--OF Dave Roberts is near the bottom of the Giants' depth chart among outfielders despite his $6.5 million salary in the final year of his three-year deal. For now, Roberts, 36, is the fifth outfielder behind starters Fred Lewis, Aaron Rowand and Randy Winn and corner man Nate Schierholtz. He can pinch-hit and pinch-run, but the Giants probably are open to a trade in which they'd eat some of his contract.

--OF Nate Schierholtz's on-field work has been limited because of a strained left hamstring. He takes batting practice but doesn't run. The injury isn't considered major, and his recovery isn't expected to take long. Schierholtz is coming off his second consecutive big season with Class AAA Fresno (.320, 18 homers, 73 RBIs), but the Olympian has just one big-league homer in 187 at-bats.

--1B Scott McClain hit a heartwarming homer on Sept. 3, his first in the big leagues in 7,301 at-bats in pro ball. Before that, he hit 362 homers in the minors and Japan. But he's 37 and destined for another year at Class AAA, especially after the re-signing of Rich Aurilia, who, like McClain, is a corner infielder.

BY THE NUMBERS: 3 -- Catchers the Giants are considering keeping, though one is INF Pablo Sandoval, whose work behind the plate will be limited in spring training as he focuses on becoming the everyday third baseman.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "The three of us agreed very readily that the most important thing was to concentrate on baseball this year." -- Managing general partner Bill Neukom on the status of manager Bruce Bochy and GM Brian Sabean, who are entering the final season of their contracts.