Giants' Wilson exports fastball insight to India

BACK HOME, CLOSER JOB IS HIS TO LOSE

Andrew Baggarly-Mercury News

Most major leaguers spend the off-season on the golf course or hunting. Some play winter ball in the Caribbean.

Brian Wilson went to India.

The Giants right-hander spent three days in Mumbai, teaching a cricket-mad nation how to throw a good old American fastball. It's part of a television show that will select one winner as the "Million Dollar Arm," complete with cash prize and a major league tryout.

"There's a billion people there," Wilson said. "Somebody is going to come out of a billion people."
Wilson, who connected with the TV show through his agents, considered it time well spent. And the more he hears about cricket, the more he appreciates being a baseball player. International test matches can stretch four or five days, lasting nine hours each day, counting breaks for luncheon and afternoon tea.

"Oh yeah, tea is huge," said Wilson, who also spent three weeks backpacking in Ireland. "The fan support is totally different. They can be out there all day. I said, 'Congratulations to you.' I couldn't imagine playing the Dodgers for nine hours a day for five days and only getting one win out of it."

Besides, it's hard enough being a closer in the big leagues, knowing one pitch could undo three hours of your teammates' hard labor.

Wilson is ready to assume that role, and with the Giants expecting to win tight games behind their strong rotation, the closer will bear a huge responsibility. Giants Manager Bruce Bochy has said the closer job is Wilson's to lose this spring, with Tyler Walker providing the competition.

"I always felt that anybody can pitch in the ninth inning," Wilson said. "It's just the ability to take failure and shrug it off."

Walker has no doubt Wilson has the stuff to close. The two pitchers were together most of the summer at Triple-A Fresno, where Walker was finishing his rehab work from elbow ligament-replacement surgery.

"I'd say to others, 'Why is he here?' " Walker said. "He's clearly dominating this level. I don't know what they're waiting for.' "

"He thought he'd make the team in the spring, things would fall into place and he'd be the closer. It was a real gut check for him to go back to the minor leagues, but it made him a better person and a better pitcher. Now I think he's arrived at this level and he doesn't have to worry about that process anymore."

But plenty of fans might be worried about the Giants bullpen, which hasn't undergone any changes from last year's underwhelming unit.

Last year, the Giants outscored opponents in the first eight innings (644-634). But from the ninth inning and beyond, they were outscored decisively (86-39). It's not surprising, then, that they had the most extra-inning losses in the major leagues (6-15 record). They had a 4-16 record in games tied after eight innings.

Their lack of power and clutch hitting played a factor - and Barry Bonds often didn't hang around to play all nine innings. But their bruised bullpen played as big a role. Relievers combined for a 20-33 record - the most losses of any bullpen in the National League. And relievers struggled even though they weren't overtaxed. Only Arizona threw fewer relief innings among N.L. teams.
The biggest positives were Walker and Wilson, who dominated big league hitters in late August and September.

"We have an opportunity for a fresh start," Walker said. "The bullpen losses, the ERA, the number of one-run losses, that's all over with. You let that stuff go. Everybody's got a zero ERA now and no blown saves. That's something we'll stress early on.

"We're only as good as our weakest link. We'll stand together and be accountable for what we do."

If that doesn't work, there's always Mumbai.

More Joe Crede...from Chicago

Joe Cowley-Chicago Sun-Times

The whispers around the (White Sox) organization still seem to point to the idea that if the third baseman shows up to camp and the back looks strong he will be gone by the middle of Cactus League play. The top suitor remains San Francisco, who may even have a deal in place with the Sox, contingent on the back recovery. The big reason why? Aaron Rowand. While talking to Williams in his first free-agent discussion with the club this offseason, the second question out of Rowand’s mouth – right after “That’s all the years can you give me?’’ – was about the future of his good friend Crede. Don’t think for a second that Rowand isn’t in the ear of Giants’ brass, campaigning for Crede to come West and be locked up to a contract extension.

Bullpen facelift unlikely

With relief market soaring, Sabean content to stand pat

Chris Haft / MLB.com

Although the Giants knew that improving their bullpen was imperative after last season, they've made no significant personnel changes in that area. And it's quite likely that they won't add any more relievers before pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training on Feb. 13.

"We may have to be ready to go with what we've got because of the market going berserk," Giants general manager Brian Sabean said this week.

Sabean was referring to some of the lucrative contracts free-agent relievers received this offseason. Scott Linebrink coaxed a four-year, $19 million deal from the White Sox, Octavio Dotel prompted two years and $11 million from the White Sox, Ron Mahay and Troy Percival each got two years and $8 million from Kansas City and Tampa Bay, respectively, and Masahide Kobayashi forged a two-year, $6.5 million pact with Cleveland.

Sabean expressed hopes that the Giants can "strike a chord" with former big leaguer Keiichi Yabu, who was signed to a Minor League contract, and Rule 5 draftee Jose Capellan.

Nobody needs to remind the Giants of their bullpen shortcomings in 2007. San Francisco relievers led the National League with 33 losses, and the club's 39-55 record in games decided by two runs or fewer could be attributed at least in part to the bullpen.

