Official 2011 San Francisco Giants Season Thread (86-76) 2nd Place in NL West

[lb510]

Originally Posted by LiveMyReality

Do the Giants still have Pena Jr. and Dontrelle Willis? Are they part of minor league camp?

Willis is with the Reds and Pena is with the Red Sox's.

 

[nothingtol0se]

belt had himself a darn good game 

 

[nothingtol0se]

belt had himself a darn good game 

 

[lazyj10]

He did.

And Zeeto had his usual game.

 

[lazyj10]

He did.

And Zeeto had his usual game.

 

[lb510]

DeRosa & Belt

Zito

 

[lb510]

DeRosa & Belt

Zito

 

[jayjunkie]

Back in States, Kroon eyes Giants 'pen
By Chris Haft / MLB.com | 02/26/11 9:20 PM EST
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Marc Kroon's saga will lend itself to a compelling screenplay someday.

For now, articles such as this one will have to suffice.

Kroon entered professional baseball 20 years ago as a New York Mets Draft selection. He has made just 26 Major League appearances since then, all in relief. But Kroon's journey, personally and geographically, can't be defined by statistics.
Right-hander Marc Kroon notched 177 saves in Japan over the past six seasons. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

After displaying Nuke LaLoosh-like tendencies and enduring two elbow surgeries, Kroon was told by doctors in 2002 that he would never pitch again. Two years later, he was back in the Majors. That was followed by a successful six-year stint as a closer in Japan, where he provoked awe by throwing a fastball clocked at 101 mph.

Now Kroon finds himself in big league camp with the Giants as a non-roster invitee, competing for a bullpen opening that may not exist. San Francisco's seven relievers from last year's postseason roster have returned, and that contingent doesn't include Dan Runzler or Jeff Suppan, both legitimate candidates to make the Opening Day roster.

"It's an opportunity to put a uniform on one more time," Kroon said on Saturday. "You never know what can happen, so I accepted this job, knowing they're the World Series champs and their bullpen is set. Just come out here and have a little bit of fun."

Kroon, 37, fell in love with the game while growing up in New York City and watching Dwight Gooden of the Mets perform at the apex of his skill. "He was God to me," Kroon said.

Kroon shared Gooden's searing fastball. "He was power, power, power," said Giants third-base coach Tim Flannery, who managed Kroon in 1994 at San Diego's high Class A Rancho Cucamonga affiliate. "He could throw hard."

But Kroon lacked Gooden's command.

That '94 season was a typical one for Kroon, who finished 11-6. He amassed 153 strikeouts in 143 1/3 innings but also walked 81, an average of 5.1 per nine innings. Describing his pitching approach, Kroon said, "It was one of those things where you kind of just let it fly and not really pay attention to the importance of trying to locate your pitches."

In a 1998 outing with Cincinnati, he threw 82 pitches in two innings.

"That's probably still a Major League record," Kroon said.

Kroon's erratic pitching mechanics made arm trouble inevitable. A partial tear in his right elbow limited him to four appearances in 2000 and led to Tommy John surgery the following year. He underwent another procedure in 2002 to re-route nerves in his elbow, prompting the diagnosis that he should forget about baseball.

Kroon retired from the game but didn't forsake it. A resident of Phoenix, he gave pitching lessons to aspiring ballplayers. But his surgeries left him unable to throw, so his tutelage was exclusively verbal. His younger son, Matt, would relay baseballs to students when necessary.

An acquaintance of Kroon's happened to be the brother-in-law of Mike Butcher, then the Angels' roving Minor League pitching instructor. That led to a tryout for Kroon, who hadn't thrown a ball in a year and a half. His muscular memory must have remained intact, because the Angels signed him to a Minor League contract on Jan. 30, 2003. Kroon began the season in extended Spring Training and ended it in Triple-A.

Kroon recorded 20 saves for Colorado's Triple-A outpost in '04 and pitched six games for the Rockies. But just as he had ended his six-year absence from the Majors, he accepted an offer to pitch for Yokohama in the Japanese Central League. Kroon proceeded to accumulate 177 saves for Yokohama and the Yomiuri Giants, reaching a high of 41 in 2008 with the latter squad.

During that season, Kroon uncorked his 101-mph heater, the fastest pitch ever recorded in Japan.

