Spring Training News

[love_that_reefer]

Rich Aurilia went 3-for-4 with a homer Wednesday as the Giants crushed the Brewers 15-6.
The homer came off one-time Cubs prospect Mike Meyers. Aurilia looked like the favorite to bat third in front of Barry Bonds this year, but now manager Bruce Bochy is saying he wants to try Bonds there. If the experiments lasts into the regular season, Aurilia likely wouldn't hit any higher than fifth. Ray Durham is expected to bat behind Bonds.

Tim Lincecum surrendered three runs and four hits in two innings Wednesday in his start against the Brewers.
Lincecum, yet another Giant who has been set back by the flu, was making his spring debut. The 2006 first-round pick is likely to open the season in Double- or Triple-A.

Jason Ellison went 4-for-5 with a double, four runs scored and a walk Wednesday against the Brewers.
Since he's out of options, Ellison could be working to impress other teams this spring. The Giants are likely to make Todd Linden their fourth outfielder, and they may decide there's no room for Ellison on their bench.

Aurilia would be my choice to bat third if Bonds and Bochy decide that Bonds belongs in the cleanup spot. He thrived there when he was here in San Fran so he should do it again.

Lincecum's debut means nothing as it was his debut. No one is even expecting him to make the big league roster so no big deal.

Ellison is giving Linden some trouble out there. Ellsion could be packaged in a deal with Benitez to the Marlins if Wilson thrives this spring.

[love_that_reefer]

Zito has been named the Opening Day starter like it is any surprise.

Bonds has shown that his legs are healthy and displayed some hustle in ST which is unusual. Bonds has been legging singles into doubles thus far. Bonds is still feeling the effects of bronchitis. Bonds' legs are going to be the key for him and the offense.

Klesko will be out for at least a week with an injury to his left side while diving for a ball in batting practice.

[GiantsFanatic]

Bonds and Neikro hit HRs today, Giants lose 5-3 to Oakland.

[love_that_reefer]

Ortiz also had another great outing. He looks like he has his shit together and that he has the best shot at the #5 spot.

[GiantsFanatic]

Reef I didn't I tell you that if we sign Russ Ortiz, he can possibly resurrect his career, since mass majority of his success was in SF.

[love_that_reefer]

Let's hold off on the "I told you so" talk for now. If he wins 13 games then we can talk

[love_that_reefer]

Sweeney is having a horrible spring and is most likely going to be traded or released. He is batting .125 but only has 16 ABs.

One guy isn't known for his bat is having a good spring in limited ABs and that is Justin Knoedler. Knoedler is hitting .615 with 5 RBI in just 13 ABs.

Hennessey had his first good outing of the spring going four innings and giving up one earned run and three hits.

Lincecum went three innings giving up just two hits and striking out four. Also in that game Benitez made his debut going an inning and giving up one hit and struck out one.

[love_that_reefer]

Matt Morris was lit up for the second time this spring, allowing seven runs -- four earned -- and eight hits in two innings versus the Cubs.
Sloppy fielding definitely played a role, as Barry Bonds lost two balls in the sun. Morris might be adequate when the games begin to count, but that's about the best that can be hoped for. He's allowed 15 runs -- 12 earned -- in 6 2/3 innings this spring.

Morris had another one of his famous first inning blunders. I bet if you look over every pitcher's career, Morris has the highest ERA in the first inning of all-time. Morris might just be the #4 guy in this rotation giving the Giants a nice lefty-right-lefty-right combo.

[mntwinsfan]

Well Brad Radke and Kyle Lohse could make your team be down 3 runs in a hurry as well.

[love_that_reefer]

Feliz went 3-3 today raising is average to .364. Maybe this year will be the year and who the hell am I kidding? Feliz will be the same disappointment he always is. His BA is higher than his OBP for christ's sake.

Benitez had a perfect inning while striking out two. Bochy has named him the closer with Wilson being the set up man.

Roberts, Molina, Durham and Sweeney have continues to have an awful spring.

[love_that_reefer]

Giants optioned RHP Billy Sadler, RHP Osiris Matos, LHP Patrick Misch and OF Fred Lewis to Triple-A Fresno; reassigned INF Luis Figueroa and 3B Justin Leone to minor league camp.
Sadler might have won a spot with a perfect spring, but he walked six and gave up four runs in 5 1/3 innings. Lewis didn't further his cause by hitting .279/.319/.395 in 43 at-bats.

We will be seeing Sadler again during the season and probably Misch as well as he is a fine pitcher.

[love_that_reefer]

Ortiz pitched six innings striking out six and walking just one. He gave up just two runs as well. Ortiz is now a lock for the #5 spot in the rotation. Sanchez is likely in the bullpen or starting in AAA. Let's hope he is in the bullpen.

Bonds hit his fifth homer of the spring after having three days off. Bonds is done playing DH and will now be in left full time.

Zito pitched seven innings in a Minor League exhibition game giving up just one earned run.

[love_that_reefer]

Ryan Klesko went 3-for-4 on Wednesday and is now batting .409 in 22 at-bats this spring.
A healthy Klesko would be a better first baseman against right-handers than Rich Aurilia, but it's doubtful the two will be platooned early on. Maybe if Klesko can avoid injuries in April and May, he'll earn himself additional playing time.

Bye bye Sweeney! Niekro is having a good spring so looks like he will stay or be trade bait.

[love_that_reefer]

Giants reassigned catcher Justin Knoedler to their minor league camp.
Knoedler, who was bumped from the 40-man roster in January, will be available if a third catcher is needed during the season. He's been with the Giants each of the last three Septembers.

The Giants signed RHP Jesse Foppert to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Fresno.
Foppert rejoins the organization after leaving in the Randy Winn trade, with the Mariners releasing him last week. Once an elite prospect, Foppert's stock has declined significantly since Tommy John surgery in 2003. He's a long shot to have a fantasy impact.

Matt Morris reduced his ERA nearly by half while increasing his effectiveness immeasurably with a six-inning outing against Arizona. First baseman Mark Sweeney's fielding error helped Arizona amass five unearned runs and four hits in the fifth inning. Otherwise, Morris surrendered just one hit and one walk as he trimmed his ERA from 16.20 to 8.53.

Left-hander Noah Lowry gave up five runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings while striking out two.

Knoedler has a great spring but there is just no room at the big league level for him.

Getting Foppert back might be a good thing but I doubt it. I never really saw anything in him when he was pitching for us years ago. Maybe he can bounce back.

Morris and Lowry need to get their shit together and quick. Morris seems to hit or miss like he was last year.

[awefullspellare]

5 unearned runs in one innning :o. Ouch!