San Francisco Giants designate Chris Dominguez for assignment

The San Francisco Giants removed one piece from the jigsaw puzzle that comprises their 2015 outlook, by designating infielder/outfielder Chris Dominguez for assignment. Mentioned in conjunction with both the vacant third base and left field positions, earlier in the off-season, the move just made indicates that any hope Dominguez might have had for this season with the Giants, appears gone.

His 91 homers during his minor league career was not enough of a selling point to keep him in the Giants’ plans. Even his versatility was not adequate. At least making the move at this point in the year allows Dominguez to pursue other possible venues in which to continue his pursuit of the major leagues.

Now 28 Dominguez was a third-round selection in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft and has played in 689 games in the minors.

Dominguez has some power; he may find a spot on another roster.

In his late-season call-up, he had one base hit in seventeen at-bats, a home run off of the San Diego Padres on September 21st.

With the acquisition of Casey McGehee, and Joaquin Arias already expected to make the team, Dominguez was one possible choice to be squeezed out. Other players still in the picture should their services be requires, are Adam Duvall, Ehire Adrianza, Matt Duffy and certainly one or two more who I have not mentioned.

Jun 13, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants shortstop Ehire Adrianza (6) waits for the ball as Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) successfully steals second during the first inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Trying out in left field might still have been an option, but the signing of Nori Aoki last week pretty much squashed that. With Travis Ishikawa signed and expected to compete in left, as well as established back-ups Gregor Blanco and Juan Perez, it was time to cut Dominguez loose.

As Perez  and Gary Brown can attest to, it is devilishly difficult to claw one’s way onto a major league team, and though he did not make the cut at the present time, Chris Dominguez at least has something on his ring finger of one of those claws to remind him of his brief stay with the Giants.

How many players can say he paid the price of a single home run in exchange for a World Series ring, and be telling the truth? He can lose his place on the roster but he cannot lose those memories. Giants fans wish him great success in all of his baseball endeavors.