Scottsdale, Ariz. – The workout was precise, productive. Players hit, ran, performed agility drills, tightened their abs with crunches.
The San Francisco Giants conducted their first full practice Tuesday, but few paid attention. Most everyone was focused on who was not there. The Giants’ season, regardless of what the calendar says, doesn’t officially start until Barry Bonds arrives.
With him, the Giants are the favorites to take the NL West. Without, they are peanut butter sans jelly – incomplete.
“If he plays 100 games,” said outfielder Moises Alou, obliging the battery of reporters who wandered into Scottsdale Stadium to greet Bonds, “we will win the division.”
Bonds is expected to arrive today, although trusting his day planner is not recommended. On a cool afternoon, Alou, 39, talked about delaying his own retirement at season’s end, admitting he would like to play another season or two even if it means defecting to another team.
Alou’s description of aching legs and mental fatigue underscored the Giants’ situation: They are built to win this season, the window of opportunity lurking, slowly closing with chilling finality.
It is a striking juxtaposition for two former Rockies who left a franchise growing up for a team growing old. Starter Jamey Wright and catcher Todd Greene joined the Giants on minor-league contracts. Neither was offered any guarantees. Both, however, are expected to make a team for whom future is a dirty word.
“This clubhouse is a lot different than (Colorado’s). You have a lot of veterans,” said Wright, who went 8-16 with the Rockies last year. “There’s a lot of excitement, just like in 29 other clubhouses. The difference is you know … this team isn’t going to be out of it (early).”
Greene, 34, is returning to an old role with a new team. Not unlike he did with the Yankees in 2001, he will be asked to provide pop off the bench while maximizing minimal playing time behind Gold Glover Mike Matheny.
“I feel like I helped the Rockies, but I just couldn’t stay healthy,” said Greene, who hit .254 in 2005. “Hey, I have been fired before. It’s up to me to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Greene, who hit 17 home runs for the Rockies in 321 at-bats in two seasons, signed with the Padres this winter to serve as Doug Mirabelli’s backup. After Mike Piazza fell into San Diego’s lap, Padres general manager Kevin Towers met Greene’s request to be released.
Wright, however, identified the Giants as his top choice last September when it became obvious his days in Colorado were over.
The 31-year-old is favored to win San Francisco’s fifth starter job over Kevin Correia and Brad Hennessey.
Why San Francisco? Wright has a 3.35 ERA in current National League West parks not named Coors Field.
Wright said he understands the Rockies’ youth movement.
“The Rockies have three homegrown starters in (Aaron) Cook, (Jason) Jennings and (Jeff) Francis, who give them a chance to win every time out. Besides, they had enough of me,” Wright said with a smirk. “I am looking forward to pitching in (San Francisco). I have a good sinker there, and my breaking pitches don’t flatten out.”
Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-820-5447 or trenck@denverpost.com.
