By Andrew Baggarly - Mercury News
Kevin Frandsen hasn't played regularly at third base since he fielded aluminum-bat rockets at San Jose State. Daniel Ortmeier still looks at his first baseman's mitt like it's a sock puppet.
But amid the Giants' quiet off-season, Frandsen and Ortmeier stand as two potential sentries at the corner infield positions - and both young players are ecstatic about the opportunity.
"It's a new era, a fresh start for all of us," Frandsen said Wednesday. "All we care about is playing for the Giants, for this city and the fans in our ballpark. We're here to show them they should be excited about us because we can play. We've watched each other have great success in the minor leagues."
With pitchers and catchers reporting in three weeks, the Giants currently have Frandsen, Ortmeier and Rich Aurilia to man the corners. Frandsen said he hasn't been promised anything by upper management. Same for Ortmeier, who began his conversion from the outfield in August.
"But I respect that because I want to be ready to compete and win a job," Ortmeier said. "That was my mindset from the first day of the off-season and it remains the same today. Whether we sign somebody tomorrow or we don't sign anybody at all, I'm focused on being healthy and ready to contribute."
Frandsen, 25, and Ortmeier, 26, took turns speaking with reporters at AT&T Park, as part of the club's effort to promote its younger, less star-driven club.
But amid the Giants' quiet off-season, Frandsen and Ortmeier stand as two potential sentries at the corner infield positions - and both young players are ecstatic about the opportunity.
"It's a new era, a fresh start for all of us," Frandsen said Wednesday. "All we care about is playing for the Giants, for this city and the fans in our ballpark. We're here to show them they should be excited about us because we can play. We've watched each other have great success in the minor leagues."
With pitchers and catchers reporting in three weeks, the Giants currently have Frandsen, Ortmeier and Rich Aurilia to man the corners. Frandsen said he hasn't been promised anything by upper management. Same for Ortmeier, who began his conversion from the outfield in August.
"But I respect that because I want to be ready to compete and win a job," Ortmeier said. "That was my mindset from the first day of the off-season and it remains the same today. Whether we sign somebody tomorrow or we don't sign anybody at all, I'm focused on being healthy and ready to contribute."
Frandsen, 25, and Ortmeier, 26, took turns speaking with reporters at AT&T Park, as part of the club's effort to promote its younger, less star-driven club.
But while the Giants are transitioning into a new, youth-driven era, they still hope to cover themselves. Club officials are exploring other possibilities for the corners, including free agent Morgan Ensberg. Giants scouts also plan to monitor Chicago White Sox third baseman Joe Crede this spring to see if his back is healthy. If so, club sources said there is a good chance the Giants could acquire him for a pitcher.
Crede comes highly recommended by former teammate and new Giants center fielder Aaron Rowand. Giants special assistant Ron Schueler also has pushed to acquire Crede, according to club sources.
Then there is Pedro Feliz, who turned down the Giants' two-year contract offer and remains unsigned.
"We moved on," Giants G.M. Brian Sabean said. "I don't see us doing business."
According to sources, Feliz has privately expressed a desire to break from his agents and come back on the Giants' terms, or perhaps even a one-year contract. But it was unclear whether Sabean would reopen the door.
Manager Bruce Bochy said he isn't awaiting more roster moves before pitchers and catchers report to Scottsdale, Ariz., on Feb. 13.
"We're getting fairly close now, so I'm looking at this club with what we have now, not at what we might possibly get," Bochy said. "We don't know if there's another fit out there."
Right now, Bochy likes some of the choices he has - especially Frandsen, who hit .370 in September as the everyday second baseman.
"Kevin looks like he's ready to take over and play on a regular basis," Bochy said. "But you do have another second baseman (Ray Durham) who two years ago threw up some great numbers and hit in the heart of the order. We're geared toward pitching and defense, but we'll have to knock in runs, too.
"So as manager, there'll be some tough decisions, especially when you're coming off a season like we had. We want to get back on track. It usually comes down to how much trust you have in your young players and who else you have on your ballclub. Right now, I'd say Ortmeier and Frandsen would get a lot of playing time."
Bochy said Ortmeier still has to answer questions about his defense and his switch-hitting stroke, especially from the left side. He was unable to inspire confidence in the Arizona Fall League because of a broken finger he sustained after just six games.
Frandsen, a veteran of two AFL seasons, spent his second consecutive winter working out in Arizona with Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia. The Giants might take a lesson from the way Boston stuck with Pedroia, who was hitting .172 on May 1. He rebounded to win American League rookie of the year honors and made huge contributions to the Red Sox's World Series victory.
"There's no bigger confidence boost than having someone stick with you after a month like that," Frandsen said. "It's what you'd hope the Giants would do if they give me an opportunity: stick with you and let you go through your lows, let you fight out of it."
• One player who won't be in the mix at first base is Lance Niekro, who signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros.
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