Alou reveals lineup

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) Keeping the option to change his mind overnight, San Francisco Giants manager Felipe Alou unveiled his Cactus League opening day lineup on Wednesday.

The Giants host the Chicago Cubs and former manager Dusty Baker on Thursday. The two teams meet again in Mesa on Friday.

``At some time I'll have to stop imagining the lineup and put it out there. This one is just for show,'' Alou said. ``It may change. I pulled about 10 different lineups out of a hat so far.''

Ray Durham is slated to lead off, followed by Jose Cruz, Jr., Rich Aurilia, Barry Bonds, Edgardo Alfonzo, Marquis Grissom, J.T. Snow, Benito Santiago and pitcher Kirk Rueter.

``I've only known these guys from the opposing dugout,'' said Alou. ``I spoke with all the regulars and will tweak the lineup all the time.''

Alou emphasized that early spring lineups don't indicate anything.

``I want to see a couple of different combinations before I decide,'' Alou said. ``No matter how we do it, I think we'll have a good lineup. We have legitimate hitters here who can hit almost anywhere in the lineup.''

Alou seemed to place more emphasis on who will hit behind Bonds than in front of him, indicating that Aurilia or Cruz could probably hit third.

``After Barry, I want to have a couple of hitters who won't panic and start swinging at the first pitch,'' said Alou. ``Alfonzo is a good guy to have there.''

Alou managed Grissom in Montreal for a couple of years and feels confident with him batting sixth.

The eighth spot in the order may become a revolving door as Alou doesn't want one guy getting stuck there all year.

``That's a difficult spot in the lineup,'' said Alou. ``We may need to share that spot. Those guys don't get too many chances to win a game, and I know Benito has driven in 70 runs. I'd hate to make any of these guys a professional No. 8 hitter.''

Baker used 11 different people at the eighth spot last year, with Yorvit Torrealba leading the way with 37 starts.

Aurilia had his best season batting just ahead of Bonds in 2001 when he hit 37 home runs and drove in 97 while hitting .324. He slipped to 15 homers, 61 RBIs and .257 splitting time ahead of Bonds and Jeff Kent last year.

``I believe he's going to have a big year,'' Alou said of Aurilia. ``He's going to be a lot more productive than last year because he's a threat to drive in runs and hit home runs.''< ^ =

SNOW'S ADJUSTMENT: San Francisco Giants hitting coach Joe Lefebvre has been working with 1B J.T. Snow on his swing, and there's been a noticeable difference.

``He's really swinging the bat well,'' said Giants manager Felipe Alou. ``His ball has more carry; truer flight off the bat.''

Lefebvre suggested that Snow shorten his swing to generate more bat speed.

``It's only been a couple of days but it feels good so far,'' Snow said. ``With the shorter swing it gives me more time to see the ball and my hands can work better. There's always something you can work on.''

Snow has hit 14 homers with 87 RBIs in the last two years combined for the Giants, following a season in which he hit 19 homers and drove in 96 runs.

Snow did rebound with a big postseason in which he hit .333 with three home runs and nine RBIs. He was the only Giant to hit safely in all seven World Series games.< ^ =

EXTRA BASES: Giants manager Felipe Alou was all set to end Tuesday's practice early but saw his team having so much fun he just let them go as long as they wanted. ``I've never seen a group hit as much as they did,'' Alou said. ``They were hitting off anything that could throw a ball: live pitchers, machines, anything. I was the only one who didn't throw B.P. and I think I might have been next.'' Batting practice extended so long, a major league security meeting at Scottsdale Stadium was delayed for over an hour. ... An intersquad game between the younger players was originally scheduled for Tuesday but called off because of rain. ``I lost the chance to see the young guys play,'' said Alou. ``It was going to be a game for the young guys to get all the at bats.'' ... The Giants held a Players Association meeting on Wednesday.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)