Without citing names, Sabean indicated that the Giants had little or no interest in the remaining free-agent relievers, a group that includes Shawn Chacon, Trever Miller, Mike Myers and Akinori Otsuka. Sabean noted that trade possibilities could arise toward the end of the exhibition season, when teams with overcrowded rosters try to part with a player or two.

Although Pedro Feliz's career-long tenure with the Giants appears to be over, Sabean said that he would remain receptive to a fresh proposal from the third baseman or his agents. Sabean broke off talks with Feliz after a two-year offer was "dismissed out of hand," but left the door ever so slightly ajar. "Our job is to listen and be open-minded," Sabean said.

Frandsen's serious: To Kevin Frandsen, Ray Durham has long been a mentor. Now, he's a competitor.

Frandsen has spoken often about the joys of being teammates with Durham, who has never hesitated to counsel and encourage the younger Giant. But with both approaching Spring Training as candidates to start at second base, Frandsen's looking to unseat Durham, not receive advice from him.

"It's nothing against Ray," Frandsen said this week. "It's just that I want that job."

Frandsen, who hit .269 overall last season, gave himself momentum by batting .370 last September while Durham played sparingly. "It's right there in front of me," Frandsen said of the opportunity to claim a regular's role. "That's the way I'm looking at it."

But no ballclub wants a reserve earning $7.5 million, which is what Durham would be if Frandsen supplants him. "I hope Ray bounces back, too," Frandsen said of the 13-year veteran, who hit a career-low .218 last season. Although the Giants have emphasized their intent to field a younger lineup, Durham, 36, and Frandsen could be in the lineup together if the club doesn't find a viable replacement for Feliz at third base. Frandsen played extensively at third in college and started four games there last year. Rich Aurilia is another third-base option.

First choice: Numerous free-agent first basemen remain available -- Sean Casey, Mike Sweeney, Doug Mientkiewicz and Tony Clark, among others -- but none is likely to sign with the Giants as a complement to Dan Ortmeier.

Sabean said that the presence of Aurilia, who can play every infield position, minimizes the need for a veteran first baseman. Aurilia was last year's Opening Day first baseman and started 42 games there.

The likelihood of obtaining additional help at first base, Sabean said, is "less and less with each day that passes. I don't know that we could marginally improve ourselves with anybody out there."

The Giants' inactivity in this area also reflects their commitment to youth in general, and Ortmeier in particular. But Ortmeier, 26, isn't assuming anything. He insisted that he's still approaching Spring Training as if he has to win a starting job.

"Does it boost your confidence? Sure," Ortmeier said. "But there are still a couple of weeks left before Spring Training. For me, I'm just trying to stay focused on coming in healthy and ready, and whatever happens outside of that is out of my control."

Giants' Frandsen looking to start

Henry Schulman-San Francisco Chronicle

Kevin Frandsen is so pumped about his new, more muscular physique, he greeted a reporter Wednesday by yanking off his shirt to flaunt his concrete biceps.

That might not be the shrewdest behavior as long as ex-Sen. George Mitchell still has his sniffer working, but Frandsen wanted to make a point about how hard he worked on his conditioning this winter. He was no less subtle when he announced the reward he wants for his effort - the Giants' second base job held for the last five seasons by Ray Durham.

"As much as I love Ray - and everyone knows that - and everything that Ray's done for me, I want that job," Frandsen said. "I want to win it. I'm going to take it, and that's what I feel like I'm going to do. You can't think any other way. I don't want to be reluctant to say, 'Oh, I just want to be here.' I want to be here to win, and I want to be here as a full-time, everyday player."

The question is, will the 25-year-old get the chance to unseat Durham, who will earn $7.5 million this season? For that matter, will 26-year-old Daniel Ortmeier get a true shot to be the regular first baseman? Will Rajai Davis, Fred Lewis and Nate Schierholtz have the opportunity to steal starts from Dave Roberts, who has two years and $13 million left on his deal?

These questions cut to the core of the 2008 Giants, who have made only two significant player moves this winter: re-signing shortstop Omar Vizquel to a one-year, $5.3 million contract and signing free-agent center fielder Aaron Rowand to a five-year, $60 million deal.

In opening a new chapter, without Barry Bonds, will the Giants contradict more than a decade of behavior, let their younger players loose and give Ortmeier the 500 at-bats he seeks? (When told Ortmeier wants 500 at-bats, Frandsen smiled and said he wants 700, which should dovetail nicely with Commissioner Bud Selig's secret plan to extend the regular season to 200 games.)

General manager Brian Sabean said Wednesday he fully expects manager Bruce Bochy to give the younger players lots of starts.

"I think at this point it looks favorable," Sabean said. "I think the players realize that, and Boch and the coaching staff realize the transition we're in. To not give guys like Frandsen and Ortmeier a chance to play, in the phase we're in, would be counterproductive."

Which is not to say their jobs are stamped in ink. Sabean said he remains in the trade market, and to a lesser extent free agency, in a search for offense and a regular third baseman - and the roster should be considered "fluid" into spring training and even beyond.

