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There is no other way to say it.    It was a bad break not only for Pence but the Giants and their chances to get off to a quick start like they did last year which led them to the National League playoffs. It has been reported that Pence will be out only 4 -6 weeks.  That estimate is to make everyone "feel good".  If the Giants are realistic they should plan on the star outfielder being out until at least the middle of May.   In 2013 Vida Blue remarked during a pre game show that the Giants lineup did not scare him and I am sure he will have similar remarks this year about the outfield of  Aoki, Pagan and Blanco.  Neither does this trio scare other pitchers and that means both Belt and Posey will see fewer good pitches to hit. 

Bruce Bochy who understands the situation is desperate and for that reason the right field job is open to anyone who can claim it this spring.

The loss of Pence could save Travis Ishikawa a roster spot on the team.  Travis a first baseman by trade but last year during the post season playoffs did more then an adequate job playing left field.  But the hero of the National League Championship game can not play right field at AT&T.  If his hitting this spring earns him a starting job it would have to be in left field meaning that Aoki would move to center field and Pagan if he is healthy or Blanco will play right.  Aoki proved last year in the World Series that he has great difficulty playing right field at AT&T.

If Perez finally fulfills his potential and hits this spring he may win the job because we know he can run, field and throw with the best.  Bochy has always platooned Juan but he proved in the post season that he can also hit right handers.

We know from past years that Bochy loves to have a power hitting left fielder.  This year Justin Maxwell is a major league veteran with 34 home runs and a career batting average of less then .250.  His past record was good enough for Bochy to practically tell him that the fifth outfield spot was his to lose.  In other words just show me something this spring and the job is yours. He played Thursday in right field and made a diving catch but the boss is still waiting to see him hit. If he does, the right field job could be his for about six weeks.

Jarrett Parker has hit the ball on the nose in the first few cactus league games and proved to Kuiper that he could also run.  Normally a strong showing this spring could possibly get Jarrett a call up during the season. But the door is now open and he has a great opportunity to make a real statement and be the starting right fielder on opening day.  Parker's real test will come later in the spring when the pitchers have better command.  After seeing Parker hitting the ball this spring the beat writers for the Giants are starting to consider him as a possibility.  Remember he was mentioned on this blog weeks ago.

Another long shot is Cuban rookie wearing #84 Daniel Carbonell.  He has only played 31 games in the minors but is already on the 40 man roster.  The only question is when will he be ready.  I don't think the Giants were thinking this year but he did hit a home run Thursday that will probably give him a few more bats this spring to prove his worth.

Some Thoughts -

Happen to catch a few minutes of a Red Sox game on MLB and observed that Pablo looks trim and is certainly closer to 240 then 260.

There is already a disagreement about the home run hitting contest to be held at the All Star game this July.  Seems that the potential American League hitters feel it is unfair that Hunter Strickland get to pitch only to National League hitters.

I just don't understand why teams like the Angels and the Oakland Athletes do not put names on the back of their spring uniforms.  It would help fans, writers and broadcasters. Thank you Giants for having outstanding spring jerseys.

I just read that Bruce Bochy has settled on Aoki to play right field  He played right for the Royals all last year.  It's AT&T Park where he has big problems in right field.  Age catching up to your memory, Bruce?

I know that many of you are not NBA fans but the Warriors as part of the Chinese New Years celebration have been wearing uniforms with Chinese characters on the jersey I am told says Warriors.  Great idea but having the game programs printed in Chinese is a little too much.

Just read were Pagan will bat 3rd Saturday in order to stretch the line up. My opinion it is stupid because it will increase the chances of having one of your best hitters Belt bat fifth and lose the protection of Posey in addition to possibly losing one turn at bat.

Granddaughter Emily Knous

In Case You Missed It  ---  In the Girls born in '99 soccer the team from southern California defeated all star teams from Florida and Illinois last weekend in Phoenix to win the Olympic Development National title.  Congratulations to my granddaughter Emily.

 The big news out of Santa Clara was the fact that the 49ers wanted to sign an All Pro lineman. They succeeded when they signed Darnell Dockett  a 34 year defensive lineman who hasn't played for a year or two.  I am not a fan of signing older injured players who are long past their prime.  I would expect he will last about six games before getting injured. I am sure if they really wanted an All Pro Leo Nominelli if he was still alive, would have gladly come out of retirement to help his old team when they are in need.   He was the first 49er player drafted when they joined the NFL in 1950 played fourteen years for the team was all pro tackle both on offense and defense and is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was chosen All Time team NFL defensive tackle. In those days players had to work in the off season to make ends meet and Nominelli was also a pro wrestler that went by the name 'Leo The Lion.'

The Warriors are celebrating the year of the Goat 4715 while the Giants embrace 1789.