--INF Rich Aurilia, who was effective for the Giants last year, signed a minor league contract with the club. Aurilia, 37, hit .283 in 140 games in 2008, but he figures to have a smaller role if he makes the team this year, with young players slated to take over at first base and third base.
--LHP Noah Lowry is throwing off a mound and should be 100 percent when pitchers and catchers begin their first workout Feb. 15. He didn't throw a pitch in the 2008 season and had two operations -- for his forearm in March and for his elbow in September. Lowry, who hasn't appeared in a big-league game since August 2007, appears to be challenging LHP Jonathan Sanchez for the final rotation spot. --RHP Tim Lincecum dropped the ceremonial first puck at a Sharks-Hurricanes NHL game in San Jose on Feb. 5, another reminder that he hasn't had a normal offseason. He has been busy making appearances (including being honored at the University of Washington for his Cy Young Award) and handling endorsements (posing for a video game). Now the question is how he'll handle all the attention as he approaches his second full season in the majors.
--OF Dave Roberts, entering the third year of a three-year, $18 million contract, seems an odd man out. The projected starting outfield is LF Fred Lewis, CF Aaron Rowand and RF Randy Winn, with Nate Schierholtz making a push. Roberts, who turns 37 in May, hit .224 in 62 games last season and underwent knee surgery April 12. His 231 steals since 2002 rank eighth in the majors.
--Scouting director John Barr is a Hall of Fame scout. The Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame is welcoming Barr into its second class of inductees. Barr, who's entering his 25th season as an executive and previously worked for the Dodgers, Twins, Padres and Mets, was the point man of the Giants' 2008 draft. The Giants took C Buster Posey with the sixth overall pick, and the first four draftees were hitters, a change in philosophy from the pitcher-heavy drafts of the past.
--Bobby Evans was promoted from director of player personnel to vice president of baseball operations, giving him more authority under GM Brian Sabean. The Giants, by title, don't have an assistant GM, but Evans is the closest thing. Also, Jeremy Shelley was promoted to senior director of baseball operations and pro scouting.
--Unless the Giants sign free agent Manny Ramirez, their left fielder still will be Fred Lewis, the man who replaced Barry Bonds. Lewis, however, is nothing like Bonds or Ramirez in terms of power. He was second on the team in average (.282), runs (81) and steals (21) and first in triples (11) last year.
BY THE NUMBERS: 9-23-2 -- The Giants' record in spring training last year.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's anybody's guess what will happen in the market. We'll be responsive. But we're not under any pressure to sign a third baseman. We're very comfortable with Pablo Sandoval being our everyday third baseman." -- Bobby Evans, vice president of baseball operations, on the Giants signing Joe Crede or landing any other corner infielder/middle-of-the-order hitter.
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