Five Spring Random Things I’ll keep Track of this ST

Posted in Uncategorized by Flavor on February 17, 2011

1) See Dan Runzler do something besides “stretch his arm out” to see if he can be a starter. Runzler is a stud, he could be a rock solid set up guy and our closer if something happened to Wilson.

2) See Alex Hinshaw do something. He came up and dominated with electric stuff; for like 2 weeks. But he’s a lefty, he could develop at any moment though it probably won’t happen till he ditches the over-sized cap.

3) Watch Francisco Peguero have a monster spring. Neal, too.

4) Find out what happened to the Brett Pill Bandwagon Driver. At least locate him.

5) See Aaron Rowand get traded– 50/50 shot I’d say

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Unca Chuck said, on February 17, 2011 at 6:28 am

DeRosa is (apparently) fully healed and looking for a spot to play.

From the Merc:

He is ecstatic that his left wrist finally feels strong after two surgeries and a pair of wasted seasons. And his goal is to recapture an everyday role, no matter what glove he totes to the field on a given day.

http://tinyurl.com/4fwbz35
Bozo said, on February 17, 2011 at 7:18 am

Flav, my compliments on your BB pick today. Nothing but net.
- zumarust said, on February 17, 2011 at 9:09 am
  
  Kathleen Edwards, even in full winter gear, is sexier:
  - TedSpe said, on February 17, 2011 at 9:38 am
    
    Well, it’s all subjective after all….
  - xootsuit said, on February 17, 2011 at 10:05 am
    
    She looks exactly like the artist who used to baby sit my kids.
twinfan said, on February 17, 2011 at 8:05 am

If I were there, the guys I’d look at most closely:
Gillaspie
Culberson
Adrianza
Casilla the younger
Tanner
Sosa
And of course: Pablo, DeRosa, Belt
- xootsuit said, on February 17, 2011 at 9:50 am
  
  As I said over on the splash in reply to this — I’d add Tejada to the list, and at least be sure to watch Waldis.
billy said, on February 17, 2011 at 8:37 am

I will be there… got outfield grass tickets to g’s A’s on 5/19 I think. Will do my best to get some good photo/video for the blog. Also have tickets to reds Dbacks… I was definitely not in charge of ticket purchasing.
zumarust said, on February 17, 2011 at 9:03 am

My biggest focus during Spring Training:
1. Belt- can he make the big club, be a starter, and be a rookie-of-the-year candidate, or will he start the season at AAA.
2. Pablo- I hope he’s not a disappointment again. A nice season from that guy would be HUGE.
3. Adrianza and Crawford- who’s our shortstop for 2012?- or will we go free agency again on that one in ’12.
Flavor said, on February 17, 2011 at 9:16 am

and what about Burriss? The dude walks like a ballplayer, he looks like a ballplayer, he just doesn’t seem to play like one. He could use a change of scenery….
- zumarust said, on February 17, 2011 at 9:20 am
  
  Yeah- it says a lot that I’m not even thinking of that dude. Or Rowand. Expectations couldn’t be lower for those two.
Flavor said, on February 17, 2011 at 9:22 am

I think Rowand not showing up on Mon is a sign. That dude is always first-gamer in the house. I think Sabes trades him back to Philly soon, pay most of his salary, and just be done with it….
twinfan said, on February 17, 2011 at 9:53 am

Uncle Leo is gone. I hear there’s schmaltz on all the tables in heaven…
Unca Chuck said, on February 17, 2011 at 10:01 am

Schmaltz or schmutz? He was a messy fellow . . .
- TedSpe said, on February 17, 2011 at 10:24 am
  
  With no eyebrows
  R.I.P.
- delmardennis said, on February 17, 2011 at 1:46 pm
  
  This is the price you pay for shoplifting at the bookstore. And, oh, his worst offense was in younger years when he neglected to share the money with Jerry’s mom after their father had a good day at the track. Gave him $100 to split with his sister, and she never saw a dime. That’s a ticket to hell in my book.
xootsuit said, on February 17, 2011 at 10:02 am

