2005 Record: 75-87, 3rd in NL West
The lineup Felipe Alou trotted out on Opening Day in 2005 rang up 311 years, an average of 34½. And that was without then-40 Barry Bonds. The youngest in that group was Pedro Feliz at 30. Assuming Bonds opens the season and Jason Schmidt is once again the starter coming out of chute one, this year’s Opening Day group looks to tally 310 years of age with Lance Niekro the youngest at 27.
Considering my age, I’m usually the first to defend the older generation. But in sports, and considering that four of the primary backups --- Steve Finley, Jose Vizcaino, Mark Sweeney and Todd Greene --- average 37 years old, the fine wine theory doesn’t always apply.
This is an incredibly rough team to draw up projections for in 2006. On one hand there are outstanding veterans that make it relatively easy for one to envision them all putting up a last stand and helping the Giants to the playoffs. On the other hand there is an incredibly long laundry list of injury problems that make it easy to imagine the old geezers dropping one-by-one from Day 1.
Let’s start in the bullpen. Armando Benitez, at 33 something of a young pup on this roster, missed about four months last year with a badly ripped hammy. He’s still a decent closer and chances are he’ll pitch in more than 30 games for the Giants this time. He’s backed up by the competent Tim Worrell (38) in the primary setup role and Steve Kline (33) as the southpaw specialist. Tyler Walker, a mere babe at 29, filled in for Benitez to the tune of 23 saves last year. But he’s an average pitcher at best and likely relegated to mostly 7th-inning work this time. Lefty Michael Tejera (29) might steal the left-handed role from Kline with his decent numbers so far this spring. Veteran lefty Jeff Fassero (43) is another middle relief candidate. And Scott Munter (26), who must feel like a grandchild in this clubhouse, could figure into the relief mix as well.
Schmidt (33) leads off the rotation and has managed to make 30 or more starts just once in the last six seasons due to his fragility. Offseason acquisition Matt Morris (31) is not as good as he once was, and certainly not worth $9 mil per season. But at least he’s been able to gut it out for 30+ starts five of the last six seasons. Left-hander Noah Lowry (25) finally got command of a breaking pitch last year and he has the potential to throw 200+ innings with an ERA in the upper three’s. Matt Cain (21) is among the preseason favorites for NL Rookie of the Year and is a solid fastball-curve ball pitcher. He’s one of the few Giants I’m actually interested in watching this season.
The fifth starter slot is a spring fight between Jamey Wright, Brad Hennessey and Matt Kinney. Pick your own poison.
Having been a Joe Niekro fan all of his years with the Astros, son Lance (27) is another San Fran player I’m looking forward to seeing. A fairly high pick as a collegian in 2000, Niekro is Hank Greenberg reincarnate when he’s facing lefties. But if he’s going to become a true 20-25 HR threat in the majors, he’s got to hit right-handers better. He’s doing that so far this spring, though his lone long fly came off a southpaw. Sweeney backs up and could get 200+ at bats easily if Niekro can’t learn to hit right-handers.
Veterans Durham (34) and Vizquel (39) are back in the middle of the diamond, and while each has lost a step they are both decent midfielders. But you’ve got to think their current backups, Vizquel (37) and Angel Chavez (24) could see some action. Feliz (31) has the third base job all to himself after bouncing around the infield corners and left field the past two years. He’s got to be one of the most unimpressive 20-HR bats in the big leagues today.
Behind the plate once again is Mike Matheny (35). Long known for his defense and ability to call a game, Matheny set a career high with 13 homers in his first season with San Fran. Don’t look for that again. Greene is his backup.
And that brings us to the outfield where Bonds (41) can either make or break this club. He has to see at least 120 games of action this year. If not the Giants will be watching the postseason from their recliners this October. Still a force at the plate, his presence in the lineup simply makes the entire team better, and by a good amount. Likewise, Moises ‘El Pollo’ Alou (39) needs to stay healthy. He did hit .321 with a nifty .918 OPS when he was in the lineup last season. But you figure that San Fran needs at least 250 games out of Bonds and Alou this time in order to compete. Randy Winn, picked up late from the Mariners last season, really poured it on as a Giant to end up with his first 20-Hr campaign and a career-best .859 OPS. He’s being touted as the Giants’ leadoff hitter this year, mostly because SF has nobody else.
Finley (41) is a player I’ve long enjoyed watching. But it’s painfully obvious that his best days are behind him now as he takes on the #4 OF job for the Giants. With the Bonds/Alou situation, Finley could still see 100+ games of action. Todd Linden and Jason Ellison are final OF candidates, with Dan Ortmeier just a Triple-A season away from injecting his offense and youth into this decrepit old lineup.
This is a team that could end up anywhere from the low 70s to the low 90s for wins. And given their age, this might be their last shot for 90 wins for a few years to come.
Key Performer(s): Schmidt and Morris. Losing one or both to injury kisses San Fran’s chances goodbye.
Camp Question(s): Finding a leadoff hitter (Winn?) and sorting through the middle relief jobs. Oh yeah, a guy named Bonds is also a camp question.
My Play: Assuming guys like Bonds, Alou, Schmidt and Morris stay healthy, then 86 wins looks good. But assuming that is a stretch. Pinnacle currently lists the o/u at 84.
