Before I get to the main point though, let me just say that the Giants have a strong track record of bringing in minor league free agents and having them make major contributions to championship teams. Andres Torres, Gregor Blanco and Ryan Vogelsong are all names that if we did not know them, the Giants probably don't win even one championship this decade, let alone 3. So, if the Giants want to bring in a minor league FA or two to compete for the last couple of spots on the roster, hey, something very good might come of it! On the other hand, when those guys were brought in, there really weren't any obviously better options or even ones as good. There were truly open spots on the rosters. Ryan Vogelsong even started out in AAA and only came up as an injury replacement.
So here are some things I don't want to see coming out of spring training:
1. I do not want to see Mac Williamson optioned back to AAA. Now, I admit Mac Williamson is not a sure thing. He's a big guy with a big swing and he may have too much swing and miss in his game. But Mac Williamson has potential to be something really special. His size and athleticism make him one of a very few hitters in the organization with the potential to hit 30 or more HR's while playing half his games in AT&T Park. Both Bobby Evans and Brian Sabean have talked about the difficulty in signing established power hitters because of the ballpark and of the need for the Giants to develop their own power from the farm system. It is now time to back up those words with actions. Give Mac his chance! Yes, I understand you have to have a backup plan, but there's a guy who will be playing in Sacramento named Austin Slater who will be ready to take his chance by midseason.
2. I do not want to see Kelby Tomlinson optioned back to AAA. Kelby may not be too impressive looking in an uniform, and he admittedly doesn't have a lot of pop in his bat, but Kelby has proven to be as tough an out as anyone on the roster over the past 2 seasons. If you need a pinch-hit to keep an inning alive late in the game, I can't think of anyone I'd rather see at the plate than Kelby. Plus, he can play multiple positions. We know enough about both Kelby and the guys who are competing for the reserve IF role to know the alternatives are not going to give you significantly more than what Kelby has to offer.
3. I do not want to see Conor Gillaspie released. It was not just the postseason last year. Conor Gillaspie made major contributions during the regular season too with a .262/.307/.440 slash line with 8 2B, 4 3B, 6 HR in 191 PA. He also upped his defensive game at 3B to become an asset there. Again, I don't see spring training performance as a legitimate reason to give away Conor's role to someone with a long enough track record to know that they are not going to be better and probably a lot worse over the course of a full season.
4. I do not want to see Gordon Beckham win a roster spot just to humor Buster Posey and I do not want to see Aaron Hill win it for, well, for Veteran Savvy! Jimmy Rollins? I'm not sure where to even start. No thank you!
So, barring injury, that sets 3 of a potential 5 non-pitching roster spots that are currently open. Here are some things I would be OK with:
1. Jae-Gyun Hwang wins the starting 3B job. Hwang is a potential game-changer that I could be happy with. The Giants obviously see something in Hwang. If he can provide what Jung-Ho Kang gives the Pirates(hopefully without the off-field drama), then by all means, put him out there. That could force Eduardo Nunez into Kelby Tomlinson's role and that kind of depth would not be a bad thing. I happen to think the Giants might get more out of Nunez by trading him in that scenario, but yeah, I could live with him moving to the bench.
2. Justin Ruggiano and Michael Morse win the 2 backup OF spots. This would make Gorkys Hernandez the odd man out and I really like Gorkys, especially the way he plays defense in CF. But if Ruggiano makes it through spring training fully healthy and shows he can play CF and hits 6 dingers and the Giants want his RH bat off the bench, I'm OK with it. Likewise, if they think they have room on the roster for Michael Morse to do nothing but PH, then I'm OK with that too. I just don't want to see Morse or Ruggiano displace Mac from what I think should be a starting gig in LF.
Agree with all points. Lets see what Big Mac has. Jae-Gyun Hwang is very intriguing. Also someone is making some cool videos of the Giants and seems to be making ones of prospects now. Here is a link to a six minute one of Austin Slater. https://youtu.be/3Wqy-D0fw8w
ReplyDeleteAgree with your points also. Adding vets like Morse and Ruggiano would be a good idea. Intrigued with Aaron Hill also. How about bringing in another lefty reliever to compete.
ReplyDeleteLG
I hope you're right on Mac but various beat writers for the Giants are saying Parker has the inside track over Williamson, at least partially due to Mac's late injuries last year.
ReplyDeleteI'd bet that Parker will feast on ST pitching and the Giants will reward him.
Then they'll need two defensive OF replacements! Argh
I think Brian Sabean on KNBR said Mac missed a lot of time the last couple of seasons and more time in AAA might not be a bad idea.
DeleteMy dream scenario might not be popular among everyone here but it looks right based on career stats: Parker and Ruggiano platoon in left (Parker vs. RHP and Ruggiano vs LHP) and Gonkys as backup.
Ruggiano Career Stats vs LHP: AVG: .275 OBP: .338 SLG: 527 OPS: .865
Parker Career Stats vs RHP. AVG: .294 OBP: .441 SLG: 532 OPS: .942
I think one can do far worst than that platoon line! Mac can take more time to develop in AAA and improve his hitting And maybe parker will have a decent showing as a platoon and he can be packaged in a mid season trade instead of being DFA before the season. And of course Mac should be given an opportunity to be the regular LF by August.
