Among the recent good news, other than the Giants winning their first game of the season after Matt Cain's strong outing, is that Marc Kroon accepted the Giants sending him down to the minors. He had previously been reported by the Chronicle to not be willing to accept getting sent down.
A good spring training story, Kroon had been a top closer for a Japanese League team the past 6 seasons before being let go by that team, and it seems like he would have retired but his sons wanted him to try for the majors again. He decided on the Giants, probably because Bochy was his manager the last time he pitched in the majors, long ago, plus I think Flannery was his manager when he was in the minors. He pitched really well for them, 1.69 ERA in 11 appearances, 10.2 IP with only 6 hits and 4 walks, and 13 strikeouts.
It is uncertain whether he will be the closer or not in Fresno. Steve Edlefson has pitched well too, so he will get consideration as well. He was rated with the best slider in the Giants farm system by Baseball America in the past, I'll have to check later if they still rate him that high.
Giants Thoughts
I'm not sold on Mota, and I'm very intrigued by Kroon, since he still hitting high 90's with his fast ball. I'm glad he's staying and given the Giants penchant for a short leash with relievers, he might come up in place of Mota at some point in the season, plus you never know when there might be another injury.
I thought Kroon should have been kept instead of Mota. I like it that he's still in the organization. Sabes and Bochy must have told him there's a high probability he'll be called up before June 1.
ReplyDeleteAny news on Ishikawa? Seems like he would have been claimed by now, perhaps team is working out a trade with the claimer?
ReplyDeleteAnnonymous, I kind of doubt Ishikawa will be traded or claimed on waivers as any team that aquires him by trade or waiver claim will have to put him on their active mlb roster.
ReplyDeleteMost likely Travis will clear waivers and then the Giants will have to decide if they want to keep him and assign him to the monors. Travis does not have the option of declining such an assignment as teams can make such an assignment once (and only once) without the players approval to players without six years of MLB service time.