by
Greek Giant
Santiago Casilla was a good Giant. His disastrous 2016 season, his momentary lapse of baseball etiquette displaying anger at being removed by Bruce Bochy, and his omission from the parade of relievers in the fateful ninth of Game 4 all mar his record and reputation. But athletes should not be remembered solely for their ignominy. The 36 year-old Dominican native has had a stellar career as the Giants closer or set-up man prior to 2016. He will always be part of that remarkable core four (with Javy Lopez, Sergio Romo, and Jeremy Affeldt) that contributed greatly to three rings in five years.
We are defined neither by our failures or successes, but how we react to them. Santiago Casilla posted a WHIP of .857 in 2014 and 1.123 in 2011. His remarkable consistency, until 2016, were hallmarks for the bullpen that allowed Bruce Bochy to have clearly-defined roles for his relief corps. When he was demoted in 2012 after blowing more saves than acceptable, he reacted with grace and a strong conclusion to his season.
The Exciting 2014 Comeback Against the Pirates
I was at this game in 2014 in Pittsburgh. The Giants fell behind early by 6 runs and then rallied to tie it. They gave up the lead and rallied again to hang on to an 11 inning victory that was one of the signature moments of a championship season.
Casilla was a always the quiet, mysterious member of the Pen. He was mostly well-regarded by his teammates and a big part of the Giants identity in the championship years. He rarely received his due in the media or among fans. He was healthy for the bulk of career and he was a great free agent signing by Brian Sabean in 2010.
Oh, and by the way, Santiago Casilla just happened to be the winning pitcher in this game:
The Tigers did not have a hit after the 6th inning in that game Game 4 of the 2012 World Series!
Back to the current day: It appears almost certain that Casilla will not be re-signed by the Giants since he is now a free agent. One never knows but after his 2016 season Casilla will probably be signed by another team looking for a veteran presence in their bullpen.
Thank you Santiago for your fine work as a Giant!
I didn’t believe it before but I believe it now: It takes a certain mental attitude to be a closer. Casilla had the stuff to do it, but didn’t do it.
Casilla did do it for a long time, but his time ran out.
Oh by the way, just finished my 24th chemotherapy. Now I wait for the verdict. After every 6 sessions they stop for 2 weeks and check me out. Except for the expense and the inconvenience, this hasn’t bothered me at all. I’m a fatalist in all this. I was the same when I thought I had been captured by the Viet Cong. It’s like, “What the hell, let’s see what comes next.”
Well you take care Walter, sorry to hear you are going through all that, I was not aware.
Good luck. It’s a tough road.
I been liking Miguel Gomez since he started raking in the Dominican League, but I don’t think he should have been put on the 40 man roster to protect him from the rule 5 draft. He has no position. They’ve tried him at catcher, third and first. It wasn’t a fail but it wasn’t good. He runs pretty good so maybe try him in the outfield?
Another thing, he has never played above single A. What major league team would try to keep a single A player on the roster a full season?
And finally, he’s a see ball, hit ball batter. Little plate discipline. If he gets to the majors I would predict a sub .300 on-base-percentage.
All this is moot if the Giants don’t lose a player to the rule 5 draft of course.
My memory (way, way poorer than Lefty’s!) of Casilla is that he was picked up at the same time as Denny Bautista, both guys being wild fastballers. A typical “dumpster dive” where the Giants are looking for talent they could help blossom. Bautista never got control, but Casilla must have been helped by the Giants pitching staff, and therefore made it pretty big. My guess is he’ll pitch elsewhere, and reasonably effectively, in 2017.
It’s ironic that Casilla was the winning pitcher in Game 4 of the 2012 World Series because my main memory of his appearance in that game is that he broke poor Omar Infante’s hand. I remember thinking what an awful way that was to end a season (for Infante, I mean)-get swept AND have to go to the hospital to get your broken arm set.
I think it’s going to take me a little more time and distance to think fondly of Casilla’s overall tenure with the Giants. 2016 was awful and 2015 wasn’t that good, either. When you consider seven years and three championships, yes, it was a great run. When you consider the last two…well, not so much.
