Now that the smoke has cleared from the initial free-agent signing blitz and the Rule 5 Draft has been completed, where do the Giants currently stand going into next year and how can they improve their chances before spring training?
The rapid-fire signings of Jeremy Affeldt, Edgar Renteria and Randy Johnson plugged some obvious weak spots, but many remain. First base, Third base and Second base are still question marks. Geez, that's all of the bases!!! At best, we have elevated to a team that may challenge the .500 mark. That leaves fans hoping that like last year, .500 is good enough to challenge for the division crown. Maybe GM Brian Sabean should set his sights a little higher.
The Rule 5 Draft cleared a few items up. First, what was gained. The Giants picked RHP Luis Perdomo from the Cardinals in the Major League phase of the draft, which means Perdomo has to be on the roster next year. He's a 25 year old relief pitcher, 6-0, 170 lbs. with a reported 93-94 MPH fastball and a "dastardly" slider according to Baseball America that allowed him to hold RH hitters to .153 average in the minors last year. A situational reliever. Maybe means bye-bye to Kevin Correia, Merkin Valdez or Jack Taschner.
The Giants lost OF Ben Copeland to the A's in the Major League phase. He was a AA player at Connecticut who was dropping off the radar as a prospect due to his age (25). They lost C Elio Sarmiento to Texas and 2B Kyle Haines to Philadelphia in the AAA phase. Not a highly rated prospect in the bunch.
The Giants did not lose 3B Jesus Guzman (24), recently acquired from the A's, after knocking around the last couple of years in AA with the A's and Mariners. Guzman's bat has blossomed in Venezuela this winter enough to attract other teams attention as a Rule 5 prospect. The fact that he was not snatched may indicate that his recent development is considered a bit of an anomaly, but he should replace 3B Ryan Rohlinger as a challenger to either Conor Gilaspie or Pablo Sandoval at third base.
As for the current roster and positions, here's my current take:
Starting Pitching: STRENGTH
Lincecum, Cain, Randy Johnson and Barry Zito backed up by the pick a lefty combo of Noah Lowry and Johnathan Sanchez (loser traded?)
No need to look at RHP Paul Byrd as an option anymore.
Relief Pitching: STRENGTH
Brian Wilson as the closer, backed by Affeldt, Bobby Howry, Sergio Romo, Alex Hinshaw and Perdomo with Taschner, Valdez and Correia looking for new addresses.
Affeldt signing removes LHP Will Ohlman as a free-agent to look at. If closer were an issue Jason Isringhausen and maybe Trevor Hoffman would be options, but too pricey given the mileage IMO. Howry removes Braden Looper as a potential signee.
CATCHING: STRENGTH
Either Molina and Sandoval split duties (close to ideal) or Buster Posey proves he is the real deal in spring training and forces a Molina trade (be still my heart <3). I think we are OK here going forward.
INFIELD: NIGHTMARISH
The signing of Edgar Renteria takes care of the need at SS. I could live with the winner of Eugenio Velez and Manny Burris at 2B (both are switch hitters) with Kevin Frandsen maybe in the mix as well. Unless Conor Gilaspie is the REAL DEAL at 3B, this is a problem. I'd settle for the second coming of Bill Mueller or even Al Gallagher at this point. Guzman and possibly Sandoval or Frandesen could compete here as well. I'm rooting for Gilaspie on the basis of upside. First base will be a glorious competition between Travis Ishakawa, Sandoval, John Bowker and journeyman Josh Phelps (that's how bad it is).
Signing Joe Crede would help 3B for now, but would delay Gilaspie's development. Sean Casey might help at 1B or Erik Hinske. Pat Burrell could help either at 1B-3B or LF. Hinske is a flex player as well.
OUTFIELD: SOMNOLENT
Freddie Lewis in LF, Aaron Rowand fixed in CF and Randy Winn in RF with Nate Schierholtz competing for a starting spot in right or left and Dave Roberts cashing $6.5M per to backup. Between his salary and Zito's $14.5M, we're paying $21M in salary to guys who suck and are living off their glory days.
Burrell in LF would be an improvement. Bobby Abreu will likely end up elsewhere. Eric Hinske would be the economic option. Burrell and Abreu would lend some credibility to the worst OF group in MLB.
Well, there you go. Get to work Mr. Sabean, the clock is ticking. It won't be long until we hear those magic words, "Pitchers and Catchers Report".
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