SF Giants notes

[TopChuckie]

He'll get some PH opps as well with Panda as the emergency catcher....

We have one game in season eligibility, would you classify Panda catching as truly requiring an emergency, or maybe they'll throw him back there here and there with a big lead, way behind, or simply to facilitate a double switch late in a game somewhere along the line? I have Chris Snyder as my C2, sure would love to move Sandoval there, not that 3B is that much easier to fill.

[Judge Jude]

I have had Panda since Day One, and I'd be surprised if he got one inning as a C this year.

Meanwhile, I have DL-d FSanchez and Burriss sharing a lowly roster spot.
Much chance either gets a lot of ABs at 2B this year?

[The Dane]

I have had Panda since Day One, and I'd be surprised if he got one inning as a C this year.

Meanwhile, I have DL-d FSanchez and Burriss sharing a lowly roster spot.
Much chance either gets a lot of ABs at 2B this year?

Agreed, Pablo is only an emergency at catcher. Don't count on him getting a single inning. However, if Sanchez's bat makes Bochy get more creative with the lineup, I suppose there could be a greater chance of seeing it. But, last year, after losing Posey and having a black hole at catcher all season, and good bats like Belt and Pill hunting for ABs, you'd have thought they'd have given him time at catcher in that situation. But they didn't. So, don't bet on it this year with a healthy Posey and Sanchez.

As with 2B... ugh, talk about black holes. Just my guess, but I think a lot of it will have to do with how the team fares in the early season. This year the Giants are doing something they NEVER do: They are letting the kids play. If this is definitely working, I think we see Burris get a real shot. If they are struggling, they will look to the veteran for leadership, in Sanchez. I don't think either will be very good. Sanchez will get some hollow AVG/OBP and Burris will get an odd SB here and there, probably equal value in equal ABs. Don't forget, Theriot will work his way in there some too, and he won't get the hollow AVG/OBP or the SBs, and yet may play as much as either Sanchez or Burris. 2B is an abyss of pain in SF.

[martin]

I thought Blanco was sent down, no?

No, Blanco made the team. 5th OF/pinch-runner type role.

For those of you scraping the bottom of the 2B barrel, Bochy stated on the radio this morning that Theriot will likely start over Burriss today.

[overkill94]

Any value for Pill this year? I chimed in at $2 when someone threw him out and ended up with him. His AAA numbers were pretty good but that was in the PCL. It would also help a lot if he got MI eligibility (1 game only) - any chance he sees a little time over there?

[Judge Jude]

hilarious that this comes out of the blue, after this thread chat

The Giants plan to have Pablo Sandoval catch bullpen sessions.
The Giants have Hector Sanchez as the lone backup to Buster Posey, so they want Sandoval prepared in case of emergency. "If they need me, I’ll be in there," said Sandoval, who hasn't caught in a game since 2009. "It’s gonna be tough when you get two or three years not catching. You have to be ready to catch two bullpens in one day to make sure I’m fine. But I don’t get mad. It’s part of the team and if I have to do it, I’ll do it for sure." It's an interesting note, but it's unlikely he'll actually play behind the plate during a game, let alone get his handy catcher-eligibility back. Source: CSNBayArea.com Apr. 6 - 6:07 pm et

[JudeBaldo]

****ing Goldschmidt. He sees the ball so well against Lincecum.

[JudeBaldo]

Good grief lets get out of Arizona. The Giants starters being treated like immigrants by the Diamondbacks' hitters

[JudeBaldo]

Another day, same result. Cain getting snake bit like Lincecum and MadBum before him. Getting killed by walks and then the pitches that are getting driven are mistakes.

[overkill94]

At some point I may have to admit I've been wrong about Melky Cabrera, but not yet. Not yet.

Did you record that with your super 8 camera from your Betamax tape?

[The Dane]

Zito with a CG shutout on his first start of the season. What a country!

Timmah, Cain, and MadBum crap the bed and in comes Barry Frakkin Zito with the dominant pitching performance Giants fans expect to see!? Serves this team right if the pitching fails the year they finally seen to have purchased a league-average offense. Wasting last year's awesome pitching was a travesty.

[swampdragon]

Maybe they should bring back Shawn Estes

[Sharky]

Maybe they should bring back Shawn Estes

That was one hell of a staff, with Estes, Russ Ortiz, et al. Quite a collection. Was Tomko there at the same time? I can't remember.

[Hornsby]

Timmah, Cain, and MadBum crap the bed and in comes Barry Frakkin Zito with the dominant pitching performance Giants fans expect to see!? Serves this team right if the pitching fails the year they finally seen to have purchased a league-average offense. Wasting last year's awesome pitching was a travesty.

How is this going to be a league average offense? No SS, No 2B, all of the OF below average power-wise, Huff a total question mark. Hell, if this team is anywhere close to average I'll be shocked...

[The Dane]

How is this going to be a league average offense? No SS, No 2B, all of the OF below average power-wise, Huff a total question mark. Hell, if this team is anywhere close to average I'll be shocked...

I think they can be average. If Pagan stays healthy and Melky stays hot, coupled with a return of Posey, the normal crew of Sandoval and Huff et al should be able to near league-average, and WAY better than it has been the past few years.