I’m thinking 2014: NLDS vs. Washington and NLCS vs. St. Louis. Lockdown closing for the most part, except ninth inning of Game Five vs. Cardinals. Affeldt picked him up and got us to gust glorious bottom of the ninth.
It’s a game, for goodness sakes. As we learned the hard way, there were no better options than Casilla at the time. I didn’t feel that way then, but one should learn from observation.
Warriors talk: I read this in Anthony Slater’s game story in the Merc, and I thought it encapsulated everything (good and bad) about Draymond Green. I was watching the USC/UCLA game and didn’t see the end of the Warriors game, but I saw the video of this final defensive play by Draymond that saved the game. He looked like a cornerback. His comments about the “disrespect” remind me of Richard Sherman and Kaepernick a couple years ago. Yet the part about him studying video and thus being able to suss out and stop the play–that’s dedication, leadership, and intelligence.
———————–
Durant dribbled the clock down to 11 seconds, found himself in a comfortable mid-range area and rose for the dagger. He missed. The Bucks rebounded, called timeout and set up an out-of-bounds play with a chance to tie it.
Good thing for the Warriors, Draymond Green was watching film of their out of bounds plays during the week.
“They have two plays they run in situations like that,” Green said. “Once Giannis was down at the block, I already knew what they were running.”
The Bucks called for a post-up for their young star. But he was being guarded by Green, the Warriors’ defensive swiss army knife who happens to take anything and everything as a slight. Milwaukee was going to purposely go at him with the game on the line?!?
“I think that’s disrespect to me,” Green said. “I take that as disrespect. Don’t go at me for game.”
Tony Snell lobbed it in toward Antetokounmpo. Green timed it beautifully and tipped it away into the waiting arms of Klay Thompson. Steal. Two free throws. Game over. The Warriors had survived their first late-game test of the season.
Durant dribbled the clock down to 11 seconds, found himself in a comfortable mid-range area and rose for the dagger. He missed. The Bucks rebounded, called timeout and set up an out-of-bounds play with a chance to tie it.
Good thing for the Warriors, Draymond Green was watching film of their out of bounds plays during the week.
“They have two plays they run in situations like that,” Green said. “Once Giannis was down at the block, I already knew what they were running.”
The Bucks called for a post-up for their young star. But he was being guarded by Green, the Warriors’ defensive swiss army knife who happens to take anything and everything as a slight. Milwaukee was going to purposely go at him with the game on the line?!?
“I think that’s disrespect to me,” Green said. “I take that as disrespect. Don’t go at me for game.”
Tony Snell lobbed it in toward Antetokounmpo. Green timed it beautifully and tipped it away into the waiting arms of Klay Thompson. Steal. Two free throws. Game over. The Warriors had survived their first late-game test of the season.
It was a great play by Green, a great read. I’m thinking though he should have kept quiet about sniffing out that play, keep that under wraps, don’t let on for future strategic purposes that you knew what was coming. If a baseball player figures out how to read what a pitcher is throwing he doesn’t let on in the press.
Yep, and that’s Draymond in a nutshell–makes a brilliant play because he put in the work and was well prepared but then just HAD to shoot off his mouth about it.
I don’t mind him shooting off his mouth if you backed it up
I was thinking you might enjoy this series on Netflix about WW I. World War: Forgotten Soldiers of the Empire. It’s provocative with regard to the casual assumptions of traditional history.
You might enjoy this song based on a true story from WW I.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJi41RWaTCs
Time to grow up, Draymond. Your childish antics hurt your team. You’re too talented and too valuable to act like a college freshman. Be a professional, Draymond. Plenty of good role models on your team.
He is who he is he will mature when its his time. He’s probably the main cog in a well oil machine! Try to change him b4 his time and you wont be getting the same cat game in and game out. Leave him be as long as his production is at a high rate. A quiet Draymond is more then likely a less productive Draymond!
Like Yogi Berra when Casey Stengel told him to think while at bat so he wouldn’t swing at so many bad pitches. His next at bat, he took 3 straight pitches right down the middle. Casey asked him what happened and he said, “You can’t expect me to think and hit at the same time!”
