Major Roster Shakeup

According to Andrew Baggarly, the Giants have made some major roster moves today. In an effort to jolt a struggling offense, John Bowker and Steve Holm were sent down to Triple-A Fresno, and Jose Castillo was designated for assignment. Replacing these three will be first baseman Travis Ishikawa, catcher Pablo Sandoval, and third baseman Ryan Rohlinger.

Despite showing some promise, Bowker has looked lost at the plate lately and will probably benefit from some minor-league at-bats. Castillo played well enough the first half of the year, but he's worn out his welcome. I guess the front office doesn't see him as a long-term solution any more. Holm was sent down simply to make room for Sandoval.

Ishikawa has hit 24 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A, and was slugging a ridiculous .737 since his call-up to Fresno. He's also a defensive upgrade. Sandoval, one of the biggest surprises of the year, has hit 20 home runs with a .972 OPS between Single-A and Double-A. I imagine he will also see some time at first base. Rohlinger doesn't have the gaudy numbers of the other two, but he held his own in Spring Training and had a respectable .811 OPS between San Jose and Connecticut. The Giants may be looking at him as the team's starting third baseman in 2009.