[Giants]

Not sure if it was the company line, but Krukow this morning commented that they brought Beatty in for one thing, to pinch hit. He also stated that while Johnson had a great spring and is certainly a big league level player, he needs more at bats and playing time. He wasn't going to get much of either at this point with the big club.

Haven't seen much baseball this spring, but it seems you give the guy a shot, especially with some guys out. He's 27 right? Not getting any younger.

It isn’t about Johnson v. Beatty per se, it is about the overall approach to roster building.  In an interview with Baggerly last week, Zaidi indicated the focus this year was going to be “internal”, bringing up guys SF drafted rather than scouring the waiver wire for players dropped by other teams.  That approach lasted until the morning of Opening Day when Johnson was sent to Sacramento in favor of Beatty.

The message that transaction sent to the players and fan base was loud and clear.  Nothing has changed.  The Giants have no interest in turning off the spin cycle.  

Quite frankly, this is a major disappointment.  If SF is going to become a player again in the NL West, they are going to have to trust their farm system to produce talent (in combination with signing premier free agents to fill the gaps).  Continuing to sign rejects from other teams will only slow the process of building a team that can compete at the highest level of the game. 

Yes, we will probably see Johnson this in a Giants uniform this year.  However, it should have been on Opening Day.

[Giants]

Not sure if it was the company line, but Krukow this morning commented that they brought Beatty in for one thing, to pinch hit. He also stated that while Johnson had a great spring and is certainly a big league level player, he needs more at bats and playing time. He wasn't going to get much of either at this point with the big club.

Haven't seen much baseball this spring, but it seems you give the guy a shot, especially with some guys out. He's 27 right? Not getting any younger.

It isn’t about Johnson v. Beatty per se, it is about the overall approach to roster building.  In an interview with Baggerly last week, Zaidi indicated the focus this year was going to be “internal”, bringing up guys SF drafted rather than scouring the waiver wire for players dropped by other teams.  That approach lasted until the morning of Opening Day when Johnson was sent to Sacramento in favor of Beatty.

The message that transaction sent to the players and fan base was loud and clear.  Nothing has changed.  The Giants have no interest in turning off the spin cycle.  

Quite frankly, this is a major disappointment.  If SF is going to become a player again in the NL West, they are going to have to trust their farm system to produce talent (in combination with signing premier free agents to fill the gaps).  Continuing to sign rejects from other teams will only slow the process of building a team that can compete at the highest level of the game. 

Yes, we will probably see Johnson this in a Giants uniform this year.  However, it should have been on Opening Day.