by
Greek Giant
Kwanzaa, Christmas, Hanukkah, (fill in your holiday) came early for Giants fans today with the news that the Giants signed former Nationals and Pirates closer-extraordinaire Mark Melancon for four years and $62 million. Mark Melancon has been one of the very best closers in baseball the past 5 years. He was my pick for free agent signings among closers, beating out Kenley Jansen (too Dodgery) and Aroldis Chapman (too domestic violencey).
This may be a major piece of the puzzle for the Giants and we will remember December 5, 2016 as a key date when we all gather for the parade sometime around the end of October or the beginning of November next year. The money is huge but, quite frankly, that’s the cost of doing business these days with a top closer if you want to win a World Series.
Let us not forget the horrendous Bataan death march of a bullpen we witnessed last year. Let us hope we never have to witness such ninth inning futility again. Until last season, I was in the “closers are over-rated and you can work around the closer role” camp. Not anymore.
One of the things that intrigues me most about the addition of Melancon to the Giants pen, and something that I have not seen addressed by others, is how setting that 9th in stone shortens the game for the other Giants relievers. It allows Bochy to matchup to his heart’s content earlier in games and take a little pressure of our starting staff in the process.
We shall see.
One thing for sure, Melancon led the league in saves with 51 last season, has one of the lowest HR rates among all active pitchers, and is generally considered, at 31, to still be in his prime. The combination of his cutter and curveball are what make him so special. His Maddux-like command and his consistency are very much worthy of the Giants pitching philosophy. Though he does not strike out hitters as often as Jansen or Chapman, this is not much of a concern when you consider the Giants have arguably one of the best defensive infields in baseball.
Merry Kwanzaa!
Happy day!
Breckeroni and AKsisterfan are going OUT to hoist a few.
Clark Ejected Twice
http://www.closecallsports.com/2016/12/non-video-abl-ejections-clark-ejected.html
Melbourne’s 11-inning victory in Game 1 of the Aces-Bite doubleheader wasn’t televised, but featured two ejections, including one we would have especially liked to see.
Adelaide also logged one ejection two games later, which we would really liked to have seen, in which Rangers prospect LeDarious Clark allegedly charged an opposing ABL player after Clark’s time at bat.
Excellent!!! He was my #1 choice all along. By far the best wpa of any reliever (that’s my stat of choice for relievers) the last 4 years and a real giants type.
If he stays in shape and Rags has a chance to work with him, Melancon should have a decent chance of competing for a relief spot.
Post of the last two decades
I DFA’d him before lunch already, just to stay in game shape.
Can We Deal With It – IF he is not what he is supposed to be?
Pitcher – Born: March 28, 1985 (age 31) Wheat Ridge, Colorado
MLB debut
April 26, 2009, for the New York Yankees
Wināloss record 21ā18 – Earned run average 2.60
Strikeouts 407 – Saves – 168
Teams
New York Yankees (2009ā2010)
Houston Astros (2010ā2011)
Boston Red Sox (2012)
Pittsburgh Pirates (2013ā2016)
Washington Nationals (2016)
Career highlights and awards
3Ć All-Star (2013, 2015, 2016)
Trevor Hoffman Award (2015)
NL saves leader (2015)
Raise your hand if you remember MM with Boston, Houston, or NYY.
THIS – makes it even sweeter
* Melancon was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 30th round of the 2003 Major League Baseball draft.
He declined the offer so that he could attend the University of Arizona.
Seems like a lot of money to give to a closer who will be 32 and averages 91,92. But I guess that is just the price of doing business in MLB. Actually making less than the Qualifying Offer/yr and his numbers were elite in Pittsburgh.
Parents, teach your kids to be MLB closers. That’s lofty $$/IP rate.
I think they will still be spending less on the pen, as last yr they were paying $20.5m for Romo Lopez and Casilla.
Good point. I don’t see any room for it but if they could swing a deal for a under the radar setup man that can bring some heat and experience I would feel even more comfortable with our situation. But it looks like we have no room for something like that. We would have to cut somebody from our pen that blew 68 saves last year.
They are cutting , Casilia, Romo, and Lopez .
Source: Mark Melancon’s four-year, $62M deal with the Giants includes an opt-out after the second season.
Whatevs. He’ll be like 40, and relegated to the 7th inning by year 3 of the deal š
Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports tweeted out that info. Groom Law to be the heir apparent if that’s the case.
Here’s the details from MLBTR:
Melancon will earn $4MM in 2017, $10MM in 2018, and then $14MM in both 2019 and 2020, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports (Twitter links). Melancon will receive a $20MM signing bonus, $12MM of which will be paid up front and the other $8MM deferred until after the contract is up. The deal contains a full no-trade clause, as per Alex Pavlovic of CSNBayArea.com. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the contract is that Melancon can opt out of the deal after the first two seasons, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports.
I think there’s little chance Melancon’s going to be opting out of that backloaded contract at age 34.
Yep. And if he does, that will mean he was outstanding for the first two years. Adios.
By then, young guys like Law, Strickland, and Osich/Okert will have more experience. And even younger guys like Reyes Moronta or Tyler Cyr (or even the long-awaited Ray Black) could be ready to backfill. No, this is a win-win.
It is a win-win; especially when Bum inks his new deal.
Guessing the #’s on this deal could be fun.
You want Cueto gone after this year too !
If he wants a Greinke deal…yep, bye bye..
Front loaded 34 Million first 2 years, 28 Million last 2 years, gets all of the 20 Million signing bonus if he opts out early .
Ah, well, that makes a difference about the 20 mil. Still, $28 mil is a lot of money to walk away from when you’re almost at your mid 30s.
Of the $20M bonus, $12M is up front and $8 deferred after the contract is up. If he opts out he won’t get that $8 I would think, no?
Yes he gets the 8 million, if he opts out early .
Gotcha
Similar to Cueto’s deal, last year Cueto made 15 million , if he opts out after this year, he makes 32 Million in 2017 .
I saw Melancon close out a game against the Cards in Pittsburgh back in 2015. I never heard about the guy until then, but the fans went crazy as he came out of the pen and the stadium made it seem like he was a big deal.
I didn’t know what they were talking about until he pitched and I became a big fan ever since. The scouts are right: he doesn’t strike out many hitters but he has this cool composure and confidence on the mound. He went through the hitters quickly and made them second guess what he was going to throw them next.
Hard to hit. Batting average against the last 3 seasons:
.194, .206, .202
A quiet beast who throws strikes. No foolin’ around.
the 5 headed monster in SF pen:
Melancon-Smith-Law-Strickland-Osich
Locking down 6th inning leads and putting them in the win column ! (right, Joe Angel?)
it’s a hydra when you add Gearrin and Kontos
Perseus was always partial to Gorgonzola cheese on his salad. Ask any Greek.
I thought it was an herbed feta, afterall gorgonzola is Italian….
Look Medusa in the eye tell her that.
That is one stony glare I’ll tell you.
Maybe Okert…we’ll see. One of those young lefties could get traded.
Right now I am leaning towards keeping Okert rather than Osich. Osich seemed too high strung on the mound compared to when he first dazzled.
Agree. I’d try to dazzle some trading partner with Osich’s nasty stuff and hope they don’t notice that he’s kind of high maintenance. Injury-prone, too.
