Aaron Rowand

, one more time, let's view what the opening day line-up should look like (with the assumption that Aaron Rowand will lead-off): CF Rowand2B Sanchez3B Sandoval1B Huff LF De RosaC  MOLINASS RenteriaRF SchierholtzSP Lincecum  I would say pretty solid, but is there another potential right fielder out there with more experience? Is the team willing to spend any more money? I would say probably not because they still have to sign Lincecum who has asked for $13-million in salary arbitration for 2010 -- the Giants are offering only $8-million. He'll get at least ten, and probably closer to twelve. Regardless of Timmy's final number, that will boost the team payroll somewhere around 100-million-dollars, and that includes about five-million in deferred money to Barry Bonds.  So, although it would be nice to add an Eric Byrnes (Bay Area kid for probably for not much money), Xavier Nady (former Cal Bear, most recently with the Yankees), or Jermaine Dye (Sacramento kid and one-time Oakland Athletic), it just doesn't appear financially feasible. I believe it was me last season who said that Schierholtz deserves an extended look to prove himself. Now that Randy Winn is gone, it appears the time is now for Nate to play everyday in right field for the Giants. There is some young depth for the outfield as well with Andres Torres, Eugenio Velez, John Bowker, and (I would say very reluctantly) Fred Lewis.  

Continue reading ""Bengie Molina is Back in the Squat ..."

Is Buster Posey going to be the opening day catcher? Who knows? Remember, Aaron Rowand was at his best last year in the lead-off slot.   And what's the deal with Adam LaRoche? He turned down a two-year deal for more money from the Giants to accept a one-year deal with Arizona? I thought it was location (East Coast versus West Coast), but apparently, it's all about the ball park. Let's be sure to boo La Roche heartily when the D-Backs come to town. It's kind of like Colorado's Todd Helton, who openly displays his disdain for hitting in the Giants' yard (although I saw him launch a home run in S.F. last season).  To make room on the 40-man roster, Arizona released Eric Byrnes, who has suffered through two miserable, injury-riddled seasons. To me, he would be an ideal fourth outfielder. He's a local guy who grew up here, and still has a home here. In 2007 in 160 games for Arizona, Byrnes had 626 at-bats, 179 hits (.286 average), .353 on-base percentage, 21 homers, 83 RBI's and 50 stolen bases. That was the year Arizona played Colorado in the NLCS. Anyway, I don't know if his body is breaking down as a result of age (33-34ish), or if there's another explanation, but he would be a great get. Hey, Eric Byrnes at 85% is better than Fred Lewis as a fourth outfielder (sorry Fred). If the lead-off slot becomes and issue, Byrnes could (I didn't say "should") be considered an option, and play right field.  Oh, and good bye Merkin Valdez -- you freaking gas can! Great fast ball, but no control. The Giants dumped Valdez to make room on their 40-man roster for Aubrey Huff, and look; we're right back at the beginning of this conversation.  Spring training is getting closer everyday. Let's go!   

Continue reading ""Is Aubrey Huff the Final Piece to ..."

Now that we got that out of the way, who's left?  Aaron Rowand?  The most overprice number eight hitter ever.  Dude, get it together - you're making 12-million-dollars a year! &n

Continue reading ""Let's Talk About Next Year's Giants""

 

  Once again the offense came through:  Aaron Rowand's clutch two-run single, the long ball from Bengie Molina (#18 on the year), and four RBI's from Eugenio Velez, as San Francisco pounded out 10 more hits (25 in the last two games).  That was more than enough for Lincecum and the bull pen - Jeremy Affeldt and Bobby Howry allowed just one walk between them over the last two innings.  Juan Uribe and Travis Ishikawa carried over the good vibes from Sunday with two hits apiece Monday.

