Giants camp report
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Five things to know about the San Francisco Giants:
1. Though he is just 22 homers from smashing Hank Aaron's all-time career record, the Barry Bonds circus seems to have abated a wee bit this spring. There is no reality television show. The Giants have limited his entourage -- no personal videographer, no personal trainers flanking him at all times. There was said to be a split in the organization about whether they even wanted him back -- the marketing folks really did; the baseball people were ready to move on -- and owner Peter Magowan even sent a letter to season-ticket holders explaining the decision when it was clear Bonds would be returning. Also, the 2007 media guide features a big photo of new manager Bruce Bochy and pitcher Barry Zito. No reference to Bonds at all on the cover -- even with him on the brink of breaking baseball's most hallowed record.
2. So the Giants gave Zito 126 million reasons to sign with them. As a point of reference, it's the largest contract ever given to a pitcher -- and most giant deals to pitchers have backfired. Think Mike Hampton and Kevin Brown, specifically. So we'll see how this goes, and about the only thing we know for certain is that the philosophical Zito probably won't press to prove he's worth the money. "I try to pitch to my ability every day, and stay healthy," Zito says. "I've been doing that, playing baseball with integrity, for years. Because of that, this contract occurred. It was the effect of something that happened over the course of time. People see it as a cause, but it's an effect. I just have to keep playing with the integrity I always have, and I'll be OK."
3. One thing the addition of Zito does is allow the Giants to pitch the other starters in slots they're more suited for. "He adds credibility to our rotation and helps everyone," veteran Mark Sweeney says. "He's won, you can't underestimate that. You also can't underestimate what he's done year in and year out. He's going to help us not rush Matt Cain. Matt can be a No. 1 guy, obviously, if he keeps progressing, but it's not like now he has to be No. 1." Zito also will give left-hander Noah Lowry and lefty relievers Jonathan Sanchez and Steve Kline another lefty to compare notes with.
4. Age still might be the biggest opponent the Giants will face. Bonds turns 43 in July. Shortstop Omar Vizquel is 39 and last season finally showed signs of losing some range. Second baseman and cleanup hitter Ray Durham is 35 and battles quad and hamstring issues. So does center fielder Dave Roberts, 34. First baseman Rich Aurilia is 35. "Here's the funny thing," says right fielder Randy Winn, 32. "If you win, it's, 'Oh, they're just experienced.' If you lose, you're too old. Like young teams, if they win, they're fiery. If they lose, they're too young. If you win ballgames, you're not going to be too old. And I don't feel like we're too old."
5. Bochy already is having an impact, convincing Bonds to bat third in the order instead of fourth. Part of that is because Bochy wasn't enamored with Aurilia or Ryan Klesko hitting third, and part of Bonds' thinking is he views Roberts as the best leadoff man the Giants have had in years. So when Bonds is in the lineup, he'll hit in the first inning, guaranteed -- with a good chance somebody will on base. As for Bochy, Sweeney, who also played for him in San Diego, says, "He's a guy who's definitely easy to play for. You come in, you show up and play the game hard. That's all he expects. It's pretty easy."
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