Pedro Feliz apparently is gone, with Sabean saying, "We made a two-year offer, which he rejected. We've pretty much moved on from there." There are other third baseman coming off injuries who might be available via trade - most notably Joe Crede and the already-dealt Scott Rolen - and Sabean acknowledged he is monitoring players in that category.

Barring an acquisition, the Giants could go with a platoon of Frandsen and Rich Aurilia at third base (when Frandsen is not playing second) and Aurilia and Ortmeier at first. Sabean said Aurilia's presence most likely precludes the signing of another role-type first baseman, such as Tony Clark or Mike Sweeney, to mentor Ortmeier.

Ortmeier also got bigger over the winter, not only rising from 220 pounds to 230, but reapportioning his weight to make his swing more powerful, as the team asked him to do.

He slugged .430 in 305 at-bats for Triple-A Fresno last season and .497 in 167 at-bats with the Giants, including seven doubles, four triples and six home runs.
He recognizes he cannot replace the power lost with Bonds.

"I'm definitely not going to come in and try to hit more home runs," Ortmeier said. "I'm going to try to do what I do, which is make good, consistent contact. I think I'm strong enough, and my mechanics are good enough, that if I hit the ball, it's going to go. I'm not too worried about that. You can't come and think, 'I gained 10 pounds. I'm going to hit 15 more home runs.' "

Sabean's interview with The Chronicle was his first since a congressional hearing in which he was taken to task for his supposed role in enabling steroid use in the Giants' clubhouse. He declined comment on that issue.

Ortmeier, Frandsen might man the corners

Young Giants possible at first and third

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 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.

Giants Considering Ensberg, Crede

MLB Trade Rumors

Pedro Feliz rejected the Giants two-year offer. The team plans to look internally for a solution at third base. Andrew Baggarly of the Mercury News comes in with the possible leading candidate: Kevin Frandsen.

He hasn't manned the hot corner regularly since college, but his performance in just under 300 plate appearances last year has earned him a legitimate shot at the starting gig. He played third base for 55 innings last year. Most of his time was spent at second base, which figures to be occupied by Ray Durham in 2008.

Frandsen is a better option than Feliz, but the Giants still might bring in veteran competition in the form of Morgan Ensberg or Joe Crede. Baggarly's club source said there's a "good chance" of acquiring Crede if his back is healthy this spring. Noah Lowry would be too much; Brad Hennessey maybe?

Crede for Lowry?

Mark Gonzales-ChicagoSports.com

Ken Williams, admits he will continue to exchange calls with teams regarding his third base situation that could last throughout spring training."There is no timetable on the third base issue," Williams said. "I view it as a positive. We have two very qualified guys [in veteran Joe Crede and Josh Fields] who can play the position and provide us offensive and defensive support.

"Crede remains under the most scrutiny because of his recovery from back surgery and because he can become a free agent after 2008.Crede's $5.15 million contract is very affordable to teams seeking a sure-handed third baseman with run-producing ability. Negotiations between San Francisco and Pedro Feliz has stagnated, and new Giants senior adviser of player personnel Ron Schueler was the Sox's GM during Crede's first five minor-league seasons (1996-2000).The Giants are listening to offers for left-hander Noah Lowry, who is signed through 2009 at $6.75 million for the two seasons with a club option for 2010 worth $6.25 million. He has 100 major-league starts, so he clearly has an experience edge over the 55 combined career starts of Sox Nos. 4-5 starters John Danks and Gavin Floyd.

Comment: The Joe Crede rumors re-surface once again. This time, its for Noah Lowry. The question must be asked if a solid starting pitcher worth a player who is coming off surgery (back) and who will be a free agent following the 2008 season. The free agency alone should raise eyebrows; but this coupled with his having Scott Boras as an agent should ring alarms at all levels. Nothing against the writer's speculation, but Lowry is probably worth more overall than Crede straight up, especially with the aforementioned being part of the puzzle. The Giants still have been strangely silent in every aspect of starting the re-building process in the post Barry Bonds era. Still needed, a thirdbaseman, a true three and four hole hitter and probably more depth in the bullpen. One wonders what the Giants brainthrust is currently thinking....or are they still reeling from the Mitchell Report and its possible ramifications?

Around the Horn: Outfielders

Trio of youngsters out to compete with established veterans

By Chris Haft / MLB.com

SAN FRANCISCO -- Don't fall into the trap of assuming that the Giants outfield for 2008 is set.

It's safe to guess that Dave Roberts, Aaron Rowand and Randy Winn will occupy the outfield, left to right. Rowand, San Francisco's top offseason acquisition, is certainly a fixture in center, and Winn, who's also assured of being a regular, should spend most of his time in right, lending stability to an outfield that will function without Barry Bonds for the first time since 1992.

But other possibilities exist, since the Giants appear serious about giving younger outfielders Rajai Davis, Fred Lewis and Nate Schierholtz a chance to excel:

• Davis, a right-handed batter, could platoon with the left-handed-hitting Roberts in left, or win the job outright.