That he said he knew what was coming wasn’t shooting off his mouth, imo. That it might tip off another team that he’s a smart player will do him and the team way more good than harm, because it may take them out of what they do best because they might think they can’t run their best play when they really should try it anyway.
Funny
suss?
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=suss
“She was able to suss out his lies very quickly.”
I bet DAYDAY would use sniff out :-/
I can’t wait for the Warriors-Cavs rematch this Christmas. I want to see Green show LeBron and Co. how to not disrespect GS.
whatever, they didn’t win when it mattered. They can win all the mas games, go 100-0, they still failed when it mattered.
Mr sunshine
Absolutely fabulous post! Maybe the smartest player in the league.Top for sure
Buster Olney’s ($) column today is all about Aroldis Chapman, and it’s interesting. He says that scouts watching the postseason felt that Chapman compared unfavorably to Miller and Jansen. Chapman is only 4 for 8 in career postseason save opportunities, and he’s allowed 5 of 11 inherited runners to score. He doesn’t do well with multiple innings, and he’s most likely to thrive with one inning that he starts clean. He’s not flexible like Jansen and Miller are. That’s something to think about if you’re about to throw $80 mil over 5 years at him.
Olney went on to discuss how Chapman, who’s 29, will have to make adjustments when he inevitably starts to lose velocity. He compared him to Justin Verlander, who until recently didn’t need no stinkin’ scouting reports because he’d just blow people away. Verlander’s done a great job adjusting, but not everyone does.
Of all the points, the one that git me: He’s 29???
I thought he was way older
Maybe he is.
Maybe the funniest thing you’ve said in here
I thought the announcers said he was 28 years old during the World Series.
He is born in February so he will be 29 by spring training.
Walter startered our thread with a comment about the mentality of a closer. Where I disagree is when he said “Casilla had the stuff to do it, but didn’t do it”. Yes, he did. Then, he didn’t. But the “did” was long, masterful and successful.
Closer is like nothing else in baseball. When you take the mound, your team leads the game, and it’s the very end. The victory rests on your shoulders. Starters and middle relievers have huge margin for error based on the chances the hitters have to grind away at overcoming your mistakes.
Casilla went through some seasons of being a very good closer, but that position wears mortals down. It wore down Beck. It wore down Nen. It wore down Benitez. It wore down Wilson. It wore down Romo. It wore down Casilla. It wears them all down except for Rivera…that was just age.
One f the very poor decisions for 2016 was that the management had pretty clear indications that Casilla was on his downward trend, but they thought they could milk one more season out of that head ( they knew they could get it out of the arm). As it clearly slipped away, the Bochy Loyalty Points kept being redeemed beyond comptehension.
This season slipped away more on management decisions, manager decisions based on overuse of a closer as this time – stuff aside.
Casilla was a great Giant, and was used well past his Closer Mental Stress expiration date, which wasn’t his decision
Agree with all of that, especially how Casilla was used in 2016. He was great in 2014, arguably his best year as a Giant. He was slipping in 2015, but they had to push it one more year (after Bochy made sure his extra option vested). It was a disaster, and sadly for everyone, it “ended bitterly and both sides need a fresh start” (to quote Alex’s piece from a couple days ago).
I blame management for that, mostly Bochy, but the front office bears some responsibility, too. And not just for Casilla–for relying too heavily on Lopez, who had a dreadful year, and Romo, who still has some value but just isn’t the guy he was a few years ago. They paid the Core Three handsomely for past services and just had to get their money’s worth. It cost them.
Heh, concierge call. A Blue Apron deal for 24 hours, apparently. http://www.dailydot.com/bazaar/blue-apron-ai-deals/
Rags
Gardy
Bochy
One of the things that was interesting about Casilla as well, he may have been on of the best examples of a guy rebuilt from the ground up by Giants coaching after he left Oakland. I’ll always remember that AB against Joey Votto in Cincinnati where he unscrewed Votto with that hard slider inside on his hands.
We were lucky to have “the remarkable Core 4” to be as good and reliable as they were for as long as they were.
