SF Giants Off-Season Preview: Catchers & Corner Infielders

My San Francisco Giants Off-Season Preview series continues today looking at the catcher position and two of the weakest spots on the Giants roster, third base and first base. First off, let's start with the catcher position, which at this point belongs to Benjie Molina. Molina also at this point in time is the clean up hitter for the Giants, uh oh. That shows everyone the glaring weakness in the Giants offense. Molina has been mentioned in trade talks and could end up being very valuable in a trade to a team like the New York Mets who have a need at the catcher position. If Molina was to go that would leave the Giants Eliezer Alfonzo to fill the spot at the catcher position. If Molina is traded for some improved offense this might not be to bad to have Alfonzo behind the plate although he is a big negative in offensive production compared to Molina. Now this brings me to the first base and third base positions. The players right now considered for the Giants at the corner positions, without Pedro Feliz now, Rich Aurilia (3B/1B) Dan Ortmeier (1B) and maybe a Kevin Frandsen at third base. Looking at a team you love with these players filling those position isn't easy on the eyes, kinda depressing in a way. Ortmeier is another young player for the Giants, but isn't exactly what you want at the first base position. A first baseman is supposed to be a guy that is in the line-up for strictly hitting purposes, a guy that put fear in the eyes of the pitcher. Do you get that out of Ortmeier or even Aurilia? NO! Now Aurilia, a long time Giants favorite, is getting older and older as the days progress and Ihate to say this to a great Giant, but his days are numbered and if the Giatns to add anyone to these corner positions he could be switching daily at first with Ortmeier and Frandsen could be an everyday third baseman. Quite frankly, just writing this article is hurting my insides even more than before seeing that the Giants have wound up in this position. This is all courtesy of Mr. Brian Sabean, always wanting to save money buy spending on the older washed up palyers. What does that get the Giants? A 71-91 season, that's what. Right now there are talks though about trading for Miguel Tejada of the Baltimore Orioles. Tejada has already stated he is willing to play third base and although Tejada thirty-one years of age this bolsters the offense for the Giants. I know many people are thinking, bolster? Yeah, I consider having Tejada at third base over Frandsen a bolsting of offense.