Spring training 2018

[MarcoPolo]

"the Giants do have a recourse to reclaim a portion of Gustavo Cabrera's $1.3 million signing bonus, now that the former outfield prospect is retiring as a 22-year-old. But I'm also told they have no plans to pursue that."

The "bolded" is why players will almost always consider the Giants: they routinely do stuff like that. They will release a 'vet' who signed a minor league contract who asks for it, they don't go after guys to put 200,000 back in their pockets, etc. Obviously, guys who are looking to maximize their earnings *right now* will follow the paycheck. But in the last 5-8 years, the only players I can think of that spoke negatively of the Giants were Pablo (he "didn't get enough respect") and Wilson ("Where's my RING!!") - and Wilson was a well-known head-case.

 

[SFGRTB]

"the Giants do have a recourse to reclaim a portion of Gustavo Cabrera's $1.3 million signing bonus, now that the former outfield prospect is retiring as a 22-year-old. But I'm also told they have no plans to pursue that."

The "bolded" is why players will almost always consider the Giants: they routinely do stuff like that. They will release a 'vet' who signed a minor league contract who asks for it, they don't go after guys to put 200,000 back in their pockets, etc. Obviously, guys who are looking to maximize their earnings *right now* will follow the paycheck. But in the last 5-8 years, the only players I can think of that spoke negatively of the Giants were Pablo (he "didn't get enough respect") and Wilson ("Where's my RING!!") - and Wilson was a well-known head-case.

I was wondering about this. So if the Giants DID decide to reclaim some of that, does that come straight from Cabrera's pocket or what?

 

[SFGRTB]

 

[SFGRTB]

So the roster is at 31, if my math is correct.

Basically it's down to Duggar, Blanco, Hernandez and Parker competing for two OF spots (unless the Giants decide to go with 4 OFers), Rutledge, Tomlinson, Sandoval and A.Blanco competing for two infield bench spots, and Holland, Osich and Fernandez competing for two pitching spots, unless the Giants carry 13 pitchers, or Blach is still in question.

 

[SFGRTB]

With what the Giants have left, here's how I'd go:

Bum
Cueto
Shark
Stratton

Melancon
Strickland
Watson
Dyson
Gearrin
Osich
Fernandez
Holland

Posey
Belt
Panik
Crawford
Longoria
Pence
Jackson
McCutchen

Hundley
Sandoval
Tomlinson
G.Blanco
Parker

I would start the season with four starters and Holland as the swing man. Giants only need a 5th starter twice in April. If Holland shits the bed, curb him for Blach. If he does well, install him into the rotation full-time come May. This allows the Giants to hang onto Fernandez for a bit as well.

Again, this is just my HOPE. What I fully expect to happen is Blach is on the team, and Fernandez is going back to the Rockies. His vacancy opens a spot for Holland to find a spot.

Gorkys is DFA'd for Blanco.

 

[calsnowskier]

Surprised, but not shocked about d’Arnaud. I thought he was establishing himself. Rutledge may still supplant KT, but I don’t dont see it. Sandoval is guaranteed a spot. He has been killing the ball in spring and showing heart on the field.

I don’t see a scenario (outside of injury) where Gregor doesn’t make the team. I like Gorkys, but his time has come.

IF they carry an extra bat, Parker is the man. He is only competing against roster construction at this point.

The Giants will need a #5 starter on the 10th, 15th and 21st in April. No chance they go with a 4-man. MAYBE Holland wins the job over Blach, but no way are they not carrying 5 starters. That said, I think Holland has made the team. Law is already a casualty, so that opens the slot for Holland or Fernandez. If they like Fernandez, I think he AT LEAST gets a shot. No way will they let Roberto Gomez stay on the 40 over him.

It looks like it might be a 40 race between Parker and Fernandez.

 

[LHG]

Surprised, but not shocked about d’Arnaud. I thought he was establishing himself. Rutledge may still supplant KT, but I don’t dont see it. Sandoval is guaranteed a spot. He has been killing the ball in spring and showing heart on the field.

I don’t see a scenario (outside of injury) where Gregor doesn’t make the team. I like Gorkys, but his time has come.

IF they carry an extra bat, Parker is the man. He is only competing against roster construction at this point.

The Giants will need a #5 starter on the 10th, 15th and 21st in April. No chance they go with a 4-man. MAYBE Holland wins the job over Blach, but no way are they not carrying 5 starters. That said, I think Holland has made the team. Law is already a casualty, so that opens the slot for Holland or Fernandez. If they like Fernandez, I think he AT LEAST gets a shot. No way will they let Roberto Gomez stay on the 40 over him.

It looks like it might be a 40 race between Parker and Fernandez.

There would be no need to dfa Gomez if Hernandez is dfa'd, unless the Giants keep Fernandez and pick up Holland. However, the Giants may opt to put Will Smith on the 60 day, depending on how long he has to be ready to pitch again.

 

[LHG]

I'm slightly bothered by Williamson's demotion, he earned a roster spot but he continues to be devalued by the club and his option makes it easy.

I'm surprised only by d'Arnaud and maybe Jose Valdez being sent down. d'Arnaud had better numbers, at least he did a couple of days ago, than Andres Blanco, but Blanco is still in the running to take Tomlinson's spot. Valdez was pitching well enough to be considered for a bullpen spot but that may already been decided at least two weeks ago in Holland's favor.

And when did the Giants get Travis Shaw and be able to keep him with adding him to the 40 man?