• If Schierholtz proves worthy of a starting spot, he likely would settle in right field, with Winn shifting to left.

• Should Lewis harness his considerable talent, he'd force the Giants to think hard about what to do with Roberts, since they possess similar attributes.

Regardless of what happens, somebody among the trio of Davis, Lewis and Schierholtz probably won't be standing on the first-base line to participate in pregame introductions for the March 31 season opener at Los Angeles. Which means that Spring Training will serve as a cauldron of competition as Roberts strives to remain a regular and Davis, Lewis and Schierholtz bid to open the season in the Majors for the first time in their careers.

Even where there's no competition, there's fire. Rowand, who signed a five-year, $60 million contract as a free agent, will bring intensity to the clubhouse and the field -- the "warrior spirit" that manager Bruce Bochy said was lacking last season. Motivation comes naturally for Rowand, who said, "It's more of my personality. I'm kind of an aggressive person."

Bochy has said that Rowand, who hit .309 with a career-high 27 home runs and 89 RBIs last season with Philadelphia, will bat fifth. Two spots ahead of Rowand is likely to be Winn, who rebounded from a subpar 2006 season to hit a club-high .300. Winn remains the Giants' handiest outfielder, capable of playing left (where he started 14 games last year), center (31 starts) or right (98). Winn was the team's projected center fielder before Rowand's signing.

Bone spurs in Roberts' left elbow, which required surgery last May 11, prevented him from being the offensive dynamo at the top of the order that the Giants hoped for. Roberts' .260 average represented a 33-point decline from the previous season, but his 31 steals in 36 tries and the .296 average he posted in the final three months indicated that he could still contribute.
Roberts was briefly supplanted in the lineup last season by Davis, 27, who hit .282, stole 17 bases in 21 tries and provided breathtaking defense after being acquired from Pittsburgh in the July 31 Matt Morris trade. Davis, who compiled a .363 on-base percentage but only a .380 slugging percentage in 142 at-bats with the Giants, must improve his ability to handle hard-throwing right-handers if he's to gain more playing time.

Lewis, who batted .287, demonstrated his flair for the spectacular last season by hitting for the cycle on May 13 at Colorado and belting a pair of grand slams. A strained right oblique and a sprained big toe limited him to 100 games, including 58 with the Giants.

Neither Davis nor Lewis has Minor League options remaining, meaning that they cannot be sent to Triple-A Fresno without being made available to other teams through the waiver process. This could work against Schierholtz, who still has options left. However, Schierholtz has little to prove at Triple-A, where he hit .333 with 16 homers and 68 RBIs in 109 games last year.

Schierholtz also batted .304 in 39 games with the Giants, and although he failed to homer in 112 Major League at-bats, he showed some power in the Arizona Fall League, where he hit .348 with four homers in 89 at-bats for Scottsdale.

Dan Ortmeier, originally an outfielder, is projected to play first base but could return to his original spot if needed. Left-handed-hitting prospect John Bowker, who hit .307 with 22 homers and 90 RBIs at Double-A Connecticut, will receive a look in Spring Training, as will Clay Timpner (.301 at Fresno) and non-roster invitees Ben Copeland (.280 at Class A San Jose), Brian Horwitz (.320 at Connecticut and Fresno) and Mike McBryde (.276 at Class A Augusta).

Giants sign Hennessey to one-year deal

San Francisco Giants-MLB.com

SAN FRANCISCO -- Right-handed pitcher Brad Hennessey has agreed to a one-year contract for the 2008 season, club Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Sabean announced today. Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed.

Hennessey, who has pitched the last three seasons with San Francisco, was eligible for arbitration. The only remaining arbitration-eligible players for the Giants are right-handed pitchers Kevin Correia and Vinnie Chulk.

The 27-year-old Toledo, OH native pitched exclusively out of the bullpen for the Giants in 2007, leading the staff in appearances (69) and saves (19). Overall, he logged a 4-5 record with a 3.42 ERA (68.1ip). He took over the closer's role in late May after the trade of Armando Benitez, holding the spot until the final two weeks of the season when Brian Wilson was given save chances. Hennessey converted 19 of 24 save attempts overall, including a stretch of 14-straight save conversions from June 30-Aug. 31 which was the longest by a Giants pitcher since Robb Nen had a 28-save streak in 2000.

The Giants' first round selection in the 2001 Baseball Draft, Hennessey has compiled a career record of 17-18 with 20 saves and a 3.77 ERA in 131 Major League appearances (40 starts).

Around the Horn: Middle infielders

Giants could have spirited battle at second base

Chris Haft-mlb.com

The middle of the infield could be the center of attention for the Giants during much of Spring Training.

Second base promises to be the site of spirited competition, with Ray Durham and Kevin Frandsen competing for the starting job and prospect Eugenio Velez providing additional intrigue.

Omar Vizquel remains virtually assured of the regular shortstop's role, but his level of performance is no longer a given, due to his age (40) and 49-point drop in batting average last year.

The Giants are expected to rely largely on airtight defense and a "small-ball" approach this season. Their keystone combination obviously will be essential to the former and integral to the latter.