Ryan Vogelsong’s invited to ST. Guess I’d rather have him than Schmidt today. My how things change. Says a lot, however, about the dearth of potential potential “starters” out there — at this point in the year. Things could change mid-season.
Rough Trade said, on February 17, 2011 at 10:38 am

I’m also anxious to hear how the kids look this yr, keeping in mind guys like Guzman Rohlinger and Bowker all impressed in the desert. I even recall Wellenmeyer having an excellent ST.
snarkk said, on February 17, 2011 at 10:44 am

Some things I will look for in ST:
1. Belt. Needs to prove if he’s the real deal.
2. Panda. Can he keep the weight down, can he field at third, can he improve pitch selectivity, can he see the damn ball?
3. Wihither Ishi?
4. Timmy. Work on the slider a little, get in a groove.
5. Wilson. Is he back in game mode, or have all the offseason look at me shenanigans had a distracting, negative impact?
6. DeRosa. Is the wrist really healed?
7. Franchez. Are the shoulder, knee and whatever else that has been messsed up now in game shape?
- TedSpe said, on February 17, 2011 at 11:05 am
  
  8. Can Lt. Dangle turn Posey into a pure cleanup hitter?
snarkk said, on February 17, 2011 at 11:12 am

I’ll add another. WTF are they going to do at backup catcher? We know Whitey can’t hit a lick, he’s on the bottom end of the scale of backup catchers who are usually bad hitters anyway. If Posey gets hurt, we’re OK on defense and handling the staff, but we’re screwed hitting at that position. Panda?…
- Bozo said, on February 17, 2011 at 11:25 am
  
  If he hasn’t signed with the Cards and/or if Sabes can make peace with him, I say Bengie. Not only does he knows the staff but, with Panda as an emergency back-up, you could use him as a power threat off the bench. As a bonus, he’d get to wear his ring and not feel too bad (he should get a ring, right?). I know, a lot of ifs and or buts there.
  - xootsuit said, on February 17, 2011 at 11:30 am
    
    sorry. didn’t mean to cut in line. meant to reply to the reply.
xootsuit said, on February 17, 2011 at 11:29 am

Benji would be a great back up if he’d go for the role (and reduce the roll). He’ll never go for that, though.
TedSpe said, on February 17, 2011 at 11:36 am

In today’s Chronicle there’s a photograph of 3 catchers at ST. Posey’s the only one identified in the caption. If another is NO whitey, who’s the 3rd guy?
- xootsuit said, on February 17, 2011 at 11:42 am
  
  They had an Asian BP catcher last season. That look like him?
- TedSpe said, on February 17, 2011 at 11:47 am
  
  I can’t tell. They all have masks on and the angle’s a little off. But you’re probably right. That’s probably who it is.
  - xootsuit said, on February 17, 2011 at 12:06 pm
    
    yep. guy I’m think of wore a mask, too.
- TedSpe said, on February 17, 2011 at 12:08 pm
  
  Strange that, what?
Rough Trade said, on February 17, 2011 at 11:40 am

Molina is out of the question. Too much money, bad blood, he can’t run, he’s become a defensive liability…ain’t gonna happen

My guess is when the G’s kicked it around, they didn’t want to pay for an upgrade or the avail catchers were only marginally better hitters but weaker defensively. Whitey at least knows the staff. When he’s in the lineup, the onus is on the other 7 to produce.
Unca Chuck said, on February 17, 2011 at 12:48 pm

Get Paulino back . . .
Unca Chuck said, on February 17, 2011 at 12:49 pm

The incremental Giant . . .
UsedtobebigSarge said, on February 17, 2011 at 1:20 pm

Let’s go get Yorvit Torealba back.
Decap said, on February 17, 2011 at 2:58 pm

Who do you really think would come here to be an improvement as a backup catcher? Its not like whitey has NEVER had a hit. He has a little pop, and can at least keep the opposing pitcher honest. If a catcher can hit a little and not be a liability behind the plate chances are he is a starting catcher for a team. The rest tip the scales one way or the other or they are equal to Whitey which equals backup catcher a material….. Paulino sucks just as bad as Whitey… otherwise he would be starting somewhere by now!
Decap said, on February 17, 2011 at 3:01 pm

