The Giants have signed 28-year old lefty swinging 3B/1B Dallas McPherson to a minor league deal. McPherson played in 11 games for the Marlins last season and he was 2 for 11 (.182 avg, .764 OPS) with 3 runs scored. The Giants signed McPherson because of the numbers he put up in AAA ball last season. McPherson played in 127 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 123 for 448 (.275 avg, .997 OPS) with 94 runs scored, 42 homers, 98 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. But, not all was rosy as he did whiff 168 times last season in the minors. McPherson won’t be bumping Pablo Sandoval off of 3B any time soon but if Travis Ishikawa struggles at some point he might get a chance to play some 1B for the Giants. McPherson was once one of the best prospects in all of baseball until he injured his back a couple of seasons ago. He has played in 128 games in his major league career and he is 91 for 371 (.245 avg, .756 OPS) with 53 runs scored, 18 homers, 45 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. But, he has whiffed 126 times in his major league career. Still, this was a good gamble for the Giants as McPherson still has some upside left.

The San Francisco Giants have placed 26-year old righty reliever Joe Martinez on the 15-day disabled list after he took a vicious shot to the head courtesy of Milwaukee’s Mike Cameron. The line drive caused 3 hairline fractures in Martinez’ skull and he has a concussion. Martinez had worked in 2 games (0 starts) for the Giants so far this season and he was 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA and a 1.87 WHIP. Martinez was the #30 prospect in the Giants’ minor league system according to Baseball America. He pitched in 27 games (all starts) last season and he was 10-10 with a 2.49 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. This is a shame for Martinez but he should get his job back when he gets healthy.

The Giants have designated righty reliever Luis Perdomo for assignment. Chances are that Perdomo will be returned to the Cardinals. He pitched in 13 games for the Giants this spring and he was 2-1 with 3 saves, a 6.75 ERA and a 2.08 WHIP. This is a good sign for the Giants as they appear to be playing to win in 2009.

UPDATE: Luis Perdomo has been claimed off waivers by the N.L. West Rival San Diego Padres.

34-year old switch hitting Randy Winn is really a CF playing RF which gives the Giants a great defensive outfield. He played in 133 games in RF last season for the Giants making only 3 errors while showing outstanding range. Winn played in 155 games for the Giants last season and he was 183 for 598 (.306 avg, .789 OPS) with 84 runs scored, 10 homers, 64 RBIs and 25 stolen bases. Despite not having the prototype power required for a starting RF Winn still has a lot of game. He will have another good season in 2009 for the Giants.

25-year old lefty swinging Nate Schierholtz will likely be the #4 outfielder and backup RF for the Giants in 2009. He played in 19 games for the Giants last season and he was 24 for 75 (.320 avg, .863 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 1 homer and 5 RBIs. He also played in 93 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 112 for 350 (.320 avg, .957 OPS) with 62 runs scored, 18 homers, 73 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. Schierholtz played 19 error-free games in RF for the Giants last season while showing pretty good range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: B

31-year old righty swinging Aaron Rowand is a all-out, all the time player. He played in 152 games for the Giants last season and he was 149 for 549 (.271 avg, .749 OPS) with 57 runs scored, 13 homers and 70 RBIs. The Giants expect a little more out of Rowand with the bat in 2009. Rowand played in 149 games in CF for the Giants last season showing outstanding range while making 4 errors. Rowand’s reckless style has caused him to get seriously injured in the outfield in the past because he’s scared of no wall. He is the player that makes the Giants go and that will continue in 2009.

The Giants are grooming 26-year old switch hitting Eugenio Velez to be a supersub and he will likely back up Rowand in CF. He played in 98 games for the Giants last season and he was 72 for 275 (.262 avg, .681 OPS) with 32 runs scored, 1 homer, 30 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. Velez only played in 2 games in CF last season for the Giants without making any errors.

31-year old switch hitting Andres Torres will likely start the season in AAA and get a call if the Giants suffer some injuries to the outfielders. Torres played in 118 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 125 for 409 (.306 avg, .892 OPS) with 91 runs scored, 11 homers, 51 RBIs and 29 stolen bases.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: B

28-year old lefty swinging Fred Lewis took advantage of Dave Roberts’ injury last season and he never looked back. He played in 133 games for the Giants last season and he was 132 for 468 (.282 avg, .791 OPS) with 81 runs scored, 9 homers, 40 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. Lewis played in 112 games in LF last season and he made 6 errors there while showing slightly below average range. Lewis does have a big arm as he did nail 11 baserunners trying to advance on him. This is his big chance to solidify his future with the Giants.

25-year old lefty swinging John Bowker will likely be the backup for Lewis but he might start the season in AAA. Bowker played in 111 games for the Giants last season and he was 83 for 326 (.255 avg, .708 OPS) with 31 runs scored, 10 homers and 43 RBIs. He only played in 5 games in LF last season for the Giants without making any errors while showing poor range.

Nate Schierholtz or Eugenio Velez could also get some time in LF for the Giants in 2009.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: C-