"I think what we need is our guys to have the years that they're accustomed to having and their track record shows," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said, with the likes of Durham and Vizquel planted firmly in his mind. "If they have the years they're expected to have, we should put more runs on the board."

After ranking 15th among National League teams in runs in 2007, San Francisco's offense almost surely would improve with a resurgence from Durham, who slumped dramatically last season (.218, 11 home runs, 71 RBIs, compared with .293/26/93 in 2006). Giants general manager Brian Sabean called it a "lost year" for Durham, whose contract expires after this season -- a potential source of motivation. The Giants would be thrilled if Durham could hit somewhere around .274 with 15 homers, which are his averages in five seasons with San Francisco.

But Durham, 36, played sparingly in last season's final weeks and isn't assured of the starting job. Frandsen, 25, hit .370 in September and looked more comfortable with each passing day at second base. "He played as well as anybody on the club," Bochy said. "We'll do all we can to get him in there."

That could mean playing Frandsen at third base, if he and Durham prove worthy of starting and the Giants remain without a viable third-base alternative.

Velez, 25, is unlikely to leapfrog Durham and Frandsen, though he'll make his presence felt with his considerable speed. The switch-hitter showed off his acceleration during a 14-game September trial with the Giants and followed that by hitting .303 with 14 steals in 15 tries in 17 games with Scottsdale in the Arizona Fall League. Velez, who has played the outfield, still needs to settle in at one position and might begin the season at Triple-A Fresno to do just that.

Entering his 20th Major League season and fourth with the Giants, Vizquel ought to have nothing to prove. But he'll be watched with skeptical eyes after hitting .246 in 2007, down from .295 the year before. Like Durham, Vizquel has more than just personal pride to goad him into improving. Vizquel must play in 140 games to activate a $5.2 million option for 2009, and he won't reach that goal unless he's healthy and productive enough to stay in the lineup.

At the very least, Vizquel's defense remains peerless. "It's still incredible," Sabean said.

Utilityman Rich Aurilia almost surely will spend time in the middle infield, as well as at the infield corners. Aurilia, who's healthy again after enduring neck and hamstring injuries last year, started seven games at second base and 11 at shortstop in '07.

Often criticized for not developing position players, the Giants appear primed to produce their next generation of middle infielders from within. Emmanuel Burriss and Brian Bocock, who'll be 23 when the season begins, are being groomed to inherit shortstop from Vizquel. Neither has played above high-Class A, however, so don't expect to see them at AT&T Park immediately. Burriss played five games at second base during a 17-game Arizona Fall League stint with Scottsdale, indicating that he could be a candidate for a position switch.

Nick Noonan, an 18-year-old second baseman/shortstop selected in the supplemental round (32nd overall) in last June's First-Year Player Draft, impressed the Giants immediately by hitting .316 in the Arizona Rookie League.

Joe Crede...anyone?

mlbtraderumors.com

John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus checks in with his usual Sunday column. He's got some new hot stove material to consider.

Perrotto suggests that Joe Crede is on the Giants' radar if they don't re-sign Pedro Feliz (hat tip South Side Sox). Crede seems like he'll be involved in one of those late Spring Training deals, given the need to prove his health.

Comment: One wonders the direction Giants management is embarking. Aaron Rowand is an excellent pick up. Joe Crede (provided he is healthy) is an interesting possibility. Here it is, mid-January and the roster is far from complete. The one positive thing is that Cain and Lincecum remain. The next month between today and the start of Spring Training will be very interesting. Still needed....3B, 1B, and relief pitching and the rumor mill has been silent as a snake hunting a mouse.

Giants invite 15 to big league camp

Veteran pitcher Fortunato highlights cast of non-roster players

By Mychael Urban / MLB.com

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants on Friday released a list of 15 players to whom they've extended non-roster invitations to Major League Spring Training, and it's headlined by Bartolome Fortunato, who will get a chance to continue his comeback from major elbow surgery by competing for a spot in San Francisco's bullpen.

Fortunato will be joined in Scottsdale, Ariz., as a non-roster invitee next month by fellow right-handers Victor Santos and Keiichi Yabu; catchers Steve Holm, Pablo Sandoval and Jackson Williams; infielders Brian Bocock, Emmanuel Burriss, Brett Harper, Justin Leone, Scott McClain and Ivan Ochoa; and outfielders Ben Copeland, Brian Horwitz and Mike McBryde.

Fortunato, 33, missed the entire 2007 season due to Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, but he was dominant for Cibao in the Dominican Winter League, going 3-0 and tossing 13 1/3 scoreless innings over 15 relief appearances. He struck out 12 for the Gigantes while yielding four hits in 41 at-bats for a .098 opponents' average.

Fortunato has made 20 career Major League relief appearances, for Tampa Bay (2004) and the Mets (2004 and 2006).
Santos, an 11-game winner with the Brewers in 2004, has made 186 Major League appearances (87 starts) for Detroit (2001), Colorado (2002), Texas (2003), Milwaukee (2004-05), Pittsburgh (2006), Cincinnati (2007) and Baltimore (2007).

