FanHouse BradHennessey

I wasn't a fan of the Giants trade of Armando Benitez when it first went down. I thought it was an irrational decision made by GM Brian Sabean who was serving his complaining fan base and critical media more than the team's baseball interest. But to be fair, I'm not a Giants fan, so Armando Benitez hasn't cost me the immeasurable amount of pain he has cost the Bay Area faithful. And once Benitez was traded, it pushed Brad Hennessey to the closer role, leaving Russ Ortiz for the setup position (Ortiz had been bumped to the pen when he returned from the DL).

Now Russ Ortiz is hurt once again, and he's being sent to the 15-day DL with a forearm strain (not enough loving there eh Russ?). The Giants have recalled Jonathan Sanchez in his place, and the bullpen has become significantly weaker. Matter of fact, it has been a glaring flaw for San Francisco this year. The Giants are 6-11 in one-run games. They've endured seven straight two-run losses. They're 3-7 in games decided in the last inning. The San Francisco Chronicle recently noted (as all Giants fans could tell you) that the bullpen has been a low point for the team since 2002. Let this serve as a reminder for all fans out there who demand a trade: make sure you have a decent replacement before you call for someone's head. And right now, someone's calling for Brian Sabean to get the chop -- with good reason.

Previously at FanHouse:
Armando Benitez Officially Traded, Giants Fans Celebrate
Russ Ortiz to the Pen, Tim Lincecum Expecting a Callup

Here's a look around the NL West and what final roster moves your team made to prepare for Opening Day:

Diamondbacks: Infielder Brian Barden and utility man Robby Hammock made the squad. Hammock showed promise in '03 and '04, but missed all of '05 because of shoulder surgery. Right handers Dustin Nippert and J.D. Durbin won the final spots in the bullpen. (via East Valley Tribune)

Dodgers: Matt Kemp made the club as the final outfielder, beating out Larry Bigbie and James Loney (who hit .414 in Spring and didn't take the news well), presumably because Kemp's a right-handed hitter while Bigbie and Loney are lefties. Wilson Valdez will replace Rafael Furcal on the opening day roster. Furcal will start the season on the DL retroactive to March 23rd. Rudy Seanez is the final pitcher on the 11 man staff. (via LA Times)

Giants: They're going with a 12 man pitching staff, the seven men in the bullpen will be Armando Benitez, Vinnie Chulk, Kevin Correia, Brad Hennessey, Steve Kline, Jonathan Sanchez, and Jack Taschner. Scott Munter and candidate for the closer job, Brian Wilson, were optioned to Triple A amongst others. Todd Linden made the team as a bench player, Mark Sweeney was placed on the DL to start the year, and Jason Ellison was traded to the Mariners. (via Giants official site and Contra Costa Times)

Padres: Mike Thompson and Kevin Cameron made the final two spots in the bullpen. Cameron is a Rule 5 draft pick from Minnesota. Paul McAnulty will be the final bench player. (via San Diego Union-Tribune)

Rockies: Veteran John Mabry (pictured) beat out Ryan Spilborghs and Alexis Gomez for the final bench spot. Mabry is a left-handed pinch hitter who can fill holes as a corner outfielder and corner infield. Jeff Baker and Steve Finley are the other bench players in the outfield. Manny Corpas and Ramon Ramirez were awarded the final spots in the bullpen as well. (via Denver Post and Rockies.com)

'Byrn-in' it up.

Eric Byrnes, he of shaggy hair and reckless abandon, went 3-for-3 with a opposite-field homer in Arizona's 10-7 win against the Padres. Byrnes is batting .450 this spring on the field. I hear off it, he's batting 1.000 with the ladies. Ohhhhh yeah.

Sippin' on some Hennessey.

Brad Hennessey gave up three hits and one run in four innings of work in San Fransisco's 3-2 loss to the A's.

"Russ has pitched well this spring and he pretty much has it locked up," Hennessey said. "There's not a chance to start for the Giants right now. There are other teams out there with plenty of pitching needs. We'll see what happens."

Oh snap, son. Somebody just called out his team.

Hopefully for Tampa Bay, this doesn't carry over to the real season.

With yesterday's 5-3 loss to the Astros, the Devil Rays now sit at 1-10 in the Grapefruit League. Raymond needs to play more often. That should solve their problems.

Brian Anderson proving he can hit. For now.

Brian Anderson went 2-for-2 in Chicago's 12-7 win against the Mariners. He's hitting .348 on the spring. But be careful, Brian. Former punter Darin Erstad is primed to snatch that center field spot away from you!