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SAN FRANCISCO — General manager Brian Sabean said Friday that a contract for Yoan Moncada would come from “a different pot of gold” than the one the Giants use for their active roster. Sabean doesn’t expect to dip into that separate pot this month.
“We have scouted him heavily, but it would be a long shot for us to sign somebody like that at this time,” Sabean said.
The Giants love Moncada’s talent, but the contract would be prohibitive, even for a team with the sport’s longest sellout streak. It’s expected within the industry that the 19-year-old Cuban prospect will cost a team upwards of $80 million because of Major League Baseball’s rules regarding signing bonuses and international amateur signing limits. Because Moncada will start on a minor league contract, the Giants estimate internally that — assuming the infielder reaches his vast potential — any investment in Moncada would soar past $100 million before he reaches free agency.
Sabean said there is some question about Moncada’s ultimate position, but there’s no doubt about his ability. Scouts believe Moncada would be a top-of-the-draft talent if he were eligible.
“Athletically, as far as the size and strength, the package for 19 (years old) is pretty impressive,” Sabean said.
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Some other notes from media day at AT&T Park:
— Madison Bumgarner shook off all questions about his arm after a 270-inning season.
“I got plenty of time to recover,” he said. “I feel great now.”
Bumgarner started a throwing program on Jan. 1, the same date he has started in the past. He had a busier offseason than usual after his historic postseason, starting with an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” He said the new fame hasn’t been hard to handle.
“We’re very blessed to have this opportunity, but it was very, very manageable,” he said. “It hasn’t been too different. There have been a few more people recognizing me, but for the most part it’s been great.”
— Gregor Blanco signed a two-year, $7.5 million deal that bought out his final two arbitration years. He said his focus during the process was on staying in San Francisco long term, and he told his agent he would sign a 10-year deal if necessary.
“I want to play here,” Blanco said. “It’s about feeling you’re with the right team.”
— Catcher Hector Sanchez (concussion) was cleared physically before returning to Venezuela for the offseason. Sanchez was a DH in winter ball because the Giants didn’t want him taking the risk of having another foul tip clank off his mask, but he’ll be a catcher when he reports to Scottsdale later this month. Manager Bruce Bochy said his reports are that Sanchez, who gained weight while on the disabled list late last season, is in good shape.
— Infielder Matt Duffy is also looking at the scale, but for a far different reason. Duffy, listed at 170 pounds last season, has put on 10 pounds this offseason and hopes to add another six or so before spring training. He should be able to eat better when he reports to Scottsdale this time around; the late-season contributor will be in big league camp for the first time.
— Right-handed prospect Derek Law is right on schedule as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Law is throwing at a distance of 90 feet and will start throwing bullpen sessions when the Giants report to spring training. He expects to return to game action early in the minor league season.
Outfielder Mac Williamson, one of the organization’s best position player prospects, will be a “full go” at spring training, assistant general manager Bobby Evans said. Williamson also had Tommy John surgery last season. Williamson is expected to play at Double-A Richmond this season, along with 23-year-old Cuban prospect Daniel Carbonell.
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— Tim Lincecum won’t be in San Francisco this weekend, but he has talked with Giants officials recently.
“Every time I talk to him, he seems pretty motivated,” head trainer Dave Groeschner said. “That’s all I can ask from him.”
— Sabean said the club did not have a representative in attendance when former Giant Barry Zito held a workout earlier this week. Zito is attempting a comeback after sitting out the 2014 season.
— Media day’s most awkward moment came when a reporter started a question to Buster Posey by calling him “Madison.” When Posey politely cut the question off, the reporter messed up again and called him “Bumgarner.” On a third attempt, the correct name was given.
“Buster, what message would you like to give your fans right now?”
“Well,” Posey joked in response, “Obviously you’re not one of them.”
I wasn’t the one asking the awkward questions, but I’ll probably do it at some point during my time here at CSN Bay Area. If you missed the news this morning, or skipped past the bylines on previous articles today, I’m Alex Pavlovic, your new Giants Insider.
If you followed me over from my previous spot on the Giants beat, thank you! If you’re not familiar with my work from the past three seasons, I hope today was a good introduction and I hope you keep coming back here every day (ideally, many times a day) for your Giants news.
I’ll be on the air quite a bit and I’m also as active as I can be on Twitter, so follow along there and please never hesitate to provide feedback or ask questions via email or on Twitter or in person. I try to answer every one (unless you call me Madison).