Sergio Romo

The bullpen has depth, despite the departure of both Valdez and Bobby Howry. Brandon Medders, Sergio Romo, Dan Runzler, Waldis Joaquin, and even Joe Martinez can fill the void; bridging the gap to Jeremy Affeldt and closer Brian Wilson. We'll see how things shake out in spring training. There's about a half dozen other bullpen candidates, including one-time short stop Tony Pena, Jr.   So, 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.  

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 Sergio Romo is back after a brief stumble, striking-out the side in the 7th, and getting the first two outs in the 8th.  Jeremy Affeldt finished off Lance Nix with a nasty curve-ball

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uable to trade at this point.

  Listen...all players go through slumps, but as solid as Sergio Romo performed in the first half, it has been slightly alarming to watch him fail to record a SINGLE OUT over his last two appearances.  Romo is a perfect six-for-six; that is, six consecutive hitters allowed to reach base (and all six scored by the way).  That's six runs added to the old ERA.  Justin Miller appeared very rusty in relief of Romo Monday, and promptly surrendered a three-run home run to Ryan Church.  Bobby Howry, who has been buried on the bullpen depth chart, didn't do much to improve his status, allowing a couple of late runs - one of which was earned. 

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 Sergio Romo has been a solid contributor since returning from injury (2.79 ERA), bumping Bobby Howry down on the bullpen food chain.  Merkin Valdez may finally be healthy enough to r

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