Team-by-team outlooks
The Giants went into the offseason vowing to get younger and more athletic. Noble goals. Then they went out and signed Barry Bonds, 42, Rich Aurilia, 35, Ray Durham, 35, Ryan Klesko, 35, Dave Roberts, 34, Russ Ortiz, 32, Bengie Molina, 32 and Pedro Feliz, 31.
The problem? They realized the premium it costs to get players who are not past their prime.
Hence all the money -- and years -- thrown at 28-year-old Barry Zito.
So, they remain old offensively, even if their pitching staff is young with some solid long-term pieces in Zito, Matt Cain, 22, and Noah Lowry, 26.
Spring position battles
No. 5 starter -- Russ Ortiz vs. Jonathan O. Sanchez, Brad Hennessey and Tim Lincecum
This is really only a battle between Ortiz and Sanchez, but Hennessey will be on call for starts when needed this season and Lincecum is the Giants' best prospect and a potential front-line Fantasy starter. Ortiz is a retread only for the deepest of NL Fantasy leagues at this point, because he was nothing short of awful last season. Sanchez has potential, but the Giants apparently like him more in a setup role at this point. Sanchez could have mixed-league value if he starts or closes (if Armando Benitez is traded).
First base -- Rich Aurilia vs. Ryan Klesko
Aurilia has versatility working for him and against him at this point. His ability to start in every infield spot will assure him ample of chances for at-bats, but it might make him more of a platoon mate at first if Klesko is healthy. Reports are Klesko has finally been able to weight train in the offseason and has added muscle. Shoulder problems notoriously sap a slugger's power, so Klesko might be a comeback player of the year candidate. Consider Aurilia a potential sleeper in deeper mixed leagues for his versatility, but Klesko is more of an NL-only Fantasy option on Draft Day. It's certainly not out of the question either or both of these guys rip off hot streaks this season that make them usable for all leagues.
Right field -- Randy Winn vs. Todd Linden
This isn't really a position battle, because Winn has the job to himself, but it should be. The Giants need to get younger and Linden is on the verge of having a breakthrough in the big leagues. He could develop into a Kevin Mench-type. Winn is a low-end mixed-league option at this point in his career, while Linden is a sleeper for NL-only leagues on Draft Day.
Closer -- Armando Benitez vs. Brian Wilson and Jonathan O. Sanchez
Yet another battle/non-battle. Benitez is paid to be the closer, if he's healthy. But he could be paid to be the closer for the Marlins, too. There has been a lot of talk about that -- especially if Benitez is able to prove he's healthy early in spring. Wilson is the reported fall-back closer at this point, while Sanchez is an exciting young arm who could pitch himself into the mix, if he doesn't pitch himself into the rotation. Consider Benitez an injury-risk sleeper closer late on Draft Day. Wilson and Sanchez are more middle-relief fliers in deeper leagues for their potential to close down the road.
| San Francisco Giants Outlook | |||||
| Projected lineup | Pos. | Projected Rotation | |||
| 1 | Dave Roberts | CF | 1 | Barry Zito | LH |
| 2 | Omar Vizquel | SS | 2 | Matt Cain | RH |
| 3 | Randy Winn | RF | 3 | Matt Morris | RH |
| 4 | Barry Bonds | LF | 4 | Noah Lowry | LH |
| 5 | Rich Aurilia | 1B | 5 | Russ Ortiz | RH |
| 6 | Ray Durham | 2B | Alt | Jonathan O. Sanchez | RH |
| 7 | Pedro Feliz | 3B | Top bullpen arms | ||
| 8 | Bengie Molina | C | CL | Armando Benitez | RH |
| Top bench options | SU | Brian Wilson | RH | ||
| R | Ryan Klesko | 1B/OF | RP | Jonathan O. Sanchez | RH |
| R | Kevin Frandsen | UTL | RP | Steve Kline | LH |
| Rookies/Prospects | Age | Pos. | 2006 high | Destination | |
| 1 | Tim Lincecum | 22 | RHP | Class A | Double-A |
| '06 pick extremely raw, but Giants feel he could be factor this year | |||||
| 2 | Fred Lewis | 26 | CF | Majors | Triple-A |
| Could provide some steals for NL Rotisserie owners this season | |||||
| 3 | Nate Schierholtz | 23 | OF | Double-A | Triple-A |
| Last season's numbers were disappointing, but could start in '08 | |||||
| 4 | Marcus Sanders | 21 | SS | Class A | Class A |
| Speedy infielder had terrible 2006, but he can rebound this year | |||||
| 5 | Daniel Ortmeier | 25 | OF | Majors | Triple-A |
| Yet another Giants prospect with disappointing numbers in '06 | |||||
| Best of the rest: 1B Travis Ishikawa, 23; RHP Nick Pereira, 24; RHP Dan Griffin, 23; RHP Joey Martinez, 24; LHP Pat Misch, 25; OF Eddy Martinez-Esteve, 23; RHP Billy Sadler, 25; SS Emmanuel Burriss, 22. | |||||
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