Favorite Giant story of 2008

SFGate reports former Giants ace Juan Marichal and Pedro Martinez were video taped at a cockfighting event where the two were apparently hosts of honor!

Seriously. This was about the most interesting non-Lincecumian story for me this past year. GAWD, let spring training start already!!!

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Tadahito Iguchi???

This gem off of MLB Trade Rumors:

Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker has translated a report from Sponichi, a Japanese news network, claiming that infielder Tadahito Iguchi has multiple offers from MLB teams. Sponichi speculates that the Giants and Royals are nice fits while Newman himself believes the White Sox might want Iguchi back. Of course, that's all conjecture. A few teams in Japan are legitimately vying for his services. The 34-year-old batted .232/.292/.306 last season with two dingers and 24 RBI in 310 at-bats.

The crack staff here at GGATTNWY have just informed me that Tadahito Iguchi, when translated to English means Jose Castillo!

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the Giant Unit

MLBRumors is reporting that the Giants have signed Randy Johnson to a one year deal worth $8mm with incentives. This gives the Giants THREE Cy Young winners with Johnson, Zito and Lincecum and along with Cain and Sanchez, this is a serious rotation. So assuming the order looks something like this:

Lincecum
Johnson
Cain
Zito
Sanchez

The bottom of this rotation is going to dominate! Zito will have a bounceback year going against number 4's and Sanchez as your fifth starter? Wicked! Even Matt Cain should start to pile up some wins. If anyone is going to have a rough time it's going to be Lincecum and the Giants proved last year, it ain't easy giving your ace (Cain) run support when you can't hit other teams aces. This move is solid! Three thumbs up!

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Oh what a feeling

WWHHHHEEEEEEWWWW! A collective whew of relief here at the GGATTNWY Headquarters. Mark Teixiera is off the market. There is no reason to believe that soon Man-Ram won't be joining him and C.C. The damage has been limited to, actually, it has turned into a good off season thus far. Affeldt, Howry and a pack of Slim Jims. Jonathan Sanchez still wears the cream and orange. Matt Cain, Lincecum. Still here. Bill Neukom had me a little worried with all that talk about making a splash. Oh sure, there still are those bandwagon hanger-on Giant fans who feel we will be looking back at this off season the way we did when we let Vlad Guerrero get away, but I politely beg to differ. Mark Tex never WANTED to come here. Not once did you hear him utter his wanton desire to play in the fog and cold. Brian Sabean, you are NOT an idiot. Here is one Giant fan who thinks you have done a fine job thus far. We plotted a course and just like starting a Deal a Meal, we are sticking with it. Oh sure, we had a slight Renter-relapse there, but the damage was minimal. As for the Big Unit.....well, that still looms and if the Giants do sign him then of course expect Sanchez to be dealt but hopefully, and this is the big hole in my theory, the Giants will get equal value for a young pitcher with so much upside. All it takes is to start on a short stroll down WTF Lane where the strewn bodies of Boof Bosnar, Joe Nathan and that Liriano chap for A.J. Pierzynski. Just once I'd like to be on the right side of one of those trades where you know Sabean is dying inside trying to hold his laughter as we send Dave Roberts, Barry Zito and, oh, for the fun of it, Armando Benitez with this prospect named Bin Laden to the Dodgers for some "chick" named Babe. Just once. Instead we have been on that other end. You know that feeling. It's the same feeling I get....well, I just turned 40 so let me use this analogy. Ever pay someone to shove a foreign object in a small space where it doesn't belong all because people tell you your supposed to, so you do it? Wouldn't it be better to be on the receiving end? I mean if your gonna get it shoved in there, howza bout breakin Daddy off with a C-Note or sumfin. I'm such a whore.

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Roto News

Interesting post taken from Roto Authority:

The Giants made an early strike to sign Jeremy Affeldt to be their setup man. It was surprising Affeldt signed on November 17th, as the market for him figured to be strong. Plus, he chose not to seek a closing role given Brian Wilson's presence in San Francisco.

