The San Francisco Giants signed two key players in the offseason, pitcher Tim Hudson and left fielder Michael Morse, each filling a huge hole on the roster.
As it turns out, Morse won’t be the best-known left fielder in camp.
That will be Barry Bonds, who is due to arrive at spring training for a week in March, his first official capacity with the team since he last played in 2007. The Giants kept him at a distance because of his legal woes stemming from the BALCO steroids scandal.
The all-time homers king has a new title: guest hitting instructor.
“To have his knowledge and have a guy who’s one of the great hitters of all time talking to hitters, it’s going to be beneficial to everyone,” manager Bruce Bochy said.
This is something Bonds wanted for quite a while, but Giants ownership/management didn’t budge until most of Bonds’ legal problems were in the past. For his obstruction-of-justice conviction, he was sentenced to 30 days home confinement, two years’ probation, a $4,000 fine and 250 hours of community service.
He lost an appeal and began serving the sentence. Another appeal, to shed his “felon” label, is pending.
Other ex-Giants making guest appearances in spring training include Jeff Kent, Robb Nen, Shawon Dunston, Rich Aurilia, Randy Winn and Willie Mays.
Even so, Bonds will grab the spotlight when he is in a Giants uniform and on the field again.
“You understand there will be a lot of attention with Barry coming back, his first time coming back since he stopped playing,” Bochy said. “Our goal is not to let it be a distraction. He’s here to help the hitters.”
First baseman Brandon Belt, like Bonds a left-handed hitter, is open to hearing from the former slugger.
“It’s one of those things where he comes in and you try to pick his brain as much as possible,” Belt said. “It seems like he did everything right. When you talk to hitting coaches around here, they point to him as the specimen to follow.”
NOTES, QUOTES
–OF Tyler Colvin, a former Cub and Rockie, signed a minor league contract with the Giants. The left-handed batter will be given a chance to win a roster spot, in competition with OFs Juan Perez and Roger Kieschnick. Colvin hit 18 homers in 2012 but just three last year in 27 games. He didn’t make Colorado’s roster out of spring training in 2013, and he finished the season hitting .160. In the offseason, he signed with the Orioles, who backed out of the deal, saying Colvin flunked his physical.
–1B Brandon Belt was a late arrival to spring training because he was in Florida for an arbitration case that never happened — he and the Giants settled before the hearing. He’ll make $2.9 million, a bit more than the two sides’ midway point; he filed for $3.6 million, while the Giants offered $2.05 million. There is still a chance Belt could sign to a multiyear deal. GM Brian Sabean said the Giants “want to hold on to him. But first things first.” Thus, the one-year deal.
–CF Angel Pagan (tight back) required treatment and missed some on-field training early in spring training, but he hoped to return to the field quickly.
–3B Pablo Sandoval lost a lot of weight in the offseason, and he wants to lose more. He will be a free agent after the season, and he is making a big push for a big year and a big contract. That is why he is accompanied in spring training by his personal trainer from Venezuela, Rafael Alvarez. “I’m trying to get the stamina to play 162 games to help my team,” Sandoval said.
–LF Michael Morse figures to be a backup to 1B Brandon Belt, meaning C Buster Posey’s time at first might be more limited than in the past. When Posey doesn’t catch, manager Bruce Bochy said he would rather get him off his legs completely. Last year, Posey’s “off days” often included games at first base. This year, Bochy said Morse could play first in games against a tough lefty, when Belt would be out of the lineup.
–RHP Tim Lincecum got some favorable news early in spring training — the landlord that sued him for allegedly damaging her San Francisco townhouse, a rental, agreed to a $100,000 judgment in Lincecum’s favor. Lincecum’s attorney said the landlord, Mindy Freile, can pay a lesser amount if she pays by a certain date. Lincecum denied Freile’s allegations and countersued.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We all get older. He could probably use a few more breaks this year, a few more days off.” — Manager Bruce Bochy, on 2B Marco Scutaro, who was slowed last season by back and finger ailments.