Niekro AND Ellison to make opening day roster??

by sfgreg on Mar 27, 2007 11:21 AM PDT

According to an article in today's San Jose Merc, the team is leaning towards dumping Sweeney, carrying Niekro and Ellison and carrying only 11 pitchers:

A club source said the Giants are so intent on keeping outfielder Jason Ellison and first baseman Lance Niekro, both of whom are out of options, that they are resigned to starting the season with just an 11-man pitching staff. Even with the extra position spot, there doesn't appear to be room for Sweeney at the end of the bench.

http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_5529394

I guess there is some risk in only carrying 11 pitchers, but no one exactly stepped up and won a job. It's possible that once Aurilia shows he is healthy Frandsen could be sent down if another arm is needed.

So who would be the six bullpen members?
Benitez
Wilson
Kline
Correia
Chulk
Hennessey?
Atchison, Kim?
Waiver Wire pick-up?
Trade?

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Re: Niekro AND Ellison to make opening day roster?

Outside of ST, Ellison is usually a good candidate for the "Tits on a Bull" award. Too many mistakes and bad decisions to even be useful as a pinch runner or defensive replacement.

by mxmob33 on Mar 27, 2007 11:33 AM PDT reply actions

Tyler Walker doesn't have tits.

And even if he did, he'd lactate awesomeness.

"When I think of how many times the Enemy has tried to kill Tyler Walker..."

by multiphasic on Mar 27, 2007 5:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Niekro AND Ellison to make opening day roster?

I'm thinking the first six on your list are it. The article also notes:

But most of their bullpen candidates can be optioned, so the Giants expect to continue making roster moves through April [...]

I'm not sure who all that includes, though. Wilson definitely has options; so do Munter, Taschner, Sadler and Sanchez. Chulk is out of options; I believe Hennessey and Correia are also, but I'm not sure.

That would make it sound like Wilson could be rotating with Munter-Taschner-Sadler (German techno act goes country-western?) in the sixth bullpen spot, assuming they want to keep Sanchez starting.

"Yep, I'm a Dodger hater" - Kevin Frandsen

by EliminateMe on Mar 27, 2007 11:39 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Niekro AND Ellison to make opening day roster?

Correia and Chulk are the only relievers (besides of course Benitez and Kline) that can not be optioned to the minors without going through waivers.

by giantsrainman on Mar 27, 2007 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Niekro AND Ellison to make opening day roster?

I'm pretty sure that Hennessey has had three option years already, which would mean he's on that list too.

by Grant Brisbee on Mar 27, 2007 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Niekro AND Ellison to make opening day roster?

This is getting into the fine points of the rules, but ... as I understand them ... and hoping my recollection is accurate and that the rules have not changed ...
a) Hennessey was optioned to the minors in 2004 and 2006. However, in both of those seasons he spent less than 20 days on optional assignment during the season. Hence, only one option year has been used on Hennessey in 2005. He still has two option-years remaining.
b) Correia had a 4th option-year available last year. I believe that option-year carries over to this year (his 5th full pro season, but it would not carry over to next year). One additional note: since it has been over three years since Correia made his major league debut, he does have to pass through waivers before he can be optioned. (This is different than for Chulk, who is out of options. For Chulk to be sent to the minors, he has to be removed from the 40-man roster.)

by steve S on Mar 27, 2007 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Niekro AND Ellison to make opening day roster?

In otherwords both Corriea and Chulk are would have to pass through waivers to be sent to Fresno. Corriea to be optioned and Chulk to be taken off the 40 man roster. Therefore, my original statment is correct in effect even if it isn't correct in language. Every other reliever on the 40 Man Roster (except of Course Benitez and Kline) still have options for the Giants to use without also requiring waivers.

by giantsrainman on Mar 27, 2007 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Niekro AND Ellison to make opening day roster?

Okay, so that would mean that, if we assume that Benitez, Kline, Correia and Chulk all make the roster, they have 2 bullpen spots they can use to play Musical Relievers.

"Yep, I'm a Dodger hater" - Kevin Frandsen

by EliminateMe on Mar 27, 2007 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Niekro AND Ellison to make opening day roster?

