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Inbox: How can Giants draw more walks?
Beat reporter Chris Haft answers questions from fans
By Chris Haft / MLB.com
10/12/09 7:27 PM EST
At the end of the season, with the Giants finishing four games behind Colorado, I noticed that the Rockies led the National League in walks. The Giants were last in that category and trailed the Rockies by almost 270. I wonder how many more wins the Giants would have had if they were in the middle of the league in walks. What do they have to do to improve that statistic?-- John S., Lincoln, Calif.
Not as much as you might think. Sometimes adding just one effective hitter who demonstrates the wisdom of patience at the plate can influence teammates. For example, Bobby Abreu has had that effect on the Los Angeles Angels. Significantly, general manager Brian Sabean said last Monday during the Giants' annual end-of-season wrap-up, "You'd like to find somebody who's different from [the returning hitters], who can calm things down or act in the middle of the order in a different way."
Also consider Pablo Sandoval's progress this season. He drew 44 walks in his last 105 games, compared to eight in his first 48.
I like Ryan Rohlinger's approach at the plate, and he looked really good at shortstop in the final home game of the season. Do you think he has what it takes to be an everyday player? Maybe even a contender for shortstop?-- Nick C., San Francisco
I don't envision Rohlinger challenging for a starting role anywhere in the infield, but he certainly could earn a spot as a utilityman. He seems to become more versatile each year. But Kevin Frandsen and Emmanuel Burriss, among others, will give Rohlinger plenty of competition.
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I recently heard that all starting catchers in the Majors have caught at least 350 games in the Minors, with the exception of Joe Mauer, who still caught close to 300 before ascending to the Twins. If this is true, wouldn't it seem that Buster Posey could use another full season in Triple-A? This could pave the way for a two-year contract for Bengie Molina. He could start at catcher in 2010 and share those duties with Posey in 2011 in a transitional year. Do you think this is a reasonable scenario?
-- Keith W., Los Angeles
Keith's scenario makes perfect sense. Heck, Brian Harper, the Giants' own roving catching instructor, told me that he recommended 500 Minor League games as a prerequisite for big league catchers. But it's obvious that the Giants won't wait three more full seasons for Posey's development. Nor might he need that long to mature. Another Triple-A season just might do it for him. Here's the catch (no pun intended): Molina might want a contract longer than two years, which the Giants are unlikely to offer. And since he'll be the top offensive catcher available in free agency, he'll probably be approached by teams wooing him with longer, richer deals than the Giants will put forth.
Sandoval's versatility allows the Giants to move him behind the plate to spell (and eventually replace) Molina for 2010. Posey will not be ready, and he'd make a greater and sooner impact playing an infield position. Why are the Giants so set on delaying Posey's graduation to the parent club by making him learn the intricacies of Major League catching, when we already have a suitable replacement (Sandoval) for Molina, and openings for Posey at shortstop, first base or third base?-- Stuart G., Ventura, Calif.
The Giants would prefer not to use Sandoval behind the plate, since the position's physical wear and tear could erode his hitting skills. That's also why Posey, if he proves to be a productive hitter, might ultimately move to an infield spot, as Joe Torre and Craig Biggio did. You're ahead of your time, Stuart.
I think the Giants should look into acquiring Jake Fox from the Cubs. I've been watching Fox since Spring Training and this guy can flat-out hit -- and with power. They say his glove is iffy, but he did a good job when given the chance. Of course, the Cubs would have to listen to the offer. He can catch and play first, third or the outfield. What do you think?-- Chuck A., Ventura, Calif.
The Giants certainly could use somebody like Fox. If they re-sign Juan Uribe primarily to play third base, they'll need a hard-hitting utilityman. If Uribe flees via free agency, the void will be even greater. As for Fox, he hit .259 in 82 games this year, but his ratio of 11 home runs in 216 at-bats commands attention. Fox isn't just a Wrigley Field hitter, either. He hit .297 with seven home runs in 101 road at-bats, compared to .226 with four homers in 115 at-bats in the Friendly Confines. Another of his statistical splits was a trifle odd. Fox hit .314 in day games and .189 at night. Given the preponderance of night games, I'm a tad skeptical. But, again, Fox fits the profile of a player the Giants need.
Have you heard of any plans by the Giants organization to retire Barry Bonds' number 25? Perhaps a celebration of his career and a retirement ceremony could be planned next season for the day he hit home run No. 756 to break Hank Aaron's all-time home run record.-- Scott P., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
The Giants could arrange for the Pope, Megan Fox, the Dalai Lama and President Obama (hey, that rhymes) to jump out of a cake in Bonds' honor. Yet they still wouldn't retire his number. According to franchise protocol, he must be elected to the Hall of Fame before the Giants would consider according him that distinction. And we all know that Bonds faces a challenge to earn the minimum 75 percent of the vote he needs from tenured members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America to qualify for Cooperstown. But No. 25 can be considered as unofficially retired. It's highly unlikely that the Giants will issue it to anybody in the near future.
Everyone seems to think they know the solution to the Giants' offensive woes: add a power bat. Is it realistic to think that the power hitters out there in free agency (Matt Holliday, Jason Bay) are good enough to provide consistent power while playing at cavernous AT&T Park? I have my doubts. I think a gap-to-gap hitter with a high average is what we really need.-- Steve D., Ukiah, Calif.
You mean another gap-to-gap hitter like Sandoval? Agreed. Besides, Holliday and Bay almost surely will be unaffordable. The Giants will have to pursue less recognizable yet still productive and more affordable types such as Texas free agent Marlon Byrd (.283, 20 homers, 89 RBIs, .808 OPS in '09). I've heard nothing linking the Giants to Byrd. That's just a suggestion.
Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