What did he do that was high maintenance? I remember there was something but can’t remember what
He just presents himself as kind of emo–overwrought tweets, lengthy phone calls with Jeremy Affeldt…also, when they put him on the DL last July, he let it be known that he wasn’t really injured and didn’t agree with the decision to DL him.
Millennial relievers making half a million!!
And we all bitch when the team drums up phony injuries.
When he’s on, I see Britton-lite type stuff. Got to get him healthy. Okert has some slingin Johnny Sanchez to him.
They’ve gone with 3 lefties before.
Kicking tires on a 4th – reports of checking in on JP Howell.
A good example of how up and down those loogies can be.
I’d rather have Lopez come back that that doger.
Thinking Kontos or Gearrin could get trade too.
What about Strick?
I bet some team(s) would jump at Strick9 if available. He’s still affordable and very intriguing. Kontos and Gearrin are into arb-money, so maybe a little less attractive. Of course, all the more reason for the Giants to keep Strickland.
Kontos and Gearring are only a half mil above the min though. Still “cheap”.
Gearrin is the type who will pitch for 11 clubs before he hangs them up. Non-Giant farm club pitchers get moved quicker or so it appears.
Package Strick back to PITT for a guy named Cutch
Huntington asking for big prospect potatoes for Cutch. Nats may have moved along. More focused on Sale.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8TTrbo1qhQ
Osich sucked last year, you do know that, right?
how bout year before?
He was dealing with injuries we weren’t aware of last year. At times his stuff was filthy. Give him another year to figure things out.
We always said that about Dan Runzler too
He got a bad injury, that derailed his progress.
Osich was just completely underwhelming. Okert will give him a run for his money for a roster spot.
He was very good against LHB ..Could fill the Javy role.
He is murder on LHH. Its such a tough angle for a LHH hitter to hit that velocity. But, imo, that is exactly why he struggles vs RHH…they can see the ball much too early and his 4seam fastball is very straight (and fast). It’s a question of can he/they figure out the right adjustment to make vs RHH and will he be able to implement it. It was scary watching him pitch to good RH power hitters teeing up on his straight fastball last year.
Osich didn’t seem to have this problem in 2015 though.
Even against lefties, in 86 PAs last year Osich gave up 2 HRs, walked 5, and had 3 HBPs (ouch).
and his hero is Rod Beck
Osich has an RV that he likes to park in what there is of the ATT Players lot.
I think he shoots the pigeons.
A lot of pitchers “suck”- until they don’t. He still has the most upside of any of the young relievers.
I’m hesitant about Strickland in that discussion. He has power but I always have the inkling that he’ll give up a homer or two when he’s on the mound.
Maybe Strickland will pick up that wicked spike curve Melancon throws. Think positive.
Strickland, 2014 postseason: 6 HRs
2015-16 regular seasons: 8 HRs (4 per year)
We all remember his 2014 postseason, but he’s actually better than average with the longball thing.
That’s some good Joe Angel knowledge: “And this one is in the WIN column!”
Evans: Core of SF bullpen is set for 2017 with Strickland, Law, Okert, Osich, Gearrin and Kontos. Said club will add nonroster competition.
He forgot Will Smith?!
He did.
Sounds like an 8 man ‘pen.
Osich no
One of the O-Boys is gone.
So? What’s new?
Yeesh. And he gave up a top-100 pitching prospect and a good catching prospect for Smith!
I’m guessing that it was just an oversight. Are you making more of it ?
I better check with Jada to see if somethings up?
OK…I’m trying to understand the way this works…his name is “Melancon”, which, if I am correct, is basically “Son of Melon”…right???
Meant to be. Have fun, Bruce!
Melancon Name Meaning French: nickname from a dialect word meaning āmelancholicā.
http://www.pronouncenames.com/pronounce/melancon
He’s a Frog!
Will “El Mechon” be played as he walks from the bullpen to the mound?
“I was in the āclosers are over-rated and you can work around the closer roleā camp. Not anymore.” You are not alone, I was in that exact same camp. My oh my how quickly that sentiment can change when witnessing what we subjected ourselves to last season.
Count me in the don’t overpay for closers camp– also till last season. Fangraphs has an interesting analysis.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/giants-make-obvious-move-sign-mark-melancon/
Essentially says that even without changes Giants bullpen likely to be better this year. I didnt want to find out howver. I can (barely) stand losing, but not in the way we did last season.
Add a leftfielder and Im psyched with a whole season of Moore– 1-4 starters are arguably best in baseball
I’m still in that camp, but Bochy isn’t and that’s what matters. So yes, I love the Melancon signing just because Bochy (along with other managers) need their closer as their 9th inning crutch.
So because Bochy ragged out the pen and destroyed the confidence of the many of them, the Giants have to spend huge money rather than ask the manager not to do that anymore?
To address GG’s question about the rest of the staff, fewer dry humps, as they say. I remember last year a guy getting up 2,3, even 4 times until he got in a game as the matchups and stress innings crept by.
Kontos was Mr. Dry hump last season…… Lopez too
Those guys still get paid pretty big bucks to dry hump.
He seemed to get more than his share. Being able to be effective against L/RH hitters left him the matchup bullseye.
According to reports, he led in most team hump categories.
Everyday George
A VERY overlooked issue in 2016…..
Indeed … but it was treated as if it HAD to be that way, and not the manager’s decision, for some reason. Bochy gets off the hook for his maniacal focus on marginal matchup advantages.
You know it’s nowhere that simple.
The relievers as a group weren’t as good as we’ve had in the past. And even when we had an elite group, the bitching was as bad as it now. Just wait until Melancon blows a few – the pitch forks will be out. And he WILL blow a few.
LOL. One gets to have certain expectations of baseball fans.
We’ll give him a few. Four, no three, tops.
That’s his average per year.. LOL
I’ll even give him a free one that we can blame on Bochy for using him in the wrong situation.
Alrighty then, we got a real closer.
Looking like the Giants are the headliners on Day One of the Winter Meetings.
Still more time, but doesn’t seem like anything substantial is about to break.
WTG, Bobby Evans.
Winter Meeting Winners are seldom World Series winner. Jus’ Sayin’
It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. We will be in the middle of the pack when the WM’s are over so dont despair.
The Nationals can’t feel good to be dumped like that.
Folks, this pretty cool, and seems headed your way…. soon. AI driven grocery check out.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2016/12/05/amazon-go-supermarket-no-checkout-no-cashiers-artificial-intelligence-sensors/94991612/
I wish we had him closing vs the Cubs.
One of one of the most powerful public service commercials I’ve ever seen. Chilling.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/12/05/watch-gun-violence-ad-twist-s-leaving-everyone-stunned/94994862/
This kind of money for a one-inning pitcher, with the extra added bonus that the Giants will only pay all of the money if he stinks (or if MLB execs come to their senses regarding one-inning pitchers), makes sense ONLY if it leads the Giants to stop carrying 13 pitchers.
You’re in mid-season form!
Ticket prices in Wrigley went ~20% today. Ah winning.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/12/05/cubs-raising-season-ticket-prices-an-average-of-19-5-percent/95016648/
And the place is still a dump!
Outside the ivy enclosure it’s a dump that smells like an open air urinal.
Alex Pavlovic 1hr ago:
Giants hosted Melancon in San Francisco last month, met with Jansen in Arizona. Never met with Chapman.
