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

02.26.2008
Short Stopped

Omar Vizquel is having knee surgery and will miss four to six weeks. According to this report, Bruce Bochy says Kevin Frandsen will see action at shortstop. Assuming Vizquel is out beyond opening day, here’s a likely early-season lineup:

1) LF Roberts/Davis
2) SS Frandsen
3) RF Winn
4) C Molina (it hurts to type that)
5) CF Rowand
6) 2B Durham
7) 1B Ortmeier
8) 3B Aurilia

If Eugenio Velez plays well this spring, he could make the team as the utility infielder.



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[February 26, 2008 8:07 PM]  |  link  |  reply
chad said

Too bad for Omar, he's almost done. So who's going to play short when Durham breaks down (inevitable) ? Frandsen is the natural 2B. Is Velez a true SS ?

[February 26, 2008 10:06 PM]  |  link  |  reply
hilarie said


My prediction: Durham has contractyearitis, downgraded for age, and is moved to cleanup in the early going. Of course, his bones turn to dust or something around June and he never again exceeds his dismal 2007 production. Vizquel plays 40 games. Roberts plays 60. Kids, kids, kids all around the ballyard despite Sabean. However, they are not very talented kids because of Sabean.

[February 26, 2008 10:15 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Boof replied to hilarie

Yeah, but if our CF gets hurt, we're set.

[February 27, 2008 3:15 AM]  |  link  |  reply
Cyrus said

The plus side to this injury is that I believe Vizquel has an option that 09 becomes guaranteed if he plays 140 games. This injury could ensure that doesn't happen, which would mean he, Aurilia, and Durham come off the books next year.

[February 27, 2008 9:05 AM]  |  link  |  reply
Lyle said

Yeah, clearly the upside is that Omar is less likely to reach the automatic extra year. But I'd clearly prefer not to put the extra pressure on Frandsen by making him start at SS, as well as get settled in the majors.
To the observation on Velez - yes his speed is exciting, but some observer in Arizona yesterday (reporting on MCC) said that Velez still had hands of stone during his time in the infield the other day. That seems to support what others have said - and doesn't it seem likely that that is the reason the Blue Jays didn't protect him in the first place? Maybe not, but it seems reasonable.
Lefty, you seem to have forgotten the inevitable trade for Joe Crede! Where would you bat him? :)

[February 27, 2008 12:14 PM]  |  link  |  reply
bpfastball said

Is there another team in baseball where their 3rd baseman could, realistically, bat 8th?

This lineup turns my stomach every time I look at it. Yikes.

[February 27, 2008 12:16 PM]  |  link  |  reply
ELM said

>Lefty, you seem to have forgotten the inevitable trade for Joe Crede! Where would you bat him? :)

I don't think it's inevitable. Though if Vizquel's injury proves more serious than expected, it definitely increases the chance of the trade.

[February 27, 2008 12:22 PM]  |  link  |  reply
bigO said

I'm not sure that line-up could win in Triple A.

[February 27, 2008 1:29 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Matt said

Anyone else seeing a potential panic trade for someone like David Eckstein or Adam Everett in our future? If Vizquel is shelved for a significant amount of time you know Sabean will be looking for a gritty veteran.

[February 27, 2008 2:52 PM]  |  link  |  reply
chad said

The 'fantasy trade' would be Brian Roberts for a replacement level short stop - third baseman....