Giants Offseason So Far:
The Giants have signed a few key players this offseason that will help in positions where they lacked depth in the 2008 season.
To start, the Giants signed Edgar Renteria to a 2-year deal after the Detroit Tigers declined arbitration. The Giants had very minimal production from the Shortstop position in 2008. Omar Vizquel was the plan going into the preseason, but an injury sidelined him for a big portion of the first half of the season. The opening day starter was Brian Bocock who had no business starting for any AAA team let alone a MLB team. Emmanuel Burris and Ivan Ochoa also filled in during Vizquel’s absence. Once Omar returned from the DL he did very little to hold onto the starting job.
So going into spring training this year the Giants have filled the hole at the SS position with Renteria, while some scouts say that he has lost a step and are concerned about his range to his right, but the Giants will be better than the last year with this addition. The Chone Projections have projected Edgar has the potential to be a .283/.345/.408 batter this year. These projections are leaps and bounds above SS stats from last year. The best part of the Renteria addition is that the Giants did not lose a draft choice by signing him as a non-tendered free-agent and his 2-year contract does not block any young prospects beyond the 2010 season.
The Giants also signed multiple Cy Young award winner Randy Johnson to a 1-year 8m contract with potential 5m in bonuses for awards and production. I love this acquisition for the fact that it is only 1-year. Some might say that Randy is past his prime and is 45 years old, which all is true, but he also pitched very well last year and had no health issues. With the uncertainty of Noah Lowry as he comes offseason ending surgery of the forearm before the 2008 campaign, Randy will provide a leader on and off the field. The Giants manager Bruce Bochy has stated that if Lowry is healthy that he will start over Jonathan Sanchez for the final spot in the rotation. Randy Johnson is also 5 wins away from 300 career wins and may very well be the last pitcher in history to reach that feat.
The bullpen in 2008 was a bit shaky, so Giants General Manager Brian Sabean addressed this issue early this offseason by signing left hander Jeremy Affeldt and Bob Howry.
Affeldt, a converted starter, pitched for the Reds last year and features a 95+ MPH fastball signed a two year deal. Howry pitched for the Cubs in 2008, and adds a veteran presence late in the game to accommodate closer Brian Wilson, Sergio Romo, Alex Hinshaw, and Jack Taschner.
An area of concern is the young promising slugger Pablo Sandoval starting at third base. Bochy has said this offseason that he will be the guy at the hot corner and Travis Ishikawa and Josh Phelps platooning at first base. Sandoval’s natural position is catcher, but while the Giants already having Bengie Molina penciled in as catcher, Bochy is forced to find a way to get Sandoval’s bat in the lineup. Even though Sandoval moves well for a big guy, I still have concerns that he will be able to handle 3rd base. The Giants have been linked to rumors this offseason with Jorge Cantu, Ty Wigginton, and Joe Crede as possible 3rd base acquisitions.
Next time I will discuss the starting lineup and starting pitcher rotation.
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