Where was it that Melancon and Adrian Gonzalez met? What beach was that?
See, you can’t make too much of players’ Instagram and Twitter feeds š
Probably a smart move on his part or his agents (if it was his idea) to stir some buzz and fear in Giants Nation.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2d0aa74e36f143b171269cfa31fafef3d6b5d46f3adce2950bba1fe03e2e3e0f.jpg
From Mark Melancon’s twitter page…
That red head sure fits the color scheme, and they won’t need new wigs in the stands.
Alex’s report 10min ago:
āWeāre glad he chose us,ā Evans said, smiling.
http://www.csnbayarea.com/giants/giants-get-their-closer-give-record-deal-melancon
Dan Brown wrote a story on 10 things to know about our new closer:
http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/12/05/giants-mark-melancon-10-things-to-know-about-new-closer/
Dan is most definitely at the winter meetings.
I guess the part in that about giving up a HR to Goldschmidt fits into Giant tradition! It has to mean something that Baggs is not their reporter there.
Greek Giant has written more articles about the Winter Meetings than Baggs has, and I’m pretty sure GG doesn’t actually have a job covering the Giants.
Baggs; “anyone can self publish”
LOL
GG: Really like your analysis in the last paragraph.
Just saw an ad for a product called Cologuard, which is a home test in which you collect your stool and ship it off for testing. They showed a “national delivery truck” pulling up to the house, and my first thought was:
Slikk, you are severely underpaid
What can brown doo for you?
Oh, man…
Hey, he started it … š
I think we probably should have just gently suggested that Matthew find a different channel!
I just switched channels and just bought a case of Flex Seal… I have no idea what I’ll fix with it, but I might just buy a boat with a screen bottom for shits and giggles
I got a can of that stuff, sprayed almost the entire thing on the underside of a bird bath – and it still leaks.
Oh Brother Where Art Thou came to my mind:
“Colorguard is colored!”
…and then the burning cross flattens Bannon !
Sounds like a remedial campaign plan. š
This is a “World Series or Bust” signing. Now, don’t deny it- that’s what we all think.
At the very least this is a “Win the NL West” signing… The Wild Card game coin flip will come up tails one of these days so I’d much prefer a punched ticket to the NLDS
Two of my favorite things. World Series and Busts
We got two for one in November. Busts, that is.
Or Boobs.
The missing lynx.
https://media.giphy.com/media/3o7TKJBIjHgFJvHcQ0/source.gif
awesome! Is that for real?
Appears so.
Cutch deal never came to fruition for Nats, but this one might for Sale:
https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/805959375089180672
Sale Scherzer Strasburg in the playoffs……
…But no closer
Something will go wrong. Remember when it was Scherzer, Zimmermann, Strasburg, Gonzalez, and Fister? The Nats won that offseason and then didn’t even make the playoffs.
What looks great on paper doesn’t always turn out that way..
We’ll see if the Nats can actually pull off this Sale trade.
Please tell me you had to look that up…
It was only two years ago!
Looking like they will have to piece it together.
If Indians get Encarnacion, they will be the real monster.
Yes, that would be scary.
Slikk!
How about KLAY!
On pace for 60 in 3 quarters.. HA
Wow, he has 57 with 4:07 left in the 3rd !
I was just joking, he actually got 60!! WOW
This is such awesome news about Melancon. My Trojans are in the Rose Bowl, Klay scored 40 in the first half, and the Giants have a closer. Pretty good couple days in the Lefty sports world.
And the Dodgers are O for the offseason…
Didn’t they get Rich Hill back?
O yeah. Nevermind. They don’t have a closer either.
I may have been thinking of their three voids: third, second, and closer.
That means minus-1.
…and dont forget the ‘SC women’s soccer team!
You have a pretty good team when your 4th best player can go for 60.
Pretty, pretty good.
…and he did it in the “natural flow” that no team can do like GSW. When Kobe did it, it was all on singular ball-hog Immashooter offense.
The beauty of the Warriors is that the stars make the other players better…KD, Steph, Draymond and Klay are all truly selfless.
It was the expected move, as last off season, the Giants were forced to open up the bank and pay big for a position they could not develop nor gran via trade for lack of top farm talent.
Now let’s see if they can fill the one hole on the team, LF, by packaging a couple of those older AAAA arms to a team desperate for starters. That and perhaps another bench guy and this team can finally role into a ST with a complete roster.
As someone pointed out yesterday if the Malencon move means they won’t go with 13 pitchers for a 3rd year in row, that’s a good thing.
Give The Farm Talent some credit …. It was useful mid-year:
Mejia brought them Nunez
Susac, Bickford brought them Smith
Duffy, Fox, Santos brought them Moore
Yeah, Efrain, put a little love in your heart… …and buy a Subaru.
I wonder how Duffy is doing. We miss that guy.
You getting ready for more rain, Haak?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbQlPyLfhJ0
He’s healed ahead of schedule and he was busy attending Panik’s wedding.
haak I do! But as I’ve said before, with the top 4 pitchers we have and Blach and Saurez in the wings, with Beede still on the team developing, there are a plethora of guys with AAA experience that realistically are just not going to pitch for this team this year and perhaps not even the next.
Therefore, lets package them for other needs: LF, Bench, anything that needs plugging.
Another year in AAA is not going to turn Stratton or Heston into Clemens
If they do that, you will be here in 2018 screaming about the aging rotation and how there is nothing on the farm to bring back any starters.
if they win this year, the screaming will be less lol
I do agree that pitchers are what the Giants have for trading.
In fact, for MyHotStoveGuyā¢ I picked Blackburn leaving in a deal.
I think we agree also that drafting pitching has been a strong point of the Farm, at the cost of having more big name hitting prospects.
MLB Trade Rumors is saying that Nats offered $10M less than Giants. I still want a better LF option (which may not happen), but kudos to the Giants for…in my best Godfather voice…making Mark a deal he couldn’t refuse.
Seems like they’re making a concerted effort to leak this intel. Subterfuge?
https://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/status/806143543836311553?lang=en
Subterfuge? I don’t think so.
Alex reports: “There is often skepticism that the Giants are being truthful. National reporters want to shoehorn them in as a fit for any slugger on the market. When Evans was at the GM Meetings in November, he was surrounded by New York reporters who thought the Giants represented the greatest outside threat for Cespedes. But executives from other teams have conceded that Evans and the rest of the front office have not been aggressively asking about outfielders.”
Thanks for the intel from our #1 secret agent ! š
Mac & Park it is, with a late signing of someone like Peter Bourjos.
Secret Agent. You make me laugh. All I’ve ever done is follow Alex ever since he became a Giants beat reporter. He’s closer to the team than any national reporter, and knows more about what’s going on right now than the other two Giants beat reporters who aren’t at the Winter Meetings this year.
He’s the guy. Now that Baggs is MIA, I follow Hank a bit more. I like that curmedgeonly facade guys like him portray.
I follow Hank too. My guess is that Hank still needs to pace himself with his recovery and there’s a lot of travel during the regular season for beat reporters. I read every article Carl Steward writes about the Giants. Right now, I’m following Dan Brown and John Shea who are at the Winter Meetings for the Merc and the Chronicle, respectively. Hank informed on his Twitter Account that John Shea would be there and linked to Shea’s latest article. No such courtesy from Baggarly. 610nm was on the job however and let us know Dan Brown was there for the Merc.
