Taschner's mom reads MCC?

by Widget on Feb 28, 2006 7:23 AM PST Comment 17 comments

Wasn't it this blog where "Special Agent Taschner" was born? (Or was that Lefty's blog?)

I found this in the Oakland Tribune:
http://www.insidebayarea.com/giants/ci_3554544

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Jack Taschner's mother was surfing the Internet one day last summer when she stumbled on a Giants fan blog. A few of the diehards, deciding his name sounded like a character from a Tom Clancy novel, nicknamed the relief pitcher Special Agent Jack Taschner.

The bloggers weren't far off. At this time last spring, Taschner was pondering a career as a police detective.

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That's funny

Also, in that article Felipe says Taschner makes the team unless he has a pretty bad spring.

So I think that makes our bullpen:
Benitez
Worrell
Walker
Kline
Fassero
Taschner
Munter

and Accardo goes to AAA. That gives us three lefties.

So which jobs are still up for grabs? I see three: 5th SP, 5th OF, and backup Catcher, and I think Greene pretty much has backup Catcher. Unless they consider Sweeney as the 5th outfielder and keep another infielder.

by Nick Schulte on Feb 28, 2006 9:34 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

This seems about right

Benitez
Worrell
Walker
Kline
Fassero
Taschner
Munter - but I would be nervous if I was him.

Schmidt
Morris
Lowry
Cain
Wright

Mathenampthetamine
Greene

Niekro
Durham
Vizquel
Feliz
Chavez
Vizcaino

Bonds
Winn
Alou
Finley
Sweeney

The Dodgers ARE evil.

by irwin on Feb 28, 2006 9:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: This seems about right

Man...are my finger crossed that the injury bug stays away from us. If the Giants are relatively fortunate with injuries they could end up in a pretty damn postive season.

By the way, one doesn't just become a police detective...although I'm happy to see the the "Special Agent" wanted public service.

by Kent on Feb 28, 2006 11:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: This seems about right

I'm guessing Chavez doesn't make the squad and Linden (or maybe Ellison) does. One of the reason they touted Vizquel is that he can play all those positions and Sweeney is the back-up at 1B.

If Durhan, Omar or Pedro get hurt and go on the DL, then Chavez comes up.

www.waitingfortbg.com (under contstruction)

by Goofus on Feb 28, 2006 1:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: This seems about right

I'm with you Goofus; I'd be surprised if it's Chavez instead of Linden. Otherwise the original list looks right.

As I see it, Linden is on the roster unless he stinks up the spring, In which case Ortmeier or if Ellison is still with the club he could get it. Jason looks like prime trade bait to me. Greene has a lock on the backup catching spot. The only real drama will be how many pitchers will Alou carry (12 sounds right) and who will be the fifth starter. Hennessey has the edge, but I wouldn't count out Wright or Correia.

by Sayhey on Mar 1, 2006 7:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: This seems about right

I will also agree that Linden is the favorite to make the final roster spot.

The papers have been reporting that Wright is considered the favorite for the 5th starter slot. That would mean that if both Wright and Greene make the team, two players have to come off the 40-man roster.

There will be some interesting choices.

Angel Chavez might seem like the most obvious choice, but since there are only 5 3B/2B/SS types on the 40-man roster, there is some risk if Chavez decided to decline any outright assignment (assuming he clears waivers) and become a free agent. Who is the 3rd string SS then in the organization, becoming the backup if Vizquel or Vizcaino goes on the DL? Minor league free agent Tomas De La Rosa or Tim Bowers? Jamie Athas?
Erick Threets? Would he then become the next Bobby Jenks type story if someone claimed him waivers? Perhaps the Giants can work out a small trade for him.
Alfredo Simon seems somewhat similar to Threets, although at this point Simon is the more highly regarded prospect.
If he does not make the active roster, perhaps Jason Ellison is removed from the 40-man roster. He is now youngster as he turns 28 next month.
Other Giants who like Simon and Ellison have just one option left include Todd Linden, Kevin Correia and Merkin Valdez. Perhaps if another team is willing to offer enough in trade with a prospect who is not yet on a 40-man roster, the Giants would consider trading one of these players.

by steve S on Mar 1, 2006 10:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: This seems about right

I just think they will continue to let Linden play everyday.

