Dirty Dismissal

For Jonathan Sanchez, a season that started with so much promise ended with a whimper.

And if I were a betting man, which I am, I'd wager that Kevin Correia may have thrown his last pitch as a Giant. With all the young pitchers in the system, it makes little economic sense to keep the six year vet.

Plus, he kinda sucks.

Kudos to Andy Baggarly for this awesome find from last night's otherwise nausea-inducing proceedings:

They fielded nine rookies in the seventh inning: Catcher Steve Holm, pitcher Billy Sadler, first baseman Pablo Sandoval, second baseman Ryan Rohlinger, shortstop Ivan Ochoa, third baseman Conor Gillaspie, left fielder John Bowker, center fielder Eugenio Velez and right fielder Nate Schierholtz.

How long has it been since a major league team simultaneously fielded nine rookies in a major league game? [Snip]

Almost 25 years to the date, according to the hard-working folks at the Elias Sports Bureau. The Los Angeles Dodgers fielded nine rookies on Sept. 20, 1983, in a home game against the Houston Astros.

To counter this uncharacteristically youthphilic behavior, the Giants signed J.T. Snow to keep the average roster age at a Brian Sabean mandated minimum.

But seriously, folks, in case you didn't hear, he'll take the field this weekend with the starting lineup and get a nice sendoff from the fans. Class move.

Baggs also reports that Travis Ishikawa took the night off to be with his brand new baby. Congrats to Travis, and huge props to Baggs for using the occasion to recall tales of Harry Caray lore.

HEY! This provides me the perfect opportunity to link one of the best impersonations of all time!

DING DONG, CASTILLO'S DFA'D (And Everyone's Up)

Well, how about that for a move? (From Baggs)

Huge, huge shift today. The Giants have a whole new corner infield. John Bowker and Steve Holm were optioned to Fresno and Jose Castillo was designated for assignment. Rohlinger, a third baseman, comes from Double-A Connecticut along with Sandoval, who can catch and play first base. Ishikawa was lighting it up at Triple-A Fresno. He switches spots with Bowker, who was hitting .154 since the All-Star break.

Wow, is it me or did it just get a whole lot less suck in here?

Okay, I'm not going to go overboard, but this is a big day for the youth movement. We could conceivably see this lineup tonight:

RF Winn

2B Burriss

LF Lewis

CF Rowand

1B Ishikawa

C Sandoval

3B Rohlinger

SS Ochoa

What a difference a day makes.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go scrub OBnB of any acknowledgment of the existence of Shrekstillo. (Prances off, giggling.)

UPDATE (3:33PM): And, in typical Giants fashion, the only one of the trio to get the start is Rohlinger, who is penciled in at third and batting second tonight. Even Omar, God bless him, is playing.

Youth Got Served!

Another day, another victory for these baby Giants.

In a shocking twist, they did so at home.

For Matt Cain.

This ain't July's Giants, that's for sure.

One of my favorite developments: the double play combo of Ivan Ochoa and Manny Burriss, both of whom are putting on a defensive display as well as swinging nice bats.

The triumphant return of Steve Holm certainly ranks up there as well.

My least favorite development? The continued presence of Jose Castillo in my life in any meaningful capacity. Thus, understanding the so-shallow-you'll break-your-neck-if-you-dive depth of the position, it filled me with great hope and pleasure to hear KSN (Wichita) report that the Giants have come to terms with 2008 sandwich round pick (and third baseman) Conor Gillaspie, fomerly of the wonderfully named Wichita State Shockers:

The 37th pick overall will receive slot money for that pick, which is around $975,000 along with other un-disclosed incentives. That was the deal-maker enticing the Shocker All-American to sign.

Gillaspie will begin his pro career in rookie ball for the first few weeks. The Giants plan to give him work at both second and third base before the season comes to an end.

Gillaspie was perceived by many to be a first round pick and was mostly regarded as a great value pick where the Giants picked him up. We wrote this on draft day:

Conor Gillaspie, 3B, Wichita St., at #37. MLB.com compares him to...

Bill Mueller.

That being said, he's the defending Thurman Munson Award winner in 2007 Cape League play, an honor that's gone to the likes of Berkman and Jeter (and [Justin] Smoak in 2006).

Good news, indeed. But with deadline to sign draftees now just ten days out, snippets like these make me a bit queasy regarding the remaining three of our top four picks:

Buster Posey, the Giants' first pick and the fifth overall selection, is one of seven top-10 picks who've yet to sign. Of the 16 players in the supplemental round, though, Gillaspie, the 37th pick, is one of only two who haven't come to terms.

[Snip]

Among third-round selections, Roger Kieschnick, the Giants' third pick and the 82nd overall choice, is one of only three unsigned players. Brandon Crawford, the Giants' fourth pick, is one of just six unsigned players in the fourth round.

"I know [Director of Player Personnel] Bobby [Evans] has been having a lot of discussions with all of those guys," [Giants' Special Assistant John] Barr said. "We're working on finalizing all those guys."

Gulp. If this blog ceases to be updated August 15th, can one of you find a sub-letter for me and take care of Fido?