Yabu, 39, spent his lone Major League season with Oakland in 2005, going 4-0 with one save and a 4.50 ERA in 40 relief appearances. Prior to joining the A's, he spent 11 seasons with the Hanshin Tigers of the Japanese Central League.
Holm, 28, will open his eighth professional season by making his second consecutive trip to Major League Spring Training. He earned Eastern League All-Star honors for Double-A Connecticut in 2007, batting .272 with nine home runs in 84 games.

Sandoval, 21, will make his debut at big league camp in 2008. A switch-hitter, he was a key member of Class A San Jose's California League championship club in 2007, batting .287 with 33 doubles, five triples, 11 home runs and 52 RBIs. A career .296 hitter over five professional seasons, he was named to the World Team for the 2006 Futures Game during All-Star Weekend.

Williams, 21, the 43rd overall pick in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Oklahoma, will open his first full professional season. He spent last summer with short-season Salem-Keizer, batting .231 with five home runs and 20 RBIs in 42 games for the Northwest League champions.

Bocock, 22, will make his first appearance at big league camp to open his third professional season. A fleet-footed shortstop, he combined to post a .243 average with 28 doubles, four triples, five home runs, 57 RBIs and 41 steals in 126 games last season with San Francisco's Class A affiliates in Augusta and San Jose.

Burriss, 22, comes to his first Major League Spring Training after being tabbed by Baseball America as the Giants' 10th-best prospect entering 2008. San Francisco's sandwich selection (33rd pick overall) in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft is coming off a 68-steal season in 2007 and has stolen 103 bags over his first two professional campaigns. Also a switch-hitter, he batted .278 between San Jose and Augusta last year before hitting at a .365 clip in 17 games for Scottsdale in the Arizona Fall League.

Harper, the 26-year-old son of former big league backstop and current Giants roving catching instructor Brian Harper, opens his first year with San Francisco after spending his first seven professional seasons in the Mets organization. A left-handed hitter with above-average power, he posted a .296 average with 25 doubles, 24 home runs and 88 RBIs in 131 games with Double-A Binghamton in 2007.

Leone, 30, comes to his second straight camp with San Francisco after being the only Giants farmhand to post a 20-homer, 20-steal season in 2007. In 128 games last year with Triple-A Fresno, he batted .269 with 30 doubles, 20 home runs, 60 RBIs and 26 stolen bases. A 10-year professional, he's seen Major League action with Seattle (2004) and San Diego (2006).

McClain, 35, returns to San Francisco after leading the organization with 31 home runs and 100 RBIs at Fresno in 2007. A prolific Minor League power hitter, he's hit 262 home runs with 1,001 RBIs in 1,636 career Minor League games; he also hit 71 homers in 320 games for Seibu in Japan. Entering his 19th professional season, he has played in 30 Major League games with the Rays (1998), Cubs (2005) and Giants (2007).

Ochoa, 25, also returns for a second consecutive Spring Training with the Giants at the onset of his ninth professional season. He struggled with injuries in 2007 but was a .296 hitter in 47 games with Fresno when healthy.

Copeland, 24, was selected in the fourth round of the 2007 Draft and earned his second straight trip to big league camp after helping San Jose to the 2007 California League title by batting .280 with 22 doubles, six triples, seven home runs, 50 RBIs and 14 stolen bases in 106 games.

Horwitz, 25, has captured a pair of batting titles in two different leagues and will make a second consecutive appearance at San Francisco's big league camp. A fifth-year professional, the Cal product combined to bat .320 in 119 games last year with Connecticut and Fresno. He has a lifetime .322 batting average and .392 on-base mark over 381 career Minor League games.

McBryde, 22, will open his third professional season with his first stint at Major League Spring Training. San Francisco's fifth-round Draft choice in 2006 spent last season with Augusta, batting .276 with 17 doubles, seven home runs, 61 RBIs and 14 steals in 119 games.

Rowand makes strong impression

Giants center fielder discusses all-out style with SF media

By Mychael Urban / MLB.com

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants' first big-ticket acquisition of the post-Barry Bonds era was former White Sox and Phillies center fielder Aaron Rowand, who signed a five-year, $60 million free-agent deal last month.

Eager to embrace his leadership role on a team intent on building a contender with strong pitching, defense and a "gamer" mentality that many fans felt was lacking in Bonds' final years, Rowand on Wednesday showed up at AT&T Park for a series of half-hour individual interviews with a variety of local media outlets to discuss.

Here's a sampling of what Bay Area newspapers had to say about the meet-and-greets:

San Francisco Chronicle: The Giants, during Peter Magowan's ownership, always have been about selling personalities, which is one reason Bonds was around for 15 years and one reason the team committed $126 million to pitcher Barry Zito a year ago.

... Rowand said he wants to be a team player, just one of the gang. That might have been easy when he played for a Chicago White Sox team that boasted big personalities such as Frank Thomas and A.J. Pierzynski, or even in Philadelphia, where one could hide comfortably in Ryan Howard's shadow.

