As the calendar turns to February, the MLB off-season hot stove has slowed to a low simmer. The gas isn’t completely off, however. The Detroit Tigers just signed right hander Jack Flaherty, and a handful of big time free agents still remain unsigned as spring training approaches.
Early last week, Giants legendary pitcher and broadcaster Mike Krukow suggested to Murph & Markus that the Giants might not be done finalizing their roster before Spring Training gets underway in about two weeks. Later on in the week, Andrew Baggarly expanded on Krukow’s inkling, highlighting a move that piqued the interest of thousands of Giants fans.
The prospect of Tyler Fitzgerald playing first base is a bit concerning, but his athleticism would likely allow him to be at least serviceable. Keeping his bat in the lineup and rounding out the infield with Bregman at second base would be an upgrade from the platoon of Lamonte Wade Jr. and Wilmer Flores, one that fans have grown tired of since the beginning of last season.
The Giants Fanfest tour marched on this past weekend with a third stop, this time in Sacramento at Sutter Health Park. The home of the Giants AAA affiliate River Cats (and awkwardly intermittent home of the Athletics) hosted thousands of fans who braved the rain to hang out with their favorite Giants players, coaches, and executives.
If you’re doubting just how many showed up in the 916, check this out.
All three of the non-ballpark FanFest stops have been smashing hits. The series of events concludes on March 8 with a final FanFest at the ballpark.
As the season grows closer with each passing day, the meticulous process of putting together the Giants’ optimal Starting nine is underway for many fans. Murph & Markus got in on the fun as well. After much deliberation on Thursday morning, the guys came up with their optimal Giants lineup for opening day.
And Markus offered an amendment hours later. In the interest of fairness, here it is.
Pitchers and catchers report in 10 days. It wasn’t a perfect off-season, the Dodgers gluttony went unchecked yet again, but despite all that, it feels like it’s just about time for things to get underway at Scottsdale Stadium.