In other news: remember Barry Lamar Bonds? It has seemed this year like maybe the Giants don't.

But in an interesting development, he has been invited to return to Pac Bell this Saturday as part of a tribute to the great outfielders of the Giants' fifty years in San Francisco. No word yet regarding his attendance.

Should shape up to be a fun week for a Bonds-starved media corps.

Straws Clutched Much?

So the Giants continue their domination of the Washington Natgonnaworkhereanymores. Rich Aurilia, Omar Vizquel, and Bengie Molina each contributed mightily to the win. And would-be Olympian Geno Espineli get his first ML W.

Now I may come off as snarky, negative, and mostly detached in my ramblings about this team, but I'll tell you what, a win's a win, and it always feels good.

Disclaimer having been declared, comments like these detract from said win (over the worst team in the league, records be damned):

Will manager Bruce Bochy really plant Vizquel on the bench in August if he keeps hitting the way he has in this series? Vizquel is 4-for-6 since he had "the talk" with Bochy and general manager Brian Sabean on Tuesday about his curtailed role after the trade deadline.

Already, Bochy is rethinking his plan to rest Vizquel and an equally hot Bengie Molina today. Finally, Vizquel said after his first three-hit game since May 15, he is starting to feel it with the stick.

And Richie, God bless him, has used the two straight wins over the contraction-worthy Nats as a platform for his pro-vet agenda:

"There's a wealth of knowledge in this clubhouse with a few guys," Aurilia said. "I hope people realize that and take advantage of it."

Hey, Sabean! Can that guy for insubordination!

But seriously, don't let the craptastic wins fool you: trade 'em all.

Sandoval Still At Large: The Yeti of hopeful Giants fanboys (and girls) remains tucked in a weird expanse of the Northeastern United States where pastels and boating shoes are the norm...for boys. For now, OBnB fave Steve Holm is back up with the parent club to replace the departed Eliezer Alfonzo.

I expect this won't be the last transaction pertaining to Giants catchers we see this season. And you just have to wonder, what with Big Money heating up and news like this coming out of the Bronx, could Sabean actually pull the trigger to deal our admirable if overmatched cleanup hitter?

Schierholtz an Olympian: Congrats to Nate! Perhaps this will prompt management to call him up and give him a good look. Not because he earned the spot, mind you, but because they're jerks.

Further Proof That Farm System Doesn't Suck: Rotoworld took a break from fantasizing about major league ballplayers in their mothers' basements to fantasizing about minor league ballplayers in their mothers' basements, releasing a Midseason Top 150 Prospects list.

Giants check in with five (it would have been six with Buster Posey signed - he would have been at #32); Madison Bumgarner leads the pack at #21.

Comment! Where are potential landing spots for Aurilia, Molina, Vizquel (yes, Omar Vizquel), Jack Taschner, Randy Winn et al? Throw out your trade package ideas.

Optimists Need Not Apply

Rejected slogans for the 2008 Washington Nationals:

"The Nats: Good for What Ails Ya"

"Wily Mo Pena Is, Like, Really Strong - Strongman Strong"

"We're Going to Be Good...NAT!"

Whatever it ended up being, the Giants certainly don't seem to be fazed, taking their fifth straight from the woebegone Nationals. The Big Money that we enjoyed so much through May made his triumphant return with two (trade him now) homers, and Barry Zito improved his trade value to dizzying highs in running up his record to 5-12.

Duh: In an utterly shocking development, Bruce Bochy informed Omar Vizquel that he will not be the regular starter at short. But wait, there's more: that is effective post-trade deadline. In making that bit of news public, the Giants reinforce the notion that they have not one iota of knowledge as to how to effectively manage assets.

Sandoval Soon?: The esteemed Andrew Baggarly reports that Eliezer Alfonzo has been sent back to Fresno, closing the chapter on one of the more puzzling Giant callups of the 21st century.

But here's where it gets interesting. According to Baggs, Steve Holm would appear to be the beneficiary in the interim, but there's a chance that as early as next week (pending deadline deals), Pablo Sandoval, arguably the best hitter in the Giants system right now, could get the callup. The 21 year old catcher/corner infielder has followed up a stellar high A stint with an equally impressive line in about a month of AA ball.

After shellacking the rehabbing David Ortiz-led Portland SeaDogs last night, Sandoval is hitting .343 with 6 HRs and 27 RBIs in 110 ABs, all while hitting at notorious pitcher's park Dodd Stadium.

Roberts Activated: Um...did you know he stole second base in the ninth inning of Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS?

From within that piece, the would-be heir apparent to Ray Durham looks to make an early comeback.

Espineli Up: In my euphoria of being a Giants fan these days, I somehow overlooked that the Giants brought up right handed slop thrower Geno Espineli. In a hilariously tragic twist, the callup stripped Geno of his ability to pitch in the Olympics next month - you know, the last Olympics in which baseball will be played.

That's just cold, Sabes.

Reports of Cain's Demise Premature

It strikes me that the potential years-long battle for the title of ace will be a fun sub-plot for this franchise. On a day where the wondrous Tim Lincecum was featured in Sports Illustrated and Jon Sanchez was named NL Player of the Week, Matt Cain reminded us why he was once the lone young stud in the Giants rotation.

