Cut thoughts

[klaiggeb]

From everything I've heard or read, Jimmy Rollins is just a great person.

But it seems obvious to me that watching him this spring, and based upon his last 2 seasons... he just can't hit anymore.

For that reason, I release him, shake my head in sadness remembering the player he once was, and keep Tomlinson as my back up infielder.


Right now, this is my final roster:

The starting 8 (including the injured Nunez, who MIGHT begin the season on the DL)

Hundley
Tomlinson-HIll can't play SS
Marrero
Gillaspie
Hernandez-IF we keep either Marrero or Hwang to platoon in LF, we NEED a really good defensive outfielder.

And though his hitting is 'iffy' at best, he CAN play some defense!

I would LOVE to keep Hwang but unless Nunez opens the season the DL... I just don't see any way to pull it off, especially since Bochy, and the rest of MLB seems hell-bent on having 12 pitchers.

My starting 5, based upon how Blach does today would be.

Bum
Cueto
Moore
Jeffy the Stubborn
Blach

In the pen, and in no particular order;

Meloncon
Law
Kontos
Strickland
Okert
O'neill
Gearrin

You'll notice I don't have Cain.

Either HE, or Blach opens the season in AAA, with O'neill being the long man.

Why not Suarez or Cain? With our top 4 starters we shouldn't need a long/swing man very often.

boly

[klaiggeb]

One last add upon second thoughts; Maybe not Gearrin to open the year. Maybe I keep Suarez instead.

boly

[Rog]

When you said O'Neill, did you mean Neil Ramirez or Jack O'Neill, the famous Santa Cruz surfer?

I suspect the Giants will keep 13 pitchers, which would include two of the trio of Cain, Blach and Suarez as the fifth starter and long man.

If the Giants keep only a dozen pitchers, they can keep the five players you mentioned.

As you said, Tomlinson has outplayed Hill this spring, and while Kelby isn't as good defensive shortstop as we would like, Hill has played the position very little in the regular season -- never in the past 10 years. The Giants might be able to skate by using Nunez as the backup at shortstop when needed -- which isn't often with the durable Crawford.

The Giants likely want to keep Hill both to see what he can do, and to be able to keep BOTH him and Tomlinson under contract, utilizing one of Kelby's remaining options.

Marrero has done very well toward earning a spot. I'm not fond of Gorkys as the fourth outfielder, since his bat has no radar. Ruggiano came on late, but I don't know if it was enough. I think that comes down more to whether the Giants think Justin can play center field than anything else. The Rays are said to be interested in Ruggiano, so if the Giants don't keep him in the majors, he's likely gone. I doubt Gorkys would be picked up.

I'm still hoping for someone like Aaron Hicks (highly unlikely) or Austin Jackson (more possible). But the Rays would quite possibly go after Austin if he is released, and they would have a higher waiver position than the Giants. Maybe the Giants can keep Ruggiano up, then trade him to Tampa after the Rays claim Jackson.

If Justin can still play a decent center field, he manhandles southpaws, making him a fine platoon partner for Denard Span. Denard could then be the defensive replacement for Ruggiano if the Giants get a lead.

Side note: David Hernandez has signed a minor league contract with the Braves. I see too that Austin Jackson will make the Indians' 25-man roster. Playing behind three left-handed starting outfielders, he has value. Jackson will be paid $1.5 million with a chance to earn $4 million in incentives.

I'm not sure why the Giants weren't able to sign Jackson to a minor league contract as an NRI. If the Giants were paying attention, they should have been able to sell him on the possible opportunity to become a platoon player. Jackson is no longer a starting-caliber player, but I think he's better than Gorkys.

[Rog]

I believe the Giants have an option on Suarez, but they can't send Gearrin to the minors without his permission. I'm going from memory, so that might not be correct.

[klaiggeb]

I typed it incorrectly. Neil Ramirez

Then again, he sucked eggs yesterday.

boly

[Islandboagie]

I think they'll let Cain sink or swim this season, and it's better to find that out sooner rather than later.

A lot of things can happen from now until April 2nd, but here's my projected roster:

Starters-
Bumgarner
Cueto
Moore
Samardjiza
Cain

Long Relief-
Blach

Middle Relief-
Kontos
Strickland
Gearrin
Okert

Setup-
Law

Closer-
Melancon

Catchers-
Posey
Hundley

Infielders-
Belt
Panik
Crawford
Gillaspie
Hwang
Tomlinson
Nunez

Outfielders-
Parker
Span
Pence
Ruggiano

[klaiggeb]

Boagie, I just can't see them sitting Blach and basically having him waste away in long relief.

If he doesn't win the job, and I think he already has but the Giants might not give it to him, He'll open the season in SAC.

But that is foolish.

Let Cain PROVE against AAA hitters that he's got his command back, THEN bring him up.

Why blow 4 or 5 games with him starting IF he isn't back?

That, to me, is foolish, but I think it is PRECISELY what management will do.

boly

[Rog]

Let Cain PROVE against AAA hitters that he's got his command back, THEN bring him up.


Rog -- I'm almost certain that Matt can't be sent down without his approval. If he's healthy, that could be a problem.

On the other hand, I suspect Matt is highly loyal, so he might do it. On the other hand, once he clears waivers, any team can sign for the minimum I believe. If a team courted Matt, they might be able to sign him to a very low-risk pact.

The Giants have eaten some decent-sized contracts before, but I don't remember their doing it prior to August. Conversely, when Pat Burrell was cut early in the 2010 season, the Giants signed him. He played briefly at AAA Fresno before the Giants brought him up.

In a baseball sense only, it's an easy call with Matt. But when one considers loyalty and chemistry, it becomes more complex.

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