- Erick Threets
- Merkin Valdez
- Dan Ortmeier
- Fred Lewis
- Rajai Davis
In addition to Threets, Merkin could be out of the organization by the time the season starts. Neither are likely to pitch so well to push out an incumbent but that's why they play the game, maybe they finally figure things out. Bochy noted that Merkin's delivery looked more compact and controlled, so who knows?
If they are waived, I expect both of them to be picked up by another team. If lesser prospects like Coutlangus (Reds) and Burres (Orioles) get picked up, then most prospects with a pulse are most probably goners.
That's too bad in Merkin's case. We all had such a buildup over the year and to see him leave the organization and then do well elsewhere would hurt. But that's life.
The position players are probably going to make the team this season unless one of them are traded. Today's Merc talked about how Rowand is making a big push for his buddy Crede, and Baggarly wrote that it might take only a Fred Lewis to get Crede, instead of the rumored Jonathan Sanchez.
I would be greatly saddened by that as, while I don't think Lewis will ever be as good as many Giants fans currently think he can be, I still would like to see what he could do as a Giant, because he has shown some flashes of good stuff that I would like to see. Also, we would lose him either for a short-term rental for 2008 or, worse, sign him to a multi-year contract when he's no better than Feliz only younger and a bit worse defensively, though still very good overall.
Even worse, if Durham does do well, then we have no spot for Frandsen to play as 3B would then be occupied. I would be severely disappointed with Sabean if he does this oft-rumored trade, it would not fit in with what he's been saying. And while I understand that not every move/tactic is in line with the overall strategy, given the need for the Giants to find out what Frandsen can do in the majors, they must leave 3B open as an option for Frandsen in case Durham is back.
We need to look to the future and while Crede would help the present, I think it would be better for our future to find out what Lewis can do, rather than verify that Crede is just another Feliz-like hitter.
While I am not a really big supporter of getting Crede, if it only took Lewis to get him (which I am skeptical of), I really don't see much of a downside here. Lewis is the odd man out, so his roster spot is really not needed. They have a lot more candidates that can take that spot with about the same production, now and into the future. Crede would not really be blocking anyone's progress, so long as the Giants do not commit to a long term contract for him. I don't consider Frandsen blocked since he should not be playing 3B anyway. Perhaps it might even be a good thing to get Crede for the main purpose of playing Frandsen at 2B over Durham.
ReplyDeleteI generally agree with your comment overall. People are too high on Lewis, and the dichotomy I find interesting is that while they like him, they don't care for Ortmeier, who has basically the same career OPS as Lewis and was viewed as good enough for Barry Bonds to spend time tutoring in spring training.
ReplyDeleteI just like Lewis and hope the Giants are able to trade Randy Winn away, which would open up playing time in RF for Schierholtz and Lewis. If we could get Crede for Timpner, I would share your opinion more strongly about getting a rental (Boras rarely, if ever, has a player sign before free agency; can't really name one off the top of my head).
And I don't view Lewis as odd man out, he is a perfect candidate to be the 4/5 outfielder on a team, some power, some speed, ability to get on base. Schierholtz is the odd man out because he should be starting and as long as Randy Winn is around, Nate's going to Fresno. I would be OK with that as long as the plan is to trade Winn before the trade deadline for a couple of good prospects.
I don't think that Frandsen should be starting at 3B full-time either, I just want him to get pretty regular ABs, with Aurilia getting the rest of the ABs at 3B.
I don't think getting Crede would force the Giants to start Frandsen at 2B, they would go with whoever "won", and the deck is loaded for Durham. I can see Frandsen getting basically one start each week at 2B, 3B, and SS if he is thrust in the utility role, but I really would like to see him get at least 4 starts per week. 1B? LF?