All spring we heard about how Pedro Feliz was going to start hitting to right field, and yet when the bell rang it is the same old Feliz rolling over on the outside pitch and grounding weakly to the left side of the infield. When are we going to see Rich Aurilia starting at third and Ryan Klesko at first spelled by Sweeney and Niekro? I am done with Feliz.
-- Mike K., Cotati, Calif.

Can you detect a pattern here? The deluge of anti-Feliz screeds sent to the mailbag was stunning. What you see here is merely a fraction -- albeit a representative cross-section -- of the e-mails that clogged my queue.

The thing is, short of producing a link to a notarized statement issued by Giants management declaring that Pedro Feliz will be given his unconditional release, it's absolutely impossible for me to deliver an answer or explanation that will soothe the masses.

If the rest of the Giants' lineup were relatively productive, Feliz's maddening tendencies -- swinging at the first pitch and chasing bad pitches -- would be easier to handle. There's nothing wrong with his average of 21 home runs and 88 RBIs per season between 2004-2006, especially coming as it has from the bottom half of the batting order, mostly.

But these offense-challenged Giants need contributions up and down the lineup to succeed, since they lack any truly dynamic complements to Barry Bonds. So when Feliz scuffles, not only is it noticeable, but the way he scuffles is also glaring. Omar Vizquel (.224) and Randy Winn (.382 slugging percentage) can rival Feliz for ineffectual at-bats, but they don't make as many first-pitch outs or swing off-balance as often.

The Giants will wait longer for Feliz to increase his productivity. Feel free to pelt me with more angry e-mails, but Feliz is a veteran, and veterans such as him with a modicum of a track record receive the benefit of the doubt.

However, as has been mentioned previously, Feliz could be benched more than he's accustomed to if he keeps struggling. Manager Bruce Bochy's willingness to use Klesko at first base and Aurilia at third indicates that the Giants won't idly stick with the status quo. Bear in mind that, coming off of shoulder surgery, Klesko might not be an everyday player anymore. And, at 35, Aurilia needs occasional breaks, especially if Bochy needs him to fill in at other positions once in a while. All this has been written earlier in this corner and elsewhere.

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Moreover, if the Giants remain in contention as summer deepens, they can be expected to seek hitting help. If a trade would bring them a corner infielder who can bolster the offense, club management won't concern itself with Feliz's playing time or feelings, if he's still hitting in the low .200s.

A few Feliz-related issues to address quickly:

-- With a .235 average, four home runs and eight RBIs entering Monday, he's statistically not the worst third baseman in the Major Leagues. Detroit's Brandon Inge (.156), Kansas City's Alex Gordon (.169), Washington's Ryan Zimmerman (.236) and Cincinnati's Edwin Encarnacion (.221) also are struggling.

-- Feliz is better defensively than he's usually given credit for (I'll brace myself for more e-mails).

-- Unless Feliz's production soars, he's unlikely to be a Giant in 2008. The front office will want an upgrade as much as most of you do.

Feliz was one of two dominant issues readers addressed. Tim Lincecum was the other. Everything else seemed irrelevant, including the Giants' now-defunct eight-game winning streak. Here's a sampling of the Lincecum letters, with responses delivered after each in traditional mailbag style (Lincecum's six-inning, 14-strikeout effort Sunday will turn up the fans' volume):

You probably hear this all the time, but why don't the Giants follow the example of Boston with Jonathan Papelbon and have Lincecum close games this year? Maybe trade Armando Benitez for some more protection for Bonds?
-- Sam W., Palo Alto, Calif.

Although Lincecum relieved in college at the University of Washington, his bullpen experience was limited. He wouldn't have the mental or physical frame of reference to draw upon, so to speak, that Papelbon could as a guy who closed last season. Converting Lincecum to the bullpen would be a risky move to make with such a valuable young arm. Whether or not that happens, I could envision a midseason trade involving Benitez, particularly if Brian Wilson gets his act together at Triple-A Fresno or if the Giants slip from contention.

How long will the Giants keep Tim Lincecum in the Minors? What are they waiting for?
-- Scott M., Portland, Ore.

If you've read general manager Brian Sabean's comments in all media outlets, he's waiting for a clear opportunity to present itself. The Giants' starting rotation entered Monday ranked second in the National League with a 3.21 ERA.

When will the Giants call Tim Lincecum up to The Show? I want to see him pitch!
-- Jeremy K., Santa Barbara, Calif.

We all do, Jeremy. And I'm extremely certain that we will see him in a San Francisco Giants uniform before the season ends.