I mean take a look at a list of the starting catchers around the league, and after the top 10 catchers most of those guys are barely better than our “horrible” backup catcher. Am I missing something? Is it the grey hair why people hate him so much?
Flavor said, on February 17, 2011 at 3:26 pm

He’s got a little pop but when he’s not hitting it out of the ballpark he’s swinging and missing. His contact rate is pretty shitty at 72%. And didn’t hit lefties at all last year, though the sample was small.
I simply have zero faith in Whitey when he’s got a bat in his hands. He’ll give you an occasional bomb but after that…….
- zumarust said, on February 17, 2011 at 3:38 pm
  
  His hitting really fell apart in the last part of the season. He looked like a guy that was just trying to avoid striking out.
- Decap said, on February 17, 2011 at 3:44 pm
  
  How many teams though have the luxury of anything more than a warm body as their backup catcher? Is their any team in the league that counts on their backup catcher as a potent bat off of the benchh?? Most backup catchers wouldn’t even be the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th bat? And if they are, they always are defensive liabilities… I am not saying whitey is great, but I do think its unrealistic to expect anything better than what we have given competence behind the plate.
Rough Trade said, on February 17, 2011 at 4:01 pm

He’s not going to make or break their season. Posey goes down for an extended period, they are probably screwed, but they would then go get someone.
Flavor said, on February 17, 2011 at 4:15 pm

The Giants need a competent back up catcher because if they lose Posey their offense is fucked. I can’t find a current list of who’s still available. We waited too long, I’ m sure the list sucks, but pretty much anyone is better than Whitey. But whatever, I’m hardly going to trip on the fact that we don’t have a back up catcher, it just would have been a nice area for them to address. Yeah, they could swing a trade if they have to. I guess that’s the route Sabes would go if we get in a pinch with an injured Posey……
Flavor said, on February 17, 2011 at 4:37 pm

and I don’t think Belt is making the team out of ST. Maybe if he hits .400+ or something, but the Giants simply don’t need him and can wait to call him up and save a year of his arb years. It’s not like he tore up AAA last year. Give him a couple months down there, bring him up June 1 if there’s a huge, gaping need. And that would be because Pablo and DeRosa and Ishikawa are all smoking massive amounts of pole. We don’t HAVE to have Belt rake right now, our offense is good on paper as-is…..
Kevin said, on February 17, 2011 at 5:20 pm

So just read that Matt Latos wrote “I hate SF” on some Baseballs. They are being auctioned on E- bay, starting at $299, half the proceeds go to players Association Alumni.
- TedSpe said, on February 17, 2011 at 5:42 pm
  
  They sold for $1,100.
- TedSpe said, on February 17, 2011 at 6:00 pm
  
  No he shouldn’t but it’s not surprising. He’s, like, 23. For a professional baseball player, that’s, like, 6
- unca_chuck said, on February 17, 2011 at 6:06 pm
  
  Who gets the other half?
Flavor said, on February 17, 2011 at 5:32 pm

fuck him. He just looks like a pussy doing that.
- Kevin said, on February 17, 2011 at 5:57 pm
  
  The thing is a player should never write something like that, never know what team you might get trade to. Now don’t everyone go off on me I am not saying the Giants would trade for Latos.
  - unca_chuck said, on February 17, 2011 at 6:03 pm
    
    What a fucking weenie. Might as well put one in his earhole. Give him a better reason to hate SF.
  - unca_chuck said, on February 17, 2011 at 6:05 pm
    
    The Giants should play Ashkon the 1st time the Pads come to town, and play “thank God the Padres choked” real loud . . .
  - Kevin said, on February 17, 2011 at 6:08 pm
    
    They could just edit that part out and play it over and over
  - Kevin said, on February 17, 2011 at 6:11 pm
    
    Oh and put those fans on the big screen doing the chocke
twinfan said, on February 17, 2011 at 5:51 pm