To each their own. Life is like a trip to the ice cream parlor. You never know what the person in front of you is going to have scooped onto their cone.
We don’t have ice cream parlors in Montana. Dairy Queen closes down for the winters.
I’m having a Michael-Keaton-in-Night-Shift moment…speaking into my hand held recorder…”Open and ice cream parlor in Montana next winter!”
Statistically speaking ice cream sells better in the cold.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1ffe2a05c99f9f7a47f74c857309f8ec779b95189371dc0b4db6fd3054198244.jpg
You’re an interesting person.
TO doesn’t believe it.
That’s the way you do it. Play the Guitar on the MTV………
The Merc might be downsizing their sports staff? This is a hard time for newspapers. The demise of the GE blog coincided with the collective Giants web page at the SJMN, so maybe they are going to try to go with one less salary.
Or, it’s as simple as a family emergency of some kind for Baggs.
All of Merc’s sports writers are still on the payroll. Baggarly is on Merc’s list of sports writers. He said on Twitter he would be back.
The Nats’ GM was very, very (perhaps overly) complimentary about Melancon. Not that the compliments were undeserved, but I think this was a way for the Nats to appease their fans that they tried (they came up $10M short short) and not make Melancon look like a money-grabbing a-hole at the same time.
Did Casilla ever make a face like that? No. That’s why Melancon is better.
Apologies in advance for throwing a turd in our Melancon punch bowl, but I’m hoping some of my fellĆ²w 49ers fans here can shoot some info my way. Guess I’m not paying enough attention to the national media. Can’t believe Baalke hasn’t been fired yet. This is the worst collection of players I’ve ever seen. Chip Kelly thing ain’t working. Back to Oregon, PLEASE. Get to work, Jed.
Every fan is creaming for Baalke to get fired. Jed is turtling under Mommy’s oversized sweater, but there are rumors coming that Baalke will be fired at the end of the season.
Perhaps the Kelly thing isn’t working, as you put it…but the reality is there simply is not enough talent on this roster to know whether that’s the case. This is the absolute worst roster in the league. For example, when you have gone from Willis and Bowman to Bellore and Wilhoite, you’re in trouble. Then, the Artsit formerly known as Bethea, random dudes at CB…an offensive line that gives whoever is QB about 0.7 seconds to throw the ball or get ground into sausage…it’s ALL on Baalke, who in a lame attempt at self preservation is on an apology tour saying it’s his fault.
This team is years away from having talent to win. Though TO will point to Harbaugh – with reason – JIm would be in no better shape with this ragtag roster…he may have won a couple games through sheer will, but his last 8-8 season showed that talent matters
What do you mean? Things are going great.
Sorry if this has been posted already:
Alex Pavlovic ā@AlexPavlovic 18h18 hours ago
Mark Melancon has 10 blown saves over the past three seasons. Giants blew nine saves last September.
Alex Pavlovic’s report, posted 18 minutes ago. The upshot: Don’t expect some big splash for an outside outfielder. Essentially Bobby Evans says: “Mac and Parker, show us what you’ve got.” I don’t think this is subterfuge on the Giants part.
Alex: “Cespedes got $110 million to stay in New York and the Giants are no longer in any sort of mix for McCutchen, who comes with an overwhelming asking price. There are other big outfield names out there, but the Giants donāt expect to make a splash. The Melancon deal put the organization over the competitive balance tax, but even before that, the intention was to give Mac Williamson and Jarrett Parker a shot to win the left field job next spring.
āTheyāre not getting any younger and they deserve an opportunity,ā Evans said.
http://www.csnbayarea.com/giants/giants-ready-give-young-players-shot-left-field
This was also interesting:
Alex: “Evans said others will be in the mix next spring, including Gorkys Hernandez (a likely replacement for speed/defense reserve Gregor Blanco), prospect Austin Slater, and Wynton Bernard, a 26-year-old career minor-leaguer who signed last month and is known for his speed. The Giants also are curious to see what they have in Chris Marrerro, a 28-year-old former top prospect who signed in November. He hit 23 homers last season in Triple-A.”
I had suspected speed and depth were the primary reasons the Giants signed Wynton Bernard.
typical of the Evan’s era, make a big boy purchase and then go with bargain basement finds. no think out of the box.
They’re thinking within the bank vault, which is important to some people.
“to some” not sure what you mean. Instead of sending out a bunch of scrap heap types like the past few years, find a dependable younger OF option.
It’s important not to mortgage the future.
Want out of the box? How about Nunez to LF and get a 3B in free agency.
I’ll wager Nunez get some time in both CF and LF during the spring.
that is what I’m taking about. The Giants have in this recent championship era had guys that were swiss army knife types – plugged in where needed. I like Nunez, he can handle LF. Yes, if it’s too costly to get a LF then pick up a 3B guy like Turner who can hit and be nails when needed.
Can never have enough speed in the outfield.
I know about Slater. What about this kid Wynton “Marsalis” Bernard? Can he hit and if so, what former Giant does he remind you/us of?
If he could hit he wouldn’t be in the minors.
This is true. I understand the Giants sign these type of players for “depth” within the minors, but if he can’t hit, then why the hell bother keeping him around?
because you never know where the next Gregor Blanco will surface from.
I predicted Blanco, along with Arias to make the team out of spring training back in 2012. That was just a lucky guess too. You’re right Scout, and they could be “diamonds in the rough”.
Or just guys to fill the Sacramento/Richmond rosters.
Ex-fricken-actly.
I don’t regard statistics on hitting in the minor leagues as much of a gauge for how a guy is going to hit in the Majors. He’s speedy, has stolen a ton of bases, and has a good range in the outfield with spectacular catches.
Juan P.?
Yeah, possibly. That could very well be. I hadn’t thought of Juan. I remember once when Juan jumped up, scaled the wall like Spiderman, caught the ball, and saved the day, Alex posted the picture with the caption: “That’s why he’s here.”
Range, speed, great glove, excellent routes, +arm, can steal a base. Sounds like what is needed in CF
Too bad the starter doesn’t have all that.
A basket catch, if I remember rightly.
I was thinking Juan Pierre. You’re right, these guys competing for the 5th OF will be a lot like Juan Perez.
Sounds like what that Cuban bust was supposed to be…. Is he still with San Jose?
I know my guy, Keepin’ It Real, isn’t entirely ready to swallow this pill but it sure does seem like this is path the Giants are going to take.
Pack your bags, the Winter Meetings are over for the Giants. They came, they saw, and they conquered.
That Peter Bourjos type guy will probably get signed late. Competition for the 5th OFer job should be pretty intense.
Lefty keeps reminding us there are only 5 OF on the 40-man right now. Has anyone read anything about what the future might hold for Gregor Blanco?
I imagine he is a very real possibility to return.
I think very likely….
I can’t seem to find Peter Bourjos on Passan’s Ultimate Free Agent Tracker. I’ll look again. I’d like to read what Passan has to say.
You’ll have to dig deep on that list. Speedy centerfielder type, not much with the bat.
Thanks, Ryan.
I don’t see any reason to sign Bourjos on anything other than a MiLB tender with a spring invite. Gorkys is the same player and already in the org.
I would honestly like them to bring Gregor back as #5 or go get Jay. Either one could spell Span and Pence.