Like I said, that would be my dream scenario! What y'all think?
This could happen and I guess it would not be the end of the world.
DeleteHere's my lingering question: What's up with Joe-Gyun's contract status? I believe it's structured as a 1-year deal; what happens after this season if he's a huge asset and plays well?? Would hate to see them have to let him go - But my guess is that, since they signed him primarily to a minor league deal, they'll have a few options years on the contract automatically, allowing them to go through arbitration as needed for raises??
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Jae-Gyun Hwang, that is.
DeleteA few thoughts:
ReplyDeleteI do think the WBC is influencing some of this, and I think there is a measure of trying to have bodies and good competition. As for most of the pitching invites, I think some are just arms but the Giants are looking to see if they can improve. Personally, I hope Okert has it kick in since I think that would be good for the Giants long term.
On position players, could not agree more on Mac. He needs to be the guy as the future is now with LF. It will stabilize the Giants for a long time and give them payroll flexibility. I do think there is a potential for 2 OFs to make it from the minor league signees. It will be interesting to see that play out.
If we have two infield super subs, not sure that Nunez is long for the team. I like Kelby--he brings a fire that we need now that Duffy is gone. He can play 2b and SS, and with Conor being able to man 1b and 3b, I don't see Nunez surviving the cut UNLESS he actually is the 5th OF. That might not be bad (of course it could be that we have no one better for that role which might not be good).
I love me some mac but let's be real. He has an option in Parker doesn't. Do you really want to see Parker get put through waivers and have the A's sign him and watch him hit 20 home runs for them? There's nothing wrong with Mac getting consistent at-bats in Triple-A and proving he's ready. I'd rather see him destroy Triple-A and force the Giants hand at the first sign of an injury. Kelby will win the starting second base job because they are going to trade Joe Panik for JD Martinez. It's the whole reason they have been stocking up on infielders all season
ReplyDeleteI believe if the Giants were going to trade for JD Martinez, it would have already happened.
DeleteMostly, I agree. My only big difference is the last group: Ruggiano & Morse
ReplyDeleteI would rather not see Morse in a Giants uniform. He was Jeff Kemp-terrible in LF in 2014. I can't imagine he's gotten any better at it since then. As for Ruggiano... At least he can field. We're not talking gold glove. Well, unless you compare him to Morse. But he's not a -20ish DRS kind of fielder like Morse (-10 in 579 innings for the Giants, -14 in 580 innings the year before).
So, I'd rather keep Williamson in LF to let him keep it or fail and settle the question one way or another. I would rather keep Hernandez (who is an adequate back-up CF) and put Nunez into Super Utility. And this would keep Nunez in reserve in case Williamson (or Gillespie) fails and fails hard and often. And, as you pointed out, Slater is pushing and Hwang is at least interesting and if he takes the job, hopefully it'll be an upgrade.
I'm happy the giants are going to give Mac and Parker a shot to win it. We should all be pulling for Hwang to prove he can start. That'd free Nunez to play LF if Mac and Parker fail. At least until Slater pushes for a promotion. If none of those things happen, I imagine there will be a trade in June/July.
ReplyDeleteI agree with most on your list but man it sure makes me wonder why these older vets who were invited aren't looking for teams w/ more opportunities. Bochy just said it today that they didn't trade for Nunez to sit on bench, Bochy likes having some speed & it sure is a breath of fresh air from my eyes as well. As for LF, I'm all in on Parker. I think that guys who have fallen in love with their power like Mac, they feast in AAA but are humbled in a rough park on the cove. I think Parker has realized he can be happy being the gap to gap guy & once in awhile getting hold of 1. His defense needs to continue sharpen however, Bochy won't allow lapses in LF too long & that's why I was so impressed w/ Gorky's last year.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are making a generalization here that might not apply to Mac. One of the main criticisms of Mac is that he does not embrace his power enough, that his swing is too level which produces 100+ MPH groundballs and line drives but not enough HR's.
DeleteSeems like Morse and Ruggiano are much the same player (RHB, some POP, better slash against LHP, lots of injuries, 34 yo) but Ruggiano, when healthy, can actually play a little defense.
ReplyDeleteBut, that's what Williamson can do cheaper, for far longer, and hopefully better, certainly in the field, but we won't know about whether he has big league power until he plays!
If Parker "wins" the spring training competition, Giants may be overly susceptible to LHP -- might be able to trade high?
Ruggy and Parker would form a very attractive strict R-L platoon in LF. I could be reasonably happy with that if the Giants really feel Mac needs another 250+ AB's in the minors. Maybe I'm just a fanboy, but I'm dying to know what Mac could accomplish in a full season of MLB AB's. I would really hate to see the Giants move on from him without finding out.
DeleteI didn't say it but that was what I was thinking, platoon Ruggiano (if healthy) and Parker while Mac is honing his swing (a little lift!).
DeleteThis will keep a good bat on the bench (who isn't playing LF) and Hernandez busy everyday filling defensively for someone when not giving Span a day off.