Wilson used his 95.8mph heater to whiff more than a batter per inning. However, that K rate was accompanied by a lot of walks, hits, and home runs. His WHIP was 1.44, yet he still saved 41 games. At the least, his BABIP (.336)/hits per nine innings (8.95) will come down.

The Giants figure to stick with Wilson unless he takes a step backward in 2009. However, there is a case to be made that Affeldt is the better pitcher. The main difference is Affeldt's superior control. Affeldt was also plagued by a rough BABIP (.329).

The Bill James projections suggest the pitchers are in the correct roles, however. They have Wilson with a 3.74 ERA and 1.38 WHIP and Affeldt with a 4.39 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. They may have projected Affeldt as a Red though. ZiPS sees a similar ERA but higher WHIP for Wilson, but likes Affeldt for a 3.44 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP.

This was a long-winded way of saying that I think Affeldt is a better pitcher than Wilson, but the Giants are unlikely to agree unless Wilson is horrific. I'd be intrigued if Bob Howry steps up as a strong setup man and Affeldt gets a chance to start. Howry doesn't project too poorly himself, with the systems calling for an ERA in the 3.75-4.10 range and a WHIP around 1.25.

While the Giants' revamped pen should certainly be an improvement, note that all three late-inning relievers allowed more than one home run per nine innings in 2008. This could lead to some especially painful losses.


Now, even more intersting on the same site are predictions for pitchers who will post ERA's below 4.00 for 2009. Among them are Barry Zito (3.94) and Jonathan Sanchez (3.90). If only this were written in stone. A resurgent Zito along with LinceCainChez.......LinceCainChIto? CainCecumChIto? ZiCeCainChez? The possiblilities are endless. Along with the revamped bullpen and assuming Wilson gets better control, this bolsters what I've been arguing all along that the Giants CAN win with this offense! Dominant pitching always prevails. Just ask the Atlanta Braves.......wait.....

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Hot Stove recap I

Well I guess the big news is Jonathan Sanchez is still in the creme and black. So is Matt Cain, Benjie Molina, Randy Winn......

The bad news is so is Dave Roberts. Nothing against Dave, just, well. Why do we have him again? Hopefully Roberts will be that old scrappy sage who'll come up big in those times when it's needed. A smaller Crash Davis if you will. At any rate, the Giants appear to be on course: destination diaper rash. The youth movement is back on track. All that talk of Manny.......I never once believed Sabean was THAT big of an idiot. C.C. C-ya. Now I'll be the first to admit I was Jocking the big man but in hindsight, good riddance......and have a nice time in the Bronx! Of course there still is Mark Teixiera. This one has alot of Giant fans' panties waded up. Why? Sure he's a good bat, but not a necessarily BIG bat. Can you hear this conversation:

Hey dad, lets wait before we get the drinks, Teixiera's coming up to bat.

No. No visions of that. Not the way Barry Lamar commanded you to hold your four beers in your gonads, or if you must, relieve yourself right there on the spot, but DON"T miss that at bat! Something magical might happen. No, that doesn't spring to mind with Texiera. Now I'm not saying he wouldn't help the lineup. And yes he is a good glove at first. Is he going to grab this team and put them on his shoulders for a month or two? I like to make this comparison:

Are you going to get tickets to a concert thinking your gonna see Hendrix and when you get there, the only one playing is Esteban. Yea, that guy who hawks guitars on Home Shopping Network. No offense Esteban. Your good. Zorro good. Not Hendrix good though. Thats Teixiera. He's Zorro, not Hendrix.

In other news, Rule 5 pickups: Luis Perdomo and Matt Yourkin. Have not seen either so the jury is out. Also the Rangers reported that Jonathan Sanchez was not going to be traded as the Giants made that "abundantly clear." I think that abundantly clear=Jorge Cantu and.......and.......c'mon...... Thats good. The Giants will NOT get fair market value in a trade involving Sanchez. Good young pitching is hard to find so the Giants would be better to keep him. Oh, and the Big Unit might play here. Interesting. Lincecum, Cain, Sanchez, Unit and Sheeto. That means Lowry is trade bait? I've said it all along: bullpen.

