[Atrahasis]

The latest wisdom out of Felipe Alou's mouth is Bonds will hit 3rd and Fonzy 4th. How will that affect how you rank him among other 3Bs?

1-8 might look like this:

Durham
Snow/Feliz (possibly Pierzynski)
Bonds
Alfonzo
Pierzynski
Grissom
Hammonds/Tucker/Mohr
Perez

Alfonzo's subpar overall performance in '03 makes him a sleeper. In regards to expectations of him as a Giant, he fell way short on offense. But the bat came alive at the end of the year and he hit very well in the playoffs. So what should we expect?

Fonzy's power numbers aren't special anymore and his health history is pretty shaky. When given the chance to protect Barry last year, he failed miserably until late in the year. But that can be explained as adjusting after being traded. After all, he's only ever been a Met.

I do like his ability to make good contact; just 41 Ks last season in 500 ABs and his strikeouts have dropped each year since 1999. Also, when he's hitting he hits the ball nicely to both gaps and that'll be very significant if Bonds and Durham are on base ahead of him. Might be a solid contributor in AVG, OBP and RBI. If he fails as a cleanup hitter, he might be a solid run producer in the #2 spot.

[joncarlos]

Originally posted by BeanBall
He will def fail as the cleanup hitter. He is the ideal #2 guy. He hasn't had power in years because of his back.

With Barry guaranteed to be on first base 200 times in front of him, all the Giants need is a gap hitter. Preferably one who doesn't hit into a lot of double plays.

Alfonzo has hit 22, 26 and 25 doubles the last 3 years while averaging under 500 ABs. His G/F ratio the last 3 years has been .58, .71, and .86... sure it's trending the wrong way, but it's still better than Pierzynski (1.20, 1.64, 1.51).

[johnnya24]

Man that giants team sucks .... they have one of the top 5 players of all time ... and they surround him with complete crap ... in effect negating anything he can offer offensively ... apart from his OB skills. One or 2 name hitters in that lineup and they could go all the way.

Maybe they'll decide to spend some money when Bassa retires :shakeshead:

I'm hoping Alfonzo does OK ... picked him up relatively cheaply (259th) in the RJ Ultra League ...

[willthethrill]

One consideration is how many games you expect Bonds to play, with him getting up there in age and everything. Without Bonds, that offense is anemic.

[jalora]

People have been predicting a Giants collapse for years. Not going to happen this year. They'll take an easy NL West without much trouble, but don't expect a lot of good fantasy options.

[Atrahasis]

Yes, certainly there's reason to be down on the Giants offense given what they've lost and not recovered in the off season. But I don't think it sucks that bad. And, I think it could be quite potent if key players are able to produce as they have in past years. It's starts with Ray Durham, who needs to get on base and be a threat. If he does, I can see how it'll be very difficult to pitch around Barry while also keeping Alfonzo from lining a ball into a gap and scoring both runners.

The Giants won't need the long ball to win games. In Durham, Snow, Fonzy, Grissom and Pierzynski, they have guys who can hit the ball well. They're age and lack of depth is more of a concern than their starting lineup.

I think Barry's presence in the lineup makes each guy around him a much better hitter (just look at what Grissom did last year, for example, and Santiago the year before). They have enough line drive hitters and OBP guys to get runners on and in, especially with triples alley helping them in SBC park.

[johnnya24]

Originally posted by Atrahasis
Yes, certainly there's reason to be down on the Giants offense given what they've lost and not recovered in the off season. But I don't think it sucks that bad. And, I think it could be quite potent if key players are able to produce as they have in past years. It's starts with Ray Durham, who needs to get on base and be a threat. If he does, I can see how it'll be very difficult to pitch around Barry while also keeping Alfonzo from lining a ball into a gap and scoring both runners.

The Giants won't need the long ball to win games. In Durham, Snow, Fonzy, Grissom and Pierzynski, they have guys who can hit the ball well. They're age and lack of depth is more of a concern than their starting lineup.

I think Barry's presence in the lineup makes each guy around him a much better hitter (just look at what Grissom did last year, for example, and Santiago the year before). They have enough line drive hitters and OBP guys to get runners on and in, especially with triples alley helping them in SBC park.

Let's assume they walk the NL West ... what then ... another certain first round Playoff exit. The only reaon they'd be there is because their division sucks. They should have ponied up for Bonds' replacement now, rather than wait til he retires ... but hen I said that last season after Kent walked ...

... surprisingly no bitching about the situation from Mr Bonds. The one time he has a reason to complain ... and not a peep

[friarfan]

Anyone know which way the Giants are leaning towards for Right Field? We all are aware of Hammonds' injury concerns. Mohr seems to be inconsistant when given regular PT and Tucker seemed to be on the verge of a breakout before his injury last year.

Will Tucker be the guy?

[chancellor]

Originally posted by BeanBall
He will def fail as the cleanup hitter. He is the ideal #2 guy. He hasn't had power in years because of his back.

On paper, before ST, I'm surprised Grissom isn't in that role. Or hitting #2. His OBP, as always, stunk. But he hit over .300 with 10 HR at Pac Bell. Marquis can still turn on one, if a pitcher has to pitch to him. He's got better wheels than Alfonzo.

[Atrahasis]

Originally posted by johnnya24
Let's assume they walk the NL West ... what then ... another certain first round Playoff exit. The only reaon they'd be there is because their division sucks. They should have ponied up for Bonds' replacement now, rather than wait til he retires ... but hen I said that last season after Kent walked ...

... surprisingly no bitching about the situation from Mr Bonds. The one time he has a reason to complain ... and not a peep

Perhaps so, but I think it's pitching that will determine how far they go in the playoffs. They won't have Fop this season or Worrell and Nen is looking shaky.

I think Barry rightly realizes that nobody will pitch to him (if possible) for the remainder of his career, regardless of who hits in front or behind him. A smart manager will always make someone else by the one to beat his team. What we're really debating is whether or not a supporting cast of good hitters can replace a couple of excellent ones. I think so because I think Barry's presence makes opponent's pitching a little more predictable to the men in front and behind him.
Which brings us back to guys like Alfonzo and Grissom. Alfonzo will put the ball in play and he could hit 20 HRs if he's healthy.

Regarding Grissom, the numbers don't lie. He hit .331 with RISP but can't play everyday and he definitely tired towards the end of the season.

I think Hammonds and Tucker have the edge over Mohr, Linden, Valderrama, Torcato and Ellison going into ST. If Tucker isn't 100% he'll serve well as a lefty off the bench, and certainly a nicer option than Torcato.