According to CSN Bay Area, the Giants are expected to release Pat Burrell and option Brandon Belt back to Triple-A (again).
Burrell's not a good defensive outfielder, and he strikes out a lot, but even so, he'd managed to post a .233/.342/.419 line over 202 plate appearances. Burrell currently has a wRC+ of 113, meaning he's 13% better than a league average hitter. Doesn't sound like much, but among Giants with at least 50 plate appearances, that puts him at second-best on the team, tied with Buster Posey. The expected release would clear room on the 40-man roster for Carlos Beltran, meaning the Giants would opt to release Burrell rather than designate Bill Hall or Alex Hinshaw for assignment. Which makes absolutely no sense.
In the case of Brandon Belt, the Giants would opt to send him down to Triple-A rather than Emmanuel Burriss or Brandon Crawford, when it's quite clear that Brandon Belt is currently one of the best three hitters on the team. Not only should Belt remain in the majors, but he should be the starting first baseman because it's painfully obvious at this point that he's better than Aubrey Huff. The way the Giants have handled Belt this year is absolutely pathetic. He should be playing in the majors on a daily basis by now, but would instead presumably go down for yet another stint in the minors.
Unbelievable. Two foolish decisions that might actually do enough damage to the team to counteract whatever upgrade Beltran represents.
And you know what? While we're at it, Aaron Rowand should be designated for assignment. With the crowded outfield, he should be expendable (not Burrell). The Giants have the money to cover his contract and deal him to another team (in need of a LHP-mashing outfielder) in exchange for something of value.
UPDATE: Via Henry Schulman, Burrell is not being released.
UPDATE (#2): Via Mychael Urban, Brandon Belt has not been optioned.
Great news, though I must say, CSN just lost a lot of credibility.