"I've just been blessed with the arm," Kroon said. "It's one of those things I've always done, so I don't really think too much about it."

Kroon, who said that his fastball's current maximum speed is around 95 mph, has supplemented his repertoire with a forkball that sinks wickedly. Right-hander Ryan Vogelsong, another non-roster invitee who spent 2007-09 in Japan, said that Kroon essentially outperformed the natives in this respect.

"Every Japanese guy throws a forkball or a split. That's kind of like their bread-and-butter pitch there," Vogelsong said. "So to see a foreigner throw a forkball that's comparable or better than what the Japanese guys throw speaks volumes."

Having been paid handsomely in Japan -- $13 million, according to one report -- Kroon is financially secure.

"I could retire right now and never play again," he said.

This makes it easier for him to savor the experience of being in a big league camp again.

"To be my age and still have a uniform on after all these years is definitely a blessing," he said.

Don't know too much about dude although I remember seeing him in an Current episode when Mos Def was in Japan.

 

[jayjunkie]

Back in States, Kroon eyes Giants 'pen
By Chris Haft / MLB.com | 02/26/11 9:20 PM EST
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Marc Kroon's saga will lend itself to a compelling screenplay someday.

For now, articles such as this one will have to suffice.

Kroon entered professional baseball 20 years ago as a New York Mets Draft selection. He has made just 26 Major League appearances since then, all in relief. But Kroon's journey, personally and geographically, can't be defined by statistics.
Right-hander Marc Kroon notched 177 saves in Japan over the past six seasons. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

After displaying Nuke LaLoosh-like tendencies and enduring two elbow surgeries, Kroon was told by doctors in 2002 that he would never pitch again. Two years later, he was back in the Majors. That was followed by a successful six-year stint as a closer in Japan, where he provoked awe by throwing a fastball clocked at 101 mph.

Now Kroon finds himself in big league camp with the Giants as a non-roster invitee, competing for a bullpen opening that may not exist. San Francisco's seven relievers from last year's postseason roster have returned, and that contingent doesn't include Dan Runzler or Jeff Suppan, both legitimate candidates to make the Opening Day roster.

"It's an opportunity to put a uniform on one more time," Kroon said on Saturday. "You never know what can happen, so I accepted this job, knowing they're the World Series champs and their bullpen is set. Just come out here and have a little bit of fun."

Kroon, 37, fell in love with the game while growing up in New York City and watching Dwight Gooden of the Mets perform at the apex of his skill. "He was God to me," Kroon said.

Kroon shared Gooden's searing fastball. "He was power, power, power," said Giants third-base coach Tim Flannery, who managed Kroon in 1994 at San Diego's high Class A Rancho Cucamonga affiliate. "He could throw hard."

But Kroon lacked Gooden's command.

That '94 season was a typical one for Kroon, who finished 11-6. He amassed 153 strikeouts in 143 1/3 innings but also walked 81, an average of 5.1 per nine innings. Describing his pitching approach, Kroon said, "It was one of those things where you kind of just let it fly and not really pay attention to the importance of trying to locate your pitches."

In a 1998 outing with Cincinnati, he threw 82 pitches in two innings.

"That's probably still a Major League record," Kroon said.

Kroon's erratic pitching mechanics made arm trouble inevitable. A partial tear in his right elbow limited him to four appearances in 2000 and led to Tommy John surgery the following year. He underwent another procedure in 2002 to re-route nerves in his elbow, prompting the diagnosis that he should forget about baseball.

Kroon retired from the game but didn't forsake it. A resident of Phoenix, he gave pitching lessons to aspiring ballplayers. But his surgeries left him unable to throw, so his tutelage was exclusively verbal. His younger son, Matt, would relay baseballs to students when necessary.

An acquaintance of Kroon's happened to be the brother-in-law of Mike Butcher, then the Angels' roving Minor League pitching instructor. That led to a tryout for Kroon, who hadn't thrown a ball in a year and a half. His muscular memory must have remained intact, because the Angels signed him to a Minor League contract on Jan. 30, 2003. Kroon began the season in extended Spring Training and ended it in Triple-A.

