Ray Returns

Published by on December 1, 2006 | 3 Responses

The Giants have brought back Ray Durham to play second base. Durham, who had his best offensive season last year, nets a 2 year deal worth 14-15 mil. I was hoping that Kevin Frandsen would get a shot to be the starting second basemen but lets face it, the Giants lineup in its current state needs some pop. If Durham can stay healthy he should do well over the next two years. Frandsen is most likely going to find himself in the utility role for next year. I have to admit that I am somewhat surprised that Durham is only getting 7-8 mil per season in this deal.

On the surface I like this deal and think that Sabean has done an adequate job. The length and price seem just about right. The only thing that worries me is that Durham is getting older and his hamstrings are more similar to brittle rubber bands these days than anything else. My other hope is that this is a sign that Pedro Feliz isn’t coming back. Though I haven’t completely ruled that thought out because we still need a first basemen and Pedro has played first before.

Quick Hits

  • Tampa Bay likes to play Haad! The D-Rays sign our old pal Yamid Haad to a minor league deal with a invite to spring training. We’ll never forget his awesome run of going 2 for 28 when he was called up for the Giants.
  • Continuing with the catcher theme, the Giants are also talking to catcher Bengie Molina. Molina has really declined defensively over the last couple of years but posted a career high 19 home runs in 2006.

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    Frank
    Frank

    Molina is considerably more than Alfonzo. Alfonso will likely hit 245 next year, with 3 BBs. Molina will hit 270 w/ 16 HRs - and probably hit 6th or 7th. Molina is at least as good defensively as Alfonzo. And I agree Durham is a great signing - and unbelievably cheap - hardly more expensive than Loretta. He has both changed and increased his off season conditioning program, so I don't think he is as vulnerable. He has also changed his entire style - more power hitter than lead off hitter. So he steals less and does not put the stress on his hammys that he did when he was a lead off/base stealer type. I do think Frandsen will get adequate playing time - and I do think this is the Giant's way, a la Aurelia, breaking him in in a utility role until he really shows, over multiple seasons that he can hazndle the job full time. I like this theory, it avoids the problem we had last year where we go with Niekro, who fails dragging down the team and forcing the team to give up another needed player to bring in a trade deadline replacement. I also thin this team has some potential, will play good, but not incredible defense, will score about as many runs as last year, but give up less. Given how much has been spent, it looks like a fairly expensive FA starter will be brought in, altho I would rather spend the money on two really good 7th, 8th inning guys, a la Eyre, Speier, even Stanton.

    Keenlow
    Keenlow

    5-6 million for feliz makes me die a little inside. I guess the infield is working out to be Feliz, Vizquel, Durham, Aurilia from 3rd to 1st. I was personally holding out hope that Niekro would come out of spring training with the 1st base job but that doesn't look good now as does Frandsen's chances of being used everyday, though he still might get a considerable amount of time if Ray Ray converts back to his injury proned self...though I definitely don't wish that upon him because I always liked him. Also, I garauntee that if Niekro is traded to Boston he puts up Adrian Ganzolaz numbers next year. Bengie Molina is Alfonzo with more experience, he's overpriced and overated. I still vote that Omar "Dreamy" Vizquel (nickname poached from MCC) should be traded to begin the rebuilding but I don't think that will happen. The end.