2007 Position players

by bisquik on Aug 23, 2006 9:46 AM PDT

Since the rotation seems to be pretty much set for next year (outside of Schmidt staying or going/FA pickup/Sanchez), the big questions are the position players.

Using the assumptions that we'll lose Bonds, Alou, Finley, Durham, and either Hillenbrand or Feliz or both--what are some possible lineups?

If:

Winn, Linden, Frandsen, Omar and Alfonzo are penciled in, leaving 1st, 3rd and two OF spots.
There are no other position players from the farm system ready to make an impact

What's the consensus(or anything close to that) on where those 4 position players come from?

This FanPost is reader-generated, and it does not necessarily reflect the views of McCovey Chronicles. If the author uses filler to achieve the minimum word requirement, a moderator may edit the FanPost for his or her own amusement.

Tweet Comment 23 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Re: 2007 Position players

Before penciling in Frandsen, you may want to read this: http://www.insidebayarea.com/giants/ci_4223920

by Roger on Aug 23, 2006 9:51 AM PDT reply actions

"He hasn't gotten enough at-bats"

THEN PLAY HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I blame F.P. Santangelo, while F.P. somehow blames Kuiper.

by WalrusMan on Aug 23, 2006 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions

I fully expect Feliz to be back...

Which leaves 1st and the OF (I don't know where you're playing both Winn and Linden to have 2 OF spots open). With the money we have we can get two impact players for 1st and the OF easy. And with our pitching we could trade for one of them and spend the money from that on another pitcher.

I blame F.P. Santangelo, while F.P. somehow blames Kuiper.

by WalrusMan on Aug 23, 2006 10:15 AM PDT reply actions

Re: I fully expect Feliz to be back...

Best 1B free agent: Nomar. 2nd best: Hillenbrand? Casey? not much out there this year.

I wouldn't mind giving Gary Matthew Jr. a look. Texas might try to wrap him up though.

"I want to dip my balls in it." Louie

by MeSoKrabby on Aug 23, 2006 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: I fully expect Feliz to be back...

I can't imagine Nomar, a SoCal native, would want to sign with SF. He also hasn't proven he can stay healthy all year. My guess -- he resigns with a So Cal team for a similar type of contract.

Never mind whatever I do!!! Fan is my tresure!!!

by leftymalo on Aug 23, 2006 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: I fully expect Feliz to be back...

If Feliz is back for more than $4 million per, Sabean should be fired. Plenty of players can not hit for way less money.

by taliesin on Aug 23, 2006 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: 2007 Position players

Right--really just one impact OF, and a fourth behind Linden.

Hopefully Sabean has gotten the message that impact doesn't have to equal old.

by bisquik on Aug 23, 2006 10:38 AM PDT reply actions

Soriano

Let me tell you something my friends. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a Giants fan insane.

by nostocksjustbonds on Aug 23, 2006 11:48 AM PDT reply actions

Re: 2007 Position players

I would bet the Giants sign Feliz, Bonds, and Hillenbrand. They will need some bench help in the outfield and 2B-SS, but I haven't a clue who is availble. More importantly, who will be their replacement for Schmidt? Sanchez?

yob

by Sayhey on Aug 23, 2006 1:30 PM PDT reply actions

Re: 2007 Position players

I am not confident that Bonds would want to come back as a back up. It would be great if he signed at a very reduced price and mostly pinch hit or spot started. He does owes the Giants after not playing much in 2006 ,and not, using the Giants orthopedist for his knee.
I am still in favor of signing Feliz for next year, despite his recent slump, which I think is due to over use.
I am still thinking Niekro will be back next year after getting his swing back in AAA.

Keeping a close eye on the Giants AAA players

by Andy In Fresno on Aug 23, 2006 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: 2007 Position players

My thinking is that Bonds doesn't come back as a back up, but as the starting Left Fielder. He will have to sign an incentive laden, low base contract with protection for the Giants if he is on trial or in jail. Assuming he wants to play again, I think the Giants are his only real option, and the club will want him for his ability to draw crowds and the fact they don't have a better replacement. Linden goes to right and Winn starts in center. Don't ask me who they pick up as back ups, but I'm not sold on anyone in AAA.

I think Feliz is one guy they make an effort to sign and probably over pay. His defense and power have shown its value to the club and I think they can keep him if they move quickly once the year is over.

With Hillenbrand, I think it makes sense to sign him to a one year deal, maybe with a mutual or club option for the next. Hillenbrand is not likely to get much of a contract offer on the free agent market because of the mess in Toronto and his so-so numbers, so I think it would be good for both sides to sign a short term contract. I'd love to see Ishikawa surprise me here and take the job, but I think he needs another year in the minors. I have no confidence in Niekro and think he should be shopped around for whatever anyone will give for him.

