Although for much of the spring Giants fans have entertained their darkest fears, first baseman Brandon Belt has made the opening-day roster. Belt certainly has the potential to help what otherwise threatens to be a basement-level Giants offense. He's utterly raked across two minor-league seasons (a batting line of .343/.457/.596 over that span), and, if given the chance, he'll almost certainly out-perform Aubrey Huff.
On that front, it's worth noting that, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, manager Bruce Bochy is inclined to make Belt the primary first baseman, at least to start the season. “He’s been getting most of the playing time," Bochy said of the 23-year-old Belt. "Brandon has had a good spring.”
Huff, meanwhile, appears to be bound for the outfield, where he will be ... defensively problematic.
The real upshot is that the organization, despite its long-standing preference for declining veterans, seems poised to give Belt a real shot. That's good news for the Giants' hopes in 2012.
Other comings and goings from around baseball ...
- CBSSports.com Insider Jon Heyman reports that the Yankees have signed right-hander Ramon Ortiz to a minor-league contract.
- The Yankees have also acquired catcher Chris Stewart from the Giants in exchange for right-hander George Kontos. Last season, the 30-year-old Stewart authored a paltry .592 OPS for San Fran, while Kontos, age 26, turned in a very effective season in 2011, primarily in relief and primarily for AAA-Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Stewart will serve as Russell Martin's backup, while Francisco Cervelli has been optioned to Triple-A.
- The Red Sox will open the season with Carl Crawford, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Rich Hill, and Andrew Miller each on the 15-day DL and Andrew Bailey, Ryan Kalish and Chris Carpenter each on the 60-day DL. Elsewhere, Justin Thomas has made the active roster as a reliever.
- Twins right-hander Scott Baker (elbow) will open the season on the DL, and right-hander Jason Marquis has been optioned to AA-New Britain in order to build up arm strength.
- Right-hander Miguel Batista and outfielder Mike Baxter have both made the Mets' active roster.
- Rule-5 pick/infielder Ryan Flaherty has made the Orioles' 25-man roster.
- The A's will carry 11 pitchers on the active roster to start the season.
- The Cubs claimed infielder Luis Valbuena off waivers from the Blue Jays.
- The Rays will start the season with B.J. Upton, San Fuld and Robinson Chirinos on the disabled list. Closer Kyle Farnsworth (elbow strain) is likely to join them.
- Orioles farmhand/catcher Brian Ward has been suspended for 50 games for his second violation of the minor league’s drug treatment and prevention program.
- Rookies Hector Sanchez and Dan Otero have both made the Giants' 25-man roster.
- The Cardinals have acquired minor-league outfielder Cedric Hunter from the A's in exchange for the always-coveted "future considerations."
- The Mariners have optioned left-hander Charlie Furbush and outfielder Carlos Peguero to Triple-A Tacoma.
- The Astros will open the season with an eight-man bullpen and, thus, a 13-man staff.
- The Rays have recalled minor-league outfielder Stephen Vogt, who's expected to see some time in left field.
- The Royals have assigned reliever Sean O'Sullivan to AAA-Omaha.
- The Rockies have placed outfielder Charlie Blackmon (foot) on the 15-day DL to start the season. He'll join Jorge De La Rosa (elbow).
- Sean Burroughs has made the Twins' roster as a utility man.
- Bill Hall, who failed to make the Yankees' opening-day roster, has opted for free agency.
- The Rangers have signed right-hander Aaron Heilman to a minor-league deal.
- The Indians have released outfielder Felix Pie.
- D-backs reliever Takashi Saito (calf) will open the season on the 15-day DL.
