The Giants released their list of Spring Training invitees today, which included the minor league signings of right-handers Kameron Loe, J.C. Gutierrez and Sandy Rosario.
Loe, 32, posted a 7.09 ERA with 5.1 K/9, 3.4 BB/9 and a 50.5 percent ground-ball rate in 26 2/3 innings for the Mariners, Cubs and Braves in 2013. A bloated 34.4 percent homer-to-flyball ratio was Loe's undoing last season, as it led to an unthinkable 11 homers in those 26 2/3 frames. Loe's career mark is just 13 percent in that category, and the league average was 10.5 percent, suggesting that he's due for some improved luck in that department. Loe isn't far removed from big league success, as he posted a 3.61 ERA in 229 1/3 innings from 2008-12 with the Rangers and Brewers.
Gutierrez, 30, pitched to a 4.23 ERA with 7.3 K/9, 3.3 BB/9 and a 42.6 percent ground-ball rate in 55 1/3 innings for the Angels and Royals in 2013. Formerly referred to as "Juan" rather than "J.C.," Gutierrez has 222 2/3 innings of Major League experience and spent a good chunk of the 2010 season closing for the Diamondbacks, collecting 15 saves in the process.
The 28-year-old Rosario saw the most extensive action of his big league career in 2013, totaling 41 2/3 innings of 3.02 ERA ball for the Giants. His ratios weren't as impressive as his ERA, as he averaged 5.2 K/9 and 4.3 BB/9 to go along with a 44.7 percent ground-ball rate.
All three pitchers in this group will hope to win a spot alongside closer Sergio Romo and relievers Jeremy Affeldt, Javier Lopez and Santiago Casilla, each of whom is a lock for a spot in manager Bruce Bochy's relief corps.
I do think that the ‘pen will be better then in ’13 when it had to log some heavy innings from the season’s start. But I don’t think these are the moves to improve it. Hope they add at least one proven reliever.
Yeah considering we sell out every game I’d be nice to see them drop a few bucks to improve this team.
Tomorrow’s headline: “Giants designate Sandy Rosario for assignment to make room for random player”.
Random player turns out to be Jamie Moyer, trying to make a comeback! lol
“Giants designate Sandy Rosario for assignment to make room for random player”
“Random player, 34, is coming off two Tommy John surgeries, and the Giants hope he can return to the form he had four years ago when he went…”
I just saw the list of the non roster invitees. Turns out not only that Dan Runzler is alive, but is coming to Spring training.
And with this kind of news trickling out, I think I’m about ready for baseball to start.