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

01.30.2009
Uribe Redux

At the risk of nit-picking, I want to underline something I’ve expressed in various places at various times, and yesterday’s Juan Uribe deal brings it front and center: guys who sign minor-league contracts are longshots to make the team.

There are all sorts of assumptions that Josh Phelps will platoon at first base, and now Uribe: oh, he must be the backup to Edgar Renteria and primary utility infielder.

Wait a second, folks. He’s not even on the 40–man roster. Josh Phelps is not on the 40–man roster. Justin Miller and Brandon Medders are also non-roster invitees with some major-league experience. Why isn’t anyone assuming they’ll take bullpen spots? (Answer: Because they can’t hit a lick, and Phelps and Uribe at least have the potential of hitting a lick, or a quarter of a lick. It’s like a bushel, I think. Or a peck. I get them confused.)

But the real answer is Phelps, Uribe, Miller, and Medders all have to excel in a few short weeks to make the team. They have to bump someone off the 40–man roster. Last year, non-rosterite Keiichi Yabu bumped Steve Kline, but he was relatively bumpable with his left arm made of toast and his $1.75 M salary (if memory serves me correctly).

This year, the only potential veteran position-playing bumpee is Dave Roberts, but the Giants might have a hard time eating $6.5 million dollars. If they don’t want to release him and can’t trade him, it might come to this: they send Velez back to AAA (because both Velez and Roberts on one roster don’t make sense), and Uribe makes the team as the primary ute.

But I think Uribe’s path to the 25–man must pass through several obstacles: Pablo Sandoval can’t hack third, Velez doesn’t look comfortable with a glove attached to his hand, Emmanuel Burriss struggles, someone in the infield suffers an injury.

If Travis Ishikawa and Sandoval and Kevin Frandsen and Emmanuel Burriss and Velez all do just fine during spring training, the Giants are not going to spend $1 M to keep Uribe. If Phelps doesn’t set camp on fire (in a good way), the Giants aren’t going to clear out someone else to keep the 31–year-old in the bigs to see if he eventually breaks through. That’s what the minor leagues are for.

Yes, it would be nice if Phelps showed in March that he can platoon at first, pinch-hit against lefties, be adequate in the field, and promise at least 15 home runs in limited duty, but until proven otherwise, he’s just another non-roster schmoe itching for a break. Let’s please treat him, and Juan Uribe, as such.
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10 Comments

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Boof | January 30, 2009 6:50 PM | Reply

I think it's almost a done deal that Uribe makes the roster. There is no one else on the roster that can fill in for Renteria at SS. Phelps is not a lock nor are the pitchers you mentioned. Unless the Giants sign someone else, I just don't see how Uribe doesn't make the final roster.

Re: the 40 man roster, Misch could be waived or Merkin could go on the 60day DL.

Peter replied to comment from Boof | February 3, 2009 12:16 PM | Reply

I rather keep Uribe and not bother with Aurilia...

Nuschlers News | January 30, 2009 10:38 PM | Reply

I totally agree! While Phelps has a much tougher road to the team, Uribe's path is pretty clear.

Manny Burriss is the SS of the future,or at least thats what the Giants hope he blossoms into. He won't develop at all platooning at 2B or riding the pine as Renteria's backup, so his path to a season of seasoning in Fresno is now wide open. No one else going to camp realistically can be aback up SS and Uribe can also backup 2B and 3B.

As for the 40 man roster, I would add Bocock to the list of probably to be replaced. Also, don't be surprised to see another injury like Lowry/Frandsen/Roberts/Vizquel coming out of camp to clear room for a while until a longer look is given, nor would I be surprised to see a trade involving 2 or more from the 40 man roster like Taschner/Lowry/Velez...just a thought

obsessivegiantscompulsive | January 31, 2009 1:54 AM | Reply

I agree with your concept, Lefty, but I have to agree with the others that Uribe makes too much sense. He probably wasn't signed because of the 40 man issue, and the Giants probably assume that someone will either play himself off the 40 man in spring or get injured and open a spot by going on the long-term DL.

It makes sense whether Burriss wins 2B or not. If not, then instead of being buried on the bench playing backup SS, he plays full-time in Fresno at SS and see how that goes. If he does win 2B, then he gets to show off what he can do every day, but we'll still need a backup SS, hello Uribe. Uribe is the answer.

GiantsBigWig | January 31, 2009 10:40 AM | Reply

I agree that Uribe will almost certainly make the roster. But here is another thought. Any chance the G's might carry one less reliever this year given the excellence of the starting rotation? (I am hoping that we will have some seriously bored relievers this year). That would free up one more slot in the field, which is especially necessary this year since the G's seem bent on not having Sandoval behind the dish, making Holm necessary as a back-up to Molina. Any thoughts? My other persistent idea is that the G's should trade pitching for a big corner stick (otherwise sign Crede), trade Molina, and move Sandoval to C.

daveinexile replied to comment from GiantsBigWig | January 31, 2009 4:51 PM | Reply

Big Wig:
I doubt they do that breaking camp. It usually takes a few turns through the rotation for starters to reliably go 6 or more. Then there is the Giants Schedule. From May 1- 17 they play games. Including a trip to Coors field days 6 & 7 following 3 days in LA. We better hope the wind is blowing in on May 4 & 5 in Chi town.

GiantsBigWig | February 1, 2009 12:47 PM | Reply

daveinexile,
Your reasoning process sounds convincing to me. Too bad that isn't an option for the Giants, at least, not at the beginning of the season. Thanks for your thoughts.

Evan | February 1, 2009 2:36 PM | Reply

The thing about Phelps is, he has a career line of .273/.343/.472 in the majors. He doesn't need to "break out" to be a contributor. Against lefties in particular, he's clearly a better hitter than anyone on the Giants roster.

But you're probably right that the Giants don't see things that way.

Lyle replied to comment from Evan | February 2, 2009 10:21 AM | Reply

You're right Evan - as you so often are. I certainly hope Ishikawa gets a chance to prove himself this year in the majors, but I can't imagine not having a RH bat penciled in behind him at 1st. A Pablo/Ishi platoon isn't a viable option, and I don't see Richie as the backup 1B. But, as you and others have stated, we don't know precisely how the Giants front office sees this.

pantalones | February 2, 2009 3:35 PM | Reply

Yeah, I agree with the rest of the gang. Not all minor league contracts are created equal, and a spot on the 25-man roster is Uribe's to lose. It wouldn't shock me if there's an out clause buried somewhere in the contract that the Giants have to purchase his contract by a certain date or else he becomes a free agent. Either way I doubt he'll ever wear a Grizzlies uni.

And, yes, Phelps is a good fit on this team as a platoon 1B, some power off the bench, and an emergency corner outfielder since our #3/#4/#5 outfielders are all lefties. If Schierholtz falters or they dump Roberts, they should have enough flexibility with Phelps and Velez to go with only four true outfielders.

But do the Giants just see Phelps as Fresno's first baseman? Good question. It's a silly reason to make a decision like that, but Phelps' Spring numbers just might make the difference. If he goes 1-for-16 like last Spring? No chance. If he hits .438 with three homers like in 2007? Maybe.

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