'Optimistic' Giants open Spring Training

San Francisco welcomes new faces to Scottsdale camp

Chris Haft
MLB.com

By far, Randy Johnson ranks first among Giants pitchers with 295 career victories. And judging from what he said recently, he's also among the team leaders in enthusiasm.

Johnson's entering his 22nd season, but it's his first with the Giants, who signed him to a one-year, $8 million contract in December. The future Hall of Famer is looking forward to starting Spring Training with San Francisco's pitchers and catchers, who are due to report to camp Saturday. Their first workout will follow Sunday.

Position players are due to report Tuesday, with the first full-squad workout scheduled for the next day.

Spring Training will last about a week longer than usual due to the World Baseball Classic, and Johnson sounded ready to help the Giants attempt to build the type of club that can end their stretch of four consecutive losing seasons.

"Let's go to Scottsdale and be optimistic," Johnson said. "Maybe this is our year. Why would it be so funny to say that?"

Johnson won't be the only prominent new face in camp. Jeremy Affeldt and Bob Howry were obtained to solidify the bullpen and Edgar Renteria received a two-year contract to play shortstop.

The Giants also will be eager to see Noah Lowry, their wins leader in 2005 and '07, who has recovered from two arm surgeries that sidelined him last year. Manager Bruce Bochy said that Lowry is "on schedule" to resume a normal spring regimen. That should further the left-hander's bid to reclaim a spot in the rotation, though general manager Brian Sabean said Wednesday that Lowry would have to unseat Jonathan Sanchez, who finished 9-12 and struck out 157 batters in 158 innings last year.

Left fielder Fred Lewis is believed to have regained full health after undergoing surgery last September to remove a bunion from his right big toe.

The only Giants player expected to be hampered by injury is right-hander Merkin Valdez, who recorded a 1.69 ERA in 17 relief appearances before a strained elbow sidelined him in mid-May. Bochy said that Valdez might be slightly behind the other pitchers physically, though he has been throwing.

Valdez will be among 29 pitchers in camp, an apparent excess given the number of spots that seem to be filled. Bochy anticipates fierce competition for the last bullpen opening or two. Affeldt, Howry, Jack Taschner and Brian Wilson are locks, and Alex Hinshaw, Sergio Romo and Keiichi Yabu might have an advantage over other contenders. But Valdez, Osiris Matos, Rule 5 Draftee Luis Perdomo, Billy Sadler and non-roster invitees Francis Beltran, Brandon Medders, Justin Miller and Ramon Ortiz will keep things interesting.

The Giants must learn whether Pablo Sandoval, who's virtually assured of a place in the Opening Day lineup due to his .345 average in 41 season-ending games last year, can handle third base adequately. Otherwise -- or if San Francisco signs free agent Joe Crede, which appears to be a long shot -- Sandoval will move to first base.

Should Sandoval remain at third, Travis Ishikawa, John Bowker and non-roster invitee Josh Phelps will compete at first base. Second base promises to be the site of another free-for-all involving Kevin Frandsen, Emmanuel Burriss and Eugenio Velez.

The Giants also want to boost their right-handed-hitting prowess off the bench or at first base if Ishikawa or Bowker sits against a tough left-handed starter. Rich Aurilia, who started 99 games at the infield corners last year, and Phelps are candidates for this role.