Brian Sabean melted down to the press. I believe the coverage of C.C. and all the high expectations and pressure to get 'er done. I've been hearing alot of rumblings about the Giants being inactive but c'mon folks, thats how we got into this pinch were in now! Rent a player, trade prospects. Manny is getting old. I'm more interested in watching Sandoval and Burriss. I know we have Renteria so that will help. We didn't lose anyone and he's really not holding anyone back so thats okay. I'm still waiting though. Sabean really lost it. You know he's going to somehow pull the equivalent of the Herschel Walker to Vikings for the Murderers Row of 2009. You know it's going to happen......


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Well where do I begin. Okay. I wipe the bile off my tastebuds as I let this offseason start to sink in. Not since the last time I listened to Tommy Fatsorda on the Jim Rome Show has my nether regions felt as shaky after eating a bowl of Bran Flakes as a Giants 3-2 lead with bases loaded and Armando Blonitez melting down in front of my eyes. What are the Giants doing? Affeldt.....nice. Good pitcher. Howry....hmmmm, okay, not bad. Renteria......wha?!....hmmmm......uh, I guess. Now theres rumblings of Jorge Cantu, E5 Encarnacion or the ever-pending Joe Crede acquisition. To which I say.....W-T-F! What happened to the youth movement? The Giants earned at least one more year of good will/rebuilding. I say let Ishikawa stay in. Leave Pablo at third! Lets see how Frandsen bounces back. Seriously. It may be the Flexerall talking but I was more interested in seeing these guys play a full season along with Nate and Orty. It was our chance to relive those early 80's Giants of bringing up the home grown kids and let'em play. I know they may be a Nuschler short of anything serious but having seen these guys play almost daily at Fresno, let me say they CAN play! It's like watching Celebrity Rehab when it comes to the Giants. You know that THEY know they have to take their lumps. Endure a cold sweat or two. Melt down and scream at your bunk mates when they change MTV Cribs just as you were about to glimpse into the kingdom of Lil' Wayne. Damn Dr. Phil! Your Jeff Conaway and no amount of reason will stop you from doing whatever you need to do to get that next fix. Thats what Brian Sabean must be feeling right about now. Having seen the A's steal Holliday must really curdle Sabe's cream. Right now Sabean is weighing that Jorge Cantu for Sanchez/Alderson/Britney Spears tix. IT HAS TO BE. Otherwise why the hell are we even talking about signing E5, Cantu, Crede or any other player who will NOT be that game changer the Gigantes are looking for. Look at the lineup the Giants currently may field:

Lewis, Rowand and Winn in the outfield.
Ishikawa, Burriss, Renteria and Sandoval in the infield.
Molina behind the dish.

True, there isn't enough power to charge Rosie's microwave but other than Man-Ram, who out there can? This lineup is very intriguing but here is where the Giants will win games:

Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, JONATHAN SANCHEZ, Barry Zito and Noah Lowry.

That was what kept us in games last year and with Affeldt and Howry in the pen and more importantly, Tyler Walker NOT in there, the Giants should be able to hold a lead or two. So how can the Giants improve? Three words: C.C. Sabathia.
A rotation of C.C., Timmy, Cain, SANCHEZ, and your mom. WHO IS DAY GONNA SCORE ON? Your momma, obviously. But the good news is she won't give it up more than Zito, right? So let's just assume Lowry can't beat out Zito, I would be willing to put up some gub-ment bailout money that his niche will be out of the bullpen. You know eventually Baumgardner, Bumgartner, whatever, or Alderson may show up sometime to see where they are at. Heck, Merkin may slip in there. My point is, when you KNOW your strength is pitching, well then......wait, I have an analogy. When I was a lad with less than a care in the world, I mastered one of the most complex video games ever brought forth from the gods of Olympus. Atari Football. The short field. Grainy colors. Limited offensive plays. How did I do this you wonder? Well I mastered the off-tackle sweep. Try with all his might my brother could do nothing to stop it. He knew it was coming but he was as helpless as John Daly in Hooters. So why deplete your strength for some more of what we've had....older vets to fill holes. Wasn't this the rebuilding era? Stick with the blueprint Sabes. If your going to go after anyone throw some cache at C.C. and see if a little hometown cooking is enough to bring him home but stay the course man. Don't give in now! You managed to avoid Furcal. Averted your eyes of Man-Ram. Relapsed a little with Rent-a-ria. Don't go McCain in the membrane just yet (yes she may look real nice, but once she start yappin' bout those darn media folk.....). Now is the right time for rebuilding. The Niners are having a hard time keeping their pants up, the A's are basically you guys in lame colors, the Warriors...are they still here? That just leaves the Raiders.

