So you think Christmas Eve is a night of anticipation? Try Opening Day Eve! As we count down the hours, I am happy to say this is the first Opening Day I remember in which I won't be either attending school or working. God willing, I will be ensconced in front of my TV at 1:10 PM PDT ready to watch the first pitch.
The Giants have not officially set their Opening Day active roster but based on what has been announced it seems we are set with a few minor surprises:
Catcher: Patrick Bailey
First Base: Lamonte Wade Jr/Wilmer Flores*
Second Base: Tyler Fitzgerald
Third Base: Matt Chapman
Shortstop: Willy Adames
Left Field: Heliot Ramos
Center Field: Jung Hoo Lee
Right Field: Mike Yastrzemski
Bench: Sam Huff C
Infield: Christian Koss, Casey Schmitt
Outfield: Luis Matos*
Starting Rotation: Logan Webb RHP, Justin Verlander RHP, Robby Ray LHP, Jordan Hicks RHP, Landen Roupp RHP.
Bullpen: Ryan Walker RHP(Closer), Camilo Doval RHP, Tyler Rogers RHP, Lou Trivino RHP, Erik Miller LHP, Spencer Bivens RHP, Randy Rodriguez RHP, Hayden Birdsong RHP.
*Flores will likely platoon with LMWJ at 1B and DH quite a bit. Matos may platoon with YtY in RF and may also DH some.
It's a good thing all of the discussion is around bench and bullpen roles but it has to be a small concern that there are no lefthanded bats off the bench. I know he's not a popular name to bring up, but what happened to Jake Lamb? I don't remember him getting hurt. It's curious he was signed, apparently for a lefty bat off the bench and/or DH only to be sent down with over a week to go in spring training. I can see keeping Christian Koss over Schmitt or Brett Wisely because he's a better defender at SS but then shouldn't Schmitt be playing every day in the minors and don't they need a lefty bat that Lamb or Wisely could fill?
My other quibble is Hayden Birdsong who I think should either be in the rotation or starting in AAA Sacramento. I just think Joel Peguero whose fastball sits at 102 MPH seemingly without effort is a better fit for a bullpen arm especially since Bivens can go more than 1 inning. Maybe Melvin really, really wants at least 2 relievers who can go more than 1 inning? If that is the case, wouldn't Joey Lucchesi make more sense as a lefty?
Maybe there is still a trade or two in the works?
OK, enough with obsessing over the roster.
Congratulations to those who made it, especially Christian Koss(Disclaimer- this is not officially announced but reported by KNBR so keep fingers crossed for Christian). I will just say that players like Christian Koss are not only out there chasing a dream. They also have families they are trying to support and who are supporting them. News like this is life-changing for them as it is, sadly, those for whom the news is disappointing.
No Bold Predictions this year. They are actually kind of stupid. I'll post something tomorrow morning if I think of something, otherwise catch you after the gamew with the first Game Wrap of the regular season.
They officially DFAed Villar. Either somebody else will pick him up or he'll come back and molder in AAA. Hope he lands somewhere he can flourish. They did give him a chance in spring training this season. Gotta give them that.
ReplyDeleteI agree on Schmitt in minors. He’d be better served learning 2b in case Fitz has an issue. But Posey is D first and Casey did win a golden glove in the minors so maybe they prioritized that. I’m fine with Birdsong in the pen. We have several other guys who hit the radar gun. But early on, having guys to come in and do innings might matter since pitchers are still gearing up.
ReplyDeleteNice to have depth at If, SP and RP.
Love stories like Koss’s. Hope he gets s pinch hit tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThey’ll need a sixth starter - that’s why Birdsong is there. Also will do long relief after Hicks and Ray.
Buster and Melvin have been pretty emphatic they won't go to 6 starters.
DeleteOpening day rosters are overrated. The idea that this will be the roster for longer than 2 weeks is silly. As long as we didnt lose anyone important (Villar wasn’t important) they have flexibility to bring Wisely up or send Birdsong down to start in AAA. If Roupp gets lit up in his first 2 starts then Birdsong is there to step in. It’s good to have options and the Giants have quite a few so that is the positive. The negative is that the options aren’t spectacular. Lot’s of upside but everyone is a lottery ticket.
ReplyDeleteNot saying you are wrong but I don't expect to see nearly as much roster churning under the Posey regime as we got used to(or didn't get used to) seeing with FZ.
DeleteI am expecting less soft tissue injuries.
DeleteI would love to see Wilmer Flores bounce back, but I am not optimistic. He is 33 YO and his better years may be behind him. Yes, he was the Giants best hitter a few years ago, but I have not seen
ReplyDeleteany signs of a rebirth. His salary this year is $3.5 m. I would give him a short leash and give more ABs to Matos. Wilmer could be a pinch hit specialist. Here are his spring stats which may or may not be significant.
BA OBP SLG OPS
208 .264 .396 .660
The new year doesn't begin for me in the middle of cold, dark winter. It starts on Opening Day!
ReplyDeleteSo, to baseball fans here & everywhere:
Happy New Year!
The long winter is over and it's Opening Day; a most hopeful day of the year. Good, bad, or indifferent, that's all TBD, but I predict the Giants win the World Series this year!
ReplyDeleteOpening Day baby! The biggest sports day of the Year growing up in NYC in the 60's..Of course, Iwas the only Giants fan (from my Grandfather) amongst Yankee and and met fans!!
ReplyDeleteDespite my concerns on OF/1B, very excited about this team and so much more than anything under FZ...Hope the Pitching can carry them through the first month or two...
For some reason, Chiristian KOSS, although older in his 1st Giant experience, gives me some MATT DUFFY vibes.
Go Giants!!
SteveVA
No bold predictions but it I think this team is capable of making the Evil Empire sweat and make them have to earn it.
ReplyDelete