Offseason Giants update- Dec. 13, 2012

OF Andres Torres is back, signing a one-year deal.

The team also re-signed P Shane Loux to a minor-league deal and signed P Chad Gaudin to a minor league contract as well.

Also at the Rule 5 Draft on December 6, the Giants neither drafted nor lost any players in the Major League phase. In the Triple-A phase, they drafted P Scott Shuman from the Tampa Bay organization.
They lost P Cameron Lamb (who pitched 2012 with low-A Salem-Keizer) to Houston.

Ex-Giants news:
-Eli Whiteside is waived for the third time this off-season (SF, NYY, Tor). Texas has now claimed him.
-Jeff Keppinger signs with the White Sox.
-P Kevin Correia signs with Minneosta
-2B Eugenio Velez signs a minor-league deal with Toronto

Giants Off-season update

Catching up with the last few weeks:

November 30 was the non-tender deadline, meaning the team had to offer contracts to its arbitration eligible players, or they could become free-agents. Of that group, the team declined to offer a tender to P Brian Wilson.

Recapping the off-season moves thus far:

Activated from 60-day DL:
2B Freddy Sanchez
P Eric Surkamp
P Brian Wilson

Free agents:
P Jeremey Affeldt (re-signed with SF on 11/14/12)
OF Melky Cabrera (signed with Tor on 11/19/12)
2B Emmanuel Burris (outrighted by Giants on 11/06/12; elected free agency on 11/08/12; signed with Cin on 11/14/12)
P Clay Hensley (outrighted by Giants and elected free agency on 11/06/12)
P Guillemro Mota
OF Xavier Nady
OF Angel Pagan
P Brad Penny
2B Freddy Sanchez
2B Marco Scutaro
2B Ryan Theriot
1B Aubrey Huff

Added to 40-man roster (on 11/12/12)
P Jake Dunning
P Edwin Escobar
OF Juan Perez
INF Nick Noonan
P Chris Heston
 
Minor-league free agent signings
P Eric Hacker (re-signs on 11/14/12)
C Tyler LaTorre (re-signed with SF)
P Will Lebron (did not play affiliated baseball in 2012; last for KC organization in 2011) [as reported by MLB.com transaction ticker]
P Fabio Castillo (from Tex; reported by Baseball America)
C Guillermo Quiroz (from Bos, reported by Baseball America
Also, reports that the team re-signed P Boof Bonser

Minor-leauge free agents (list confirmed by Baseball America)
P Brian Burres
OF Justin Christian (signed with Cin)
P Hector Correa signs with the Dodgers on 11/14/12
3B Jose Flores
1B Wes Hodges
P Andrew Kown
1B/OF Todd Linden
P Shane Loux
P Rafael Martinez
P Scott Munter
P Wilmin Rodriguez
P Clayton Tanner
P Craig Whitaker
P Matt Yourkin


Designated for Assignment and claimed
C Eli Whiteside (by NYY on xxx; then DFA'd again by NYY on 11/28/12)

Notable former player tracker:
OF Nate Schierholz was non-tendered by Phi and elected free agency.
OF Andres Torres was non-tendered by NYM and elected free agency.
2B Mike Fontenot signs with Tampa Bay (from Phi)
P Alex Hinshaw signs with Tor on 11/21/12 (played for Chi-N and SD in 2012)
P Zack Wheeler is added to NYM 40-man roster on 11/18/12
OF Darren Ford signs wiht Pit on 11/06/12



Also, Giants mortal enemy OF Scott Cousins has been designated for assignment and claimed (in order) by Miami, Toronto, Seattle and is now with Los Angeles of Anaheim.

Giants add five prospects to 40-man roster

The Giants added five minor league prospects to the 40-man roster, protecting them from the Rule 5 Draft.

Added are P Edwin Escobar, P Chris Heston, P Jake Dunning, OF Juan Perez and INF Nick Noonan.

Only Noonan played as high as Triple-A. No one has MLB experience.

