by Sports Xchange

--Former OF Hensley "Bam-Bam" Meulens was named hitting coach, replacing Carney Lansford, who was fired. The former Yankee, Expo and Diamondback coached at Class AAA Fresno and was credited with turning around 2B/OF Eugenio Velez. Velez struggled as a Giant early in the year, spent time with Meulens at Fresno and then returned to the Giants a far better player offensively and defensively. Also under Meulens, OF John Bowker won the Pacific Coast League batting title. The Giants were last in the majors in walks and on-base percentage, and Meulens said it's a goal to make drastic improvements in those areas.

--RHP Tim Lincecum faces misdemeanor marijuana charges after getting pulled over for speeding in Washington state on Oct. 30. According to the police report, the officer who pulled over Lincecum smelled marijuana and requested the pitcher hand over the drug. Lincecum presented 3.3 grams and a pipe. He faces fines as much as $622. A pretrial conference was scheduled for Nov. 23, and he's to appear before a judge Dec. 22.

--INF Juan Uribe is expected to test the free agent market rather than quickly re-sign with the Giants. GM Brian Sabean said he heard from Uribe's camp that the infielder would listen to other teams, meaning any re-signing would be later rather than sooner. Uribe, who emerged as a significant part of the offense in the second half, finished with a .289 average, 16 homers and 55 RBIs in 122 games.

--LHP Noah Lowry, 39, was placed on outright waivers, and the Giants declined his $6.25 million option, meaning he's a free agent. Lowry, who didn't appear in a game the past two seasons, hasn't been on good terms with the Giants, claiming they misdiagnosed an injury. He led the teams in wins in 2005 and 2007.

--RHP Justin Miller refused an outright assignment to the minors, making him a free agent. He would have been eligible for arbitration, and the Giants weren't willing to increase his salary significantly. They still could re-sign him, but his value might have lessened after his postseason elbow surgery.

BY THE NUMBERS: .220 -- Hensley Meulens' career batting average. He's the new batting coach after Carney Lansford was fired. Lansford was a .290 career hitter.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We didn't want to open this to the outside with our feeling that Hensley was certainly qualified and deserves this promotion. That sends a good message to all those guys working their tails off down there." -- Manager Bruce Bochy, on Hensley Meulens, who was hired as the Giants' new batting coach after he coached at Class AAA Fresno.