This spring consisted of many position battles for the San Francisco Giants.  There were numerous question marks surrounding the Opening Day lineup and none more intriguing than at first base.

The search for a first baseman has been an extensive one as the Giants have been waiting to hand over the reigns to anyone for the past few years now.  After searching under rocks, in caves, and even the San Diego Padres organization, the Giants have are simply out of options if these two do not work out during the 2009 season. 

The two potential starters battling it out in Scottsdale, Arizona were little known Travis Ishikawa (pictured) and Sacramento native John Bowker. 

Bowker and Isikawa are expected to be an integral part of the new wave Giant prospects that are getting an opportunity to play during these rebuilding years.

Bowker was a highly touted collegiate player drafted in the third round out of powerhouse Long Beach State while Ishikawa was a raw left-handed hitter drafted in the 21^st round out of Federal Way High School in suburbia Seattle. 

Heading into February the table was set for either to finally claim the position as their own.  Both players performed fairly well during Spring Training in the early beginning, but eventually it was Ishikawa that pulled ahead. 

Ishikawa provided the most pop by slugging seven homeruns, fifteen RBI’s, and batting a healthy .316.  Compared to Bowker’s two homeruns, ten RBI’s and .211 batting average, the decision became an easy one.  And for you Rich Aurilia cult followers itching for an update, he did manage to hit .357 with two jacks making most wonder if he will ever dissolve into obscurity.

On Sunday the Giants made the announcement that they had optioned John Bowker back to the minors.  The demotion solidifies the roles at first base, as Travis Ishikawa will be the Opening Day starter while being mentored and backed up by Aurilia.

This spring Ishikawa managed to create quite a buzz for himself.  The Giants are desperate for pop, as they managed only 94 homeruns which made them the second team in baseball to hit less than 100 since the expansion Marlins of 1993.  San Francisco is praying his seven homeruns and .632 slugging percentage can carry over into the season.    

While there is room for optimism, one must remember to not get their expectations too high by completely buying into the spring training performance.

Do not expect towering bombs over the right field fence ala Willie McCovey and then to have his career remembered by naming a portion of the San Francisco Bay “Ishikawa Cove”.  Do not expect a smooth stroke roping gap shots in every clutch moment like Will Clark.  Do not expect effortless back hand picks out of the dirt or flawless execution on ground balls like JT Snow.   

Expect the highs and lows of a rookie, streaky hitting with occasional power.  Be patient with the errors and missed opportunities while learning on the job.  He may be a professional baseball player, but he is still a rookie.

Consistency is the measuring stick between the great ones and everyone else.  But even if he does end up like everyone else, it’s still an upgrade over last year.    

      This past week the Giants made an expensive decision to part ways with one of their veterans.  Outfielder Dave Roberts was given his release after attempts to move him went array this past offseason.   

The move will cost the Giants $6.5 million, making this the largest amount owed to a player after his release in team history. 

After being projected as the Giants fifth outfielder in 2009, the Giants felt it was in their best interest to take a longer look at some of their younger players such as Eugenio Velez and John Bowker. General Manager Brian Sabean tried to trade Dave Roberts but the market just isn’t there for an aging outfielder with injury concerns. 

But what type of market has there ever been for a player like Dave Roberts?

One might already be wondering how Dave Roberts was even owed that amount of money in the first place?  His most memorable accomplishment would be stealing second base as a pinch-runner in the 2004 American League Championship Series, sparking the Red Sox to their first World Series title in more than 80 years.  A mixture of the East Coast bias in the media and the microscope put over that particular series allowed “the steal” to give off the impression he could suddenly play.

Brian Sabean turned out to be one of those people a few years later, as he inked Roberts to a three-year deal worth $18 million.  The move showed how desperate the Giants were, as they forced the issue and then suffered the consequences the following two years. 

There are some rules in free agency GM’s need to pay more attention to.  You do not commit that type of money or playing time to a 34 year-old journeyman, especially a guy who came off of his “career year” for one of the worst offensive teams in baseball in back to back years.  If the best a player can do in his eight year career is this, and still only manages a career best 129 games that same season, you have to wonder why Sabean has a job at times.  He was a player who could only start on a bad team, and that’s what this move made the Giants when he became the starter. 

San Francisco tried to trade him, but who would pay that outrageous amount for a guy who has never resembled anything more than a fourth outfielder throughout his entire career?  Sabean never had a chance to redeem himself regarding this acquisition as Roberts was impossible to move, and things worsened with the knee troubles that required off-season surgery.

All things aside, there was one possible window of opportunity that could have made this a more positive experience for San Francisco. 

Haven’t there been grumblings from the Dodger’s clubhouse concerning a certain ex-centerfielder? 