Okay. I've stopped laughing. Commitment to Excrement aside, my point is the Bay Area is in a rebuilding era so take advantage of it. No need to feel pressured to do anything erratic just yet. Remember, at the beginning of last season your farm system was the laughing stock of MLB but by the end of the season managed to be described as vastly improved and WHAT did you do differently? What that means was nobody bothered to really look at what we really had in our system. What we had were some decent players who may not possess the god given gifts of one Barry Lamarr Bonds, but were gutty and scrappy. Teams have won pennants that were scrappy.

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Hot Stove Topics......

Alot of talk already beginning. Names being tossed out include Uggla, Blake, Texeira....hell, I even saw Pedro Feliz' name mentioned. Looking through the available third base free agents, nobody really piqued my interest but knowing the Mets may be in the mood to make some changes following that classic choke job......I haven't seen a choke job like that since my man Kobeyashi.....anyway, why not make a package for the Mets' Daniel Murphy and stick him at the hot corner? He is kind of a slappy with a little more power than my sister but he does hit the ball and has an above Feliz-like OBP. The lack of power may turn some of you off but who is out there really? The Mets will be revamping that bullpen so why not entice them with Tyler Walker and Barry Zito.....LOL. Okay, thats my dream. But a package of maybe Walker and Correia? Maybe even throw Eugenio Velez or Shierholtz in there or hell.....would you trade Sanchez straight up for him? The Giants have some more young arms coming soon and of course Merkin Valdez will be back. Uggla might have better power but you can keep those strikeouts. I'll take Murphy, put Sandoval at first for a full season and then that leaves second base. Maybe check the closet over in Texas and see what the pitching starved Rangers may have to offer......wouldn't Zito look better back in the American League.........

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Hot Stove begins....

Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News did some quick blogging from Brian Sabean's press conference today. Here's a full transcript. Hot stove notes:

Rich Aurilia could be re-signed, but Omar Vizquel won't be back. The Giants will buy Vizquel out for $300K.
With Pablo Sandoval penciled in at first base, the Giants may be reluctant to trade catcher Bengie Molina (my own speculation on the Molina part).
Matt Cain is said to be "untouchable" in a trade. So we'll stop with the Cain trade scenarios for now.
Possible offseason needs include bullpen help and a run-producer. The relief help could come via free agency, while the bat would probably come via trade. That bat would not be a guy with one year left on his contract (Matt Holliday comes to mind).


So I ask ya, what is wrong with my idea of signing C.C. Sabathia, who WANTS to come to the Giants which would make it easier to trade ANY of the pitchers for a bat. Any bat....except Prince Fielder and his veggie burgers. Someone needs to tell him that yes, they are healthier for you but NOT when you apparently are eating them 12 at a time. I actually watched him run the bases after hitting a dinger and I swear, his jelly was rolling. He rolled his gut around the bases. Okay, so Cain is untouchable. Deep down I can live with that. I'm just still amazed a quality player wants to come to the Giants! Stay tuned kids....
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J.T. Snow retiring as a Giant

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - J.T. Snow signed a one-day deal with San Francisco on Wednesday so he can retire as a member of the Giants after all.

