San Francisco Giants: Spring Training Information

By El Lefty Malo
Location: Scottsdale Stadium, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Pitchers and Catchers Report: Feb. 14th
First Game: Feb. 25th
Schedule

Projected Opening Day Lineup

1. Randy Winn (RF)
2. Edgar Renteria (SS)
3. Pablo Sandoval (3B)
4. Bengie Molina (C)
5. Fred Lewis (LF)
6. Aaron Rowand (CF)
7. Travis Ishikawa (1B)
8. Kevin Frandsen (2B)
9. Tim Lincecum (P)

Projected Rotation

1. Tim Lincecum
2. Randy Johnson
3. Matt Cain
4. Barry Zito
5. Jonathan Sanchez/Noah Lowry

Projected Bullpen
Long/Middle: Keiichi Yabu, Jack Taschner, Sergio Romo, Alex Hinshaw
Set-up: Bobby Howry, Jeremy Affeldt
Closer: Brian Wilson
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Key Battles: I'm skeptical that last year's hitting phenom Pablo Sandoval (.345 / .357 / .490 in 145 ABs) can stick at third base. His natural position is behind the plate, and he can play first base, too. The club's rumored discussions this winter about every tradable third baseman (Jorge Cantu, Adrian Beltre, etc.), not to mention their flirtation with Joe Crede, makes me think the Giants would much rather shift Sandoval to 1B in a platoon with Ishikawa or someone else. If the Giants acquire a third baseman, Ishikawa could become a late-inning glove man and occasional starter or, if his roster spot is better used elsewhere, the Giants could lose him, as he's out of options. One year ago, with Ishikawa coming off a miserable .214 / .292 / .295 stint in AA ball at the age of 23, no one would have blinked at the thought of him drifting away. But he revived himself with a stunning performance last year in AA/AAA and a serviceable late-season stint with the big club. This spring, Ishikawa is definitely bubble material. But with Sandoval, converted OF John Bowker, non-roster invite Josh Phelps and old warhorse Rich Aurilia the other first-base candidates, Ishikawa's J.T. Snow-like defense might be his saving grace.

The other major positional question is second base. We have Kevin Frandsen tipped for the starting lineup, but it's really an open competition between Frandsen, who missed all of '08 with a torn Achilles' tendon, Eugenio Velez, and Manny Burriss. (For a poetic reading of the upcoming battle, click here.) Frandsen always hit well in the minors but hasn't had the chance to prove himself. This should be his make-or-break year. Velez is super-fast but doesn't have great basestealing skills, doesn't walk much, and is at best an adventure with a glove. In a perfect world, he becomes a less skillful Chone Figgins. A former first-round pick, Burriss came up last year nearly straight from A-ball and didn't embarrass himself, though his respectable .357 OBP will likely fade as pitchers and defenses learn about his utter lack of power. In a roster crunch Burriss could be the logical demotion to AAA to get everyday work at shortstop, his natural position. But many see him better suited long-term to second.

Among starting pitchers, all eyes are on Noah Lowry. Out all year with a mysterious nerve problem in his pitching arm, he's throwing again and reportedly on schedule for regular spring work. If he proves healthy and sharp, the Giants will be more tempted to trade the very promising Jonathan Sanchez for a big bat, though I imagine Lowry would be their first choice to trade. In 2008, his first year as a full-time starter, Sanchez was often unhittable in the first half, but he faded badly down the stretch. It would be a bummer to see him back in the bullpen to make room for Lowry, but barring trade or injury setback, one will have to shift to relief.

With closer Brian Wilson and free-agent signees Jeremy Affeldt and Bob Howry all locks at the top, and last year's rookie fave Sergio Romo a good bet to keep converting fans to Romosexuality, the bullpen competition will center around the middle relievers.

Last year's long man Keiichi Yabu was good, but not so good that he's guaranteed a spot. Lefty rookie Alex Hinshaw needs better control than he showed last year (29 BB, 5 HR in 47 IP) to be effective, but the Giants will be patient, as Hinshaw can be nasty on lefties. They'll be less patient with Billy Sadler, with similar control problems but a year older than Hinshaw. He's already had a couple cracks at a big-league job. With a lot of good young arms coming soon, this might be Sadler's last chance. Rule 5 draftee Luis Perdomo has an outside shot, perhaps more than most Rule Fivers, but the real wild card is Merkin Valdez. Part of the Russ Ortiz-to-Atlanta trade, Valdez has battled all sorts of injury. He finally debuted last year and looked great -- for 17 games. He was out the rest of the year with arm problems.

What To Expect: GM Brian Sabean recently said the summer trade deadline might bring excellent bargains as teams panic into recession-driven fire sales. But don't be surprised if Sabean engineers a big trade before Opening Day, especially if Noah Lowry looks 100%. And who knows, if the Dodgers continue to spar publicly with Scott Boras, the Giants might have Manny happy returns to announce in Arizona, but team officials have made it clear he'll have to accept fewer dollars and/or years than what's been discussed. Attitude aside, they're worried about his defense in Mays Field's spacious outfield, and rightfully so. But with the best rotation in the weak N.L. West and a much-improved bullpen, the Giants could be the improbable division favorite with Ramirez hitting cleanup.

El Lefty Malo covers the San Francisco Giants at www.leftymalo.com.