Whitey is the worst back up catcher baseball .Even Vern and Vera know that. Vern took the under on “1” being the O/U for Eli’s postseason ABs…won a pretty penny…he saw Eli grab a bat in the dugout once and purd near had a coronary..
- TedSpe said, on February 17, 2011 at 5:53 pm
  
  Fortunately Whitey was just moving it out of the way
sj_news_reader said, on February 17, 2011 at 6:58 pm

I really want to see how pablo does during ST. He has obviously worked hard to get in shape, but I’m really hoping for less double plays during his AB’s
twinfan said, on February 17, 2011 at 7:16 pm

He will always be a “leader’ in GIDP. So will Buster, BTW. Panda’s were more excessive than need be due to his first pitch hacking but he’ll always hit into a lot. Many of baseball’s best hiteers are perennial leaders there…
Flavor said, on February 17, 2011 at 7:22 pm

Pablo lost the weight, he has done what he needed to do to make the team and get a leash of probably 2 months or so. Spring training just isn’t going to determine much, I don’t think. It never does, I tell you guys that every year……….
twinfan said, on February 17, 2011 at 7:50 pm

Thanks, Bwana..
twinfan said, on February 17, 2011 at 7:53 pm

Most have just elaborated on the topic you started, Flavor…
twinfan said, on February 17, 2011 at 8:07 pm

So who won the contest? Cabrera was the piece, was he not?
Flavor said, on February 17, 2011 at 8:29 pm

I don’t know if I got even one of those players correct. I stopped following it. Edd had some spreadsheet going but I think he was drunk when he made it, lots of errors. Speaking of Cabrera, what’s up with him swigging a bottle in front of the cop that arrested him last night? Wow. Your name only takes you so far, dude……
- snarkk said, on February 17, 2011 at 8:36 pm
  
  Probably wasn’t single malt, tho’ the guy’s a millionaire. If I’m fried and drinkin in front of a cop, it at least better be good hootch since I’m headed for the pokey…
- sj_news_reader said, on February 17, 2011 at 8:46 pm
  
  wait, what? milky got arrested?
- xootsuit said, on February 17, 2011 at 8:53 pm
  
  Childish conduct. When I was 18 a cop stopped me for speeding on my motorcycle and then happily popped the tops on the beers in the six pack I was carrying under my jacket. He dramatically turned the six pack over so it drained into the gutter. Moment later, as I thanked him for the ticket and complimented him on his weak chin, he asked me if I would prefer to go in for possession underage. But the beer’s gone, I reminded him. No evidence. He picked up the soggy six pack. One pop tab didn’t pop, kid. Full beer. Evidence. All I had to do was nod. That was it. He let me go. The lesson’s not that hard to learn.
  - sj_news_reader said, on February 17, 2011 at 8:56 pm
    
    you’re a good man xoot. I would have been crying my eyes out about alcohol abuse…and then an hour later taking massive bong rips and bitching to my friends about how sad the whole situation was at the time
  - xootsuit said, on February 17, 2011 at 9:00 pm
    
    we didn’t have bongs in those days, sj, just joints and hash pipes. And I’ve always had a hard time crying. I just went back down the hill, bought some more beer, and then went to the party I was headed to in the first place. Witout speeding.
  - Bozo said, on February 17, 2011 at 9:36 pm
    
    When I was 18 I made the mistake of telling the cop “I couldn’t do that if I was sober” when asked to do a drunk test. While in custody I was able to enjoy a cracked tooth and a face plant (twice) to a cement floor from a choke hold. I’m almost 40 years older now and I still hate socal (Newport Beach) cops. Oh yeah, wasn’t driving, we were parked, but the keys were in the ignition and was underage.
  - xootsuit said, on February 17, 2011 at 9:49 pm
    
