The action is starting to heat up

[rog]

With the Winter Meeting starting on Sunday, things are starting to heat up.  Not the Giants yet, but the NL East, the Cardinals (Goldschmidt) and the Mariners (full-blow rebulid mode).  I would be surprised if in a week or 10 days we don't see some Giants action.

Remember though, it's the what, not the when, that is more important.

[rog]

Forgot to mention the Twins. They're doing some kind of under-the-radar stuff.

[rog]

The Angels have signed former Giant Jarrett Parker to a minor league contract. Remember when we got all excited by Jarrett? He did get his major league career off to a fine start, but it's really tough to be a major league hitter when one strikes out as much as Jarrett does.

Jarrett is similar in some ways to present Giant Chris Shaw, although Jarrett is far more athletic and a much better fielder. I'll remember Jarrett as a true gamer who showed his fine mettle breaking his collar bone on the left field fence while making an excellent play.

I wish Jarrett the best as he continues to try to be a major leaguer. I have a feeling he's a great guy, and the difference in talent between what he has and what he needs isn't huge. Jarrett has been playing in the Dominican Winter League, but has played in only one game.

Speaking of winter leagues, the best Giants news may be that Heliot Ramos is hitting .341/.983 with only 8 strikeouts in 44 at bats. The only negative I can see is that he's walked only once. Overall though, that seems an excellent result. Heliot has cut his strikeouts to more than one every three at bats in 2017 to more than one every four at bats in 2018 to just one every 5.5 at bats this winter. If he keeps this up, I could see him possibly opening the 2019 season in San Jose.

Farhan is known for his aggressiveness in moving minor leaguers up the ladder. That aggressiveness might make it more likely for Joey Bart to start there as well. Both those players should be in San Jose at some time during the season, which will make it exciting for fans of the Little Giants.

Very small sample, but I'm really excited by Heliot's progress so far this winter. Remember, he just turned 19 three months ago today. He might be playing at the same level as Bart, who is two years, nine months older. Ramos is the closest thing the Giants have to a potential five-tool player.