Saturday, February 22, 2014

Spring Training Update: Giants Sign Tyler Colvin; Barry Bonds Will Be In Camp

There were a couple of notable news items from Spring Training today.  First, the Giants signed former first round draft pick Tyler Colvin to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.  Colvin is coming off a terrible season with the Rockies in which he hit just .160 in 78 PA's, and was hampered by back problems.  Earlier in the offseason, he signed a deal with the Baltimore Orioles but failed his physical, something the O's have now developed a reputation for.  Word to the wise:  If you are sitting on any hint of a medical problem in your history, you best not sign with the Orioles!

Colvin, who was the Cubs #13 overall pick in the 2006 draft(that was the Timmy draft, BTW), has run hot and cold so far in his MLB career.  His terrible season last year was preceded by a line of .290/.327/.531 with 18 HR in 452 PA's for the Rockies in 2012.  Prior to that, his MLB career seemed to be ready for takeoff in 2010 when he posted a .254/.316/.500 line with 20 HR's in 395 PA's for the Cubs.  He fell flat on his face in 2011 with a .150/.204/.306 line in jut 222 PA's in 2011.

Prior to the Colvin signing, Juan Perez appeared to have the inside track at the 5'th OF job.  That has now been thrown open to competition.  I would not bet against Colvin.  No matter what his other numbers have been, he's always had pop in his bat, something the Giants are sorely lacking from their bench.  Perez having options does not help his cause here.

The Giants also announced that Barry Bonds will be attending Spring Training as a Special Instructor for hitting.  The plan if for him to work with some of the younger hitters.  The Brandons and Tyler Colvin are 3 names that come immediately to mind as younger players who might benefit from a few sessions with BB.

Around the League:  The Baltimore Orioles made  a late jump into the free agent market by signing Ubaldo Jimenez to a 4 year/$50 M contract.  Jimenez accepted less per season than the $14 M QO he turned down from the Cleveland Indians in return for long term financial security.  I don't know.  $14 M would give ME long term financial security, but I can see why this is a better deal for Ubaldo.  I'm very skeptical of the deal from Baltimore's standpoint.  Not only do they lose their first round draft pick, but they are not obligated for the next 4 years to a player who has run hot and cold in his career.

Having already sacrificed their first round pick, there was absolutely no reason for the O's to think twice about dumping their second rounder for Nelson Cruz on a 1 year/$8 M deal.  This has to be a severe disappointment to Cruz who turned down a $14 M QO and was asking for a 5 year/$75 M deal early in the offseason.  Undoubtedly his involvement with the PED suspensions did not work to his advantage, but this deal is a steal for the Orioles despite his poor D.  Camden Yards is a hitter's ballpark much like Arlington Stadium.  I think you can pencil Cruz in for 25 dingers in 2014.

Yasiel Puig reportedly came to camp 27 lbs heavier than he finished the season last year. Bwahahahaha!!!.

PS:  Willie Mays showed up in the clubhouse today and was talkin' baseball with the Giants current CF Angel Pagan.

13 comments:

  1. Great reporting Doc.

    Nothing like a little competition. And we can't count Gary Brown out. Kieschnick may be on the outs should they roster Colvin.

    I like the Ubaldo deal. That's very affordable for a power guy with top of the rotation potential. Other than 2012, he's been pretty darn solid. The Orioles will be peppering the bleachers like they were in the '96. But they may still finish in 4th !

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    1. 2011 was nothing for Ubaldo to write home about either.

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    2. I guess the 3.3 fWAR can be a little misleading.

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    3. Yep. Probably fueled by a hefty dose of park factor correction.

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  2. Colvin, however, flowers biennially, in synchrony with the Giants' WS championships, 2010, 2012. He also plays all three outfield positions, albeit not very well. Seems like a natural for us in the coming even-numbered season with some OF substitutions already planned.

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    1. His UZR's are kind of all over the place with a slight net negative. I haven't seen him play enough to have an "eye test" for him. He was drafted as a CF and has played all 3 positions, as you say. My impression is that he is probably at least not a liability in the field. I really like Colvin as a no-risk signing, myself.

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    2. just don't tell Colvin he is some exotic blooming succulent.

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  3. Good Sunday morning DR.
    Thanks for the great insights.
    I like the Colvin signing. Wonder though can Perez play any infield postions? Love having his glove on the bench.
    Fyi. I watched Timmy L's interview on CSNBayarea yesterday. He's a big boy now with an almost mature mustache.
    He impressses me with his continued intellligent answers to interviewers.
    This prompted me to watch his No Hitter game again.
    Let me be very bold and predict, he will return to allstar form again this year.
    Mark my words, there is something happening with him, and I truly believe ( not wishing) he has the stuff and mind to do it.

    Richard in Winnipeg,
    P.S. Oh Yeah Winnipeg's Jonathan Toews scores the golden goal as Canada wins hockey gold.

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    1. I thought Timmy got physically stronger as the season went on last year. I thought he was also pitching better, although it is hard to prove that from the numbers. I am cautiously optimistic about him for 2014 too.

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    2. Richard, you may be right. I am hopeful myself.

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    3. Richard,

      Congrats to Team Canada on all the Olympic Golds, finishing strong in Hockey & Curling, eh? Now, Go Jets!!!!

      NWGiantsFan
      DtF!!!

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  4. Pretty sure we discussed Colvin a couple months back. Glad the O's have their bizarre standards for physicals, I think he's an easy risk-reward type.

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    1. Can't beat the price, that's for sure. Gotta like the possibilities in his bat with the power he has shown even in down years.

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