Andy Baggarly
San Jose Mercury News/Extra Baggs
The Giants just finished a very successful Cactus League with a 6-2 victory over the Dodgers here at Camelback Ranch. They’re taking 38 players, the largest group I can ever remember, on the flight to San Francisco.
This doesn’t mean the roster is a complete crapshoot, though. Bruce Bochy just said he and Brian Sabean have made their decisions, although everything is subject to change depending on injuries, last-minute accidents, etc.
I’m reasonably sure on 24 of the 25 guys. The final spot in the bullpen remains a battle between Waldis Joaquin, Kevin Pucetas and Alex Hinshaw.
Here’s the group I expect to see standing on the foul line at Minute Maid Park on Monday:
SPs: Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Barry Zito, Jonathan Sanchez, Todd Wellemeyer
RPs: Brian Wilson, Jeremy Affeldt, Dan Runzler, Sergio Romo, Brandon Medders, Guillermo Mota, Joaquin/Pucetas/Hinshaw.
INF: 1B Aubrey Huff, 2B Juan Uribe, SS Edgar Renteria, 3B Pablo Sandoval, 1B/LF Travis Ishikawa
OF: LF Mark DeRosa, CF Aaron Rowand, RF Nate Schierholtz, OF John Bowker, OF Andres Torres, OF/2B Eugenio Velez
The most notable omission is Buster Posey, whom I wrote about in today’s notebook. I get the feeling Buster wouldn’t be in Fresno for long, if indeed that’s where he begins the season.
Another omission is Henry Sosa, who tossed two more shutout innings today and hasn’t allowed a run in 11 1/3 innings this spring. He’s also held hitters to a .184 average. I’m told Sosa isn’t a candidate to crack the bullpen, though. It’ll be interesting to see where he’s sent and in what capacity. I’m guessing starter at Double-A.
One thing that strikes me this spring: A lot of guys won roster spots or worked their way into consideration. But nobody really lost a roster spot. Nate Schierholtz’s struggles threw the starting right field job into flux, but he started to figure it out in the last couple days and his spot on the team was never in doubt.
For John Bowker, though, it was a different story. He wasn’t expected to make the team when camp opened. He responded by hitting his way onto the roster, and perhaps into a starting role.
The other guy in limbo is Fred Lewis, but it’s hard to say he lost a job this spring. I don’t think he had one to begin with. Way back at the winter meetings, I got the strong sense that Lewis wouldn’t be a Giant on opening day, and it looks like his only chance to remain in the organization is if club officials place him on the disabled list.It’s also worth mentioning Hinshaw, who had an erratic spring last year and really needed a strong showing to put himself back on the map. He’s done absolutely everything in his power to make the team, so hat’s off to him. It’s a testament to the quality of arms in this camp that Hinshaw’s chances remain iffy at best.
