Marc-ing his time

[Rog]

Marco Scutaro may wind up opening the season on the DL.  That would likely mean both Ehire Adrianza (who presently seems to have the lead) and Tony Abreu would make the team.  Which  I have read could be a blessing in disguise, since it seems more likely the ultimate loser of the battle between those two could slip through waivers more easily once the 40-man rosters are set.

But the Giants were already questioning their infield depth.  If Scutaro misses much of the season, that depth becomes a serious issue.  Might well mean that Brandon Belt would hit 2nd in the order though, which would seem to be a positive, likely moving Posey, Sandoval, Pence and Morse higher in the order.

If Scutaro is out, 2nd base takes over from left field as the most questionable position in the lineup.  And makes the Giants' decision to give Marco a third year in his contract extension a bigger question, as well.

Meanwhile, Joe Panik regressed a bit in his bid to ultimately replace Marco at second base.  Ehire Adrianza advanced his cause.  Adrianza has played mostly shortstop in the minors and seems to have good defensive tools there, but he grew up as a second baseman.  Ehire has a homer from each side this spring.

[klaiggeb]

This is a topic I first brought up weeks ago.

Consider; IF Scutaro's back had the entire off season to heal, and it seems apparent that it didn't, does anyone REALLY think it'll get better just because the season is close?

I don't.

But if we had to lose one of our starting 8 players, he's the one, IMHO, for whom we can best compensate.

Disagree?

Again, consider:

1-He doesn't hit with power.
2-His range is average at best.
3-At 38, his speed is just so-so, likely average or slightly above.
4-We don't have depth in the outfield, but we do have at least some depth in the infield.

5-Arias is a much better defender
6-He runs considerably better
7-Though not great, he's shown better power, albeit in a small sampling of at bats.

Now to be sure, Joaquin is not the accomplished hitter that Marco is. Not even close.

But he ain't a slug either.

His defense will definately help groundball pitchers.


Losing anyone else, I wouldn't say this, but if we don't have Marco all year, I still think we'll be okay.

boly

[Rog]

As the Giants showed last season, they have little depth to overcome injuries. I was indeed piggybacking on your Scutaro comments of a couple of weeks ago, Boly.



Marco Scutaro to Joaquin Arias might indeed be the least drop off. Mike Morse or Angel Pagan to Gregor Blanco might not be tragic. I guess withstanding a single injury might be doable. But overcoming multiple injuries such as occurred last season would be very tough.



If we look back to the 2012 season, Scutaro's hitting after being acquired from the Rockies was one of the Giants' most important qualities. Expected improvements from Sandoval and Belt, plus the acquisition of Morse could well make up for any decline in hitting from the second base position.



Marco's getting old, and I think you are right that Arias could now replace him decently. Their biggest difference offensively is that Marco gets on base; Arias doesn't. If Arias starts, the Giants do lose their best right-handed bat off the bench (at least until late in the game when Hector Sanchez might be used).



All in all, I agree with you that Scutaro can be replaced most easily among the position players. Morse would be the guy if he isn't able to bounce back (which we agree he likely will).



I'm beginning to feel good about the bullpen, that what I viewed as a group needing more depth might actually be able to withstand an injury even to Sergio Romo.



Among the starters, Ryan Vogelsong would clearly be the easiest to replace, although he was even more important to the Giants in 2012 than Scutaro was. Edwin Escobar has lacked control this spring, but he's been hard to hit, and the Giants seem to have confidence that he is a quick riser.



The best thing is to just stay healthy. Doing so was very important to the Giants' success in both 2010 and 2012.



Speaking of 2012, let's not forget how the Giants didn't really skip a beat when the league's leading hitter, Melky Cabrera, had to be replaced by the lighter-hitting Blanco. Scutaro had a lot to do with that.

[islandboagie]

Replacing Arias with Scutaro or Blanco with Pagan or Morse wouldn't mark the end of the season. The bench takes the biggest hit in that scenario. In the NL West I believe having a strong bench is important. Too many close games that are decided in the 7th, 8th and 9th innings, and often in extra innings. What happens in those games could make or break the season for us.

[islandboagie]

I got that backwards. Replacing Scutaro with Arias and Morse or Pagan with Blanco.

[Rog]

Boagie -- In the NL West I believe having a strong bench is important. Too many close games that are decided in the 7th, 8th and 9th innings, and often in extra innings. What happens in those games could make or break the season for us.

Rog -- I suppose I'll get reamed again for saying this, but the closer the games, the more luck becomes involved.

I'll probably get reamed for this one too, but the Giants and the other teams in the West should hope for lots of close games, since they may need some luck to overtake the Dodgers.

This isn't a negative toward the Giants. With the exception of Marco's injury, I'm about as optimistic about them as I have been since early ... last season (gulp). Ryan Vogelsong would be another concern, but the bullpen seems to be filling out, Mike Morse looks good, and Ehire Adrianza has been a bit of a surprise, taking a little heat off the Scutaro situation.

One thing I am trying not to forget is a year ago the Giants looked almost as strong as the Dodgers do now -- and the Dodgers looked like the lesser light as now do the Giants. Injuries, struggling years, career years and even in-game luck can cause a swing of perhaps 10 games in either direction above or below a team's base ability.

Teams themselves often ebb and flow. This would obviously be the very best time (at least until the next time) for a Giants flow and a Dodgers ebb(ets field).

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