Gorkys was OK last year, and I do love his name! There has to be someone like him to substitute into CF for Span at least one and maybe two days per week. But it is easier to get a credible OF by a late spring training trade, than a big name closer, should camp indicate a problem with the Mac/Parker/Gorkys theory. Also, the Giants tend to hang onto enough financial room to make a mid-season trade to fix up whatever is going worst with the team at that point.
Cutch and so on seem like pie in the sky now, I agree. It was disconcerting to see a MLB.com story last night about Dodger interest in McCutchen – man I hope he doesn’t end up there.
“Also, the Giants tend to hang onto enough financial room to make a
mid-season trade to fix up whatever is going worst with the team at that
point.”
This seems to be the precipitate that comes out of solution. Your statement should be stamped on boilerplate.
Mostly the G’s surprise me with the off-season moves (clearly the Melancon signing was in the bag, announced early in the 1st morning), but they do always seem able to get that one more guy who is supposed to tip the scales. Moore, Leake, Scutaro…
And it isn’t dumb, as no one can plan for injuries.
One thing the Giants did last year, was plan for this year. It was almost like last year was part of this year’s winter: rotation, bullpen, Nunez at 3B – check, check, check.
There’s always a plan there, even if they aren’t always willing to tell us what the plan is! Very solid front office: aware of the baseball needs, the players developing in the system, and the budgets year by year.
I wouldn’t worry too much about McCutchen to the Dodgers. With their financial situation, they could gain McCutchen and lose out on Justin Turner and/or Kenley Jansen.
I hope they resign Juiceton and he turns back into Justin!
I’m very torn. I completely agree that Mac and Parker deserve an opportunity–they came up through the system, they waited their turn, and they did well when Pence was out in June/July (and Pagan for awhile, too). The team was winning with them in the mix. My problem is the lack of depth in the overall outfield picture, given Span’s and Pence’s ages and injury histories.
I’m glad to see Evans mentioning Slater, too, who certainly put himself on the map with his great 2016 and can play all three OF positions.
I guess I’m a little happier with this than I was with last year’s inadequate plan (four guys on the wrong side of 30), but it sure looks like for the second year in a row, the Giants are going very thin in the outfield. Heck, it feels like about the eighth year in a row, now that I think about it. (Quick, name all the left fielders since Bonds!)
Rajai Davis for one, and he’s available. But he’s what, 35?
As far as Opening Day LFers since Bonds left: Dave Roberts in ’08, Fred Lewis in ’09, Mark DeRosa in ’10, Burrell in ’11, Huff in ’12, Torres in ’13.
Morse in ’14, Aoki in ’15, Pagan in ’16.
Different guy every year and will be again in 2017. And that doesn’t count the nine cajillion other guys who’ve played LF in that span. Ishikawa, Justin Christian, Kensuke Tanaka, Brett Pill, Roger Kieschnick, Juan Perez, etc., etc.
Let us not forget…Brandon Belt!
who should get some more reps in LF !
And Kelby!
36?
I’m concerned if there’s an available option besides Mac and Parker, then one or both will get sidelined. Again. It would be wonderful if the OF could come from the farm versus aging FA outfielders, whose legs give out before their bats do.
Snowed in and retired. That’s a plus for all us bloggers.
āThe final stage of development comes at the big leagues,ā Evans said. āUntil they get those at-bats, youāll always wonder.ā
This is what happens when you have a former director of player development become GM–you finally have someone who gets this. But I think that the ghost of Adam Duvall is lingering over all of this right now.
That and the fact that Bochy made it pretty clear that he couldn’t manage without a top-flight closer.
Keith Law: The Giants were stupid for giving any reliever a four-year deal, and I wouldn’t have given Melancon more than one.
Also, same article: The Dodgers’ re-signing of Rich Hill is a “delightful story.”
Yes. Because it’s ridiculous to sign a 31-year-old closer who’s been one of the best in the game over the last four years and “delightful” to sign a guy who will be 37 before the season starts to a three-year, $48 mil. deal. A guy who’s been over 100 innings twice in his entire career and missed several months THIS season.
Don’t get me wrong–I like the Rich Hill story. It reminds me of Vogelsong. It’s awesome that he now has security for his family, the big payoff after such a long slog. But it’s silly for Law to argue that the Giants were stupid for signing Melancon and the Dodgers were brilliant for signing Hill. If I were a betting person, I’d wager that the Giants will get more from Melancon than the Dodgers will for Hill.
I wonder what Law will say when Chapman signs a 5 year, $100 million deal?
Chapman thinks his character and his fastball are worth 6 years.
5 or 6, but you get the idea.
With time off for good behavior?
That would be 5 to 10.
Law is very outspoken about MLB players with domestic violence or sexual assault issues. In the same article, he mentioned “bad PR” and “character problems” associated with Chapman.
I was glad to read that the Giants didn’t even have a meeting with Chapman (they did with Jansen).
I knew the Giants would not meet with Chapman. He was never ever considered. That’s my team!
One of the big reasons aside from the DV issues is that Cueto is on record of not liking Aroldis. If you want JC to not exercise his option you let Chapman go elsewhere.
Works for me. I’d rather have Johnny and eccentricities than Chapman and the stigma of domestic violence he may have brought if he signed with the Giants.
I was wondering about Cueto’s opinion of Chapman since they were on the same team for some time. Someone must have consulted him.
Yes, he is very outspoken about that. That’s why if he says the Melancon signing of 4 years is stupid, what’s going to be his comment on Chapman signing a huge deal?
He’ll probably say it’s stupid, too.
It would be great to sign pitchers to one or two year contracts but that’s simply not the way the market works unless the guy is 40 years old like Bartolo.
Exactly. No one was signing Melancon to a one-year deal.
Or 3.
I don’t listen to Law at all anymore. Afterall, Brandon Crawford will never be an everyday MLB shortstop.
I find myself very grateful again to Greek Giant for giving us this space.
The SJMN is driving me nuts. I try sometimes to read Anthony Slater’s beat coverage of the Warriors or Tim Kawakami’s columns. From my iPad, if I try to open any SJMN article, it loads, kicks out to an ad or a video, then goes blank. I have to try 2-3 times at least to ever read the article. Sometimes I just give up. Imagine if we had to do that every time we wanted to visit this blog. Good riddance.
Sounds to me like the Chron missed a golden op. Always wondered why SJMN ever had a hold on anything.
I took a look at the SJMN over the weekend and I’m wirh you on that. Way too many ads with vids. I’ll stick to the Chronicle.
Perhaps this is a statement that the inveterate Efrain can get behind:
The Giants will not have assembled a “juggernaut” this winter, like a perhaps a few teams will,
but they will come to camp with a highly competitive team capable of winning their division.
Agreed.
Despite the age of the OF and offense slumping last season, they still have a solid rotation. I can see the offense bouncing back if Hunter stops focusing on social media and Span plays to his contract.
He closed the deal (Lexie), so he should be good to go š
Women weaken legs!!!
Not if you….oh never mind… š
That might make it worse…LOL
For the health of baseball especially in PA I want Cutch to stay with the Buccos.
Austin Meadows. Remember that name. It has a Corey Seager kind of ring to it.
If he’s not in SF, I agree with you.
Amen
I think it’s great they are going to give the kids a shot. How ironic that many are complaining about that! Maybe some of the same folks who whined when Arroyo was sent down?