Kroon recorded 20 saves for Colorado's Triple-A outpost in '04 and pitched six games for the Rockies. But just as he had ended his six-year absence from the Majors, he accepted an offer to pitch for Yokohama in the Japanese Central League. Kroon proceeded to accumulate 177 saves for Yokohama and the Yomiuri Giants, reaching a high of 41 in 2008 with the latter squad.

During that season, Kroon uncorked his 101-mph heater, the fastest pitch ever recorded in Japan.

"I've just been blessed with the arm," Kroon said. "It's one of those things I've always done, so I don't really think too much about it."

Kroon, who said that his fastball's current maximum speed is around 95 mph, has supplemented his repertoire with a forkball that sinks wickedly. Right-hander Ryan Vogelsong, another non-roster invitee who spent 2007-09 in Japan, said that Kroon essentially outperformed the natives in this respect.

"Every Japanese guy throws a forkball or a split. That's kind of like their bread-and-butter pitch there," Vogelsong said. "So to see a foreigner throw a forkball that's comparable or better than what the Japanese guys throw speaks volumes."

Having been paid handsomely in Japan -- $13 million, according to one report -- Kroon is financially secure.

"I could retire right now and never play again," he said.

This makes it easier for him to savor the experience of being in a big league camp again.

"To be my age and still have a uniform on after all these years is definitely a blessing," he said.

Don't know too much about dude although I remember seeing him in an Current episode when Mos Def was in Japan.

 

[paul is on tilt]

The 4th Annual San Francisco Giants Fantasy Baseball League is open.


The league set up is below in the spoiler. It's played on Yahoo... just like the previous 3 years.

The draft will be offline. NTL is kind enough to lend a helping hand with the offline draft process. If you were in this year's Warriors fantasy basketball league, you know what the draft process is like. Basically, it's an online spreadsheet and we use a snake draft. Each person makes their pick within the allotted time. If the person does not make their pick within their time window, then the highest ranked player is then auto selected. Don't worry, the draft process will be explained again in a later time. If there are any questions that cannot wait, you can PM me. We'll discuss the start of the offline draft when the league is filled up.

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler [+]

Spoiler

PM me for the League ID and Password. This is to prevent lurkers and unknowns from joining. This is for regular posters in this thread.

 

[paul is on tilt]

The 4th Annual San Francisco Giants Fantasy Baseball League is open.


The league set up is below in the spoiler. It's played on Yahoo... just like the previous 3 years.

The draft will be offline. NTL is kind enough to lend a helping hand with the offline draft process. If you were in this year's Warriors fantasy basketball league, you know what the draft process is like. Basically, it's an online spreadsheet and we use a snake draft. Each person makes their pick within the allotted time. If the person does not make their pick within their time window, then the highest ranked player is then auto selected. Don't worry, the draft process will be explained again in a later time. If there are any questions that cannot wait, you can PM me. We'll discuss the start of the offline draft when the league is filled up.

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler [+]

Spoiler

PM me for the League ID and Password. This is to prevent lurkers and unknowns from joining. This is for regular posters in this thread.

 

[lb510]

Four months ago to the day

 

[lb510]

Four months ago to the day

 

[jumpmanfromdabay]

I'm in for Giants league. Hopefully I can do better Than last year

 

[jumpmanfromdabay]

I'm in for Giants league. Hopefully I can do better Than last year

 

[franchise 55]

I'm expecting another video with Paul, a hat, and a clock.

 

[franchise 55]

I'm expecting another video with Paul, a hat, and a clock.

 

[chris82790]

Originally Posted by LB510

Four months ago to the day

 

Indeed!

 

[chris82790]

Originally Posted by LB510

Four months ago to the day

 

Indeed!

 

[bruce waynee]

Timmy with 3 IP and no hits for anyone who was in a panic after that 1st start 

Brandon Belt

New & improved Pablo

 

[bruce waynee]

Timmy with 3 IP and no hits for anyone who was in a panic after that 1st start 

Brandon Belt

New & improved Pablo

 

[livemyreality]

[h1]

[h1]Zito walks tightrope trying to stay in good graces[/h1]
Tuesday, March 1, 2011

(03-01) 04:00 PST Scottsdale -- , Ariz. - Barry Zito took the mound for his first spring-training start on Monday and walked the ballpark. It wasn't exactly what the Giants had in mind, and here's a message to all those fans who have seen enough of Zito: He's walking a very fine line within the organization.