 

[SFGRTB]

Surprised, but not shocked about d’Arnaud. I thought he was establishing himself. Rutledge may still supplant KT, but I don’t dont see it. Sandoval is guaranteed a spot. He has been killing the ball in spring and showing heart on the field.

I don’t see a scenario (outside of injury) where Gregor doesn’t make the team. I like Gorkys, but his time has come.

IF they carry an extra bat, Parker is the man. He is only competing against roster construction at this point.

The Giants will need a #5 starter on the 10th, 15th and 21st in April. No chance they go with a 4-man. MAYBE Holland wins the job over Blach, but no way are they not carrying 5 starters. That said, I think Holland has made the team. Law is already a casualty, so that opens the slot for Holland or Fernandez. If they like Fernandez, I think he AT LEAST gets a shot. No way will they let Roberto Gomez stay on the 40 over him.

It looks like it might be a 40 race between Parker and Fernandez.

I'm only counting the 12th and the 22st they'll need a 5th starter.

I think Parker vs. Fernandez could be a fair assessment though.

With Pablo being a switch hitter, Hundley potent with on the right side, Tomlinson able to cover the OF in a pinch, and Blanco capable of playing all 3 OF spots, you could convince me that the Giants have enough versatility on the bench to get away with 13 pitchers.

 

[SFGRTB]

There would be no need to dfa Gomez if Hernandez is dfa'd, unless the Giants keep Fernandez and pick up Holland. However, the Giants may opt to put Will Smith on the 60 day, depending on how long he has to be ready to pitch again.

They were talking May 1st, so I doubt they've want to wait all the way until June at the earliest. Though the way Osich has looked this Spring, it makes you think that perhaps the Giants could afford to play it safe with him. It's risky to put a ton of stock into it though.

 

[calsnowskier]

They were talking May 1st, so I doubt they've want to wait all the way until June at the earliest. Though the way Osich has looked this Spring, it makes you think that perhaps the Giants could afford to play it safe with him. It's risky to put a ton of stock into it though.

The Giants are all of the sudden deep in lefties, though. Watson, Blach, Holland, Osich, Okert and Snelton on the 40 with Parra and Suarez ready if needed. Not that I am advocating putting Smith on the 60, but it would buy the team some time to evaluate the rest of the inventory.

 

[msgkings322]

"the Giants do have a recourse to reclaim a portion of Gustavo Cabrera's $1.3 million signing bonus, now that the former outfield prospect is retiring as a 22-year-old. But I'm also told they have no plans to pursue that."

The "bolded" is why players will almost always consider the Giants: they routinely do stuff like that. They will release a 'vet' who signed a minor league contract who asks for it, they don't go after guys to put 200,000 back in their pockets, etc. Obviously, guys who are looking to maximize their earnings *right now* will follow the paycheck. But in the last 5-8 years, the only players I can think of that spoke negatively of the Giants were Pablo (he "didn't get enough respect") and Wilson ("Where's my RING!!") - and Wilson was a well-known head-case.

Dude was a head case but he was my 2nd favorite Giant in 2010. So much fun having him.

 

[msgkings322]

I'm slightly bothered by Williamson's demotion, he earned a roster spot but he continues to be devalued by the club and his option makes it easy.

I'm surprised only by d'Arnaud and maybe Jose Valdez being sent down. d'Arnaud had better numbers, at least he did a couple of days ago, than Andres Blanco, but Blanco is still in the running to take Tomlinson's spot. Valdez was pitching well enough to be considered for a bullpen spot but that may already been decided at least two weeks ago in Holland's favor.

And when did the Giants get Travis Shaw and be able to keep him with adding him to the 40 man?

This is just deep organizational stuff, they simply prefer aging vet position players to prospects, unless the prospect makes it a no doubt 'duh' move (Posey). Mac has to take a back seat to Blanco, at least for now. This was true in the 2010-14 era too.

 

[calsnowskier]

This is just deep organizational stuff, they simply prefer aging vet position players to prospects, unless the prospect makes it a no doubt 'duh' move (Posey). Mac has to take a back seat to Blanco, at least for now. This was true in the 2010-14 era too.

He and Blanco fill different roles. Blanco is a CF/defense first bu OFer. Mac is a decent corner OF with a bat. They were NEVER competing for the same spot.

 

[douggie]

 

[LHG]

The outfielders look like statues. Bumgarner looks ready for the season.

 

[calsnowskier]

Bum be like “Ohtani who?”

 

[SFGRTB]

How about we DFA Dyson and keep Fernandez

 

[calsnowskier]

How about we DFA Dyson and keep Fernandez

Seriously...

I know ST numbers mean jack shit, but he is looking atrocious. Anyone actually watching him? Is he just working on a single pitch? Is he ignoring the game situation to work on a specific aspect?

 

[LHG]

How about we DFA Dyson and keep Fernandez

Seriously...

I know ST numbers mean jack shit, but he is looking atrocious. Anyone actually watching him? Is he just working on a single pitch? Is he ignoring the game situation to work on a specific aspect?

Samardzija's numbers are almost as bad. Let's replace him with Derek Holland.

In all seriousness, Dyson's numbers look awful. He's given up 4 home runs in 6 innings (along with another 9 hits and 3 walks), but other than strikeouts, Fernandez' numbers aren't that different from Dyson.
I think that Dyson is safe, for now. I would guess his leash will be short if he continues that awfulness into the season and it may push the FO to consider 13 pitchers. But would the Giants really carry 4 lefties in the bullpen once Smith comes back (Holland, Osich, Smith and Watson, assuming Dyson becomes the casualty)?