Way too much consternation for Dec. As I always say, there’s always the deadline. How often is the opening day lineup the one that finishes the season?
And it’s not like they are replacing a great LFer. Pagan had a solid year but with his def liabilities, was a 1 WAR. And they basically got nothing from Blanco.
Now they add a full year of Nunez, Moore, Melancon and Blach! š
Gregor Blanco tried to play through an injury last year. It was a mistake. What the Giants got from Gregor Blanco in all the previous years, which includes his remarkable positive attitude about his role, is immeasurable.
Point being he and Pagan gave them a combined 0 WAR. You’d think Williamson Parker Slater or Duggar could give them that for a half a year, then if it ain’t working, you go get a salary dump like JD Martinez type for a half a year.
I would have upvoted your comment except for what you said about Blanco.
Slater/Duggar could be the next Duffy/Panik.
Gregor is on the group statue of the Giants Team of this decade [if they win two more WS during Bum and Buster’s tenure]
Probably a plaque on the Giants Wall.
Brick in the cement š
All of the above?
Have you seen my idea for an Iwo Jima / Flag Raising type group statue?
I think it is more appropriate for the team accomplishments but only if they can finish strong with two more WS wins. Five WS championships in 12 years would be worthy of a statue … but a plaque is a nice idea for Gregor no matter what happens next.
Now the Red Sox may nudge ahead of the Nats in pursuit of Sale:
https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/806193588665192448
That punched that across the goal line quickly. BOOOOMMM!!
https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/806199479120654336
I would have given up Beede and Arroyo for Sale.
Moncada and Kopech >>> Beede & Arroyo
Probably gotta throw in Panik too.
Too high.. too high…. too high…..
Who gives a shit, it’s gone.
We’ll see.. though that is the conventional wisdom.
Giants need hitting , not more starting Pitcher, this blog is pro pitching , anti Power, but you need to score runs to win games, can not win 0 to 0 .
True, but I live under the tired and true adage you can NEVER have enough pitching.
Moncada is arguably the top prospect in the minors – one of em anyhow.
And Kopech has major helium as a right handed power arm that hits 100 mph. Had a killer AFL.
Time will tell, but it kills me that the Giants didn’t sign Moncada when they had the chance.
had the chance but not the $$$ to splurge
They had the money. They chose not to.
Well, you’ve probably got the money to go buy yourself a 1955 Gibson Les Paul, but you may have to sell your car and put the kid out to work, child labor laws be damned.
Ooooooooooo big weakness for me
The 55s are gold tops and I much prefer them to the 56s with the PAF buckers. Good choice Footy.bbnice and grittyband fat. The way a pickup should be. I love P90s…
I would too, but no way ChiSox do that.
So I guess this means that the Red Sox are fully committing to the Panda? Traded Travis Shaw away, so that 3rd base is unoccupied atm.
And on a side note: AL Central is going to be ridiculously competitive in a few years with White Sox pulling in that big of a haul. Sorry Minnesota.
Skinny Panda is back, just seen a picture of him, he is 2011 skinny and the start of the 2014 season skinny .
Share this picture with us.
Oh wow, I’m impressed. You’re right. This might be the skinniest he’s looked, ever.
I wonder exactly how far up his arse the BoSox climbed and if he still thinks the Giants treatment of the issue was invasive….
Link please!
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2016/12/06/roche-a-skinny-pablo-sandoval-farrells-option-other-red-sox-thoughts-from-winter-meetings/
We sure that isn’t that Facebook App all the fat girls use to look skinny in their profile pics?
Panda lookin’ good! But we’ll see how he looks around the All-Star Break.
Brock Holt at 3b as well. But yeah, sounds like Panda .
Whew! Good thing we already played the AL East this past year. Giants play Sale-less White Sox this coming season.
Sorry Nats…No Sale for you!!
No new starter, no closer, and your young icon won’t be re-signing.
I suppose now they redouble efforts on Cutch? Push for Jansen or Chapman?
Blockbuster move worthy of the winter meetings!
Must be nice to be able to splurge big bucks on an IFA and then flip him for an ace.
Like 60 million!
Gee … and Baker being a player favorite and all …
Alex Pavlovic ā@AlexPavlovic 4m4 minutes ago
On conference call, Melancon broke news that Giants signed reliever Bryan Morris. Evans said he’ll be a non-roster invitee.
Who dat?!?!
Former Pirates guy..
I’d rather have Cutch…be a former Pirates guy
They have Brokeback moments together or something?
Scout is feeling that familiar tingle
Gas X?
Is that what that is, I thought it was the two wires connected to his trousers.
I’ve always thought Melancon was the closer I’d most want, more than Chapman or Jansen–best WPA in the majors by a good margin the last 4 years, not flashy but consistent and he’s got balls of steel. They also signed Gearrin for next year, also great, Gearrin was awesome in September and excellent in June (between he was injured and then recovering). Presumably Romo is gone, the only bullpen weakness now is no real LOOGY, but on the other hand with Casilla and Romo gone it’s now only Strickland who’s significantly worse against lefties. It’s going to be a very different bullpen next year, very deep with no real reason for the constant switching which drove everyone crazy last year. After the season I wasn’t going alone with the ‘closer is the #1 priority’ thinking because it seemed to be that the outfield was a higher priority since there are more promise in the team’s young relievers than in their young outfielders but the truth is that Melancon is just a great acquisition and will help the team more than any free agent outfielder other than Cespedes.
No switching is good. Put Captain Hook on a steps limits and throw away his fitbit.
There was no real reason for the constant switching last season, yet it happened.
We weren’t aware of your belief in this matter
Maddon did the same identical thing. It is players-players-players.
No one did what Bochy did in 2016. Unfortunately, the whole team had to pay the price for it.
That’s right, no one did. Maddon did other weird things, but not that.
Maddon’s moves in post season mirrored every move Bochy has done going forward. I guess using MadBum for 5 innings versus his pen means you forgot that aspect, and aspect by the way that still may eventually shorten MadBums career do to the totality of accumulated innings …
The main things Maddon was criticized for was bringing in Chapman in the 8th inning of game 3 vs. the Giants and leaving him in for the 9th inning of game 7 vs. the Indians, neither of those were anything like what Bochy did last year.
Incorrect once again.
There was a reason for it originally. Bochy was trying to get lefty-lefty matchups and righty-righty matchups, because he had so many relievers (Casilla, Romo, Strickland, Lopez, and Osich) which had significant lefty-righty splits. The problem was (1) Lopez for some reason was more effective last year against righties than lefties for the first time in his career, (2) Osich generally sucked, (3) Casilla was unreliable, and (4) the constant switching drove everyone crazy. I actually supported this myself until they got Smith, because I thought that they would get another real LOOGY like Bard Hand instead of a someone like Smith who has no real split. After they got Smith and it became apparent that Osich was going to be lousy, this strategy really made no sense at all but Bochy kept doing it anyway. He seemed to think that it would somehow make up for not having a real closer, but it just drove everyone crazy.
Bochy escaped much responsibility for the bullpen collapse, didn’t he? The team’s answer was to pay a whole lot of money to make sure he didn’t do that again … instead of, you know, just deciding not to do that again.
Yes, he did. Bochy was like throwing a passive-aggressive temper tantrum, not noticing how well Smith and Gearrin were pitching down the stretch, pulling Moore because ‘we had everything set up’, blah blah blah. Get me what I want or I’ll just screw things up again.