The Giants now have 35 men on the 40-man roster:

Italics- added since end of off-season

Pitchers:
Affeldt (re-signed)
Bumgarner
Cain
Casilla
Dunning (purchased contract)
Escobar (purchased contract)
Heston (purchased contract)
Kontos
Linceum
Lopez
Machi
Mijares
Otero
Petit
Romo
Runzler
Surkamp
Vogelsong
Wilson
Zito

Catchers:
Posey
Sanchez

Infielders:
Adrianza
Arias
Belt
Crawford
Gillaspie
Noonan (purchased contract)
Pill
Sandoval

Outfielders:
Blanco
Kieschnick
Peguero
Pence
Perez (purchased contract)

Offseason update: Affeldt back, Christian gone

P Jeremy Affeldt resigned with the Giants.

OF Justin Christian, who was outrighted and elected free agency, signed a minor-league deal with the Cardinals.

Also, according to Baseball America:

Signed: RHP Boof Bonser (re-signed), RHP Omar Javier (Newark (Can-Am)), 1B Mark Minicozzi (re-signed)

Hensley, Burriss outrighted

The Giants today (11/07/12) outrighted P Clay Hensley and INF Emmaneul Burriss. Hensley declined the assignment, and is now a free agent. Burriss accepted, and is now on the Fresno roster.

Both players were arbitration-eligible.

Whiteside wavied; Yankees claim

The Eli Whiteside era is over. The Giants waived the catcher off the 40-man roster, and he was subsequently claimed by the Yankees.

The Giants now have 31 active players on the 40-man roster (not included Angel Villalona, still on the restricted list).

Giants roster back in full force

Now that the season is over, the off season is here, and the Giants' 40-man roster is back at full force, kind of. In the transactions, the remainder of the players not on the playoff roster were "activated," Freddy Sanchez was activated from the 60-day DL, and the three remaining players not already recalled in September (Kieschnick, Gillaspie, Adrianza) are now recalled.

However, Monday began free agency (see here for the Giants list). This year marks the new system of free agency, as negotiated in the new collective bargaining agreement, where players do not have to file, they automatically become free agents.

There is a five-day window (Monday-Friday this year), where the teams have an exclusive window to negotiate with their free agents. Yet according to John Schlegel of MLB.com, in order to receive a compensation pick if a free agent signs with another team would require a one-year offer of about $13 M (the average salary of the top 125 players).

That is a high risk if the Giants wanted to receive an extra draft pick of OF Melky Cabrera or even OF Angel Pagan sign elsewhere.

The Giants have 10 free agent-eligible players (assuming the option to 1B Aubrey Huff is declined). The team also has nine arbitration-eligible players (assuming Buster Posey is one of them). If the team declines to offer arbitration, that player may also be a free agent.

Expect also to see more prospects added to the 40-man roster with all the additional spots opened up.

The future of the Giants: free agent, arb, option info

Giants future

 

Free agents

OF Aubrey Huff (club option for 2013)

OF Melky Cabrera

2B Freddy Sanchez

INF Marco Scutaro

P Jeremy Affeldt

OF Angel Pagan

INF Ryan Theriot

P Guillermo Mota

P Brad Penny

OF Xavier Nady

 

Under contract

P Barry Zito (through 2013; club option for 2014)

P Tim Lincecum (2013)

P Matt Cain (2017; club option for 2018

P Javier Lopez (2013)

3B Pablo Sandoval (2014)

P Ryan Vogelsong (2013; option 2014)

P Madison Bumgarner (2017; options 2018-19)

 

Arbitration eligible (between 3-6 years ML service)

OF Hunter Pence

P Brian Wilson

P Santiago Casilla

P Sergio Romo

P Jose Mijares

P Clay Hensley

C Buster Posey (assuming he is a “Super-2”)

C Eli Whiteside

INF Joaquin Arias

 

Team control (between 0-3 years ML service)

Option information listed for players optioned in 2012 after start of season

OF Gregor Blanco

P Dan Runzler [one option remaining after 2012 (used in 2011 and 2012)]

