2023 Spring Training

[LHG]

I don't see an MLB move, but with FZ you never know.

As for waiver wire pickups, there are currently no players available to claim. However, the Padres (Wacha), Dodgers (Reyes, Peralta), Cubs (Fulmer) and Diamondbacks (Chafin) have to make room on their 40 man rosters for recent signings but they could each do that with a 60 day IL placement (although the Padres and Diamondbacks don't have obvious possible placements right now) or a dfa.

 

[calsnowskier]

Michael Conforto (2019) and Mitch Haniger (2021) have had 30-homer seasons recently. Per Baseball Savant, their home ballparks (T-Mobile Park and Citi Field) have ranked as more offensively-depressed fields than even Oracle Park.

Will that translate to even more homers for the Giants in 2023? You would think so. Haniger, in particular, seems to have a swing designed for Oracle Park. BS estimated that 43 of his batted balls would have left Oracle Park in 2021.

IMO Conforto could struggle a little more as it seems like his power is geared more toward right-center/center.

We also should have reserved expectations for Conforto since he hasn’t played in over a year. Rust should absolutely be factored in.

 

[LHG]

We also should have reserved expectations for Conforto since he hasn’t played in over a year. Rust should absolutely be factored in.

Haniger is also a concern for staying healthy throughout the season.

 

[tzill]

The PECOTA projected standings are out with the Giants projected to go 82-80 with a 23.8 percent chance of reaching the playoffs. ZiPS projected them to go 88-74 last week but it wouldn’t be surprising to see them finish somewhere in between ZiPS and PECOTA.

 

[Mays-Fan]

The PECOTA projected standings are out with the Giants projected to go 82-80 with a 23.8 percent chance of reaching the playoffs. ZiPS projected them to go 88-74 last week but it wouldn’t be surprising to see them finish somewhere in between ZiPS and PECOTA.

Just to refresh our collective memories, we went 88-74 in 2014 during the regular season. Our winning percentage improved on that a bit during the playoffs.

 

[LHG]

The PECOTA projected standings are out with the Giants projected to go 82-80 with a 23.8 percent chance of reaching the playoffs. ZiPS projected them to go 88-74 last week but it wouldn’t be surprising to see them finish somewhere in between ZiPS and PECOTA.

So, maybe 85-77?

 

[LHG]

The Giants could potentially use the 60-day IL on Luke Jackson as soon as pitcher and catchers report on Wednesday. This would open up a 40-man roster spot whether it be a waiver claim or a MLB signing.

One possible waiver claim right now - Diamondbacks Designate Tyler Holton For Assignment

 

[LHG]

Looks like the Giants may be on the short list for Britton.

Zack Britton Working Out For Six Teams Today

Free agent and former All-Star closer Zack Britton worked out for six interested teams on Wednesday. Get more details at MLB Trade Rumors.

www.mlbtraderumors.com

 

[tzill]

So, maybe 85-77?

As good a guess as any.

I think we'll be a better team than last year and in contention for the WC. If the stars align, we could contend in the NLW.

 

[tzill]

Camilo Doval first introduced a sinker in mid-July last year and quickly began to achieve ground ball rates of 60-70% (avg = 43%). The new pitch generated a ridiculous -17.3° average launch angle, lowest among any pitch in baseball last year (min. 50 batted ball events).
https://twitter.com/BenKaspick/status/1625932437758046209/photo/1

 

[calsnowskier]

Looks like the Giants may be on the short list for Britton.

Zack Britton Working Out For Six Teams Today

Free agent and former All-Star closer Zack Britton worked out for six interested teams on Wednesday. Get more details at MLB Trade Rumors.

www.mlbtraderumors.com

Meh. Only on a NRI deal, imho. And I doubt he will have to accept an NRI, so I doubt we will be real contenders.

He has only pitched in approx 50 games since ‘19. Granted, ‘20 can be excused, but essentially missing both ‘21 and ‘22, at his age, is a concern. Especially when I don’t really see room in the bully atm.

 

[tzill]

Meh. Only on a NRI deal, imho. And I doubt he will have to accept an NRI, so I doubt we will be real contenders.

He has only pitched in approx 50 games since ‘19. Granted, ‘20 can be excused, but essentially missing both ‘21 and ‘22, at his age, is a concern. Especially when I don’t really see room in the bully atm.