Gearin was fragile. Smith’s number were a product of how he was used and not his abundance of talent. He left the Brewers with a 10+ ERA.
I still have no idea of what you mean by ‘how he was used’. You claimed he was only used against weak hitters or something and I went through each of his appearances in the last 6 weeks of the season (when he gave up 0 runs and very few hits) including specifically which batters he faced until it became obvious that he faced plenty of tough hitters, and then you didn’t say anything. I don’t see the point in going through that again.
Smith’s ERA with the Brewers in 2016 was 3.68, and that reflected knee surgery in spring training and working his way back. His 2015 ERA with the Brewers was 2.70, with an ERA+ of 147. Smith has talent.
I don’t share the view that Gearrin is very good. He had a good first month last year, then reverted to being himself, which is not very good.
Just wait. He has an xlnt 2SFB.
Gearrin was incredible in September. 6.2 innings, 3 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, 13 strikeouts, 15% line drives, 24% hard hit. He was fantastic from May 21 until his arm broke down before the A’s disaster (15 innings, 8 hits, 1 run, 4 walks, 15 strikeouts). The arm injury wiped him out from late June to late August. Go back at look at how he was pitching in September, it was like Romo at his peak but faster.
Thanks John. I hope your view is more correct than mine.
Posey is playing in the WBC? This is awful. He’ll probably have to be hospitalized for exhaustion.
….Like when you pull an all-nighter or have to go undercover for three days for Eddie Garcia
will have to only play on Tuesdays and Saturdays throughout Aug and Sept (fatigue). And no extra innings (tired)
You would expect him to wear down a bit earlier than usual … maybe he’ll play 3rd in the tourney!
Melancon has to go delete all those Adrian Gonzales photos from Social media if he wants to get along with the fanbase here.
Nah. Mark just needs to continue his pattern of “non adventurous ninth innings.”
Dave Dombrowski did not mess around.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/12/06/red-sox-acquire-chris-sale-trade-white-sox-yoan-moncada/95046088/
Good get for Boston.
Glad to hear Sale is staying in the American League.
More drama for the Socks.
Alex Pavlovic, 54min ago:
Melancon listed Posey, Pence, Kontos (same Yankees draft class), Craw, Belt among players who reached out. Whole organization was recruiting.
They were all in this together.
Together We Are Giant š
Dan Brown, 48min ago:
Mark Melancon ought to fit in fine: He said he’s gone to yoga classes with Hunter Pence.
Pablo is a lucky guy. Gets old job back (that is if he wants it and can stay healthy – in shape)
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/12/06/trading-travis-shaw-red-sox-committ-pablo-sandoval-third-base/95040134/
Pass. I’m perfectly happy never reading another story about Pablo Sandoval.
whatever …it is a baseball site especially during the off season.
Well…he looks good. But he’s the Marie Osmond/Oprah Winfrey of scale fluctuation.
Hope he’s found peace and does well. he was a maddening, incredibly clutch, lovable, immature enigma that wears 3 rings…that he contributed to winning
Spot on. How can I forget (Matt Williams) + a guy who doubled home Crawford with Posey almost scoring before BB9 ended it in the 18th?
John Shea, 22hr ago:
Joe Torre of US WBC team excited about roster w/Buster Posey, says they’ll be careful with catchers, obviously aware of grind as ex-catcher.
It could be that part of the appeal for Posey in playing in WBC is playing under Joe Torre. Sometimes I have to remember that Buster Posey represents Baseball, not just Giants baseball.
His arrival made quite the splash Up-Here
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/actor-peter-vaughan-starred-game-thrones-dead-93-article-1.2900310?utm_content=bufferca271&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=NYDailyNewsTw
Maestor Aemon was a very special guy. Could have been ruler of the kingdoms, but he served the kingdoms in stead.
Here’s how they recruited Melancon, with an assist from Ryan Vogelsong. Alex reports: “Itās believed that Vogelsong, a fan favorite and contributor to two title teams, will eventually return in some respect, as a coach or team employee or possibly a member of the broadcast team.”
http://www.csnbayarea.com/giants/vogelsong-current-giants-stars-helped-recruit-melancon
And that’s why Chapman would never be a Giant
I was willing to believe that Bobby Evans had his RV parked in front of Melancon’s house and would greet him with coffee and bagles when Melancon came out to get the paper. That’s KIR’s story, and I’m sticking to it.
Bobby Evans couldn’t pull this off alone.
He’s got a friend…
“What a friend we have in Jesus” seems to fit ole Bobby.
Classic moment last week: Mr. Lefty was singing some lines of James Taylor to my friend from Spain to see if he could ring a bell – my friend was drawing blanks in spite of Mr. L’s outstanding efforts.
Dr. Lefty should have broken into “You’re So Vain” to Mr.
Is that song really about JT – or just a rumor?
don’t you , don’t you…
I was thinking about Sincere last night with the Carpenter’s “special” on PBS.
He’s right, she really could percuss those sticks. What a voice!
Miss that Sincere guy.
I thought it was about Kris Kristofferson.
I prefer Christopher Cross.
I think KK was the object of that song. CC is one of our guys.
I thought $17 million a year and the right to leave after 2 years did a lot of recruiting.
Melancon: āIt was obvious that this organization knows how to win and thatās their top priority. Theyāre set up with the Gold Glovers up the middle, Buster Posey, Crawford and Panik. And being a ground ball guy, thatās a huge priority. Being on the other side, you can tell how much character is in that other clubhouse, so to be able to join it and join the group of guys that are veterans and winning, it was the total package in my opinion.ā
We all chatted about that a while back, except TO and Scout maybe. He may turn into a legend here in SF. The stars are aligned, up the middle.
Those are famous last words without Vogelsong’s nudge.
From Flan Man
How did these people get backstage – past my security? https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a0c566b127a0e3597587e7b2f68631da13e319643c04c804bc3ca4cd47923609.jpg
Both is looking healthier. Good omen
Interesting comment on the right from Alex, Vogelsong told Melancon good things about the Giants. Good old Vogey…
Red Sox got Sale.
I wouldn’t mind getting socks for X-mas. Wool socks preferably.
Xmas clearance? Hardly.
He and Pablo should go as Laurel and Hardy at the Sox Halloween party next year
Really? Had not seen …
There’s already a Fangraphs article
Nah….can’t be wow, thanks!
Why can’t we have scrollable tweets over on the right? Once they’re gone from the short list, they’re not retrievable.
Visit the actual twitter page from tweeter.
I knew some idiot would suggest that. And 7-1 it would be you. If SJMN could do it, why can’t we? It isn’t like they are WebWizards, or anything.
It’s not that we can’t, It’s that I don’t want it. Three tweets per account is an editorial decision for brevity and aesthetics. It has nothing to do with tech specs or limitations.
Reply of the day.
Maybe so, but when there are lots of tweets by one (Hank is the most obvious example) they disappear before we even know they’re there. In this case, I think the aesthetic decision was short-sighted. There’s nothing wrong with three max appearing. In most cases, if one checks often, that’s enough, but at this time of year and/or with lots of twitter traffic it’s not effective. If we can’t see them here and have to go somewhere else to see them, why have them at all? I understand this is your baby, but autocracy by any other name is still autocracy.
Something or another of the day.