Snow, a special assistant and broadcaster for the club who last played for Boston in 2006, will be activated for Saturday night's game against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers so the former first baseman and fan favorite can be honored for his nine seasons with the franchise from 1997-2005. He likely will take the field early and make his exit before the first pitch is even thrown, general manager Brian Sabean said.
"That's probably the most respectful way to do it," Sabean said, keeping in mind the Dodgers are still in the division race and trying to secure a playoff berth. "He's promised to take the field but he hasn't promised to leave the field."

The bonus is Snow gets a bonus: He will be paid $2,131 for the brief moment back in his No. 6 jersey, the prorated amount of the league minimum of $390,000.

"I was shocked. I was surprised," Snow said of the Giants' gesture. "I always wanted to play until I'm 40. I wanted to retire as a Giant. This is where I grew up as a player. I really appreciate it. This organization does things with a lot of class. It's a nice honor."

The 40-year-old Snow, a six-time Gold Glove winner, announced his retirement in December 2006 during the winter meetings at Lake Buena Vista, Fla., after a 15-year major league career.

Snow played part of 2006 for the Red Sox, who designated him for assignment on June 19 that year. He was batting .205 in only 44 at-bats when the club let him go. Sabean had a hard time seeing Snow go through that.

Last year, the GM thought of doing this but figured now was the perfect time to pull it off considering the club has spent the entire season honoring the 50th anniversary of the Giants' move west to San Francisco. He doesn't plan to make such signings a regular thing, either.

"From a personal and professional standpoint, sometimes certain things need closure," Sabean said. "I think it's a good statement of what we think of him as a person and a baseball player."

Snow owns a career batting average of .268 with 189 homers and 877 RBIs, playing 1,715 games with the Yankees, Angels, Giants and Red Sox.

A left-handed hitter with an impressive playoff track record, he thought he might catch on with a contending team for the stretch run in 2006, but it didn't happen.

Snow reached the World Series with the Giants in 2002, and they lost in seven games. During Game 5 against the wild-card Angels, the sure-handed Snow made perhaps his most alert play.

Snow had already scored on Kenny Lofton's triple and David Bell was running home when it became dangerous - Darren Baker, the 3 1/2-year-old bat boy son of manager Dusty Baker, was standing behind Angels catcher Bengie Molina, eager to grab Lofton's bat.

In a flash, Snow dashed in and scooped up the boy by the collar of his oversized jacket, pulling him from harm's way.

When the Giants parted ways with Snow after the 2005 season, Sabean, executive vice president Larry Baer and owner Peter Magowan planted the seed about Snow one day working for the club.

Snow's late father, Jack, a star receiver in the NFL, also went into broadcasting after his playing career ended.

Snow also loves his role working as an instructor with the younger players.

"This guy's so sharp in so many ways, especially the way he conducts himself, that he could branch out into anything," Sabean said.

Snow and Hall of Famer Willie McCovey are the only Giants first basemen to make nine straight starts on opening day since the team moved west to San Francisco in 1958.

"It's been a pretty good ride," Snow said.


Thanks for the memories J.T.!!!!




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Looking forward

I've been watching the Giants play and lately I have been enjoying watching these kids play. Its given me a chance to think about what I'll say to Brian Sabean when we meet in the frozen food section at Save Mart as we awkwardly do often. I borrowed this projected lineup from McCovey Chronicles to start:

C: Molina/Sandoval
1B: Ishikawa/Sandoval
2B: Velez/Denker/Frandsen
SS: Burriss
3B: Other/Sandoval
LF: Lewis/Winn
CF: Rowand/Winn
RF: Winn/Schierholtz

