Team Building Exercise 99

Now that Kevin Frandsen has flexed his muscles and scared Pedro Feliz all the way to Philadelphia (for reportedly less money than the Giants offered), we’re one step closer to this lineup come March 31:

LF Roberts/Davis
3B Frandsen
RF Winn
C Molina
CF Rowand
2B Durham
1B Ortmeier
SS Vizquel
Pitcher

There are so many question marks, the team’s theme song this year should be “96 Tears.” (One for each loss? Gawd, I hope not.) I’ve only put Molina fourth because Bochy has said Rowand will hit fifth, but I think the team is better served with them switching places. Even better, if Durham can regain some semblance of his former self — are his 2003 numbers of .285 / .366 / .441 too much to ask? — I’d prefer this lineup:

LF Roberts/Davis
3B Frandsen
RF Winn
CF Rowand
2B Durham
C Molina
1B Ortmeier
SS Vizquel
Pitcher

If Ortmeier proves worthy from both sides of the plate, perhaps he could move up to 2^nd against righties to exploit the hole between 1^st and 2^nd base with a runner on, bumping Frandsen to 7^th. (Note that I’m hoping against hope that Ortmeier hits well enough to stave off a platoon with Aurilia. You can call me Polly, and you can call me Anna.)

I’m also assuming that Fred Lewis will take the 150 leadoff ABs that Dave Roberts will miss due to injury. If/when Roberts is traded, which Grant has pegged as the Giants’ #1 in-season priority, there will be more adjustments, perhaps Schierholtz taking over LF and Winn taking over the leadoff spot, like this:

RF Winn
3B Frandsen
LF Schierholtz
CF Rowand
2B Durham
C Molina
1B Ortmeier/(Aurilia?)
SS Vizquel
Pitcher

Got a better lineup? Tinker away.