In San Francisco, the Giants will want Rowand to be an out-front guy.

"I'm comfortable being whatever they want me to be," he said. "I'm here to play, and play hard every day. If they want to put me on a billboard or a media guide or a commercial, that's fine with me. It couldn't bother me one way or the other."

... His short hair neatly coiffed, and his light mustache and goatee neatly trimmed, Rowand hardly looked like the down-and-dirty player he professes to be, a guy who bypassed better teams and signed with the Giants partly because they offered a fifth contract year, but also because manager Bruce Bochy told him he wants Rowand to infuse his style of play into what has been a staid team.

"Boch wanted to get the team going in a direction of playing the game hard, getting dirty, being aggressive," Rowand said. "He wants to build this team around that style of play, and that's the way I play. It's a very good fit for me as a player. In Chicago, they called it grinder style."

... One truth that Rowand swears by is the need for teammates to be close. To that end, he has taken large groups of players to dinner and paid the check ... while also hosting team parties. His goal: establishing cohesion that translates into wins.

"That's how you create chemistry," he said. "That's how you can hold people accountable, because you go up and say something to them and they're not going to get [mad] at you because they think you're attacking them. You're saying it to them as a friend and a teammate."

The Giants' clubhouse was nothing like that during the Bonds era. It often was a tense room. If Rowand can help fellow veterans Omar Vizquel, Dave Roberts, Randy Winn and others change the atmosphere in 2008 -- which figures to be a foundation year in a reconstruction process -- then the first chunk of his large contract might be deemed well-earned.

"You look at all the young guys in the clubhouse who've come up the last couple of years," Rowand said. "You've got Barry there, who's been there forever, who's been one of the best in the game for as long as he's been, it's tough to be yourself around someone of that stature. It's not Barry's fault. It's the monster that is being a celebrity and being as good as he is.

"With him out, guys might be a little more themselves."

San Jose Mercury News/Media News Group: New center fielder Aaron Rowand stopped by the Giants' ballpark Wednesday and said he looks forward to winning over the fans of San Francisco.

That should be a snap for a guy who earned unadulterated love from the notoriously prickly fans of Philadelphia.
How the heck did he do that?

"It was easy," Rowand said. "I ran into a fence."

Oh, yeah, that. In his 33rd game with the Phillies in 2006, the daredevil player ran face-first into the outfield wall.
He broke his nose.
He fractured his face.
He missed two weeks.
But he made the catch.

"Fans just want to see somebody who cares," Rowand said during a stopover at AT&T Park. "They just want somebody who goes out there and plays hard. They respect that."

If that quote sounds distinctly unlike a certain former Giants outfielder, it's not by accident.

... "When I go home every night, I can put my head on my pillow and go to sleep," [Rowand] said. "I don't lay there and wonder, 'What if I'd tried harder? What if I'd given more?'

"That's how I play. That's the game that I bring."

Fences, consider yourselves warned.

Around the Horn: Corner infielders

Ortmeier front-runner at first; Feliz a possibility to return

Chris Haft-MLB.com

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants have become accustomed to excellence at first base, but this year they'll settle for mere competence.

At third base, they'll settle for almost anything or anybody at the current rate.

The Giants should feel more secure about their infield corner positions once the regular season begins. Before that, they have some questions to answer.

Dan Ortmeier, primarily an outfielder throughout his six-year professional career, approaches Spring Training as the top candidate to man first base. However, Giants management hasn't ruled out obtaining a veteran to complement the 26-year-old.

Third base, which has belonged to Pedro Feliz in recent years, is less defined. Feliz appeared destined to flee as a free agent, but he hasn't found the three-year contract he's said to be seeking, raising the possibility that he could return to San Francisco on a shorter-term deal. The Giants have considered other options through trade and free agency -- Miguel Cabrera, Miguel Tejada, Brandon Inge -- but haven't found a fit.

For much of their 50-year tenure in San Francisco, the Giants never had to worry about first base. Orlando Cepeda, Willie McCovey, Will Clark and J.T. Snow turned the spot into prime real estate. Last year, it became landfill. Giants first basemen ranked 14th in the National League in batting average (.262), 15th in on-base percentage (.324) and last in home runs (13), RBIs (62) and slugging percentage (.410). The league averages, respectively, were .284, .365, 27, 98 and .481.

At least the Giants have a potential contributor in Ortmeier, a switch-hitter who batted .287 in 62 games with the Giants last season. At 6-foot-4, he possesses a first baseman's stature, and he has hastened his education by receiving tutelage from Snow, a six-time Gold Glove winner.
"He's a quick study," Giants general manager Brian Sabean said of Ortmeier. "That's encouraging."

Another encouraging development was Ortmeier's improvement batting left-handed. Though that was considered his weaker side, he hit .310 left-handed, compared to .257 right-handed. However, he remained more powerful swinging right-handed (four home runs in 70 at-bats, compared to two homers in 87 at-bats left-handed).

San Francisco Giants
Barring further roster moves, Rich Aurilia will be the leading alternative to Ortmeier. Capable of playing every infield position, Aurilia spent most of his time in 2007 at first base, where he started 42 games.

