The Giants are telling teams they're shopping both Ryan Theriot and Mike Fontenot, reports ESPN's Jayson Stark (on Twitter). Stark speculates that the Phillies and Braves could have interest.
Theriot, 32, will earn $1.25MM this season while the 31-year-old Fontenot will make $1.05MM. Neither contract is guaranteed, and the Giants could release both players by March 29th and only have to pay one-fourth of their salary. The former LSU teammates both have experience all over the infield, though Fontenot hits for more power while Theriot is a batting average, stolen base guy.
Good
I would just like to know how Fontenot managed at all to get a MLB type contract worth anywhere close to 1m. Jose Lopez would have a better chance than him of helping a team and think he is still without a job. MLB or minor league.
Lopez signed with the Indians on an MiL deal.
He was arb eligible and would likely have gotten around the same amount regardless.
Probably because left handed utility infielders with some power and solid on base skills that can play at least 3 positions are pretty useful.
I didn’t realize Fontenot had much power, nor was of much use as a journeyman at best utility infielder that people can sign on an minor league contract, or the type teams sign as AAAA type players.
A real utility player would be a Willie Bloomquist type, who can play every position, has a marketable skill he excels in (speed, plays 7 positions) or a Mike Avilles who can actually hit, not someone who is, like posted is a Lopez type and was corrected by another poster.. Can be signed on a minor league contract.
Lopez even is younger and has a far better track record. it’s not a dice or anything, just why give this type of player 1m to avoid arbitration when they are not worth it and there are others floating around the AAAA levels just like him?
Willie Bloomquist is paid 1.9 mil, has a total of .3 WAR for the past 3 seasons Fontenot is paid 1mil has a combined .9 WAR, neither player is really that different as far as talent brought to the field and you’re arguing that his $1 million contract is hampering the team from having a similar player making 1.9 mil
Why did the Giants sign Theriot in the first place if they were going to turn around and get rid of him?
signed him to a non-guaranteed contract because they were looking for somebody to help cover Crawford against lefties, and possibly help Freddy Sanchez out if he wasn’t ready at 2B (which he isn’t). It was a no-risk pick-up
they got sick of theriot awfully quick
Not quick enough!
Not sure exactly why Fontenot was retained in the first place.
Because he’s a cheap, acceptable backup at two or three positions.
As was Jeff Keppinger.
False. Keppinger is a slow, overrated hitter who can’t even play an acceptable second base, much less shortstop. The only reason he was under consideration was because he is right handed. The same is true of Theriot.
Why are we shopping these guys?? Dont we need backup infield depth if Freddy is starting the year on the DL?
Neither has performed very well this ST, both look to be hampered by injury, and the Giants are likely to trade at least one.. and both if the right deal comes along. They may be starting to take a look at Arias more intently for the depth.. which also means that Burriss may be our OD 2B
Burriss has been REALLY spot-on this spring. He’s got a swagger (and it’s his last chance since he’s out of options). I would really like to see Crawford and Burriss up the middle. Talk about solid defense.
I think that Burriss should start another guy with speed the Giants could use on the bases along with Pagan, Cabrera, and Blanco.
The Giants should ALWAYS have infield depth for 2nd base. Freddy has never played more than 111 games in a season with the Giants due to his history with injury. In fact, the last respectable year he had in terms of playing time was back in 2008 with the Pittsburgh Pirates when he was 30 years old. Now that he’s going into his age 34 season, the Giants should really hang onto these two, or they should have re-signed
Jeff Keppinger if they could have gotten him for little to nothing.
Is it true that they must always be packaged as a team of infielders?
I actually like this potential move because likely enough, they could get the same or better production from the prospects they would put in that spot in place of Fontenot or Theriot. Not to mention, they’ll be saving a couple of million and potentially picking up a decent player. Win-win scenario!
trade theriot for a late rounder
“…
while Theriot is a batting average, stolen base guy.” Actually, Theriot is more of a batting average (but lousy OBP), TOOTBLAN guy.
Points for the TOOTBLAN ref!! 🙂