A source close to the team indicated Tuesday that there is "exasperation" with Zito, that his status as the No. 5 starter is "definitely not safe," and that the team would even consider buying out his expensive contract before Opening Day if that's what it takes to say farewell.

Zito has the rest of spring to either resurrect his worth to the Giants or show an opposing team that he'd be valuable in a trade, according to others familiar with the situation. Meanwhile, the Giants will take a close look at 16-year veteran Jeff Suppan (three shutout innings against Milwaukee on Monday), Class AA left-hander Clayton Tanner and other options for the No. 5 slot.

Heading into spring training, it was widely believed that the Giants were more than willing to ride it out with Zito, given the overall excellence of their rotation. But there's a healthy sense of urgency in the world champions' camp. They didn't clinch a postseason berth until the final game of the 2010 season, and they realize that just a single loss - something that could be avoided - could cost them a chance to repeat this year.

There is concern that Zito hasn't been properly diligent in maintaining his physical conditioning, and that Monday's performance (five walks in 13 batters) was all too reminiscent of Oct. 2, when he walked home two runs in the first inning against San Diego and took the loss in a vital game at AT&T Park.

Zito may not realize it, but after being left off last year's postseason roster, and now drawing skepticism from the front office, he could greatly benefit from a change of scenery. He's been a sub-.500 pitcher in each of his four seasons with San Francisco (40-57 total), the fan base has completely given up on him, and he wouldn't be anywhere near the Giants' roster this spring were it not for his contract: $18.5 million owed this season, another $39 million through 2013 and a $7 million buyout for 2014.

Bank on this: There's no way Zito will be wearing a Giants uniform in 2013. At some point, the team has to cut the cord. That time may come sooner than expected.

On the field Tuesday against the Cubs:

-- Pablo Sandoval is consistently backing off pitches outside the margins of the strike zone, and it's working to his benefit. He ran a 2-0 count on Cubs starter Ryan Dempster, then hammered an off-field, run-scoring double that two-hopped the wall in left-center. Then there was Sandoval's at-bat against Todd Wellemeyer, who began last season as the Giants' No. 5 starter: 1-1 count and a long, towering double that nearly cleared the wall in straightaway center. We could be returning to the days when missing a Sandoval at-bat was a big mistake.

-- New Cubs manager Mike Quade (KWAH-dee) had a long pregame conversation with KNBR's Marty Lurie, and that was no surprise. Back in 2001-02, when Quade was a low-paid coach for the A's and Lurie was handling the team's pre-game radio shows, Quade lived out of the broadcaster's basement in Montclair.

Interesting call by the Cubs, by the way, hiring Quade ahead of coach Alan Trammell (who moved on to join Kirk Gibson's staff in Arizona) and Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg. The players raved about Quade after he replaced Lou Piniella late last season.

-- Smart move by the Giants, placing the names of each player - even the scrubs - on the back of the uniforms. Makes a non-roster kid feel like he belongs in this game, and makes it a heck of a lot easier for fans to keep track of the game (no such luck with the Cubs).

-- As Madison Bumgarner pitched to catcher Buster Posey in the middle innings, it was easy to recall their remarkable connection last season. They were together in April, forming a battery for the Giants' Triple-A Fresno club. In a short time, they had been promoted and developed a strong connection that lasted throughout the season and came vividly to light in Game 4 of the World Series.

Bumgarner truly came of age that night in Texas, allowing just three hits in eight shutout innings, and Posey crushed a home run to dead center. At one point, Posey made a visit to the mound and realized Bumgarner didn't need a calming influence. "Sometimes you can just tell by looking at a guy's face," Posey said. "He had that look like nothing was going to faze him."

Such are the memories that make this a Giants' spring training like no other.

[/h1]


If the source is legit...Wow, I am liking the boldness the Giants front office is doing. I'd say, give him two more starts and if he sucks. Happy trails Zito.

 

[livemyreality]

[h1]

[h1]Zito walks tightrope trying to stay in good graces[/h1]
Tuesday, March 1, 2011

(03-01) 04:00 PST Scottsdale -- , Ariz. - Barry Zito took the mound for his first spring-training start on Monday and walked the ballpark. It wasn't exactly what the Giants had in mind, and here's a message to all those fans who have seen enough of Zito: He's walking a very fine line within the organization.

