The Indispensables -- Part 1

by SonDog

First of all, ESPN's Buster Olney stole my idea. That pin-headed bastard (What? Too much? Too strong?) posted a blog yesterday about the most indispensable players in baseball for 2006. Naturally, Barry Bonds is at the top of the list. With that said, for the last five days I've been working on the San Francisco Giants' list of indispensables, counting down from 25 to 1.

What I'm getting at is that if you, my loyal reader, try to say or even hint that I ripped this concept off of Olney's column, I'll have to give you a Chuck Norris roundhouse kick to the head. I don't know how he did it, but that Yankee-lover Olney managed to find out about my idea and pawn it off as his own. I will never forgive him for this sin.

And in no way am I trying to be overly melodramatic. Er... wait. (P.S. Buster, if you are reading this, I would love a good reference at ESPN.com. Insert smiley-face text here.) Burn in hell!!

On to part one of the list, from the last man on the projected 2006 Giants' roster to the first.

#25 Jason Ellison/Todd Linden/Dan Ortmeier (5th Outfielder): Not exactly a holy trinity, is it? One of these guys will make the team out of spring training (I'm putting my money on Ellison due to his speed). However, if Ellison continues to play like Jason Ellison, and Linden continues to play like Todd Linden, and Ortmeier continues to play like Dan Ortmeier, then all three could be in somebody else's farm system at some point this season. Fred Lewis and Nate Schierholtz are both high on the Giants' prospect list, and one of them could be the 5th outfielder by mid-season.

#24 Todd Greene (Backup Catcher): Greene is the odds-on favorite to win the backup catcher job. I have two words as to why this is a veritable lock: Yamid Haad. Remember how every time Haad came up last year you would mutter the words, "Automatic out?" Well, Haad and rookies Justin Knoedler and Eliezer Alfonzo are Greene's primary competitors at this point. That being said, the backup receiver position is Mr. Irrelevant in Giants' land as long as Mike Matheny is around.

The reason Todd Greene should feel secure: Yamid Haad

#23 Jeff Fassero (Long-Relief Pitcher): Is there a more un-inspiring sound as a Giants' fan than to hear an announcer say the words, "And on the mound for San Francisco is Jeff Fassero." First, it usually means the team is getting killed. Second, Fassero is 73-years-old. Third, he is basically playing the role of Eddie Harris from Major League. In fact, it would not surprise me in the least to see Fassero lean over to Pedro Feliz and say, "You trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curve ball?" In fact, when Feliz comes over to Fassero on the mound, I bet money that Fassero finishes the conversation by saying, "Si, si Peeeedro."

Fassero is in the background, telling Corben Bernsen, "You know, you might want to think about taking Jesus Christ as your savior."

#22 Jose Vizcaino (Backup Infielder): Vizcaino is a typical Brian Sabean veteran buffet selection special. Like Fassero, Vizcaino is 73-years-old. I actually enjoyed watching Vizcaino play back in '97 during his first tour with the Giants. When he signed with the Dodgers after that season, I didn't mind because I thought he was over the hill. At this point, Vizcaino is no where even close to being in the same vicinity as the hill. In other words, pray for the health of Feliz, Omar Vizquel and Ray Durham (although Kevin Fransden will be ready at Fresno if/when Durham goes down with an invevitible injury).

#21 Steve Kline (Lefty Relief Specialist): Kline was a somewhat ballyhooed pick up this winter. He is billed as the replacement for last year's lefty specialist (who left to sign an absurd contract in Chicago), Scott Eyre. So, why would I rate a lefty specialist as so replaceable? Because there is nothing special about him. It will be decided early in the season that Jack Taschner is the best lefty in the Giants' bullpen. And for Kline? I'm not sold that he will be around by the all-star break.

#20 Tyler Walker (Right-handed Relief Pitcher): Walker saved some games last year, but the bullpen is arguably the Giants' deepest area this year. Walker, at this point, is trade bait. He will probably make the team out of spring training at the expense of one of the Giants' younger, stronger arms (i.e. Jeremy Accardo, Brian Wilson or Kevin Correia), but I see him as utterly expendable. I have nothing else to say here.

#19 Mark Sweeney (1b/OF Pinch-hitter Deluxe): Sweeney is the Giants' slimmer version of Lenny Harris. So far this spring, Sweeney is credited with lightening the mood in the Giants' once morgue-like clubhouse. Yippy skippy. We know he's a solid pinch hitter (17HR, 80RBI the last two years combined) and he plays a respectable first base. Sweeney will win a couple of games this year for San Francisco with his bat. However, if manager Felipe Alou needs him to start regularly at any point this season, they're in trouble. In his 10-year career, Sweeney has 35 homers. But, at least he's a hoot in the clubhouse.

#18 Brad Hennessey/Jamey Wright/Kevin Correia (5th Starter Candidates): The fifth-starter competition is kind of like the dollar menu at McDonalds. You're never going to get a five-star entree for a buck, but on the right day you could be very satisfied with your double cheeseburger or McFlurry. The smart-money is on Hennessey, but you get the sense that the Giants' brass really wants Wright to force the issue (In his first spring outing Thursday, Hennessey pitched three shutout innings.). Correia has been too inconsistent, and Wright has been the epitome of expendable throughout his career (I mean, the guy couldn't keep a job on COLORADO'S pitching staff where the only qualification is having a pulse.). Also, Hennessey has thrown too many 7-inning, 3-hit games in his brief career to be overlooked. I guess with that synopsis, I'll be very disappointed if Hennessey is not the fifth starter come opening day.

Coming next: #17 - 9