third in series:catching

[west coast orange and black]

here is the third in a series of weekly stories on mlb.com examining the giants, position by position.

catching

"Nobody works harder than [Matheny], that's for sure," said Schmidt. "Just the way he prepares for the game. His intensity level is above and beyond what everybody else's is. He really puts everything into it."
-rich draper, mlb.com

here is the story (http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060118&content_id=1297500&vkey=news_sf&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf)


and in case you missed 'em, here are the prior installments on the giants:

the starting rotation (http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060111&content_id=1294115&vkey=news_sf&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf)

relief pitching (http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060103&content_id=1290877&vkey=news_sf&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf)

[RobertHConner]

I'd love to see Benito back to spell Matheny. I believe he would be better than what's behind Matheny so far. Haad can't hit at all & no one else has proven anything at the major league level. Benito probably can't start anymore at this stage of his career, but as recently as 2004 he was having a decent season with the Royals until the Phillies got upset about a couple of Matt Stairs HRs & threw inside at Benny, breaking his hand. They should at least invite him to Spring Training. I've heard nothing about Santiago retiring-if I've missed some decision on that front then this could be a moot point.

[west coast orange and black]

benito mightily carried the giants on his back down the stretch for the division title a few years back. but, um, his back is simply not as strong as it was then.

i think that there is *a great unknown* when it comes to santiago's present-day abilities.

[west coast orange and black]

1989: drafted by the braves > did not sign

1993: drafted by the angels > released in 2000

2000: signed as free agent by blue jays > released in 2001

2001: signed as free agent by yankees > released in 2001

2002: signed as free agent by rangers > granted free agency in 2003

2003: signed as free agent by rockies > granted free agency in 2004

2004: signed as free agent by rockies > granted free agency in 2005

2006: signed a free agent by giants to minor league contract