All the reports the past two days say that he has lost somewhere around 17-22 pounds. And you have to remember that this is not exactly a prediction that he will have a rebound, projection systems are just based on what he did previously, and he did great in 2009 and around average in 2010, so the system basically weighs everything and puts it somewhere in the middle. I believe Sandoval will have a standout year, equal if not better than his 2009 season. He was always athletic even when chubby in 2008-9, but many people couldn't look past his round shape to see that. If it were me, I would have played Sandoval at 3B no matter what, but made it clear that he'll have a short MLB career if he didn't start taking better care of his body and become more healthy. And I wouldn't be so hard on him about his plate discipline because he can hit almost any pitched ball well and hard. I would just explain to him that if he could ever figure out how to be more selective, he could be up there with Barry Bonds and Albert Pujols, instead of "just" being considered one of the best hitters around. I would ask him how badly he wanted it, because from what I've read, he wants to be the best, so he already has the internal motivation, you just have to lead him with the carrot to where we want him to go.

I think someone mentioned that he hadn't lost much weight, but was in better shape. I honestly wouldn't believe anything like that until I see it. I do hope he gets into better shape, if only so he can stick at third.

Projections are based on past performances. He was pretty bad in 2008 and that plugs into the equation: 3 year batting line is .284/.320/.393/.713 vs. projected .278/.320/.386/.706. Plug in some slippage for age, particularly since most position players start declining in their 32-35 age range (he is 33 in 2011) and you get slippage. Looking at 2008, horrible BABIP season, followed by career mean BABIPs suggest that he just had a really unlucky year with the batted ball in 2008. His strikeout ratio in 2010 was still good and within recent range of performances, and his walk rate was the best in his career (something that also happened with Huff too in 2010; others?), so his BB/K ratio was better too. There does not appear to be any regression in his ratios, so I would bet on a similar season to 2009-10, and would add that if healthy for once, could do better. Burrell was only mentioned as reserve because he said he was willing to come back as a reserve, then signed at a reserve's salary. Sabean, in the announcement of the signing, made it clear that Burrell, while signing for pocketchange (my words), will be given every chance to win a starting position. But if Belt does do well enough to make the starting lineup, I would have to assume it is Burrell losing his starting job.

1. He's basically dropping 10 points of OPS+, that doesn't seem like 'off a cliff' to me. I think we have to realize that he's battled injuries over the years and 2B don't seem to age particularly well. 2. An OPS+ of 108 is good, but not nearly good enough to offset Burrell's clankmit. I think he'll be a role player next year. It's possible that Belt could break ST with the team, but that seems like an aggressive move on the Giants part. Time will tell. I think Bochy will start Burrell 2-3 times a week and then have him pulled by the 6/7th inning for defense. It was a pretty standard use pattern for him last year. 3. Yup. It should be good.

I think we lost Miller to another team.