P George Kontos

1B Brandon Belt

SS Brandon Crawford

P Dan Otero [two options remain after 2012 (used in 2012)]

1B Brett Pill [one option remaining after 2012 (used in 2010 and 2012)]

C Hector Sanchez

P Eric Surkamp [three options remain]

INF Ehire Adrianza [one option remaining after 2012 (used in 2011 and 2012)]

INF Conor Gillaspie [no options remain after 2012]

OF Roger Kieschnick [two option remaining after 2012 (used in 2012)]

OF Francisco Peguero [two option remaining after 2012 (used in 2012)]

INF Angel Villalona [remains on restricted list; no options used thus far]

P Jean Machi

P Yusmeiro Petit

INF Emmanuel Burriss

 

Minor Leauges

Potential free agents

P Boof Bonser

P Brian Burres

P Andrew Kown

P Mitch Lively

P Scott Munter

P Wilmin Rodriguez

P Jason Stevenson

P Clayton Tanner

P Matt Yourkin

C Tyler LaTorre

INF Juan Ciriaco

1B/OF Todd Linden

INF Ydwin Villegas

OF Justin Christian

P Eric Hacker

P Shane Loux

P Steve Edlefsen [one option remaining after 2012 (used in 2011 and 2012)]

P Craig Whitaker

 

Protected from Rule 5 draft

P Heath Hembree (drafted 2010; eligible after 2013 season)

C Eric Sim

OF Jarrad Page

 

Not protected from Rule 5 draft

Note: these players would not be protected in the MLB phase. They could still be protected in the Triple-A and Double-A phases.

C Jackson Williams (drafted 2007; could be 6-year free agent after 2013)

INF Brock Bond (drafted 2007; could be 6-year free agent after 2013)

INF Nick Noonan (drafted 2007; could be 6-year free agent after 2013)

OF Chris Dominguez (drafted 2009; could be 6-year free agent after 2015)

OF Ryan Lollis (drafted 2009; could be 6-year free agent after 2015)

 

Batting title math

I find it curious that even though MLB, the player's union and Melky Cabrera agreed that he would not be recognized as batting champion, he is still listed #1 on the MLB stats website (as well as every newspaper listing).

There would be no controversy if the #2 hitter, Buster Posey, wins the title outright. What does he have to do over the last four games of the season?

Cabrera is hitting exactly:
0.34565217391304347826086956521739

(159 hits over 460 at bats (factoring in the one extra at-bat to officially qualify Cabrera for the title)).

Posey is has 175 hits in 520 AB. To better Cabrera's numbers, what minimum number of hits would Posey need?

The formula is:

(175+x)/(520+x) = .3457

Using my basic algebra skills, Posey would need at least 7.52 or 8 hits, ie going 8 for 8. If he does (183/528)= .3466 or .347.

However, that is unlikely. Posey is most likely to get 16-20 more official at bats.

Using this formula: x = .3457 (520 + x)-175

We discovered that 8 for the next 8 is the minimum.

9 AB, he needs 8 hits (rounding up)
10 AB, 9 hits
11 AB, 9 hits
12 AB, 9 hits
13 AB, 10 hits
14 AB, 10 hits
15 AB, 10hits
16 AB, 11 htis
17 AB, 11 hits
18 AB, 11hits
19 AB, 12 hits
20 AB, 12 hits

Not much margin of error.

The exact data, copied from my Excel spreadsheet (note that the at-bats column exceeds the hits column at 8).

# more at bats Hits needed to win 0 1 5.1097 2 5.4554 3 5.8011 4 6.1468 5 6.4925 6 6.8382 7 7.1839 8 7.5296 9 7.8753 10 8.221 11 8.5667 12 8.9124 13 9.2581 14 9.6038 15 9.9495 16 10.2952 17 10.6409 18 10.9866 19 11.3323 20 11.678

Hensley activated; Edlefsen clears

The Giants activated P Clay Hensley from the DL, giving the team 37 active players out of a possible 40.

Also, P Steve Edlefsen cleared waivers and was outrighted to Fresno.