You’re getting something very nice for free, and you still want to complain. Even better, you choose to complain about a lack of information you could easily obtain yourself. That’s awesome.
These blogs are always free. Do you think criticism is in some way ungrateful? You’re nuts. If I have to go somewhere else to obtain it, why have it?
Do you see any advertising here? This isn’t a commercial enterprise, like the Mercury-News. You can’t see the difference? GreekGiant has put this together, at his own time and expense, for the benefit of everyone. How self-important are you? It’s really breathtaking. Because some people appreciate what I do, I’m lucky enough that I’m sometimes given little things for free. I’ve never once thought about complaining.
Tell you what, I’ll not complain about anything if you don’t either. Deal?
The next time you hear me complaining about something that’s being given to me for free, please let me know.
More of a suggestion than a complaint or criticism.
Your page and your choice (obviously), but I’m with Bapah on this. It’s nice to be able to *stay* on your page and scroll an ongoing list of tweets. By limiting it to 3, you essentially force people to leave this page, which doesn’t make much sense to me. Whatever you decide, this is a great site for fans and thank you for your efforts!
You shouldn’t stand for this type of treatment. If I were you, I’d take my valuable business elsewhere.
Has Fidel actually passed away?
Try to be nice to Greek Giant. What he’s doing is beyond noble.
Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes.
Publius Vergilius Maro – Aeneid, Liber II, 49.
HA HA !! Smart guy, Virgil.
Good one.
The novelty is wearing off.
E chi se ne frega di ciĆ² che tu pensi…
The Blinking VCR Clock Post Of The Day
You should cancel your TWG subscription and demand a refund.
Fortunately you won’t have to worry about your Mensa dues.
Susan Slusser would be my add
Apparently this seasons Alabama football team has been judged to be the strongest team in the history of college football.
http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/we-rate-alabama-the-strongest-team-in-college-football-history/
I hope they lose.
Me too, I hate that effin bunch and have since Bear Bryant was there.
Do they have a bunch of Juiceton’s?
That Red Sox deal for Chris Sale seems a big one. http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/12/06/red-sox-acquire-chris-sale-trade-white-sox-yoan-moncada/95046088/
sure hope that new color of socks doesn’t throw him into a tizzy
They kept Sandoval at 3B in Boston. ???
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/12/06/trading-travis-shaw-red-sox-committ-pablo-sandoval-third-base/95040134/
Hey Matthew! How are you feeling? I hope the recovery is going well and, most importantly, that acute wit of yours was not dulled by your mishap!
Still hurting a bit, but going thru PT….thankfully, most of the blog appreciates the wit….Beauty has her share of eye-roll moments. Not Full TO, but she’s begging for new material.
Thanks for the shout!
Rotation:
Sale
Porcello (reigning CY)
Price (not bad #3)
E. Rodriguez
D. Pomeranz/S. Wright/Buchholtz
They are probably 3B or DH plus set up man help away from full on “juggernaut” status.
The sneak attack the made was getting Tyler Thornburg from the Brewers.
Yes. That was overshadowed. Nice pickup. There’s part of the setup program. Build a pen and lock down leads. That outfield of there’s is so dreamy. They just need a DH or a guy to shift Sandoval to DH. And there are options – Napoli for one. Encarnacion would make either the Indians or the Red Sox into absolute brutal forces on offense.
Sandoval dropped weight again (above). He’ll be at 3B.
looks pretty good – hope he makes a good comeback story.
I’m glad Sale went to the Red Sox. The Giants don’t play the AL East for three years. They DO play the AL Central in 2017. I’m also glad Sale didn’t go to the Nats or the Dodgers. In other words, barring a Red Sox-Giants World Series, Sale’s in the place where he will make the least amount of trouble for the Giants in the next few years. And if there IS a Red Sox-Giants World Series, well–then we’re in the World Series, so it it’s all good.
That cements Sandoval at 3B with Moncado going to Chicago.
You have to catch up below (kidding)
I saw it, what I didn’t see was interesting discussion.;-)
https://twitter.com/RochieWBZ/status/806132487101579264/photo/1
It was decidedly bashing type back and forth. Personally I believe Pablo gave TOO much decision making to his brother and another home boy and he himself should have been, but was not, man enough to be his own spokesperson. Michael played at SJ Muni for the Little Giants and it is clear now that his intention was to ride his brothers wealth to the promise land. Not!
Families can make sudden wealth way to complex. I read an article a while back about the family misery lottery winners experience. I wonder if Sandoval’s papers are in order.
Indians-Giants
Nat’s Ofer two so far…
https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/806231597032804353
We have enough but I want (another) back up catcher other than Trevor and a veteran RH bat off the bench who plays the OF
http://mlb.mlb.com/team/depth_chart/index.jsp?c_id=sf
got anybody in mind?
The Hairston Brothers of five years ago …
Scott can probably catch.
I thought they had Sotto around?
You may be correct …
Geovanny? That’s who you want, but hasn’t come to fruition… …yet.
I have an APB out looking for “E-B” – Vegas Giant Fan – Just Peachy …and Appalled7
I just interacted with Appalled7 a few days ago when her alma mater (U-Dub) was in the Pac 12 Championship. So she’s still alive!
Listening to Flying Free…
I’ve got it, Steve Earle. That’s who Mr. L reminds me of. And Earle was in The Wire – and Treme!
He’s a better picker than thespian.
The harmony singer on that is my Lefty Jr.
Your family is a real tour de force. That’s my scouting report.
They’re very talented. I just clap and cheer.
Did someone say my name?
I went to last night’s Warriors game. It was so epic. Bonus, the tickets were free! Thanks Steve Kerr.
https://twitter.com/Mark_Melancon_
Guessing Wade Davis is involved in this discussion, hopefully not Cain:
https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/806228221335375872
“Prayerful Bob Evans” should roll the dice for somebody like an Evan Gattis-type who you hold your breath every time a ball is hit towards LF – but the trade-off might be a plus.
not the worst idea – he may be available. But Mac may be able to put up similar #’s.
This post intended for dgg! This morning I e-mailed my Mom (Cubs fan, presently in a kind of 7th heaven), about the Cutch to LA stories. Here’s the reply:
I agree: Cutch MUCH too nice to become a Dodger. Some sports guy on KMOX sounded like he would love to see Cutch become a Cardinal. God speed Aroldis back to the Yankees!!!
Pretty sure Mom doesn’t care much for the Cutch to Yankees option, but she does know what’s what with Chapman.
Somebody, here on TWG, invited me to go play the guitar on MTV in order to mock me. I don’t know how to play a guitar, so I chose a substitute. I hope you will like her as much as I do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2a_yfT84KQ
13 thumbs up!
Gardy can help MM get that “rare” changeup as more part of his arsenal.
Pitching style -Melancon is a control pitcher with a low-90s cut fastball, a common high-70s to low-80s knuckle curve with 12-6 action, a less common four seam fastball in the low-90s and a rare changeup, which enable him to produce many ground balls.
Personal life – Melancon and his wife, Mary Catherine, have three children.
Hometown: https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/14841ffe768690e923b79f80876e60b61bf33ded08910c1e85aed2f61f56c35b.jpg
New Post: http://fe0.84e.myftpupload.com/giants-offseason-news/what-does-the-mark-melancon-signing-mean-for-the-giants-going-forward/