"they have 2 bullpen spots they can use to play Musical Relievers"

That is the way I see it.

by giantsrainman on Mar 27, 2007 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Niekro AND Ellison to make opening day roster?

The Giants should give Sanchez a chance to close, but because he has options, he's likely headed for Fresno. If he goes to Fresno, they should have him start, so he can get more innings in. If they want him as a short reliever, they should keep him up in the bigs.

I'm not opposed to going with 11 pitchers because it allows everyone to get work in after the season starts. However, I'd rather have Sanchez be the 12th pitcher than keep Ellison. He's fairly useless.

Sweeney is gone.

We'd be pretty good if we didn't suck so bad.

by nostocksjustbonds on Mar 27, 2007 12:24 PM PDT reply actions

Niekro & Ellison to make opening day roster?

I see a six deep bullpen of:

Benitez - Closer
Wilson - Righty SetUp
Kline - Lefty SetUp
Chulk - Righty Middle Relief
Taschner - Lefty Middle Relief
Correia - Long Relief

I see both Sanchez and Hennessey joining Lincecum, Misch, and Palmer in Fresno's Rotation.

I further see Kim, Atchison, and Munter joining Sadler, Cortes, and Threets in Fresno's Bullpen.

by giantsrainman on Mar 27, 2007 1:16 PM PDT reply actions

Ellison to make opening day roster?

Correia was our best reliever last year, in my mind he's gotta be our set-up man.
Wilson has given no indication that he is ready to thrive at the big-league level I'd rather Hennessey pitch long relief, and make Wilson the closer for Fresno where he can work on his control.

Who dat is? That's just Ortmeier's daddy.

by rotorueter on Mar 27, 2007 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Ellison to make opening day roster?

The Giants clearly think more of Wilson then Correia and Wilson has out pitched Correia this Spring. Correia's sucess last year was in long relief and the Giants will most likely keep him in that role this year.

by giantsrainman on Mar 27, 2007 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Ellison to make opening day roster?

I thought Correia was our set-up man last year...

Who dat is? That's just Ortmeier's daddy.

by rotorueter on Mar 27, 2007 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Ellison to make opening day roster?

Accardo and Chulk were our righty SetUp Men last year while Kline was our lefty SetUp Man. Just look at Correia's only 48 Appearances but 68 and 2/3 Innings and it is clear that he was used in long relief. SetUp Men average an Inning an outing or less (not more).

by giantsrainman on Mar 27, 2007 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Niekro, Ellison to make opening day roste

Lincecum, Sanchez, and Hennessey in the rotation...Lewis, Schierholtz, Ortmeier, Ishikawa and EME in the lineup...could be a good year for the Grizzlies!

"Yep, I'm a Dodger hater" - Kevin Frandsen

by EliminateMe on Mar 27, 2007 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Niekro AND Ellison to make opening day roster?

I like the idea of a six-deep bullpen, although I probably wouldn't want those six pitchers to consist of two lefty specialists, three short relievers, and a long reliever who hasn't been stretched out at all in the spring. Hennessey will probably make the Opening Day roster only because he can spot start or pitch five innings of relief right out of the gate, even if he can't do it very well. Taschner has pitched better than his awful spring ERA would indicate, but he wasn't exactly lights out, he has options, and Bochy isn't a big righty-lefty matchup guy. I would expect Taschner to start the season in Fresno, and be called up the day after a long Hennessey appearance (or a Wilson meltdown).

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

by Pants Man on Mar 27, 2007 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Niekro AND Ellison to make opening day roster?

Too bad we didn't bring in Rudy Seanez, he could have been had for nothing. He is having a nice spring for the Dodgers.

Spring stats:
9.1ip, 1.93era, 10k, 1BB, 4h.

This from cbs sportsline rumor mill:

"Philadelphia Daily News reports veteran righthander Rudy Seanez might be an option for the Phillies if the Dodgers make him available. The Dodgers are planning to keep only 11 pitchers on their roster, and Seanez, despite his 1.93 ERA in 9 1/3 innings this spring, might be the odd man out."

Maybe there is a chance to get him, Bochy is very familiar with him.