    I got out of jury duty a few years ago by telling the judge that I believed cops lie under oath to support an arrest. I phrased the description of my bias a bit more politely, and I made the judge move me and the DA and public defender into the judge’s chambers to hear my excuse, so the entire jury pool wouldn’t hear me say that cops are liars. But cops are liars, and they often are sadists. They also have a high suicide rate.
  - Bozo said, on February 17, 2011 at 10:15 pm
    
    xoot, Even knowing quite a few SFPD I was never excused during a jury poll. Although I did see a guy with the perfect scam (it probably wouldn’t work for someone in you profession). When asked by the Judge what his name was he said “Um, well, um, ahh, it’s (whatever his name was)”, when the judge asked why he seemed so reticent, the guy replied “Oh well, um, you know um, it’s a huge responsibility”. The judge then went through his spiel about the responsibility while both counselors said bye bye. It was fucking brilliant.
- eddacker415 said, on February 18, 2011 at 1:49 pm
  
  The first sheet was supozd to be a guide. You guys were supozd to fine tune it.
  [hands up] there were many more crossed items than I suspected.
  so I regiged it and re put it up a month ago.
  ~~I think two guys on the list haven’t been picked up~~, but haven’t checked in a while.
  Vlad picked up today by Orioles so no one got that
  Cabrera went to the Indians a couple of days ago so no one got that.
  - eddacker415 said, on February 18, 2011 at 1:51 pm
    
    technically SportsDude got the bye on Cabrera so he did get that one.
snarkk said, on February 17, 2011 at 8:52 pm

The Giants can tryout Kelly Monaco for backup catcher (she’s BF’s photo for today). She’s very athletic, won Dancin with the Stars I. One look at her sweating and the batters will lose all plate discipline, she probably hits as well as El Presidente, and dances to first way faster than Bengielena…
twinfan said, on February 17, 2011 at 9:13 pm

I have MacDog and Ghead tied- with just one right. Both got LaRoche. Tie breaker: first Cactus league HR by a Giant. Email your pick
twinfan1@hotmail.com
Rough Trade said, on February 17, 2011 at 9:36 pm

From Baggs: Rowand arrived in camp today. He’s made adjustments to his batting stance over the winter…”not as squatty”. Can’t hurt.
- unca chuck said, on February 17, 2011 at 9:40 pm
  
  That’s like the next pope being ‘not as Catholic’ . . .
unca chuck said, on February 17, 2011 at 9:39 pm

I didn;t get one right?

Shit, i have no idea who i picked.
Kevin said, on February 17, 2011 at 9:50 pm

Wow only two guys got 1 right, how sad are all the rest of us??
snarkk said, on February 17, 2011 at 9:57 pm

This one’s too EZ. I’ll wait ’til later. Maybe he’ll get traded around March 15 before I start in on a new season of Rohandschade….
Sportdude said, on February 17, 2011 at 11:02 pm

Hi all,

1st thing.. Lots of better backups than whitey. Longer Bengie goes with out a job, more likely he might sign. Not having a capable back up is DUMB. Lets not do to posey what Dodgers did to Laducka (sp?) and wear him into the ground by end of the year. Posey hit about .200 in the last 5 weeks. Playoffs and WS win erased our memories. Come stretch time he can’t play every day again for 30 days straight like last year…

2nd THANKS TWIN! I have been meaning to thank you again. Computer is awesome…
twinfan said, on February 18, 2011 at 9:05 am

I must be losing it, Dude-I don’t remember sending you a PC,,,
Random notes: Warriors are close to being a real good team.What a surprise Dorell Wright has been and Udoh is real close to being a dominant defensive presence..
Kent: Never thought he was racist-who he did he he clash with? Bonds and Miltie? I’ll let him skate on those two. And he and Barry had the best years of their career here. Delighted to see him back, hope they find a permanent spot…
6th starter:if he throws well,they almost have to keep Suppan on the roster.He’s pitched reasonably well against the West but I’d much rather see Sosa or Tanner step up in AAA and become the option…
Panda: I disagree with almost everybody on this-I do not think pitch selection is the issue as much as bat speed. He was getting half or check swings on pitches he drove with authority in 2009.We need the ferocious swinger from 2009….
DeRosa- Besides his super sub duty, I see him as Pat the Bat insurance…
Mac and Ghead: get me the tie breaker- first Giant HR in the Cactus League..
Kevin said, on February 18, 2011 at 5:10 pm

They are about to talk to Sabean on Chronicle Live