When the Giants Come to Town, It's Bye-Bye Baby

02.29.2008
First-Day Fallout

3 P.M. UPDATE: Durham had four at-bats as DH today, so his shoulder can’t be too sore. Other notables from today’s split-squad action: Eddie Martinez-Esteve, back from the dead, hit a home run off Shingo Takatsu, who has had a bit of major-league experience. Lincecum pitched a scoreless 2 2/3 innings.

Here’s another Giants prospect list, complete with entertaining prospect-nerd discussion.

***

Noah Lowry kicked off the exhibition season yesterday with a horrendous outing, Kevin Correia followed suit, and say hey, it’s only spring training. Not only that, it’s Optimism Week!

In that spirit, pay no mind if today’s starters, Tim Lincecum and Jonathan Sanchez, put up embarrassing numbers. The only thing we should care about right now is health. Did the Giants’ youngsters finish their work pain-free and mechanically sound? That’s the bottom line. Lowry yesterday said he felt good and his only problem was too much adrenaline. Inquiring minds will certainly watch closely next time he’s on the mound. 

With reporters noting that Lincecum seemed to tone down his windup in practices — and the revelation that he has tendinitis in his knee — I’ll be curious to know if he looks different in his outing today. He said in the article linked above that he’ll gradually build up to his full-bore body-twisting windup. I’d love to see video of his outing today — if anyone is there with a recorder, let us know.

Other news: Ray Durham had an MRI on his shoulder. I don’t wish injuries upon anyone, but anything that forces regular time for the youngsters at second base is good for the team. Then again, if Ray is hurt during the first half of the year, any chance of trading him for a prospect or two at the trading deadline is out the window.

Thus, the question of the day. Which would you rather see: Durham play regularly, hit well, and be traded for an interesting prospect before the deadline; or Durham on the bench/DL with guys like Frandsen and Velez playing every day?
Also on the Network:



[February 29, 2008 1:38 PM]  |  link  |  reply
johnP said

If Durham plays well, he'll be signed to a 3 year extension. So no - I'd rather open the door for youngsters.

[February 29, 2008 2:46 PM]  |  link  |  reply
ELM said

>If Durham plays well, he'll be signed to a 3 year extension.

I assume that's a joke, but if it isn't, would you like to make a friendly wager? I'll bet you no matter what, this is Durham's last year with the Giants.

[February 29, 2008 6:32 PM]  |  link  |  reply
JR replied to ELM

Dear God, why are we even joking about this. I love Big Ray and all, but with the Giants trying to "play the youth," if this isn't his last year with the team, I'm going to off myself.

[February 29, 2008 6:39 PM]  |  link  |  reply
johnP said

>I assume that's a joke

It's not. It's a shriek of existential angst.

[February 29, 2008 7:50 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Anonymous replied to johnP

>It's not. It's a shriek of existential angst.

This is what Nietzsche went through as a teenager.

[March 1, 2008 5:03 AM]  |  link  |  reply
obsessivegiantscompulsive said

I want Durham to hit like he's always hit, over 800 OPS, the more over the better, which makes him a valuable player that some team will decide that they have to have him. If we can get good prospects like Pichardo and Denker for part-time players, we should be able to get a pretty good prospect for a full-time above average regular like Durham (assuming he is hitting).

The time for the youngsters to play will come soon enough, I think the Giants are going to start Frandsen at 3B if Durham is back to normal. Velez probably needs a year in Fresno doing his uber-utility role before he's ready for the majors. I think it was intriguing that the Giants mentioned bringing up Bocock as a possible option, which makes sense given that some think his defense is the best on the Giants, he could be a defensive replacement in end-game situations.

And the trade could happen earlier, at some point a 2B will get seriously hurt and the team will need someone to take his place, and this is where Durham can be valuable. Particularly in the AL, where he could DH too if necessary (which would be good for his hammies anyway, less fielding and such).

[March 1, 2008 12:26 PM]  |  link  |  reply
bigO said

Let's trade Omar to the REDS.