A proposed a trade for Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Juan Pierre, who is the lost stepchild in the Dodger’s outfield, would have made a lot of sense.  Here’s a guy that wants nothing more than a chance to play, and with a vacant leadoff spot in the Giant’s batting order, it had the possibility to be a perfect marriage. 

On the other side, the Dodgers could get their fourth outfielder and rid themselves of a guy moaning and groaning about playing time.  So much for that opportunity, should have ran down Sabean at the local pizza buffet sooner.

In the end the move proves to be costly, but you would also be scratching your head if a player was getting paid that amount to be strictly a pinch-runner.  The move makes sense, and regardless of the money they lose, its addition by subtraction. 

The real question regarding this move is why it took so long?  The Giants may try to sugarcoat the release by telling Roberts that they are in another rebuilding year and would like to go young.  The truth is, he is not a good enough player to make the cut in this organization.

Honestly, he never was. 

 For a Major League baseball team, an off-season is generally used to address certain areas in their ball club that need be improved upon for a productive upcoming season.  An offseason is then considered successful when you can enter spring training without any questions marks.  Unfortunately for the San Francisco Giants, the one thing to expect for the 2008-2009 season are the questions marks.

 This spring, Scottsdale, Arizona will be home to numerous position battles, but none seem to be more heated than at second base.  With three, maybe four players vying for the starting gig, it won’t be known until the end of spring training to see who finally earns the job.   

 Emmanuel Burris, Kevin Frandsen and Eugenio Velez all hope to be the player with their name on the opening day lineup card.  Each has their own unique strengths, but similar to the rest of the Giant’s lineup, all far from being a consistent asset.

 Emmanuel Burris, pictured, is considered the sharpest with the glove as the speedy middle infielder has the best range of the group.  Burris is one of the few hundred prospects the Giants pulled up last season and actually played well enough to stay the rest of the way.  He was penciled in as the future at shortstop after Omar Vizquel and his .220 batting average were finally benched during last season.  Now the organization has labeled him as a second baseman due to the signing of Edgar Renteria.  Burris doesn’t carry a big stick, but he can steal some bags which will become essential in the Giant’s small ball lineup.  His youth makes him a bright spot for the Giants future, but only time will tell when he will make a difference.

 Kevin Frandsen is a local kid who grew up on the peninsula and played third base at San Jose State University.  At 26 years of age, he has the most experience in the big leagues of the three due to some mid-season call-ups the last couple of years.  After making the 2005 All-Star Futures Game in Detroit, many considered him to be next in line for the job after trading away Ray Durham.  However, a ruptured left Achilles changed everything as he missed all but one game last year.  His swing and legs are considered to be back at full strength after spending the past offseason in the Dominican Republic for winter ball.  The Giants front office remains optimistic on Frandsen due to his play during the final month of the 2007 season where he managed to hit .370.  That potential combined with his experience compels many to believe he’s the front-runner.

 The player with the longest shot to start at second base is also the player who got the most playing time at the position a year ago.  Velez is lightning quick switch-hitter who has shown flashes of pop.  At age 27, he’s the oldest of the three but had not seen extensive play in the big leagues until last year. The Giants became frustrated with his decision-making at the plate and combined with a lack of development with the glove, he was handed a mid-season demotion to the minors last season.  The former Toronto Blue Jay improved when he was called back up but is still considered a raw talent.  Velez’s realistic shot at making the roster depends on his ability to play the outfield where he could become a valuable utility player.  If not, he will probably head back to the minors to begin the year.

 The fourth player to be considered in the race for second base is veteran infielder Juan Uribe who was signed this past winter to a minor league deal.  The former Chicago White Sox utility infielder should be considered a dark horse for the position.  The Giants are desperate for some pop in the batting order which is something Uribe can provide, as he has managed to hit over 20 homeruns three out of the past five years.  The eight year veteran is a former world champion and dependable with the glove.  Although he is taking majority of his ground balls at third base and shortstop during spring training, don’t be surprised if the nephew of former Giant’s shortstop Jose Uribe gets the call to start at second.

 Not to be overlooked are the similar characteristics between the four.  Each has never consistently hit for a high average, all have minimal experience playing the position defensively and none have played at a high level consistently well.  Three of the four players should be in the minors while the other is a major league backup at best.

 The entire second base situation makes a strong comparison to a clogged toilet.  Truth is, there is an overflow of waste at the position, and the only way for the Giants to improve would be to flush everything out.  There could have been an attempt to sign bargain Gold Glover Orlando Hudson.  Mark Grudzielanek and Durham remain available in the free agent market, which would fit right in with the rest of the 35 year old plus free agents the Giants have been signing.

 If the Giants wish to capitalize on the high expectations the starting rotation carries, there has to be an improvement at the second base position.  If not, than the Giants can put the seat down on the hopes of a winning season.