The lineup Felipe Alou trotted out on Opening Day in 2005 rang up 311 years, an average of 34½. And that was without then-40 Barry Bonds. The youngest in that group was Pedro Feliz at 30. Assuming Bonds opens the season and Jason Schmidt is once again the starter coming out of chute one, this year’s Opening Day group looks to tally 310 years of age with Lance Niekro the youngest at 27.
Considering my age, I’m usually the first to defend the older generation. But in sports, and considering that four of the primary backups --- Steve Finley, Jose Vizcaino, Mark Sweeney and Todd Greene --- average 37 years old, the fine wine theory doesn’t always apply.
This is an incredibly rough team to draw up projections for in 2006. On one hand there are outstanding veterans that make it relatively easy for one to envision them all putting up a last stand and helping the Giants to the playoffs. On the other hand there is an incredibly long laundry list of injury problems that make it easy to imagine the old geezers dropping one-by-one from Day 1.
Let’s start in the bullpen. Armando Benitez, at 33 something of a young pup on this roster, missed about four months last year with a badly ripped hammy. He’s still a decent closer and chances are he’ll pitch in more than 30 games for the Giants this time. He’s backed up by the competent Tim Worrell (38) in the primary setup role and Steve Kline (33) as the southpaw specialist. Tyler Walker, a mere babe at 29, filled in for Benitez to the tune of 23 saves last year. But he’s an average pitcher at best and likely relegated to mostly 7th-inning work this time. Lefty Michael Tejera (29) might steal the left-handed role from Kline with his decent numbers so far this spring. Veteran lefty Jeff Fassero (43) is another middle relief candidate. And Scott Munter (26), who must feel like a grandchild in this clubhouse, could figure into the relief mix as well.
Schmidt (33) leads off the rotation and has managed to make 30 or more starts just once in the last six seasons due to his fragility. Offseason acquisition Matt Morris (31) is not as good as he once was, and certainly not worth $9 mil per season. But at least he’s been able to gut it out for 30+ starts five of the last six seasons. Left-hander Noah Lowry (25) finally got command of a breaking pitch last year and he has the potential to throw 200+ innings with an ERA in the upper three’s. Matt Cain (21) is among the preseason favorites for NL Rookie of the Year and is a solid fastball-curve ball pitcher. He’s one of the few Giants I’m actually interested in watching this season.
The fifth starter slot is a spring fight between Jamey Wright, Brad Hennessey and Matt Kinney. Pick your own poison.
Having been a Joe Niekro fan all of his years with the Astros, son Lance (27) is another San Fran player I’m looking forward to seeing. A fairly high pick as a collegian in 2000, Niekro is Hank Greenberg reincarnate when he’s facing lefties. But if he’s going to become a true 20-25 HR threat in the majors, he’s got to hit right-handers better. He’s doing that so far this spring, though his lone long fly came off a southpaw. Sweeney backs up and could get 200+ at bats easily if Niekro can’t learn to hit right-handers.
Veterans Durham (34) and Vizquel (39) are back in the middle of the diamond, and while each has lost a step they are both decent midfielders. But you’ve got to think their current backups, Vizquel (37) and Angel Chavez (24) could see some action. Feliz (31) has the third base job all to himself after bouncing around the infield corners and left field the past two years. He’s got to be one of the most unimpressive 20-HR bats in the big leagues today.
Behind the plate once again is Mike Matheny (35). Long known for his defense and ability to call a game, Matheny set a career high with 13 homers in his first season with San Fran. Don’t look for that again. Greene is his backup.
And that brings us to the outfield where Bonds (41) can either make or break this club. He has to see at least 120 games of action this year. If not the Giants will be watching the postseason from their recliners this October. Still a force at the plate, his presence in the lineup simply makes the entire team better, and by a good amount. Likewise, Moises ‘El Pollo’ Alou (39) needs to stay healthy. He did hit .321 with a nifty .918 OPS when he was in the lineup last season. But you figure that San Fran needs at least 250 games out of Bonds and Alou this time in order to compete. Randy Winn, picked up late from the Mariners last season, really poured it on as a Giant to end up with his first 20-Hr campaign and a career-best .859 OPS. He’s being touted as the Giants’ leadoff hitter this year, mostly because SF has nobody else.
Finley (41) is a player I’ve long enjoyed watching. But it’s painfully obvious that his best days are behind him now as he takes on the #4 OF job for the Giants. With the Bonds/Alou situation, Finley could still see 100+ games of action. Todd Linden and Jason Ellison are final OF candidates, with Dan Ortmeier just a Triple-A season away from injecting his offense and youth into this decrepit old lineup.
This is a team that could end up anywhere from the low 70s to the low 90s for wins. And given their age, this might be their last shot for 90 wins for a few years to come.
Key Performer(s): Schmidt and Morris. Losing one or both to injury kisses San Fran’s chances goodbye.
Camp Question(s): Finding a leadoff hitter (Winn?) and sorting through the middle relief jobs. Oh yeah, a guy named Bonds is also a camp question.
My Play: Assuming guys like Bonds, Alou, Schmidt and Morris stay healthy, then 86 wins looks good. But assuming that is a stretch. Pinnacle currently lists the o/u at 84.
