporadically. And being with the big club, he'll learn more than he would repeating a year at AAA.

Now, back to the ankle. Anyone remember how many years it took Andres Galarraga to revert back to form after HE broke his wrist? I looked it up. Took him almost 4 years!

Now a wrist is not an ankle, but if I'm right, and I contend I am, that the legs are the foundation of what a hitter and catcher needs, the strength required in that ankle will take some time to return.

So anyone expecting Buster to return as he was... I think is wearing those proverbial "rose colored glasses."

That's why, for me, Buster hits 5th, not 4th, until he PROVES that ankle is healthy.

boly

[Islandboagie]

Rog, it made sense for the Giants the keep Posey down until he was 100% ready to make the transition to the major league level, because he was going to be the starting catcher. If Posey was just figured to be the backup, he would have been called up much earlier. But, as it was, Molina was our starting catcher at the time and was also one of our crucial offensive pieces, we didn't have the luxury of being able to sit Molina while Buster learned how to catch major league pitching. We have that Luxury now because Posey will need some extra days off, and can also play first base, lets take advantage of it.

Boly, I agree with most of what you said, Posey's ankle needs to still be treated like the crown jewels. They need to take it very easy on him. But, Posey has already gotten over a big hurdle and all signs look like he's playing at 100%, I don't see why batting him 4th would really be an issue.

[sfgdood]

good points Boly, but I have to take issue with the comparison to Galarraga. Being a power hitter, your wrists are of vital importance. Legs and feet are more important to playing defense and to speed guys offensively. I can't remember a similar injury to a catcher. Can anyone? If so, Id like to hear about it, just for a reference.

What's IN Posey's favor is his youth, his work ethic and modern orthopedic medicine/physical therapy. That said, Im still way in favor of Sanchez supplanting both Eli and Stewie as the backup.

~Dood

[donk]

see Todd Jennings story on the internet....same injury as Posey..

[klaiggeb]

boly says:

Dood and boagie; All good points, and I agree.

IF he can hit anywhere near what he was in 2010, I'm all for him hitting 4th or 5th.

I say 5th, because, Ideally, THAT's where I'd like him to hit: Pablo 4th, Buster 5th.

BUT, and it's a huge BUT... we don't have legitimate 3 hole hitter.

Will Belt be that guy by midseason? Heck, I'd like to see it happen, but I don't believe it will. At least not this year, and certainly NOT if he has to share time with Huff.

So, in summary, IF he's okay, and after watching him yesterday, it appears that he is, I have no problem with him hitting 4th.

boly

[donk]

Apr 1, 2012 12:35:11 GMT -5 klaiggeb said:

boly says:

Dood and boagie; All good points, and I agree.

IF he can hit anywhere near what he was in 2010, I'm all for him hitting 4th or 5th.

I say 5th, because, Ideally, THAT's where I'd like him to hit: Pablo 4th, Buster 5th.

BUT, and it's a huge BUT... we don't have legitimate 3 hole hitter.

Will Belt be that guy by midseason? Heck, I'd like to see it happen, but I don't believe it will. At least not this year, and certainly NOT if he has to share time with Huff.

So, in summary, IF he's okay, and after watching him yesterday, it appears that he is, I have no problem with him hitting 4th.

boly

dk...I would like to see Burriss lead off and drop Pagan down in the order until he starts to hit for average.....I would take a flier and hit Crawford 2nd, Cabrera 3rd, Pablo 4th, Huff 5th, Posey 6th, Belt/Pill (LF) 7th and Pagan 8th.....at least for the first 2 weeks...and then decide who the hitters might be and shake the order...I don't think Nate is going to start...a hunch...he looks as if something is bothering him....maybe a tooth ache.....it is pretty apparent the sun field in Arizxona is not his strong suite....

[sfgdood]

Ok, here we go with the "2 miles from the box" ideas from DK again. Putting too much weight on ST numbers, man. There's no way I put Crawford near the top of the order until he proves himself in the regular season. Burriss and Crawford 7/8 makes sense in the Giants philosophy because they want speed at both the top and bottom of the order. Just as I told Boagie before, you have to give the guy you traded for a legitimate shot in the regular season before you start changing the lineup all willy nilly.

~Dood

[sharksrog]

Someone said that Chris Stewart wasn't a good catcher, that he didn't have much beyond his arm. Not that defensive metrics are the be-all, end-all -- especially at catcher -- but on a per inning basis I saw one metric that indicated Chris was THE best defensive catcher last season.

At any rate, he's pretty good. And Tim Lincecum likes throwing to him.

For the long run I certainly like Hector Sanchez better. If the Giants are going to be especially cautious with Buster it could make sense to keep Hector up. To me, it ultimately comes down to doing what is best for Hector in the long run. He could be a nice complement to Buster, or he could be decent trade bait.

[donk]

Apr 1, 2012 16:07:20 GMT -5 sfgdood said:

Ok, here we go with the "2 miles from the box" ideas from DK again. Putting too much weight on ST numbers, man. There's no way I put Crawford near the top of the order until he proves himself in the regular season. Burriss and Crawford 7/8 makes sense in the Giants philosophy because they want speed at both the top and bottom of the order. Just as I told Boagie before, you have to give the guy you traded for a legitimate shot in the regular season before you start changing the lineup all willy nilly.

~Dood

dk...as I said, I would start out with that lineup because of the way these guys are playing right now....and then review it in a month and see if it needs shaking up...Bochy did move Burriss up to the 2 hole today....and Crawford had another good day.....and havinig Pagan in the 8th spot is having speed in that spot.....

[Islandboagie]

Apr 1, 2012 18:29:51 GMT -5 sharksrog said:

Someone said that Chris Stewart wasn't a good catcher, that he didn't have much beyond his arm. Not that defensive metrics are the be-all, end-all -- especially at catcher -- but on a per inning basis I saw one metric that indicated Chris was THE best defensive catcher last season.

At any rate, he's pretty good. And Tim Lincecum likes throwing to him.

For the long run I certainly like Hector Sanchez better. If the Giants are going to be especially cautious with Buster it could make sense to keep Hector up. To me, it ultimately comes down to doing what is best for Hector in the long run. He could be a nice complement to Buster, or he could be decent trade bait.

Rog, I'd have no problem seeing Whiteside or Stewart as the backup catcher this year if I knew Posey could catch alot of games in a row, and if half of our lineup weren't question marks.

Belt has yet to prove he's the guy they want him to be, Burriss/Theriot have 0 power. Huff may still be the 2011 Huff, Pagan looks to be awful. Do you really want to add another hole to our lineup if it's not necessary?

[sharksrog]

I think the more Buster can catch, the better the idea of keeping Hector up.

First, Hector won't rot on the bench as much. Second, as you mention, the replacement bat behind the plate will become more important. If the Giants can fill the backup role primarily by having Chris Stewart as the designated catcher for Tim Lincecum, perhaps that works out -- since one would hope that picthing to Stewart would save Tim more runs than he would cost him at the plate.

IIRC this post started off with the comment that Bruce Bochy wouldn't jettisone Mike Fontenot, Stewart and Eli Whiteside. At least one-third of that has already happened.

It would benefit the Giants if they are able to keep Mike Fontenot at Fresno. He has hit right-handed pitchers the best of any major league second baseman the Giants have and thus would be a valuable tool to have on the shelf.