Andrew Baggarly: Pre-FanFest News & Notes

August 23, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40, center) receives a mound visit from pitching coach Dave Righetti (33, left) and catcher Buster Posey (28, right) during the eighth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at AT

Andrew Baggarly of CSN Bay Area is full of goodies and tidbits today, as players are arriving at AT&T Park for tomorrow’s FanFest.

In addition to Pablo Sandoval not coming to fanfest (due to an injury in the Venezuelan league), pitchers Madison Bumgarner and newly acquired Tim Hudson will be no-shows as well. But for good reason. And really, how often do you get to use the phrase “snowed in in Atlanta?”

No Madison Bumgarner at FanFest. He's too sick to travel, Giants say. Tim Hudson is snowed in and can't get out of Atlanta, also.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) January 31, 2014

Giants trainer Dave Groeschner hasn’t actually seen Sandoval since the season ended. While he has seemed to look like he’s in better shape, we won’t know until Spring Training.

D.Groeschner said Sandoval appears in better shape but hasn't seen him in person since the day after the season so will withhold judgment.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) January 31, 2014

Hudson is expected to be fine from last year’s gruesome season-ending injury, and will throw off the mound come Spring Training, but the Giants are going to take his progress slow.

D.Groeschner said Sandoval appears in better shape but hasn't seen him in person since the day after the season so will withhold judgment.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) January 31, 2014

Marco Scutaro had surgery on his jacked up finger, and it appears to be successful as he is pain free. The Giants are optimistic, but will take things slow with him as well.

Marco Scutaro also will be paced slowly at start of spring but finger is pain free following surgery.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) January 31, 2014

Buster Posey is doing the most Buster Posey thing ever: Staying silent on the new home plate collision rules.

Buster Posey on collision rules: "I try to keep myself out of the conversation as much as I can because I know people will connect me to it"
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) January 31, 2014

Posey has definite thoughts on rule change but won't share them. "I'm kind of sitting back and letting the higher powers figure it out."
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) January 31, 2014

Bronson Arroyo will not be a Giant. At least for the foreseeable future.

Brian Sabean say #sfgiants are not shopping for any more pitching, even if prices fall on Arroyo etc.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) January 31, 2014

Well, this doesn’t sound anything like confidence at all…and is a little discerning for fans.

What makes Sabean confident SF had better rotation depth than 2013? "I can't tell you I have that confidence yet. We'll find out in spring."
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) January 31, 2014

Sabean expects to avoid arbitration with Brandon Belt and get a 1 year done, work on extension during spring. That at least some good news.

Sabean said "vibes" are that #SFGiants and Belt won't go to an arb hearing. Focus is on finishing a 1-year deal, then expand talks in AZ.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) January 31, 2014

Tim Lincecum wants to learn how to throw Hudson’s sinker ball.

I asked Lincecum what's 1st thing he'll ask Tim Hudson. "How do you throw your sinker! I only throw a 2-seamer that runs over the plate."
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) January 31, 2014

Bruce Bochy is under pressure to stay above .500 in his career. Timmy to the rescue?

Bochy has to win opener or his career record will dip under .500: "I know, pressure," he joked. "I'll have Timmy in the bullpen that game."
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) January 31, 2014

And, if you ever see Brian Sabean out in a restaurant, send over some crab and bison.

I just found out Brian Sabean's favorite foods are crab legs and bison. What, is this Super Bowl media day?
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) January 31, 2014

Schedule