A source close to the team indicated Tuesday that there is "exasperation" with Zito, that his status as the No. 5 starter is "definitely not safe," and that the team would even consider buying out his expensive contract before Opening Day if that's what it takes to say farewell.

Zito has the rest of spring to either resurrect his worth to the Giants or show an opposing team that he'd be valuable in a trade, according to others familiar with the situation. Meanwhile, the Giants will take a close look at 16-year veteran Jeff Suppan (three shutout innings against Milwaukee on Monday), Class AA left-hander Clayton Tanner and other options for the No. 5 slot.

Heading into spring training, it was widely believed that the Giants were more than willing to ride it out with Zito, given the overall excellence of their rotation. But there's a healthy sense of urgency in the world champions' camp. They didn't clinch a postseason berth until the final game of the 2010 season, and they realize that just a single loss - something that could be avoided - could cost them a chance to repeat this year.

There is concern that Zito hasn't been properly diligent in maintaining his physical conditioning, and that Monday's performance (five walks in 13 batters) was all too reminiscent of Oct. 2, when he walked home two runs in the first inning against San Diego and took the loss in a vital game at AT&T Park.

Zito may not realize it, but after being left off last year's postseason roster, and now drawing skepticism from the front office, he could greatly benefit from a change of scenery. He's been a sub-.500 pitcher in each of his four seasons with San Francisco (40-57 total), the fan base has completely given up on him, and he wouldn't be anywhere near the Giants' roster this spring were it not for his contract: $18.5 million owed this season, another $39 million through 2013 and a $7 million buyout for 2014.

Bank on this: There's no way Zito will be wearing a Giants uniform in 2013. At some point, the team has to cut the cord. That time may come sooner than expected.

On the field Tuesday against the Cubs:

-- Pablo Sandoval is consistently backing off pitches outside the margins of the strike zone, and it's working to his benefit. He ran a 2-0 count on Cubs starter Ryan Dempster, then hammered an off-field, run-scoring double that two-hopped the wall in left-center. Then there was Sandoval's at-bat against Todd Wellemeyer, who began last season as the Giants' No. 5 starter: 1-1 count and a long, towering double that nearly cleared the wall in straightaway center. We could be returning to the days when missing a Sandoval at-bat was a big mistake.

-- New Cubs manager Mike Quade (KWAH-dee) had a long pregame conversation with KNBR's Marty Lurie, and that was no surprise. Back in 2001-02, when Quade was a low-paid coach for the A's and Lurie was handling the team's pre-game radio shows, Quade lived out of the broadcaster's basement in Montclair.

Interesting call by the Cubs, by the way, hiring Quade ahead of coach Alan Trammell (who moved on to join Kirk Gibson's staff in Arizona) and Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg. The players raved about Quade after he replaced Lou Piniella late last season.

-- Smart move by the Giants, placing the names of each player - even the scrubs - on the back of the uniforms. Makes a non-roster kid feel like he belongs in this game, and makes it a heck of a lot easier for fans to keep track of the game (no such luck with the Cubs).

-- As Madison Bumgarner pitched to catcher Buster Posey in the middle innings, it was easy to recall their remarkable connection last season. They were together in April, forming a battery for the Giants' Triple-A Fresno club. In a short time, they had been promoted and developed a strong connection that lasted throughout the season and came vividly to light in Game 4 of the World Series.

Bumgarner truly came of age that night in Texas, allowing just three hits in eight shutout innings, and Posey crushed a home run to dead center. At one point, Posey made a visit to the mound and realized Bumgarner didn't need a calming influence. "Sometimes you can just tell by looking at a guy's face," Posey said. "He had that look like nothing was going to faze him."

Such are the memories that make this a Giants' spring training like no other.

[/h1]


If the source is legit...Wow, I am liking the boldness the Giants front office is doing. I'd say, give him two more starts and if he sucks. Happy trails Zito.

 

[tim lincecum]

[h1]http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/03/cody-ross-hopes-for-long-term-extension-with-giants.html[/h1]

[h1]Cody Ross Hopes For Long-Term Deal With Giants[/h1]
By Mark Polishuk [March 1 at 8:11pm CST]

Cody Ross and his agent approached the Giants on the very first day of Spring Training to discuss a contract extension, reports Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News.  Ross is eager to sign a multiyear deal with the club, even if it means possibly passing up a free agent contract elsewhere next winter.

