Edgardo Alfonzo played for Maracaibo in Venezuela this past winter because he wanted to reassert himself as the Giants' everyday third baseman. Despite a fast start, that didn't happen. So Alfonzo plans to take his frustration back to Venezuela this off-season. "I have to talk with my wife about it, but I'm 90 percent sure I need to go play," Alfonzo said. "If I stay (with the Giants), I guess I have to play harder and work harder to recover that playing time I lost." Alfonzo had an extra bounce in his step in spring training and April, but then he injured his quadriceps and never fully regained his stroke ? or the everyday job at third base. He plans to renew his request for a trade, though his $7 million salary will make him difficult to move. Plus, the Giants need insurance for oft-injured Ray Durham, and Alfonzo was once a premier second baseman. Alfonzo, who didn't start Monday, also feels that Pedro Feliz has been shortchanged by the quasi-platoon at third base.