SF Giants Fantasy Draft

Few Giants will be included in fantasy baseball drafts this spring. Who cares? I do. More time and energy goes into analyzing the coming season for roto ball than real ball.

So what do we learn? Everyone loves Timmy, of course, and big money guys Zito and Rowand are not even being drafted :shake head:

Lots of people love Sandoval, but draft him as a catcher. If he plays 3B and if he bats fifth, rather than third, he's not looking quite as good as some hope. I expect he'll hit for average but he and Lewis could both be excellent both #2 in-the-order guys. Wynn is a good #2 guy, too. He gets a little attention for his outstanding '08 season. Cain will strike people out. A few people think Renteria and Johnson are worth a chance.

Nobody likes Lewis, Wilson, or any one else on the squad. I drafted Fast Freddie and Sanchez and believe they'll have good years, better than last year. We'll see.

I'll probably pick up Guzman, too, if he starts at 1B, which I hope, no matter how bad his D.

Overall? Sad. It isn't much of a plan for '09.

But there's always the IF Game ... there may be some surprises this year. They may get their nose above .500 IF Renteria turns out to be 27 rather than 47, or IF they just move him out of the top half of the order. IF the West takes a dive like last year, anyone could win with one good month. 84 wins took the flag last year. I don't see a western team getting out of the first round of the playoffs, but IF it's los Gigantes, three good starters could make us impossible to beat in the post season. I can't believe I wrote that. It's March. I can dream.

Friday Extra

Guzman continues to slug. He could make the squad. We need his bat, but I hear his glove's not ready. Me? I don't think this is the time to be timid or safe.

Reading Extra Baggs a blog by the Merc's Giants beat writer Andrew Baggarly.

He says the Giants are looking to upgrade at backup catcher and long relief for Taschner, Rule 5 draftee Luis Perdomo, Merkin Valdez, or Eugenio Velez. Also, he adds, Andres Torres might make the squad. I think they really like Perdomo.

But, here's the guy they just got: Sergio Santos? Nope, I don't get it either. Here's a nice story, though. Back to the Merc for Baggs take.

Gotta love those kids

Time for the first Spring Training report card:

Good:
- Sandoval. He can mash.
- Will Clark. Nice to know the Nusch is back in the Orange and Black.
- Doug Greenwald on MLB radio. Miller's great, but the Greenwalds are Giants.
- Randy the Giant. It's strange to see, but I think he'll be OK. Much better than when we had Hershiser.
- Guzman. We know he can hit. He must be the worst fielder ever since he's not even being considered for the squad.

Bad:
- Schierholtz. Biggest camp of his life -- he's in the trainer's room.
- Some seriously bad penmanship from Misch, Affeldt, et al. This is the improved pen?
- Renteria. I hope he turns it up a notch. I hope there's still a notch there to turn it up to.
- I loved watching the Netherlands emotional upset of the Dominican WBC squad, but what about their SJG rep swinging like me for the 2nd out in the 11th? Weeeak.

Shockers:
- Leading the majors in spring home runs. Tell me you saw that coming.
- They ate Roberts' contract. Good move, but way out of character.
- Zito may not completely suck.
- Lewis in the three hole? Really?

There's more, but I have to get to work ...