John Fennelly , Executive Editor

Question: did anyone think the Giants were going to start the 2013 season with Chase Blackburn as the MLB?

If you answered ‘yes’, why, and if you answered ‘no’, you get an A for paying attention.

Blackburn is eligible for free agency next week after his reps and the Giants could not come to terms on a contract this winter.

“There is no understanding with the Giants,” Blackburn’s agent, Richard Katz, told Tom Rock of Newsday on yesterday. “It appears he’ll hit the open market on the 12th.”

OK, let him. The Giants can rebid for his services beginning Saturday. If no deal is struck, I’d miss him but let’s be frank: the Giants need to upgrade at that position. Blackburn, if brought back, would serve mainly as insurance at LB and help out on special teams.

The Giants brought in  - and stuck with – Mark Herzlich for two seasons while he righted himself through illness and injury. They are ready for the payoff. He will get first crack at MLB even if Blackburn returns.

Don’t forget, they also have Jake Muasau, who showed promise in training camp last season. He will 23 next month, the same age as many of the players coming out of this year’s draft. The difference between Muasau and any player the Giants draft this April is that Muasau has already been initiated into the NFL.