This year could be different for Aurilia, who hit a subpar .252 while being bothered by neck and hamstring injuries last season. If the Giants don't make a significant acquisition at third base, Aurilia, 36, will likely receive a chance to establish himself there. He started 21 games at third last year and 39 there in 2006 with Cincinnati, so he knows his way around the position.

So does utilityman Kevin Frandsen, who'll compete with Ray Durham to start at second base. Frandsen, named the Western Athletic Conference's best defensive third baseman in 2003 at San Jose State, started four games at third last season and could emerge as a factor there if both he and Durham prove worthy of starting. Frandsen, who hit .269 overall, made his case to play somewhere in 2008 by hitting .370 last September.

Immediate reinforcements from the Minor Leagues aren't forthcoming. Angel Villalona, the 17-year-old Dominican signed to a club-record $2.1 million bonus in 2006, projects as either a third or first baseman, but probably will need at least two or three more years of Minor League experience. First baseman Travis Ishikawa, who sparkled in a 2005 cameo appearance with the Giants (.292), batted only .214 at Double-A Connecticut last year. Lance Niekro, the Giants' Opening Day first baseman in 2006 who was designated for assignment last May, became a Minor League free agent after hitting .301 in 47 games at Triple-A Fresno.

Giants have work to do in 2008

Corner infield spots, bullpen unsettled going into new year

By Chris Haft / MLB.com

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants will begin 2008 with plenty of unfinished business left over from 2007.

With the exception of the addition of Aaron Rowand, they've made no moves to strengthen the offense, which ranked at or near the bottom of most significant statistical categories -- even with all-time home run leader Barry Bonds, who's a free agent and won't be re-signed.

They also have yet to bolster the bullpen which led the National League with 33 losses and bore substantial responsibility for the club's 39-55 record in one- and two-run decisions.

So expect Giants general manager Brian Sabean to remain busy throughout January.

Strictly in terms of bodies on the diamond, the Giants don't need anybody. Dan Ortmeier has been groomed for first base; Rich Aurilia and Kevin Frandsen, who's also a leading candidate to play second base, can handle third. But if Sabean is going to upgrade the offense, the infield corners are the likeliest places where a helpful hitter can be plugged in.

A similar situation exists in the bullpen, which has no shortage of candidates: right-handers Vinnie Chulk, Brad Hennessey, Randy Messenger, Tyler Walker and Brian Wilson (the likely closer), and left-handers Steve Kline, Jack Taschner and Erick Threets.

But Kline and Taschner struggled against left-handed batters in 2007, allowing averages of .318 and .316, respectively. And the Giants lost 24 games when leading or tied after seven innings and posted a 14-27 record in games decided in the final at-bat, reflecting the bullpen's overall ineffectiveness.
The Giants could dip into their starting rotation or outfield to fill their needs. Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum finally have been declared as fixtures in the rotation, but the Giants will listen to offers for left-handers Noah Lowry and Jonathan Sanchez.

Among the outfielders, Dave Roberts would appear to be the most vulnerable to being traded, since relative youngsters Fred Lewis, Rajai Davis and Nate Schierholtz lack the track record to prompt serious interest.
Having already tapped the free-agent market to obtain Rowand, who signed a five-year, $60 million deal, the Giants might again dip into this pool for hitting and pitching help.

"My sense is there will be players available in the free-agent market for a long time to double back on," Sabean said.

Re-signing third baseman Pedro Feliz, who became a free agent after spending his entire career with the Giants, remains a possibility, since he hasn't yet obtained the three-year contract he seeks. The Giants have indicated that they'd be willing to settle on a one- or two-year deal with Feliz.

Grading on a curve: On a scale of one to 10 for this offseason, the Giants deserve no higher than 5 at this point.

They've maintained the strength of their team, which is their starting pitching, but they haven't fully addressed their needs at the infield corners and in the bullpen, where depth is lacking. Signing center fielder Aaron Rowand should help the team, not only on the field but also in the clubhouse. Keeping shortstop Omar Vizquel also was a positive move, but he was unlikely to go elsewhere anyway.

Arrivals: CF Rowand.
Departures: LF Bonds, 1B-OF Ryan Klesko, RHP Scott Munter.

The road ahead: The Giants will continue to search for a third baseman and might even bring back Feliz. Although first base is a lesser priority, don't be surprised if the Giants obtain somebody to push Ortmeier.

Lowry or Sanchez still could disappear in a trade, but that seems less likely with each passing day. The bullpen could remain a sore spot through Opening Day unless additions are made or existing relievers significantly improve.

Shea Hillenbrand?

Los Angeles Times

Shea Hillenbrand has only received one inquiry this winter - from the Giants. He probably won't be earning $6MM again. Hillenbrand posted a .599 OPS in 267 ABs for the Angels and Dodgers this year. I thought perhaps that was one of the worst performances of the decade for guys with 250+ ABs. However it's only the 49th worst since 2000. Homer Bush's 2000 takes the cake - a .524 OPS for the Blue Jays in 297 ABs.