Edlefsen DFA

The Giants announced in order to clear room for P Yusmeiro Petit on the 40-man roster, the team designated P Steve Edlefsen for assignment.

(Uni) Numbers Game

Lots of swtiching of uniform numbers for the Giants. One happened a few months ago that I missed:

Hitting coach Hensley Muelens goes from #31 to #37 for P Brad Penny (#31)
P Dan Otero- #37 to #43
OF Xavier Nady- #68 to #12
OF Francisco Peguero- #57 to #14
P Jean Machi- #79 to #63

P Yusmeiro Petit is now wearing #52.

With Otero donning a third number this year (#87 and #37), according to my records, he becomes the first player since P Manny Aybar (#64, #22, #50) in 2002 to wear three uni numbers in the same season (not including Jackie Robinson Day #42 special, maning Otero would wear four different uni numbers).

More Giants moves

The Giants activated OF Jusitn Christian from the DL and purchased the contract of P Yusmeiro Petit from Fresno.

The team has not announced a corresponding move on the 40-man roster for the addition of Petit.

Also, P Hector Correa cleared waivers and was outrighted to Fresno.

SJ Giants moves

The Cal League season continues for the San Jose Giants, starting the playoffs on Wednesday.

The team made some moves in recent days. P Jack Snodgrass and P Kelvin Marte were transferred from Salem-Keizer to San Jose. Justin Schumer and Ryan Bradley were sent to Salem-Keizer to clear room.

More September call-ups for the Giants

With the minor league season ending on Monday, the Giants added three more players from Fresno to its roster: P Dan Otero, P Dan Runzler and INF Emmanuel Burriss.

Runzler was technically on the Giants roster ealrier this year, albeit on the DL. Burriss was designated for assignment earlier this year and had his contract purchased. To clear room, the team designated P Eric Hacker for assignment.

Giants extend PDC with Grizzlies

A team official confirmed to me that the Giants have extended their player development contract with the Grizzlies. It will be announced when a ceremony can be arranged (either tonight (Sunday) or Monday (the final day of the season).

The Grizzlies have been the Giants Triple-A affiliate since 1998.

Giants complete day of transcations

The Giants answered the question of cleairng up that final 40-man spot for Xavier Nady (wearing #68) and Jean Machi (#79). The team already transferred Freddy Sanchez to the 60-day DL. The other move came when the team designated for assignment P Hector Correa.

Correa has been injured since June, pitching only 8 games for San Jose. The Giants acquired Correa from Florida in 2009 for Ronnie Paulino.

The other possible 40-man move, calling up OF Roger Kieschnick and placing him on the 60-day DL, became moot when Fresno activated Kieschnick. He played his first Fresno game since May on Friday night.

Giants org tracker September 1

SF Giants (MLB):

-activated P Brad Penny from 15-day DL/recalled from rehab

-activated P Shane Loux from 15-day DL/recalled from rehab

-activated 1B/OF Aubrey Huff from 15-day DL

-recalled 1B Brett Pill from Fresno

-purchased contract of OF Xavier Nady from Fresno

-purchased contract of P Jean Machi from Fresno

-transferred 2B Freddy Sanchez to 60-day DL

-Designated for assignment P Hector Correa

Fresno Grizzlies (AAA):

-assigned P Craig Whitaker from San Jose

-assigned P Yusmiero Petit to AZL Giants

Richmond Flying Squirrels (AA):
no moves

San Jose Giants (A+):
-C Jeff Arnold assigned from Augusta
-P Clayton Blackburn assigned from Augusta
-OF Shawn Payne assigned from Augusta

Augusta Green Jackets (A):

-C Jeff Arnold assigned to San Jose
-P Clayton Blackburn assigned to San Jose
-OF Shawn Payne assigned to San Jose

-Travious Relaford assigned from Arizona League

Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (A-):

no moves

Arizona League Giants (Rookie):
no moves

Dominican League Giants (Rookie):

no moves

Giants org tracker- August 31

Note: while the Giants announced their September additions on August 31, they officially go into effect September 1.