The first thing that came to mind is how finding Pablo Sandoval has been a pleasant surprise. I like watching this guy play. The Giants have already given the SS job to Burriss next season so the real battle will be 2B and I think my man Frandsen will win it short term. Then I started to wonder. Is there really a need to sign a big bat this off season? This offense will never live up to past lineups but does it really have too? The Giants have something those other teams never had. A potential LETHAL starting four. I say four because C.C. Sabathia has stated his desire to come home and thats what I'll tell Sabean. Bring C.C. home baby. Sabathia, Lincecum, Cain, Sanchez, and Zito. I know I know. Zito? Would you rather see him trotting out of left field as Matt Cain hands the ball and a 2-1 lead over to his Zuckiness? Unless we can trade him keep him at that five spot where he might outpitch other teams 5th man. Bring the bullpen up to snuff whether its Merkin Valdez, Noah Lowry, Taschner or free agency but let Tyler Walker go. Correia maybe also or put him back in the bully. I like Kevin. My point is with that four the Giants have potentially the best rotation in the big leagues. Look how they handled Arizona. The last few series have shown the Gigantes can compete as long as we have that one thing we've never had before.......a buttload of pitching.

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GIANTS WIN AGAIN?!

Benjie Molina goes 3 for 4 and drives in 5 runs in the Giants win and I gotta ask...is it possible to keep Molina around during the rebuild? Seriously. He can call a hell of a game. That leaves Sandoval to play third and the way Benjie has hit in the seasons he's been with the Giants......I mean who was the last catcher the Giants had that hit as consistently as Molina? Metheny? Torrealba? Alfonso? Manwaring? All honorable mention but Molina is alot more fun to watch. Keeping Molina around does NOT keep a youngster out of innings. Holm looks promising but he's not ready. Molina will need days off and he's a great clutch hitter off the bench for the pinch hit. Is any of this crossing Sabeans mind or are Benj's days in the orange and black numbered? A class guy like that is needed to show the youngsters how to handle themselves. Besides, the Giants in my opinion, with the way the younger players are playing are showing they don't have to deal out of desperation. These kids can play. Trading Winn and Molina will no doubt bring some nice prospects but will also hurt the depth of the team. Keeping them and giving playing time to the Giants, and maybe sign Joe Crede, will do more to help this team than I think many people realize. What do you think? This topic is open for discussion now...........
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Giants win again....

....Barry Zito wins and looks "impressive" in doing so. Whatever. Thats one win per Half a cajillion dollars. That deal still stinks and if I'm Barry Zito I gotta be thinking to myself the only ones making more for less are the oil companies. In fact, whats T.Boone Pickens' slider look like?

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whew

Lincecum gets out of the inning. Top of the ninth so I'll assume this game goes down as a win. Yea, I took the Nyquill anyway.

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game thread....oh man....

Crap. No sooner than I post that than Gardner gets up to the bullpen and takes Yabu with him.......looking for my Nyquill.....

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Game thread yet again...

Lincecum gets a double. Its the middle of the freakin 7th and Timmys batting which means I will keep on watching the game. Generally, my new rule is when Rags goes to the bullpen, I go to bed knowing that whatever lead the Gigantes have may or may not have evaporated when I wake up to my Pussycat Dolls Alarm Clock. Most of the time the lead is gone....

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Game Thread again...

200! 200 Strikeouts for Lincecum. With Cain and Sanchez, Madison Bumgarner on the horizon and now getting the chance to see Fred Lewis, Burriss, Sandoval and Bowker play some games it be nice if we can keep Molina and Winn.

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Lincecum at six strikeouts. Fastest I've seen so far has been 97mph. The ump has been a little iffy. Rowand just missed a diving catch. JT Snow is doing color commentary. Lincecum is throwing alot of heat this game....
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Game Thread

Pablo Sandoval just drilled a bullet to Ishikawa from third. Lincecum looking good. Burriss and Lewis got a 5 run rally started. Watching these kids is fun. Imagine if Posey can come up and play behind the plate. Sandoval can stay at third, Ishikawa at first and Bowker can go back outfield. Assuming they keep growing as hitters this team will have a little pop at the corners and the outfield with Rowand and Bowker, all of a sudden this lineup is looking promising. Benjie is hitting the ball hard. Winn has been quiet so far. Vida Blue popped in. That was fun hearing Vida.