As the days narrow down to Spring Training, the Giant’s front office continues to hustle it’s way into a more respectable ballclub.  The Giants seemed hesitant to commit to another re-building year, as they promptly opened their checkbook the last few months in attempt to re-invent their image.

This past week was no different, as the Giants acted upon their insecurities by adding veteran infielders Juan Uribe and Rich Aurilia. 

Juan Uribe was signed to join the rest of the second base militia composed of Emmanuel Burris, Kevin Frandsen, and Eugenio Velez.  A career .253 hitter, Uribe’s eight major league seasons are more than the previous three names combined.  He will be counted on most to provide pop, but his versatility does offer the Giants some options concerning pitching matchups.  His ability to play shortstop, third and second base make this signing intriguing and it would not be surprising to see him wind up starting full-time at one of those positions.

If there is any spot in the world for Rich Aurilia to play baseball, it’s San Francisco.  11 of his 14 years have been spent in the orange and black while ranking among the top 10 in several categories during the Giants’ San Francisco era (since 1958), including hits (sixth, 1,200), games (sixth, 1,232), doubles (seventh, 230) and RBIs (10th, 558).  He platooned fairly well last year for the Giants hitting .283.  He managed to fill in at the corner infield positions and provided a positive veteran presence.  Needless to say if he is getting a frequent amount of at-bats, its not a good sign for the team’s playoff chances.

The Giants continued their trend of signing non-impact veterans by offering a contract to Joe Credea few days ago.  Apparently looking for a deal in the seven million dollar range, Crede would be penciled in as the starting third baseman, thus leaving the Pablo Sandoval project in question.  A debatable all-star in last year’s mid-season classic, Crede would bring World Series experience with a potential to hit over 20 jacks.  Giants have yet to address their lack of power this off-season and now seem to be scrambling for a cheap source of power.  It does not seem likely Crede will sign, but the Giant’s front office remains hopeful.

Lastly, to round out the infield in off-season transactions, the Giants managed to ink Will Clark.  No truth to the rumor he was signed to start at first base.  Instead, he will be an active front office representative assisting at various in-season and off-season events.  He will also serve as a consultant during spring training while instituting the “Giant Attitude”, as described by Giant’s Managing General Partner and CEO Bill Neukom.

The past few weeks have marked the busiest time in the Giant’s offseason.  While General Manager Brian Sabean continues to stay in the gray area with his checkbook, holding back on big spending with proven studs but still throwing millions at the leftovers, the season’s outcome seems to be crystal clear…no baseball in October.

    The final days of second baseman Jeff Kent have been numbered as he announced his retirement last Thursday.  Forever known for his power-hitting numbers and confrontational attitude, Kent will soon become a Hall of Famer.  The final question regarding Jeff Kent is determining which team he played for will be represented in Cooperstown?

 During Kent’s 17 year career in the major leagues, he managed to embed himself as one of the greatest second base hitters of all-time.  Playing in the city by the bay from 1997-2002, San Francisco was home to many controversial but spectacular moments. Despite the bumps in the road, there can be no denying his greatness from the numbers produced.

 Kent became the all-time leader in homeruns for a second baseman with 376 round-trippers.  He won the Silver Slugger award four times from 2000-02 and ‘05, which is awarded to the best offensive player at their position.  Throughout his career, he was an RBI machine and even became the first second baseman to finish among the top five in RBIs four times.  Starting in 1997, he had at least 90 RBIs for the following nine seasons and hit over 20 homeruns a dozen times.

 When reflecting on his career, its evident that the five-time all-star’s tenure in San Francisco was what put him among the elite.  His decorated career was topped off with a National League MVP award in 2000 with 114 runs, 33 jacks, 125 RBIs and a batting average of .334.  He was even voted in the top ten three other occasions for that same trophy.  During his six years in orange and black, Kent delivered at least 100 RBIs and 22 homeruns leading the Giants to a streak of six winning seasons.  The Giants were consistently a threat to win the NL pennant each year, as he and Barry Bonds formed one of the league’s most dynamic tandems.

 But many use the fact that batting cleanup behind Bonds was the reason for his huge numbers.  The true explanation lies within his clutch hitting which allowed Bonds to score a minimum of 117 runs five out of six seasons.  They relied on one another equally for individual and team success.  In 2000, it was Bonds who emphatically suggested Kent to be the league’s MVP.

 However, a throw-down in the dugout during the 2002 season topped the two super ego’s strained relationship.  This incident seemed to seal the fate alluding to Kent’s departure, as he then signed with the Houston Astros and continued his productive career.  As Robin to Barry’s Batman, the two are among the all-time great duos in Giant’s baseball. 

 Before and after Kent, the Giants found themselves on the losing path.  Without his bat in the middle of the lineup, the Giants were never able to capitalize on the millions of walks Bonds drew.  The losses answered the questions concerning Kent’s value.

