Not a lot of news, but there is some

[Rog]

Not a lot of news on almost any team's front, but there are a couple of tidbits involving the Giants.

First, the Dodgers are said to be seeking younger and cheaper assets, so their re-signing Zack Greinke is far from a sure thing.  The Giants are seeking older and more expensive assets, so it should be a natural fit with Zack!

Second, the Giants are said to be close to signing Kyle Blanks to a minor league contract.  We talked about Blanks last winter, and he responded with an .875 OPS with the Rangers in 67 at bats, as well as a .960 OPS in AAA.  Blanks is said to be an average or above corner outfielder and first baseman who has a good chance of breaking camp with the big club.  


A platoon of Blanks and Aoki might be a fallback, although Kyle has struck out once every three at bats as a major leaguer.  Blanks might at least be an asset as a pinch hitter, and could make a nice complement to Gregor Blanco as the outfield backups.  What have the Giants got to lose with this move?

[Islandboagie]

Rog- Second, the Giants are said to be close to signing Kyle Blanks to a minor league contract. We talked about Blanks last winter, and he responded with an .875 OPS with the Rangers in 67 at bats, as well as a .960 OPS in AAA. Blanks is said to be an average or above corner outfielder and first baseman who has a good chance of breaking camp with the big club.


A platoon of Blanks and Aoki might be a fallback, although Kyle has struck out once every three at bats as a major leaguer. Blanks might at least be an asset as a pinch hitter, and could make a nice complement to Gregor Blanco as the outfield backups.

Boagie- I was the one who mentioned Blanks as a possible pickup last off-season, it made sense then. This year not as much. This year I think I'd rather they stay focused on Williamson and Parker.


Rog- What have the Giants got to lose with this move?

Boagie- Not too much, except playing time for Williamson and Parker during spring training. After that, adding Blanks would create more depth in AAA, which is a good thing.

[Rog]

I was the one who mentioned Blanks as a possible pickup last off-season, it made sense then. This year not as much. This year I think I'd rather they stay focused on Williamson and Parker.


Rog -- Your idea a year ago was a good one. The Giants substituted Maxwell instead, and he got off to a great start before falling back to his true level. Blanks has a little more upside. At one time he was a fairly highly rated prospect.

I like Mac Williamson the best of the three, but he may be a little way off. Striking out is a problem for Blanks, and Jarrett strikes out even more. I'll say the same thing about Parker that I said a year ago about Maxwell. I don't believe there has ever been a major leaguer who strikes out as much as they do who has been successful.

Look closely at Jarrett and see what we think. Obviously he hit a TON after being called, and he struck out less too. Hopefully he can keep his strikeout rate lower, but he was unable to do so in the minors. Hard to imagine he'll make the adjustment permanently at the major league level.

One positive about Parker is that he's gotten on base in the minors despite a relatively low average. And he can run a little.

Read more: sfgiantsmessageboard.proboards.com/thread/3129/lot-news#ixzz3ro4Sl9S3

[Islandboagie]

I've decided to go all in on Parker. You're right about his strikeout rate being troublesome, but as you stated, he has speed and a good OBP. Pop, speed and a good OBP is a winning combination.

[Rog]

I've decided to go all in on Parker. You're right about his strikeout rate being troublesome, but as you stated, he has speed and a good OBP. Pop, speed and a good OBP is a winning combination.


Rog -- Man, I hope you're right! Of course, you're just going all in because you know that if I say a guy can't hit, he'll win a Silver Slugger and make the All-Star team!

Here's something I hadn't thought of about Brandon Crawford. Andrelton Simmons just got traded to the American League. The coast is clear for Brandon to win Gold Glove after Gold Glove.

Read more: sfgiantsmessageboard.proboards.com/thread/3129/lot-news#ixzz3roPtmaqJ

[rxmeister]

Congratulations to Craw on the new contract. Six years with a full no trade. I wonder if this means Christian Arroyo becomes a trade candidate. Most teams do it the other way around, trading a player just as he becomes expensive and keeping the kid, but that's our Giants! Not that I'm advocating trading Brandon Crawford, we're a long way from seeing if Arroyo is a major league starting short stop.

[klaiggeb]

Boagie, I'm with you; I'd like to see us go all out with Parker... but I'd also like to throw Williamson in on that.

IN fact, I've been fairly adamant for weeks that I would like to see those 2 given EVERY opportunity to win the job in ST.


Problem is, I just don't believe we signed Blanks JUST to be a bench guy.

If I'm Parker and Mac I'm taking this as added incentive to come to camp and WIN a job, because if I'm one of those two, this says to ME, that the front office really isn't all that sure about what I can do.

This would get my blood boiling early, and I'd come to camp with the attitude that I'm TAKING the job.

This would motivate me beyond belief.

boly

[Islandboagie]

I hope that's the case. If Blanks is their toughest competition they'll both have a legitimate shot at being in LF on opening day. Tomlinson should also have that in mind. There's no way (unless there's an injury) that he's starting in the infield. His best chance is LF. If I'm Tomlinson I would spend the whole off-season shagging flies.

[Rog]

Problem is, I just don't believe we signed Blanks JUST to be a bench guy.


Rog -- How in the world would we know one way or the other? He was signed to a minor league contract. It's certainly not unprecedented for a guy to be signed to a minor league contract and then begin the season in the starting lineup, but it isn't at all common. The last guy I can remember who was close to that would have been Juan Uribe, and I'm pretty sure that Juan began the 2009 season on the bench. Maybe Brandon Hicks, but that was simply because Marco Scutaro was injured.

My guess is that the Giants signed Blanks for insurance, with only a small possibility that his coverage would come in a starting package, but that's only a guess.

Here's a question: If the Giants truly are planning on Blanks as their starter, why not just bring back the proven Aoki for a net $4.7 million. $4.7 million for a potential free agent is dirt cheap.

I believe the Giants are looking for a guy who can play center field -- preferably beyond next season. They let such a player slip by in Aaron Hicks, traded to the Yankees, so maybe I'm wrong. But I like to think the Giants might think something like the way we do, and wouldn't we like to see a guy under contract who could play center field after this season? At present, the Giants have no such player. For that matter, they have only one proven outfielder under contract to play ANY outfield position after 2016.

You could certainly wind up being right here. But I truly don't think the clues point in that direction. I think Kyle is a fall back in case the other outfield candidates shoot ________.




Read more: sfgiantsmessageboard.proboards.com/thread/3129/lot-news#ixzz3rscqqfeE

[Rog]

If Blanks is their toughest competition they'll both have a legitimate shot at being in LF on opening day.


Rog -- That makes sense. Which is just one more reason why Kyle isn't likely to be in the Opening Day starting lineup if everyone is healthy. There may be a greater chance he'll begin the season in the minors or on another team than in the starting lineup.




Read more: sfgiantsmessageboard.proboards.com/thread/3129/lot-news?page=1#ixzz3rsfPkHvR