On the eve of spring training, general manager Brian Sabean suggested Jonathan Sanchez has a better chance of being the No. 5 starter than Noah Lowry -- even though Sanchez could miss part of spring training to pitch for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.
Sabean called Sanchez "bigger and stronger" after checking on him in Arizona. He also called Sanchez "the incumbent." Said Sabean: "Lowry is going to have to unseat him." In other words, it now seems a longshot that Sabean will trade the left-handed Sanchez, who has been a subject of trade talks as the Giants pursued more offensive punch.
"He's ready to pitch," Sabean said. "I have a hard time thinking we could trade this player for value."
Lowry was hoping to get an equal opportunity despite missing all of last season while undergoing forearm and elbow surgeries. The medical staff has indicated Lowry will be fine in spring training, but he'll likely be rusty for obvious reasons.
For now, manager Bruce Bochy plans a rotation of Tim Lincecum, Randy Johnson, Matt Cain and Barry Zito as the top four, a right-left-right-left combo.
Sanchez had an up-and-down year in 2008. He won eight of his first 12 decisions but struggled at midseason and finished 9-12 with a 5.01 ERA in 29 starts.
WHERE, WHEN: Scottsdale Stadium, Scottsdale, Ariz. First exhibition game is Feb. 25 against Cleveland in Goodyear, Ariz.
TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: 1B Travis Ishikawa isn't well-known, but he's projected as a regular in 2009. The Giants plan to start corner infielder Pablo Sandoval at third, and they like that Ishikawa is a solid defender, maybe the best in the organization at first base since J.T. Snow. The question is whether he'll hit. The Giants are optimistic about that after his breakout 2008 season in which he batted a combined .299 with 24 homers and 94 RBIs at Class AA and Class AAA. Ishikawa hit .274 with three homers and 15 RBIs in 33 games in the majors.
TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: SS Edgar Renteria, 33, is coming off a sketchy season in Detroit and received a two-year, $18.5 million contract from the Giants, who are hoping his second-half numbers (.296 average, .343 on-base percentage) and not his first-half numbers (.254, .301) are indicative. Also, the Giants liked the fact Renteria is a .293 hitter in the NL as opposed to .274 in the AL.
AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Bruce Bochy is 143-181 in two years with the Giants and entering the final season of his contract, so it's important for him (and GM Brian Sabean, who also has one year left on his deal) to get off to a quick start. Bill Neukom is the new managing general partner, replacing Peter Magowan, and he appears patient with the philosophy of developing players through the system, which could serve as a benefit to Bochy (and Sabean) in case the Giants struggle.
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