Generally agree, but I'm not sure there is a major league contract out there for him.

He was another "bargain" reliever I suspected the Giants might be interested in given that he has appeared in just 19 innings since 2021.

 

[LHG]

Meh. Only on a NRI deal, imho. And I doubt he will have to accept an NRI, so I doubt we will be real contenders.

He has only pitched in approx 50 games since ‘19. Granted, ‘20 can be excused, but essentially missing both ‘21 and ‘22, at his age, is a concern. Especially when I don’t really see room in the bully atm.

Generally agree, but I'm not sure there is a major league contract out there for him.

He was another "bargain" reliever I suspected the Giants might be interested in given that he has appeared in just 19 innings since 2021.

I agree with both on passing, unless its on a minor league with an invite to spring camp.

I do think tzill is correct, though, on there is unlikely to be a big league deal forthcoming. He'll probably have to pick the NRI with the best option to break camp with the big league club.

 

[calsnowskier]

I agree with both on passing, unless its on a minor league with an invite to spring camp.

I do think tzill is correct, though, on there is unlikely to be a big league deal forthcoming. He'll probably have to pick the NRI with the best option to break camp with the big league club.

His numbers have still been generally good in the very limited time he has seen in the last few years. While you maybe right that all he will be able to get is an NRI, I am surprised some team hasn’t taken a MLB flier on him. I actually think his chances for moderate success are pretty high (I still don’t see him as a fit for us, however).

 

[LHG]

Man, the FO really has soured on Bart . . .

Giants' Brass Discusses Third Base, Catcher Situations

Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi and manager Gabe Kapler spoke with reporters today. They touched on a wide …

www.mlbtraderumors.com

And Villar is doing better than I expected with them.

 

[tzill]

[Pavlovic] Kyle Harrison will start the season in Triple-A and Giants expect third baseman Casey Schmitt to join him there. That would give both a good chance to debut this season.​

 

[calsnowskier]

[Pavlovic] Kyle Harrison will start the season in Triple-A and Giants expect third baseman Casey Schmitt to join him there. That would give both a good chance to debut this season.​

I expect both to be solid SF contributors THIS year. But I also am not surprised to see both start in Sacto. Imho, that is chalk.

 

[LHG]

[Pavlovic] Kyle Harrison will start the season in Triple-A and Giants expect third baseman Casey Schmitt to join him there. That would give both a good chance to debut this season.​

I expect both to be solid SF contributors THIS year. But I also am not surprised to see both start in Sacto. Imho, that is chalk.

I assume that both Colton Welker and Armando Alvarez are also slated to start the year in AAA. I do wonder, if all three are on the roster, if the Giants will just rotate them around the diamond, as it were. I would guess that Schmitt may see some more time at shortstop and maybe some time at 1st base as well. All may land at the DH spot too.

 

[calsnowskier]

I assume that both Colton Welker and Armando Alvarez are also slated to start the year in AAA. I do wonder, if all three are on the roster, if the Giants will just rotate them around the diamond, as it were. I would guess that Schmitt may see some more time at shortstop and maybe some time at 1st base as well. All may land at the DH spot too.

I wouldn’t be super surprised to see Schmitt get quite a bit of play at SS in Sacto. He got rave reviews from his time there in ‘22, and our future at the position is a bit murky atm.

Playing him at 1B, imho, would be somewhat pointless. He is much to skilled a fielder to play at 1B. Giving him DH reps would be just to give others 3B reps or to rest him. If he gets 1B time for the same essential reasons, fine, but I wouldn’t want to retard his growth at 3B or SS in favor of some other schlub getting 3B reps.

 

[LHG]

I wouldn’t be super surprised to see Schmitt get quite a bit of play at SS in Sacto. He got rave reviews from his time there in ‘22, and our future at the position is a bit murky atm.

Playing him at 1B, imho, would be somewhat pointless. He is much to skilled a fielder to play at 1B. Giving him DH reps would be just to give others 3B reps or to rest him. If he gets 1B time for the same essential reasons, fine, but I wouldn’t want to retard his growth at 3B or SS in favor of some other schlub getting 3B reps.

I agree, I just don't know what to expect from the Giants since they value versatility so much. I wouldn't be surprised if he even gets some playing time at 2nd and/or the outfield.