Continue reading ""Giants Close the N.L. Wildcard Gap ..."

s debut, how about back-to-back jacks to provide some comfort for the big man?  Juan Uribe and Aaron Rowand both went deep -- Rowand had a big year with Philly in '07 with 27 homers, 89 RB

Continue reading ""Digging Brad Penny in the Orange and Black""

ts could not stop Colorado, who exploded for seven runs in the 6th-inning - and no, let's not blame Aaron Rowand for opening the flood gates with that ill-advised throw to third base; allowing Brad Hawpe a free 90-feet to second base.  I guess it was a moot point anyway when the very next hitter, Ian Stewart, launched a three-run homer to tie the game.  It was mostly down hill from there.  As bad as it was to see both Justin Miller and Merkin Valdez give up four earned runs apiece in relief of Joe Martinez; it was great to see Ryan Garko finally flex his muscle, and smash two homers in the same game.  Rowand, Schierholtz, and Pablo also went deep in a wild, old school night at Coors Field, that saw 25 runs on 27 hits!  Humidor, what humidor?

Continue reading ""The Giants Have Got to Bounce Back ..."

The 8-5 victory included 12 more hits by the Giants.

 Monday, it was Aaron Rowand with four hits, including a home run; Tuesday, it was Ryan Garko, finally coming through with four RBI's, including the go-ahead runs with a clutch double in the 10th-inning.  Garko has obviously been pressing since his late-July trade from the Indians.  His batting average has hovered around .200 after hitting a solid .285 with the Tribe prior to the trade.  The Stanford product may finally be coming out of his funk just in time, boosting that average, and picking-up the slack for Pablo Sandoval and Bengie Molina, who each struck out three times Tuesday.  Randy Winn may also be awakening from his deep freeze, collecting two more hits (five in the last two games), and two more RBI's. Juan Uribe, who has been hobbled by injury in recent days, smacked a home run early in the game off Homer Bailey. Bailey pitched great through five-innings, but lost it in the sixth, surrendering four more runs. San Francisco also broke through against Reds' closer Francisco Cordero, touching him up for three runs - and the loss.  Two more games against Cincinnati with Barry Zito and Matt Cain scheduled to pitch Wednesday and Thursday.  Then, it's the big finale of the road trip with four games in Coors Field against the front-running, wild-card-leading Rockies.  

Continue reading ""Will The Hits Keep Coming for the Giants?""

 Defense.  Aaron Rowand, in the 9th inning makes a gold glove grab against the center field wall to rob Edgar Gonzalez of a sure double.  Oh, and Jonathan's Dad was in attendance, watching his son pitch for the first time as a starter in a major league game.  Talk about a good luck charm.  What an incredible embrace between Father and son in the doughout after the game.

Continue reading ""JOANATHAN SANCHEZ, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?""

  We are officially halfway through the season, and I'm trying not to get too excited about these Giants.  However, if the last three games are any indication of where this team i

Continue reading "Giants Outscore The Cardinals and ..."

Giants up, facing Dave Bush.

Molina crushes it to left again. This time it's over the wall. And Molina likes 'em low because that pitch was fished out of his heels.

Sandoval does his best Bengie Molina impression for a double in the gap.

Continue reading "Brewers at Giants, Bottom of the Seventh"

Giants up, facing Suppan

Ishikawa - Hard groundball bounces off the glove of third baseman Hall.

Rowand - He hits it high, he hits it deep... 2-run homer to left. He knew it was game the moment it cracked his bat, and we're back on top!

Continue reading "Brewers at Giants, Bottom of the Fourth"

Mike Cameron - Four pitch walk. I think Timmy's feeling the opening day jitters.

Bill Hall - Strikes out on a high 3-2 fastball. Cameron steals second, beating a decent throw from Molina.

Jason Kendall - Excellent change up brings the count to 2-2. Grounder to 2B. 2 outs, runner on third. Pitcher's up.

Continue reading ""

I guess it is inevitable the old adage that says 'What goes around, comes around.  Certainly seems that the Giants were listening to that one, as they blasted the Mets 10-2 one nite and the Mets

Continue reading "Bad 2 days at AT&T"

ound "on eggshells." 

 

 With Bonds absence, newly acquired outfielder Aaron Rowand is trying to lead this team and bring them all together.  He believes if the team bonds, it will help produce wins.  "If you get together and guys start hanging out away from the park, people end up becoming good friends," Rowand said. "Then if things go sideways, you can get your point across a lot easier. The last thing you want as a teammate is to tell somebody something and have them get defensive. That doesn't do you any good."

Continue reading "Gone Bonds Gone: Giants Now able to Relax"