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

04.02.2008
Ray

Durham, not DandoGreat singer, dumb movie. Great leadoff man for a decade, now disintegrating into nothingness. It’s a shame about him.

So now that Durham is the root of all evil and the millstone of the defense, what to do? Release him? Yeah, great. Problem is, that Frandsen guy is inconveniently out for the year. The Durhamless Giants would look like this:

1B Aurilia/Ortmeier
2B Velez
SS Bocock (Vizquel)
3B Castillo

Outright release isn’t going to happen. At least not yet. After yesterday’s collision with James Loney at second base, a DL stint is more plausible and more convenient.

Looking at this roster, the best replacement option seems to be Justin Leone, a career minor leaguer who had nice offensive numbers in Fresno last year. With a full year in the bigs, he might be as good as Russ Davis. I wouldn’t expect much else. Reaching down deeper, Travis Denker is the most intriguing name at AA Connecticut.

Whether it’s Velez starting every game, Leone at third and Aurilia at second, Denker up from the depths, or Jose "Everyday" Castillo, something ugly’s going to happen on a daily basis, either at the plate or in the field. Hell, why not both? We might as well make a comedy out of our tragedy. There’s no getting around it. Still, I must admit I’m tempted to trade someone like Nick Pereira to the White Sox for Joe Crede. How about Brad Hennessey? If the Sox can be convinced that Durham would be a valuable part-time DH, shucks, throw him into the deal and pay half his salary.

Crede? WTF? You thought I was over that. Sorry, I reserve the right to oscillate wildly. Besides, he has an extra-base hit this year, and the Giants don’t. Wait a sec — did you click that link and see what I just saw? Go back and look at the top of the page. The White Sox slogan this year, I shit you not: “Share the Passion. Show the Swagger.”



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[April 2, 2008 6:29 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Jefferson said

I still see absolutely no point in bringing in Crede for a guy like Pereira. Yeah, trade a vet for him, maybe, if it saves a few million that can be spent on the draft. But don't give up a kid for him. Trade a kid for someone who could actually be on the next good Giants team.

[April 2, 2008 6:45 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Josh from Hollywood said

Lefty, don't think for a second that a die-hard fan like myself missed thatSmiths reference you threw in at the end there. Oh, and 'It's a Shame About Ray' is a highly underrated album in my opinion. Not a bad track on that sucka.

[April 2, 2008 7:09 PM]  |  link  |  reply
the gene hackman said

May the lineup not sag heavy and deep tonight!

[April 2, 2008 10:57 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Cyrus said

Does anyone know why Lincecum didn't start tonight (I'm not sure I want to know...)?

[April 3, 2008 2:34 AM]  |  link  |  reply
Elbo replied to Cyrus

I think it was just the drizzly weather situation, Cyrus. Both teams started the game with middle-relief guys, then went to their starters when it seemed like they'd get the game in.

The kid looked sharp, and even delivered at the plate....

[April 3, 2008 3:13 AM]  |  link  |  reply
Frank said

I'm not sure there is a big hurry to dump Ray. He and Velez should platoon until July when Ray will either be traded or DFA'd. The we will have a better idea of who to bring up. And absolutely not to Crede.

[April 3, 2008 12:09 PM]  |  link  |  reply
ELM replied to Frank

OK, but what if Ray goes on the DL soon? I know, a shocking thought...

Who replaces him on the roster?