Adopted Giant Brian Wilson, he shall save us!

by sfgreg on Mar 27, 2007 1:28 PM PDT reply actions

Gameday thingie 2/27?

I can't get freaking MLB Audio to work! AGAIN!

Can anyone else?

My Adopted San Francisco Giant: Notgardo Alfonzo

by tk on Mar 27, 2007 1:48 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Gameday thingie 2/27?

Nope, not working for me either.

Adopted Giant Brian Wilson, he shall save us!

by sfgreg on Mar 27, 2007 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Gameday thingie 2/27?

And Morris is one-hitting the Mariners (the one hit is Ichiro). Goddamn. What are you getting, "ERROR! Please call 1-800-..." or "Server busy"? I've gotten them both in the last 20 minutes.

My Adopted San Francisco Giant: Notgardo Alfonzo

by tk on Mar 27, 2007 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Gameday thingie 2/27?

I got the same thing, first it was the call 1-800... or email and now it says server busy. Morris is doing well so far and the offense has 4 runs on the board already. These aren't things that have been very common lately and I a little upset that I am missing it.

Adopted Giant Brian Wilson, he shall save us!

by sfgreg on Mar 27, 2007 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Bud Selig says:

"Stuff happens. Hey, why don't you take your tax refund and buy a nice satellite dish and get Extra Innings on DirecTV?"

Lon Simmons' adopted dad.

by Kitspool on Mar 27, 2007 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Gameday thingie 2/27?

Sooooooo happy I saved the $20 or whatever on Gameday Audio this year. I was so disappointed with it last year that I didn't re-up this year. What a waste of time and money that thing was.

Proud adoptive papa of the one, the only, Omar Vizquel.

by PacBellBoozer on Mar 27, 2007 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions

We're on?

We're on!!!

My Adopted San Francisco Giant: Notgardo Alfonzo

by tk on Mar 27, 2007 2:03 PM PDT reply actions

Re: We're on?

YES! Just in time to hear Notgardo hit a 2-run dinger. I need my Giant's Webcasts(plural on both).

Adopted Giant Brian Wilson, he shall save us!

by sfgreg on Mar 27, 2007 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: We're on?

I seriously can't deal without my Giants Webcasts (plural on both). Thank Gog it's back!

My Adopted San Francisco Giant: Notgardo Alfonzo

by tk on Mar 27, 2007 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: We're on?

LOL, only a couple more left.

Adopted Giant Brian Wilson, he shall save us!

by sfgreg on Mar 27, 2007 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: We're on?

That's OK, then it's real broadcasts and instead of being glued to the laptop (including taking it outside the backyard) I walk around with my transistor radio hanging out of my pocket till October.

Who's this guy they're talking to?

My Adopted San Francisco Giant: Notgardo Alfonzo

by tk on Mar 27, 2007 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: We're on?

They are chatting with Andrew Baggerly of the San Jose Mercury News.

And yes, I am looking forward to the real broadcasts.

Adopted Giant Brian Wilson, he shall save us!

by sfgreg on Mar 27, 2007 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions

3/27 not 2/27

That's why I don't start those gameday diaries.

HOME RUN, NOTGARDO!! ADIOS PELOTA

My Adopted San Francisco Giant: Notgardo Alfonzo

by tk on Mar 27, 2007 2:06 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Niekro AND Ellison to make opening day roster

I swear, these guys will get me fired. I mean, with lines like these, what else can one do but through the desk thru the window.

Taschner: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB (I think that is a WHIP of 3).
Wilson: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 2 BB (I think that is a WHIP of 9).

I mean, who cares if they make it thru waivers.

by allfrank on Mar 27, 2007 4:09 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Niekro AND Ellison to make opening day roster?

Nice to see Morris working into shape for the season...and I understand the elaborate interest in the sieve - er , rotation...Todd Linden hit his ASS off at the plate this Spring...did he earn a starting position? All I can find is Boche saying he'll "..play a major role this season..." , but where?

Aiming for - er , AT the Top Dog!(Mr. Safeway Himself)

by victor frankenstein on Mar 29, 2007 3:16 AM PDT reply actions