"I've let them know that's what I want," Ross said. "Free agency would be cool to experience, but I know what this team is about and where it's going. We have a great thing here, and I want to stay."

It's not surprising that Ross would want to remain in San Francisco, both for the long-term stability and due to his performance since joining the team.  The Marlins let Ross go to the Giants on a waiver claim in August, and Ross posted an .819 OPS in 82 plate appearances down the stretch.  The outfielder then exploded in the postseason, hitting .294/.390/.686 with five home runs and capturing the NLCS MVP award as the Giants went on to win the World Series.

Ross obviously has no regrets with how things turned out last summer, though he admitted to being upset over being let go by Florida.

"It's almost like a slap in the face," Ross said. "I was willing to sign an extension there even though it's not the greatest place to play. They were building a nucleus for when their new stadium opened. I was comfortable there and liked it. You pour your heart and soul out for an organization for 4 1/2 years, and all of a sudden they're like, 'See ya.' "

Ross, arbitration-eligible for the last time this winter, signed a one-year, $6.3MM deal for 2011 and will be a free agent next winter.  As Baggarly points out, San Francisco's outfield depth and Ross' average career numbers (a .788 OPS in seven Major League seasons) will likely mean that the club will wait for the offseason to discuss a possible extension, though Giants VP Bobby Evans told Ross' agent that they will continue negotiations later in the spring. 

It wouldn't be the first time the Giants have given a multiyear deal to a veteran, but given the club's spotty-at-best track record with these contracts, it's best for the champs to wait to see how Ross performs in 2011 before locking him up.  Baggarly notes that San Francisco's claim for Ross was made primarily to prevent him from going to the Padres, so it's not like the Giants acquired Ross with the intent on making him a long-term answer in right field.  (In a separate item, Baggarly notes that San Diego actually didn't put in a claim of their own for Ross.)

 

[tim lincecum]

[h1]http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/03/cody-ross-hopes-for-long-term-extension-with-giants.html[/h1]

[h1]Cody Ross Hopes For Long-Term Deal With Giants[/h1]
By Mark Polishuk [March 1 at 8:11pm CST]

Cody Ross and his agent approached the Giants on the very first day of Spring Training to discuss a contract extension, reports Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News.  Ross is eager to sign a multiyear deal with the club, even if it means possibly passing up a free agent contract elsewhere next winter.

"I've let them know that's what I want," Ross said. "Free agency would be cool to experience, but I know what this team is about and where it's going. We have a great thing here, and I want to stay."

It's not surprising that Ross would want to remain in San Francisco, both for the long-term stability and due to his performance since joining the team.  The Marlins let Ross go to the Giants on a waiver claim in August, and Ross posted an .819 OPS in 82 plate appearances down the stretch.  The outfielder then exploded in the postseason, hitting .294/.390/.686 with five home runs and capturing the NLCS MVP award as the Giants went on to win the World Series.

Ross obviously has no regrets with how things turned out last summer, though he admitted to being upset over being let go by Florida.

"It's almost like a slap in the face," Ross said. "I was willing to sign an extension there even though it's not the greatest place to play. They were building a nucleus for when their new stadium opened. I was comfortable there and liked it. You pour your heart and soul out for an organization for 4 1/2 years, and all of a sudden they're like, 'See ya.' "

Ross, arbitration-eligible for the last time this winter, signed a one-year, $6.3MM deal for 2011 and will be a free agent next winter.  As Baggarly points out, San Francisco's outfield depth and Ross' average career numbers (a .788 OPS in seven Major League seasons) will likely mean that the club will wait for the offseason to discuss a possible extension, though Giants VP Bobby Evans told Ross' agent that they will continue negotiations later in the spring. 

It wouldn't be the first time the Giants have given a multiyear deal to a veteran, but given the club's spotty-at-best track record with these contracts, it's best for the champs to wait to see how Ross performs in 2011 before locking him up.  Baggarly notes that San Francisco's claim for Ross was made primarily to prevent him from going to the Padres, so it's not like the Giants acquired Ross with the intent on making him a long-term answer in right field.  (In a separate item, Baggarly notes that San Diego actually didn't put in a claim of their own for Ross.)