Frandsen feels sting of Giants' latest trade
The loneliest man in the Fresno Grizzlies clubhouse Wednesday afternoon slouched on the arm of a leather couch with his legs crossed.
As the broadcast of new Giants second baseman Freddy Sanchez's news conference played on an overhead TV, Kevin Frandsen's teammates quietly slipped away, partly out of respect for his feelings and to leave him with his thoughts.
The trade that brought three-time All-Star Sanchez from Pittsburgh to San Francisco was a crushing blow for Frandsen, who opened spring training competing for the Giants' starting second-base job.
This bad news might have gotten to Frandsen, who lost his temper and was pulled from the game by manager Dan Rohn after flying out to end the second inning of Fresno's 5-4 victory over Colorado Springs at Chukchansi Park.
Frandsen threw his bat in frustration after making the third out. As Frandsen removed his hitting gear, first-base coach Hensley Meulens stared him down and pointed to the dugout. Frandsen left the field and was replaced by Jake Wald at shortstop.
Said Rohn: "I don't want to talk about disciplining my players."
Sanchez, the 2006 National League batting champ, is expected to own second base for years to come, basically making expendable Frandsen and Matt Downs, Fresno's middle infielders.
The two Grizzlies were given a chance to shine during short stints with San Francisco. Frandsen batted .128 in 16 games and Downs .170 in 17 games.
Asked before the game whether he had been given a fair shot, Frandsen said: "No. That's how I felt [after the second of three demotions] and I still feel the same. I don't know. It is what it is."
Those were the last remarks he chose to make. As Sanchez's news conference played on, Frandsen retired to his locker, sat on a metal chair and began to fiddle with his shoelaces.
The deal sent Double-A pitcher Tim Alderson to the Pirates.
"I feel bad for our guys," Rohn said before the game. "Sanchez adds another proven bat to the lineup, but now the Giants have an All-Star ahead of them. Unfortunately, the ones we sent up didn't do anything there and forced the Giants to make a move to solidify the ballclub."
Where this leaves Frandsen, he isn't saying. He was a top contender at second base last year, but ruptured his Achilles tendon early and sat out the season.
Last month, after the Giants sent Frandsen down, he mentioned the option of 29 other major league teams in the market for quality players. A trade still could happen. The nonwaiver deadline is Friday.
"You always have to keep in mind that you can play for any other team," said Grizzlies All-Star pitcher Kevin Pucetas, also mentioned in trade rumors.
"This is a crazy time. I was just pitching with Alderson in San Jose last year and now he's with the Pirates. You just try to stay away from the rumors and stay close with your teammates."
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