 In the legacy of second basemen, he is up there with the greats such as Roger Hornsby and Charlie Gehringer.  In comparison with Hall of Famers Ryne Sandberg, Bobby Doerr or Tony Lazzeri, Kent convincingly surpasses them with his overall offensive numbers.   Joe Gordon had seasons of brilliance, but failed to match the longevity of Kent’s success.  

 As the next five years wind down, a plaque bearing Jeff Kent’s grin and mustache will surely be mounted on a wall in Cooperstown.  But more appropriately, there should an “SF” dawning the cap.

 The Giant fans owe you a thank you Jeff.    

  Manny Ramirez is a special kind of player.  The many different sides of Manny can be condensed as a free-spirit known for carrying a big stick, never hustling, playing horrible defense, and disrupting the cohesion of a ballclub. 

People will never forget the physical altercations with teammates and team personnel not to mention a questioned desire to play everyday.   Package that along with a four to five year contract worth 25 million annually for a guy 36 years of age.  Who really needs a player like that?

The San Francisco Giants do and they need him desperately.

Signing Manny Ramirez would strengthen the Giant’s most glaring weakness, the lineup.  In 2008, the Giants were last in the league in home runs and finished second to last in both slugging percentage and runs scored in the National League.  They need a power-hitting threat in the middle of the order.  Manny fulfills this need, as he finished third in batting average, second in slugging percentage and third in OPS among all major leaguers.  Manny managed to club 37 home runs and had 121 runs batted in as well.  His home run total more than doubles last year’s team leader for the Giants.   

But with adding such a huge contract, skepticism soon ensues.  Many questions would be brought up about his past, which shouldn’t even be an issue.  San Francisco was home to Barry Bonds for 15 years, so could it really get any worse?  If we as fans could handle Barry, we can handle anything.

So what if Manny is a defensive liability. Barry was a beefed-up manikin in left field, so at worst it can be considered a wash. 

Manny doesn’t run hard on the base paths. Whatever, Barry ran the same speed whether he was intentionally walked or hit a shot into the gap.

People will worry about his me-first attitude and that there is a possibility of him becoming a cancer for this young ballclub. Maybe so, but don’t forget the Giants made it through the circus that followed Barry throughout the steroid scandal and record-breaking moments.  Heck, if Manny shows up for the team picture, we are already one step ahead.

The Giants owe it to themselves and to the fans to sign Manny.  From what was once thought to be another rebuilding year in 2009, General Manager Brian Sabean changed direction by signing four veteran players over the age of 30 during the offseason.  The signing of Randy Johnson shored up a rotation that now gives them the most Cy Young award winners in baseball and can be considered the best in the National League West.  The Giants pitching alone gives them a chance to make a run for the NL West.  And if in a seven game series, no team would want to face Tim Lincecum twice. Especially if he and the rest of the staff can get some run support.

Unfortunately, year after year the Giants front office adds a few sub par veteran pieces to give a false impression of improvement.  Sabean has the belief that the West is continually wide open and could fall into the lap of anyone.  Teams win the West not because they are good enough, but because everyone else is so bad.  Never has there been the notion to stack the lineup and load up the bullpen with hopes of not just winning the West, but actually winning it all.

Signing Manny would be the cure-all, giving the Bay Area a sense of excitement and belief that the Giants will win again. People would rather not see Pablo Sandoval bat third and be “protected” in the lineup by Aaron Rowand.  The Giants saw a huge decrease in attendance during ‘08, and nothing will change in 2009 without Manny.  The Giants averaged 40,031 fans a game from 2000-07.  2008 had only 35,356 fans thus marking the lowest attendance in AT&T Park history.

With a solid five-man rotation, more dependable bullpen and the possibility of Manny Ramirez coming to the city by the bay, it looks like the rebuilding project may never have to take place.  So as the Giants continue to put the pieces together for the 2009 season, it’s obvious what missing piece would complete the puzzle.  

So San Francisco Giants, why not Manny?

Please welcome Andrew Stuart to the SOS team. Andrew will be covering the San Francisco Giants.
 
Andrew writes: “Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, I have been a huge San Francisco Giants fan.  As a child,  I idolized “the Thrill”, hoping to become a right-handed Will Clark.  Unable to hit a good split, I went on to graduate from the University of California, Santa Barbara studying both Sports Management and Global Studies.  Now back in the Bay Area, I enjoy both sports and traveling the globe. I look forward to educating the audience about Giants baseball.” 

Congratulations, Andrew!

Benjamin Edwards - Editor, Studyofsports.com

We’ve learned that Tim Lincecum has won the National League Cy Young award. Tim is the youngest NL winner since Dwight Gooden won the award in 1985 at the age of 20.