Home Run Derby

 Day 6 of 30 and we move on to the San Francisco Giants (Please check out Sky’s preview too!). 

Speaking of moving on, I understand that a certain outfielder is no longer with the team.  I jest of course, this post is about the 2008 Giants, and with Barry Bonds in the rearview mirror, I intend to look at the team that will be in uniform, not the prima donna that is still looking for a job.

One of my favorite players in the league is a brand new Giant, Aaron Rowand.  He will bring a different type of attitude to the Giants, because he is a player that gives it all for the game and the team.  I am willing to bet he and Omar Vizquel will get along very well.   All I know is that San fran Fans will appreciate Rowand the first time he does this.

The Giants also have a rotation to watch, and it is the one aspect of this team that will keep it from complete disaster.  This team has so many holes in the field and at the plate, this is the lone team in the NL West that probably cannot compete for the division title.  Although as I write this, I see that Noah Lowry is having wrist surgery to correct ”an exercise-induced neuromuscular condition” and will miss at least the first month of the season.  This also takes away a trading chip to fill the gaping hole at third base.

Win Total Over/Under is 72.  With the loss of Lowry for the time being and the fact that the left side of the infield will really suck without Vizquel for the first month of the season, and that Randy Winn will continue to have a starting role on this team, I will go with the under.  The team probably gets to 70, but their division rivals will be looking to beat up on the Giants to gain advantage over each other.

Player most likely to have a Home Run Break Out Season:  Dan Ortmeier.  The 27 year old first baseman has a .775 OPS in 6 minor league seasons, and showed some pop in his 62 game call up last season.  He is a switch hitter, so he can benefit from getting a majority of his at bats as a lefty, shooting for the Cove.

Player most likely to have a disappointing Home Run Season:  This is kind of funny given the bouqets I just threw at him, but I have to say Aaron Rowand.  His 27 Home Runs last year were a career high, and only the second time he’s hit more than 20 HR.  This team won’t have players like Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell hitting in front of Rowand.  His total will likely be cut in half, especially if he has an unpleasant encounter with an outfield wall that leads to some missed time.

Bold Statement:  Barry Zito will lose more games than he will win this year…no wait that already happened last year.  OK, how about this - the $126 Million Dollar Man will not crack 10 wins this year.

Best Case Scenario for the Team:  Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum show significant development and each win at least 16 games, but the team still fails to hit the .500 mark.

Best Chance for Hardware (League Awards): I keep going to the well of Gold Gloves, but it has to be Omar Vizquel.

For this roundtable, Sky and the Greek are joined by Home Run Derby’s own Richie Rich and Rob Merck of Bugs & Cranks.

Sky:  What are the storylines for the Giants this year? 

Rob:  China Basin looks pretty bleak this year. The Giants have a handful of infielders and outfielders, a dozen or so pitchers, a couple of catchers… and Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum!!! Giants fans say there are Cy Young awards in the futures of these two studs, and they will have to pitch like it for the Giants to have a shot in hell at the playoffs.   

Nick:  So would you say that starting pitching is a strong point for the Giants and is there enough depth to parlay one starter into an everyday player to fill one of the infield holes? 

Rob:  The Giants’ pitching isn’t out of this world, but it has to be in the top five in the National League.  Noah Lowry has been rumored to be on the table for White Sox’s Joe Crede, and that might not be such a bad trade.  Even though Lowry is a fan favorite, when it comes down to it he pitches every fifth day, while Crede could play every day.   

Sky:  What about the story that isn’t getting the pub it should? 

Rob:  One potential brightspot who hasn’t gotten a whole lot of coverage so far is Brian Wilson.  He had only six saves in 2007, but that was only because the Giants won about six games.  If he turns out to be the opposite of Matt Herges, It will take a lot of pressure off of the team. 

Nick:  OK, I have to ask…does Barry going away change something fundamental about this team?  I realize I am from the midwest, so I don’t see or hear everything that goes on with the Giants, but I always thought it looked like the Giants were run/built for Barry.  So does the team concept make a return in his abscence?  Please note, I am focused on the baseball part of the equation, not all of the off the field garbage. 

Rob: I wouldn’t say the giants were ever built for Barry– maybe around  him is better.  That worked while they were good, but its been a while since that was the case.  Everyone knows the horror stories: a row of his own lockers, an easy chair,  players tiptoeing around him during nap time.  So yes, there is a definite hope among fans that team ball will return.   Its an interesting point to bring up, though.  Do people outside the Bay Area not see the Giants beyond Barry Bonds? On a less theoretical note, what about Dan Ortmeier at first base? 

Rich:  You got it.  Thank you ESPN.  I would say that most casual baseball fans have no idea who else has played for the Giants the past few years.  Some might know about the young pitchers.   With the Giants’ poor record of late, coupled with the Home Run Record chase and the BALCO circus, the only thing ESPN ever reported on from the Bay was Barry Bonds.  Add to the fact that the Giants were an old ballclub that couldn’t hit (which we pointed out at HRD last summer) and there was nothing to really speak of. 

Rob:  Well at least those East Coast loving announcers at ESPN will get fed up with Barry and the Giants this year.  Reporting on a person who isn’t there doesn’t make for many stories.  His absence will mean the Giants just won’t get covered … unless they turn out to be a whirling dervish of a young ball club with 100 wins (just go with me here).  Or change their name to “Boston Red Sox.”  I foresee a year of baby steps, which will mean little notice from the rest of the country, but interest from fans hungry for a team with heart. 

Nick:  On your Ortmeier question, I am thinking he could be another good storyline for this team.  He is my pick for break out Home Run season.  My only concern is he is about to make his first full year in the majors at the age of 27. 

Up Next:  The St. Louis Cardinals

This entry was posted on Friday, March 7th, 2008 at 11:28 am and is filed under 2008 MLB, 30 Teams in 30 Days, Giants. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.