In what was easily his best start of the year, Cain shut down the league-leading Cubs offense (albeit without Aramis Ramirez), hurling 8 innings of 2 hit ball while racking up 10 Ks.  And, in a shocking twist, he gets the win in a 2-1 triumph by the Giants.

Jose Castillo closed out Cain's night with perhaps the best defensive play of the year (after two ugly errors in two days).  Buy MLB.TV, watch Baseball Tonight, or find a time machine and go back in time to watch his snag of a Mark DeRosa grounder - a full extension pick to his left on a high bounce, an immediate pop up to the point of no balance, and a wing and a prayer one hopper to John Bowker.

Mere amateur blogger prose could not accurately describe the poetry of that play.  Cain was shaking his head in disbelief as he walked off the field.

Brian Wilson gives up a run in a terribly sloppy save.  The 100 MPH fastballs were fun, but I'll take 95 with location and a couple of less ulcers.

Alfonzo Back, Holm Down: Evidently, Eliezer Alfonzo's PED-ban did nothing to diminish his stature among the higher-ups, as he gets called up nine days after his reinstatement to replace Steve Holm.

Love the Holm, but his defense has left something to be desired, and it will be nice to have Alfonzo's ML experience, both in calling games and with the bat, behind Big Money.  Still, I'll miss the improbable winner of the Giants backup spot out of spring training.

Happy trails, Steve.

Comment-Starter: Who do you see having the most successful career as a Giant - Cain, Lincecum or Sanchez?

Holm Is Where The Heart Is

Steve Holm: pinch-hitter extraordinaire, clutch, good defensive backstop, and ripe for puns. He's my kinda guy.

The Holm recovered from a case of the squirts (TMI?) to hit a pinch-hit double in the top of the ninth that delivers a second tying run after 8 donuts. Durham and Vizquel back it up in the tenth to get the boys a much needed come from behind series clincher.

The Giants leave Colorado in third place, after showing, at least for one warm Denver day, miles and miles of heart...



Quick observations:

- Give credit to Dirty for battling in a start where he could have given up a huge amount of runs. He showed some guts, but needs to tighten it up. The Rockies shot themselves in the foot a number of times.

- Tyler Walker is the winning pitcher and looks to have recovered nicely from a recent rough stretch with a 1-2-3 through the heart of the lineup, which absolutely killed the Giants this series. Good to see him back.

- Brian Wilson makes the tenth inning save less dramatic than last night, but still shows the need to run up 3 ball counts on literally every hitter, walking one - paging Dave Righetti...

- Vizquel really does do all the little things. Made the game-winning sac fly look easy and got the rally started in the ninth. I'll happily eat crow on my earlier assessment of the guy.

On the other hand, I will never ever acknowledge the skill of Durham.

Comment-starter: What's the deal with Brian Wilson? Should we let him take his lumps? Is this Dave Righetti's fault? Can we assign blame to more people, just because we can?

Clutch Holmer

Steve Holm gets it done in relief of Big Money as his 2-run homer (the first of his ML career) in the bottom of the seventh helps the Giants nab the rubber match and return the favor to the Phillies.

Awesome story for the local boy. The former backup to Justin Knoedler in Single-A San Jose has looked the part in the majors coming off an improbable upset in an open battle for the backup job in spring training.

On the other hand, Jose Castillo celebrated the return of Pedro Feliz by doing his best impression, hitting into 3 double plays (two on the first pitch and two with the bases loaded) before lining a triple in a completely no-pressure situation leading off the eighth. (Unsurprisingly, he was subsequently stranded by Vizquel, Aurilia and Lewis). His struggles epitomize the Giants biggest downfall so far this season: not cashing in on baserunners. Team batting with RISP? .237.

Dirty continues to struggle as he allows three in a very wild 4.1 IPs. Also troubling: Sanchez's inability to control his emotions - a good example being his failure to cover first on a helluva diving play by John Bowker.

However, the bullpen does the job - a scoreless 4.2IPs as Sadler looks like he belongs, and Taschner, Walker, and Wilson throw a scoreless inning apiece, all without much drama. Special shoutouts to Walker, who bounces back from a recent hard-luck patch, and Wilson, who gets Burrell back with a Nen-esque series of sliders to get the 9th inning K.

All in all, a lot of positives. In addition to his ever-improving D, Bowker may have made his first adjustment (and the one many prospects never make) - in limited duty this month, he's hitting .556. Both of his hits today were opposite field against a steady diet of breaking balls. Maybe we have a keeper.

Also, Aaron Rowand is good. One hit in one official AB along with three walks boosts his average to .348 and his OBP over .400. Gamer or not, guy certainly backs his scowl up.

Great Mother's Day at the park.

- Great to see Vizquel back. Didn't get a chance to mention his solid debut in yesterday's win. Had a great turn in today's game, barehanding a wayward Velez toss and almost turning an improbable 4-6-3 early on.

Contrary to previous speculation, Durham stays active but Burriss's buddy Bo gets the axe. Best of luck to the kid who never really had a chance against big league pitching. Hopefully, it's not his last taste of the big leagues.