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Megan Fox is HOT

Well I've decided I'm not saying a word about last nights game. What game? Who'd they play? How many errors? Nope. Not going down that road. Save the negative vibes for next year. Instead I'm looking ahead. Noah Lowry might start throwing off the mound. Nate Shierholtz will be back soon and called up. Kevin Frandsen is getting better. Jonathan Sanchez has a rotator cuff strain but seems to be okay. Assuming the Giants keep LinceCainChez and Lowry comes back and Correia and Zito, well, assuming the big three come back and Lowry pitches good enough to win games like he has in the past, the Giants season next year will be the most followed season by loyal Giants fans since 2003 when they changed owners and got a guy named Barry Lamar Bonds. Of course after they sign Joe Crede in the winter this team will be the one to watch and the big question is will Bruce Bochy come bck. I personally don't think he has lost it or done anything to deserve being fired considering the spot Brian Sabean put him in. Sabean of course WILL be gone. That needs to happen. But an overhaul of the system also needs to be in effect. Megan Fox needs to be the third base coach who's primary responsibilty should be signals. Now, all her signals shall start off with the gesture pictured above and go from there. The signals will be variations of this initial move. Right? How is this NOT a bad idea. Aurilia needs to stay, keep Omar, say goodbye to Roberts, trade Winn and Walker, sign help for the bully (or stick Merkin Valdez in here) and we are back in business. The Dodgers, despite signing Man-Ram still haven't run away with anything and the Rocks and Pads suck. That leaves Arizona who are the only team that look to be for real. The Giants have hung in fairly well considering there wasn't much there this year. And yea in a perfect world we'd sign a big bat but other than Manny Ramirez (will probably go to New York) who is out there? Oh yea, Barry Lamar Bonds. You know Sabean is playing with a lineup that includes Lewis, Winn, Rowand, Bonds, Molina, Bowker etc. and heck, that doesn't look to bad but Barry's is gone for good and the Gigantes need to hold steady. We are on the right course.

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Slow day in the world of the Giants but found this on Yahoo Sports:

The Giants stuck with Jose Castillo for more than four months despite his .244 average, lack of run production and 15 errors, seven more than ex-Giant Pedro Feliz has made in Philadelphia. It wasn't that management adored Castillo as much as it had a lack of alternatives.

"Overall, as a group, it's an area we can get better at," manager Bruce Bochy said.

The Triple-A third baseman is Scott McClain, 36, but the Giants already have a corner infielder that age, Rich Aurilia. Their Double-A third baseman was Rohlinger. Angel Villalona, the teenager from the Dominican Republic, opened his career at third but now is at first. It's too early for new draftee Conor Gillaspie.

With so much uncertainty at third - as well as first, where Travis Ishikawa was the third rookie used at the position this season - Aurilia has been a valuable asset, Bochy said.

Who'll be the Giants' third baseman in 2009? Will it be an open competition involving Rohlinger, Frandsen, maybe even Aurilia or Travis Denker? A trade? Adrian Beltre has been shopped. A free agent? Casey Blake and Joe Crede will be on the open market - so will Hank Blalock if the Rangers don't exercise his option.

For now, the Giants are taking a good look at Rohlinger.

"This is a chance for young guys to show what they can do," infield coach Ron Wotus said. "Any opportunity in the big leagues is an opportunity to grab a job. That's the bottom line."

Giant fans as you all know have been pulling a Sabean and asking the Giants to trade Cain and Lincecum and Sanchez and first born children for Crede and THANK GOD Sabean himself didn't pull the trigger on that. It was well noted though that 'tires were kicked" in regards to the third baseman so the betting money says the Gigantes and Aaron Rowan may try to persuade Crede to don the creme and orange for next season. Adding Crede would be a nice fit and if Fred Lewis continues to come along, it might not be the making of Murderers Row yet but at least Aggravated Assault Alley. Bowker hit a wall but I think he's still worth a look at first and see how he handles year two in the big leagues.

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