SF Giants (MLB):

no moves

Fresno Grizzlies (AAA):

-activated OF Roger Kieschnick from DL [was rehabbing with AZL Giants]

-activated INF Ydwin Villegas from DL

-activated P Clayton Tanner from DL

-promoted OF Jarrad Page from San Jose

-assigned P Andrew Kown to AZL Giants [Kown started Thursday; thus his season is done; he is staying with Fresno]

-Giants recall 1B Brett Pill [takes effect on 9/1]

-Giants purchase contract of P Jean Machi [takes effect on 9/1]

-Giants purchase contract of OF Xavier Nady [takes effect on 9/1]

-P Brad Penny returned to San Francisco after rehab [takes effect on 9/1]

-P Shane Loux returned to San Francisco after rehab [takes effect on 9/1]

Richmond Flying Squirrels (AA):
-activated C Eliezer Zambrano from the 7-Day disabled list.

-placed C Joel Weeks on the 7-Day disabled list. Shin Laceration

San Jose Giants (A+):
-activated RHP Edward Concepcion from the 7-Day disabled list.

-activated C Brad Moss from the 7-Day disabled list.

-assigned P Craig Whitaker to Fresno [takes effect on 9/1]

-assigned OF Jarrad Page to Fresno

Augusta Green Jackets (A):
no moves

Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (A-):

no moves

Arizona League Giants (Rookie):
-assigned P Andrew Kown from Fresno

Dominican League Giants (Rookie):

no moves

Giants potential playoff pool

As it stands, if the Giants do not make any more moves by tonight's deadline, here are the players eligible for the playoffs:

Pitchers:
Matt Cain
Madison Bumgarner
Ryan Vogelsong
Tim Lincecum
Barry Zito

Clay Hensley
George Kontos
Shane Loux
Jose Mijares
Guillermo Mota
Brad Penny
Eric Surkamp
Brian Wilson
Santiago Casilla
Jeremy Affeldt
Javier Lopez
Sergio Romo

Catchers
Buster Posey
Hector Sanchez
Eli Whiteside

Infielders
Joaquin Arias
Brandon Belt
Brandon Belt
Brandon Crawford
Aubrey Huff
Freddy Sanchez
Pablo Sandoval
Marco Scutaro
Ryan Theriot

Outfielders
Gregor Blanco
Melky Cabrera
Justin Christian
Angel Pagan
Francisco Peguero
Hunter Pence

My guesses on the 25-men (12 pitchers):
Posey, Sanchez
Belt, Scutaro, Crawford, Sandoval, Scutaro, Theriot, Arias
Blanco, Pagan, Pence, Christian
Cain, Bumgarner, Vogelsong, Lincecum
Zito, Mijares, Mota, Kontos, Casilla, Affeldt, Lopez, Romo

Report: Giants to add six on Saturday

The Chronicle's John Shea surmises that the Giants roster will increase by six when the September expansion starts Saturday: activating 1B/OF Aubrey Huff, P Brad Penny and P Shane Loux from the DL; recalling 1B/OF Brett Pill and purchaing the contracts of OF Xavier Nady and P Jean Machi from Fresno.

In order to clear room for Nady and Machi, two moves on the 40-man need to be made. Shea reports that the team transferred 2B Freddy Sanchez to the 60-day DL (exempting him from the 40-man).

My last guess for the 40th spot (if the team does not plan to designate for assignment anyone): recall OF Roger Kieschnick and place him on the 60-day DL. He has been out with a shoulder injury since May. He has been rehabbing the last week in the Arizona Rooke League, going 1-for-12 in three games.

Giants org tracker, August 30: no moves today

SF Giants (MLB):

no moves

Fresno Grizzlies (AAA):

no moves

Richmond Flying Squirrels (AA):
no moves

San Jose Giants (A+):
no moves

Augusta Green Jackets (A):
no moves

Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (A-):

no moves

Arizona League Giants (Rookie):
no moves

Dominican League Giants (Rookie):

no moves