Durham, Schmidt, Finley, and Alou are gone, as far as I can see. That means Morris is the staff Ace if Lowry and Cain don't blossom. Up until his last start I had totally reevaluated Hennessey as a fifth starter and was looking forward to see if he could step it up claim the starting spot. While one start shouldn't be a make or break thing in evaluating a player, the Dodger start sure made be get that queasy deja vu feeling from last year. Anyway, I see good arms coming up for the bullpen and possibly Sanchez for a starting role, but next year will be an adventure ride of "you gotta like these kids" redux.

yob

by Sayhey on Aug 23, 2006 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: 2007 Position players

It would be great if Bonds would agree to that kind of a contract, but, I think his ego would get in the way. I don't think his body can take another year of being the starting left fielder.
I also agree Schmidt will not be back. I was also high on Hennessy as well until that last start. He sure got clobbered in that one. Makes me wonder how he'll respond tomorrow against the Reds.

Keeping a close eye on the Giants AAA players

by Andy In Fresno on Aug 23, 2006 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: 2007 Position players

Here's a thought: if Durham is interested in a one-year contract, do it and put Frandsen at third. If Durham's not interested, pencil Frandsen in at 2B and sign/trade for a power hitting 3B. And I don't mean Shea Hillenbrand.

Never mind whatever I do!!! Fan is my tresure!!!

by leftymalo on Aug 23, 2006 1:33 PM PDT reply actions

Re: 2007 Position players

Seems to me Durham's season puts him in line for the last big contract of his life. Why go for a 1-year deal when it can only decrease the value of his contract the next year (if only because he's one year older)?

by Roger on Aug 23, 2006 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: 2007 Position players

Well, I was having a beer with Ray Durham this weekend...

...okay, I didn't really have a beer with him. He handed me and a thousand other pushy season ticketholders a beer at Sunday's picnic. And it wasn't really a beer... it was a Bud Light. But anyway...

As he handed me the beer I said, "Same time next year, Ray?" and he said, "I hope so, man. I hope so."

I chose to interpret this as a desire to sign a one-year contract at the league minimum, and not as a boilerplate answer that any player with a shred of PR awareness would give a crowd of fans. Pencil him in.

"Robb Nen is going to get you" - Benito Santiago to Chipper Jones, 10/7/02

by Pants Man on Aug 23, 2006 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions

I Like Ray Durham

He pours beers for season ticket holders.

Cool picture. Were the proceeds from his tip jar a down payment on his one-year league minimum contract?

If you whine about Liriano, I will .gif you.

by Fog City Blues on Aug 23, 2006 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: 2007 Position players

I am surprised Durham didn't hurt himself drawing the beer from the tap!
Seriously, I like Ray, but, I don't think he will be a Giant next year because ,like it has been said, he will get a better and longer contract next year based on his great second half this year. I don't see the Giants committing to him that way.

Keeping a close eye on the Giants AAA players

by Andy In Fresno on Aug 23, 2006 5:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: 2007 Position players

If the Giants commit to Ray Ray in that way, I am gonna be pissed. He has been a decent 2b, but he is always hurt. Surprising his walk season has been his best for the Giants huh?

by rod beck on Aug 23, 2006 6:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: 2007 Position players

The guy has always hit as a Giant; it's just been a matter of staying healthy.

Durham's EqA:
2003 - .278
2004 - .286
2005 - .274
2006 - .290

If we get that kind of production out of our second baseman for the next four years I'll be thrilled. But I agree... a team that is rebuilding and getting younger shouldn't commit to a multi-year deal with a fragile middle infielder heading into the back half of his thirties.

"Robb Nen is going to get you" - Benito Santiago to Chipper Jones, 10/7/02

by Pants Man on Aug 23, 2006 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: 2007 Position players

Agreed. And I don't see Kevin Frandsen as a replacement for Ray-Ray. Its easy to pick on his shortcomings in this season of repeated frustration. But he has contributed hugely this year in contrast to many of the others for whom so much was anticipated.

I love this kid Frandsen, no mistake about it, but he simply does not appear to have the tools to succeed consistently at the MLB level. Actually, I was shocked at how far behind he was everybody else in his first call-up this year. He was truly a boy amongst men.

Keeping my fingers crossed he physically matures some more. The AFL may tell a story on him. Time will tell, but don't hold your breath.

El Dopo-GONE! Mando and Crazy Phil Next please!

by E Ticket on Aug 23, 2006 7:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: 2007 Position players

The problems with his first call up were basically nerves, at least that's how it seemed to me. It's important to remember he is still a kid. But that's also what makes him fun to watch, it's like he's electric and brings a kind of energy to the game that i've never seen a player bring.

by orangeandblackattack on Aug 23, 2006 10:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: 2007 Position players

Wow, thanks Pants. This new info has me totally turning around on the subject.

by Roger on Aug 24, 2006 5:28 AM PDT up reply actions

Bye-Bye, Ray-Ray.. We hardly saw ya

I don't care what Ray's BA was in his first three years. He was convalescing way too often -- including last year when he "played through" an injury that caused him to lamely run at half speed for a month when he should have stayed home and watched TV.

If Ray keeps hitting for a few more weeks, he will have finally lived up to his promise and his contract -- very expensive when written in 2003 -- for the first time in four years.

by Moggeee on Aug 24, 2006 12:32 AM PDT reply actions