San Francisco Giants Mailbag: Vogelsong, Petit, Scutaro

Oct 29, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong hoists the Commissioners Trophy after game seven of the 2014 World Series against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

So far this offseason, it appears as if the Giants haven’t had any discussions with Ryan Vogelsong about returning next season. The Giants had other bigger roles they needed to fill or other free agents that they needed to address before Vogelsong, but it’s not clear if they’re interested in bringing him back or not.

As of now, the Giants’ projected starting rotation for 2015 will be: Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, Jake Peavy, Hudson, and Lincecum. I believe that the fifth starter spot is Lincecum’s to lose, so if the Giants do re-sign Vogelsong, Lincecum and Vogelsong will compete for that fifth spot in the rotation.

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If the Giants re-sign Vogelsong, it will give the fans a sign as to how they view Lincecum and how they expect him to do this upcoming season. There are certainly concerns about Lincecum’s consistency, so if the Giants do believe that they can get a quality season out of Vogelsong, it make sense to re-sign him for more depth but also to give Lincecum some competition. If Vogelsong and Lincecum have to compete for a starter spot, it might bring out the best in them.

However, it ultimately doesn’t make much sense to bring Vogelsong back. Given Lincecum’s contract, it would make the most sense to start him. Therefore, what would you do with Vogelsong then? He wouldn’t be the long reliever, because that role belongs to Yusmeiro Petit, who excels at that job. The Giants don’t need two long relievers, and Vogelsong doesn’t really fit anywhere else in the bullpen.

Just because Lincecum has a big contract though, it doesn’t mean that the Giants can’t move him to the bullpen and have Vogelsong be the fifth starter. It all comes down to the Giants’ projections for Lincecum in 2015.

There have been reports that Vogelsong has received some interest from the Colorado Rockies, but that hasn’t led anywhere yet. Vogelsong has said that he’d like to return to the Giants and prove himself again.

Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow said in a recent KNBR interview that he believes that everyone in the organization would be glad to have Vogelsong back. He did acknowledge that Vogelsong isn’t the same pitcher that he used to be, but that it might not matter since Vogelsong can keep the Giants in games, which is the what the Giants need from their starters.

Next: Yusmeiro Petit's Role Next Season