So the San Francisco Giants made a mistake.
The hype was so huge coming out of Spring Training that the Giants ultimately had no choice but to start Brandon Belt on Opening Day at first base.
The Giants went against everything they have ever preached about their prospects by bringing up Belt to the majors to start the season.
Buster Posey waited until mid-season, now look at him; so did Madison Bumgarner and a host of other players who now make up the young core of the Giants’ competitive ball club.
Which is why murmurs of Belt’s imminent departure for Fresno seems just about right for this situation.
Andrew Baggarley of the San Jose Mercury News says that Belt has until April 26 to make a splash in The Bigs or he’ll be splashing in Fresno. That would be the date that Andres Torres is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list.
Honestly, this seems like a done deal already and the Giants really don’t have any other options for this situation at this point, if you look at it.
If the Giants choose not to send Belt down to Fresno, that would mean they would have to designate someone like Nate Schierhotlz for assignment to make room for Torres on the roster.
Why would the Giants choose to lose Schierholtz when Belt can just be optioned to AAA and possibly brought back up again?
At this point in the season, it betters the team for Belt to be sent down.
His .196 BA isn’t helping anyone right now and he seems a little overwhelmed at the plate at the moment.
With that move, Aubrey Huff can now make a home back at first base and the one-man circus that he was in right field comes to an end.
Plus, it gives Aaron Rowand and Schierhotz, guys who have played well when called upon, chances in the outfield until Cody Ross returns.
There are more pros than cons when it comes to Belt being sent down to AAA-Fresno, which is why it seems the Giants have already made up their mind.
Mark it down: Torres up and Belt sent down on April 26.
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