A couple quotes to note from the Renteria coverage. First, I love what Manny Burriss said about the signing:
“[T]he Giants really didn't have to give me a reason. It's crazy that I've gone from playing with one of my favorite shortstops (Vizquel) to another one of my favorites. Whether that means I'm his backup or his double-play partner, it's really a good thing to have.”
If he feels shanked by Sabean’s you’re-the-starting-shortstop-PSYCHE! move, he’s not letting on. Burriss didn’t say, “Whether I’m his backup or starting in triple-A….” That’s also a good sign. The kid is confident. A year in Fresno might actually be better for him, but I like the idea of Burriss going into spring training ready to scrap for a roster spot.
Second quote is from the NY Post’s Joel Sherman:
I cannot find another executive in the industry who thought Renteria deserved a contract for more than one year to re-prove himself at a fraction of the $9.25 million he will now earn annually.
Ah, that would explain why the pre-Thanksgiving price never budged. Ken Rosenthal also said industry insiders “widely panned” the deal. As MLB Trade Rumors’ Tim Dierkes points out, reactions from the statheads — Dave Cameron and Keith Law in particular — are favorable. When was the last time the Giants got praise from their likes?
* It doesn’t carry the imprimatur of Baseball America or Baseball Prospectus, but MLB.com has posted its top-50 prospect list. The Giants have three: Madison Bumgarner (#6), Buster Posey (#19), and Angel Villalona (#48). I’m surprised Tim Alderson isn’t there — a 19–year-old pitcher who coasts through the California League in his first pro year (145 IP, 4 HR, 34 BB, 124 K) is truly special. Also note Villalona is the youngest player among the 50. He turned 18 in August. It’ll be interesting to see how MLB’s list stacks up as BA and BP release their lists.
* Sabean said on the conference call yesterday he’s willing to go into spring with the currently assembled offense. I don’t believe him, but here’s a possible lineup for the Apr. 7 opener against Milwaukee:
LF Lewis
SS Renteria
RF Winn
C Molina
3B Sandoval
CF Rowand
1B Ishikawa
2B Burriss/Frandsen/Velez
P Lincecum