Greene - Alfonzo cut
Wright - Simon or Threets

Alonzo/ Greene will be decided in camp, as will Chavez/Ellison.

The Dodgers ARE evil.

by irwin on Mar 1, 2006 10:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: This seems about right

My question is why put Linden back in AAA? He has nothing to prove there, and what he needs is to see big league pitching and work with major league batting instructors. Also given the age of the outfield he is quite likely to get some ABs. His upside is too good to waste in Fresno.

If I'm sitting in Sabean's chair, I'm looking to trade Ellison who no longer fits the needs of the club, and the major threat to Linden's time in SF is if the Giants need more pitching. In which case Sweeney or Feliz becomes their fifth outfielder.

I agree that Alfonzo's days on the 40-man roster are numbered.

by Sayhey on Mar 2, 2006 6:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: This seems about right

Heck, I'd put Linden on the 25 man. But, I think they leave him in AAA to play every day instead of very little as 5th or 6th outfielder.

Clearly, he has little to learn in AAA, but he would provide the AAA pitchers with some run support.

Ellison is still useful as a 5th outfield, pinch runner, and defensive sub. You could trade him, but I think you's be lucky to get a six-pack of Schlitz.

The Dodgers ARE evil.

by irwin on Mar 2, 2006 9:26 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: This seems about right

I agree that Linden seems to offer the major league club a bit more than Linden does, although I still think there is a question whether either hitter is adequate against RHP. Last year ...

Ellison: .232/.286/.313 in 233 AB
Linden: .199/.261/.305 in 141 AB
... and for the sake of comparison ...
Feliz: .243/.281/.404 in 436 AB
Niekro: .206/.251/.335 in 170 AB
Torrealba: .132/.213/.162 in 68 AB

I don't see the Giants yet removing any of the players they just added to the 40-man roster in November, including not only Eliezer Alfonzo but also Kelyn Acosta, Jesus Reina, Jon Coutlangus, Travis Ishikawa and Nate Schierholtz. Alfonzo may be the only one who is not a top 30 prospect in that group, but how do you let go of a catcher who hit .312/.354/.517 in double-A? (For comparison, RF Dan Ortmeier, who is 2.25 years younger than Alfonzo, hit .274/.360/.463 in Norwich last year.)

by steve S on Mar 2, 2006 11:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: This seems about right

Uhh... you could consider letting him go based on his steroid bust.

But seriously, we don't have the depth to releeze the 'Leeze. If Greene or Matheny goes down, he's the only catcher on the 40-man who can hit a lick.

"When I think of how many times the Enemy has tried to kill Gary Busey..."

by multiphasic on Mar 2, 2006 11:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: This seems about right

Alfonzo was what, 26 or 27 last year? Didn't walk much, and wasn't it his first year with power? I would have no problem cutting him, but I wouldn't have put him on the 40-man to begin with.

Wright will be the 5th man, if he has any kind of spring. I would love for Hennessey to get the job and have Wright stashed in AAA, but I assume Wright will be released if he doesn't make it.

The Dodgers ARE evil.

by irwin on Mar 2, 2006 11:54 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: This seems about right

It is just an assumption that Alfonzo's suspension was for steroids.

Yes, Alfonzo has a mediocre walk rate, but I am not sure last year was the first year he hit for any real power. He showed pretty decent power in 2002 and he had a .456 SLG in the very pitcher-friendly Florida State League in 2004. Catchers who can hit are a rare enough commodity that I think he gets several more months to prove himself before his spot on the 40-man roster is in any real jeopardy. Is it that surprising that a catcher is a late bloomer offensively?

by steve S on Mar 2, 2006 1:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs