Club will add speed, pitching, and depth, but likely not power with September call-ups
MAJOR LEAGUE ROSTERS expand on Wednesday but don't expect to see any prized names like Brandon Belt added to the Giants fold.
Belt has become a near-household name among Giants fans this season, in 130 minor league games — starting at Single-A San Jose for 77 games, a pit stop in Double-A Richmond for 46, and the last seven coming at Triple-A Fresno — he's put up some rather impressive numbers. 22 home runs, 110 RBI, a .358 average, a .461 OBP, and a .627 slugging average will catch some attention.
The problem for Belt, however, is there's little room on the Giants 40-man roster.
After several mid-season moves — Pat Burrell, Jose Guillen, and Cody Ross off waivers, and Chris Ray, Javier Lopez and Ramon Ramirez via trades — the team would have to designate a player for assignment or work out a waiver-wire trade.
Mark DeRosa isn't on the 40-man, but hinted Tuesday on KNBR that he could return before the season ends, but the may be more wishful thinking than anything else. Still, if he were to come back someone else would need to go to make room for DeRosa.
As it currently stands, the Giants 40-man is pretty lean. They've already lost infielder Matt Downs to Houston when they were hoping to sneak him through waivers in an effort to make room for Ross. Additionally, they've hinted that Dontrelle Willis is in their September plans but that too would require a move.
The Giants have already announced that LHP Dan Runzler, outfielder Darren Ford, and short-stop Edgar Renteria will be added to the active roster.
Teams are allowed to carry as many as 40, but it's unlikely the Giants will make that many moves. Guillermo Mota (IT-band strain) is eligible to come off the disabled list on Sept. 6, Chris Ray may be ready before that.
Some other possible September call-ups aside from Ford (37 steals at Double-A, and one more off the field), Emmanuel Burriss, and Eugenio Velez, could all provide a much-needed boost in team speed, and in the case of Burriss and Ford, defense, too.
Fresno's season ends Monday, so it's likely moves won't be made until then.
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Wednesday night's game was changed from a 7:15 p.m. start to a 6:15 p.m. first-pitch. The move was made as a good gesture to the Rockies and Phillies, who will play a make-up game Thursday in Colorado. The Giants didn't have to agree to the switch, but it's likely the Rockies upcoming schedule may have played a role in the decision.
Clearly, the Giants want to the Rockies at their best when the face the wild-card leading Phills, and when they head to San Diego for a three-game series with the Padres.
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Wednesday's starters, Tim Lincecum (11-9, 3.80 ERA) and Ubaldo Jimenez (17-5, 2.71 ERA), will both be looking to regain their earlier form. Jimenez has won just two games since the All-Star break, and is 0-3 in his last five starts. Though, his last win came against the Giants on August 4 in Colorado.
Timmy's struggles have been extremely well documented, but it's fair to say if his personal losing streak stops (tonight) at five straight starts, the Giants will feel rather fortunate.
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