I have good memories of Casilla which outweigh the negative ones including where he showed up Bochy in Arizona.
Good luck to Santiago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwmqk2XiVSc
Hey, I just heard Bromberg sing this song on the radio yesterday!!
San Mateo’s own Tommy Brady
Redwood Citys own Julian Edleman
Loserville’s own Trent Baalke
Bawwwlllkkkee
Not my QB. Not my WR.
LOL….sadly
The first rap song I actually liked. Epiphany in progress.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO2Su3erRIA
Well congratulations for expanding your horizons.
Heh, this is good music, but it’s probably more hip hop I’d say. Slikk, losing the attitude might be a step in a better direction, IMO.
No one has an attitude young man how come when a black man speaks everyone thinks we have an attitude you you perceive me as having an attitude
I’m not reacting to what you say, but how you say it. I have a great deal of sympathy for the circumstances black citizens encounter. Thank you, no ones referred to me as ‘young man’ for 60 years.
I’m still learning how to speak so elegantly like you do CC. It takes time so bare with me have a wonderful day .
Heh, be safe, and enjoy life. You’re a part of the Giants community.
Thank you
I didn’t notice any attitude
Given the incident in San Antonio, it would be fantastic after today’s game for Colin to tell everyone that violence against cops isn’t the answer
Don’t hold your breath.
Too many guns in the hands of disturbed humans.
Yes youre correct and theyre our police officers.
Actually I was referring to the two walk up assassinations of those two officers who were doing nothing but protecting and serving.
The other topic is systemic in that not 100% of departments are trained for everything. I do know – that – my nephew is a police officer and shot a driver who had made a U turn and was directing ‘his’ vehicle towards him and his partner – using the car as a weapon – that – and the sad and obvious item that most people (not all) of any color who get shot committing crimes have a rap sheet as long as my arm.
Either way = very sad and senseless.
Maybe waiting a bit, before rendering judgement would be a good idea. I think most would agree shooting a police officer is in no ones best intertest.
A car pulls up as a cop sits in his police car writing a ticket. A guy gets out of the car, walks up, and shoots the cop in the head twice.
What, possibly, will “waiting” do? Shooting a cop in the head twice while he sits in a cop car is, technically, “violence”.
If it’s “judgment” regarding Colin – nope. I made a suggestion, did I not?
I’m reacting to your innuendo, and it’s connection, for some reason, to a 2nd rate NFL QB. Who really cares about Kaepernick’s POV on anything. It is [possible to want a rethinking of policing strategies without wishing harm on a cop.
OK. I’m officially confused. Who cares? It is discussed, rightly or wrongly, on every single Niner telecast by the announcing crew. So, people are hearing about it. Kaepernick, a starting QB in the NFL talks about it. Whether you pay attention, many do. Therefore, he should talk about what happened today.
You are making a very soft analysis on his words and actions. If he was interested in a “rethinking of policing strategies”, then he would engage in discussions with the police. He’s making a one sided protest.
Perhaps there are unintended consequences. Since you and Chef are convinced there will be in the case of Trump, then you certainly must also totally believe the same about Kaepernick.
I have no idea what said 2nd rate QB said about anything. I don’t watch football, or listen to their endless fakery. It’s like following Trump tweets, nonsense. What I am concerned with is changing policing tactics to try and help change the current dynamic. Anyone who murders a police officer doesn’t deserve sympathy, but buy the same token someone has to turn down the heat and realize there are important issues that need addressing. As to Trump, all he has done is exacerbate a difficult situation, much like a certain 2nd rate NFL QB. To my mind, so far, Trump and Kaepernick are behaving like school yard boys in a man suit.
If you know nothing about what he said, then engaging in this debate is nothing but baiting
Matthew, I read headlines, sometimes ones I can’t fathom why anyone would be interested in, and I gather from the comments here, he kneels where culture and custom suggest he shouldn’t. I’m also old enough to recall the NFL added patriotism as a marketing gimmick years ago.
So, you do know what he’s doing AND saying? By reading headlines?
Look, I enjoy discussion, discourse and debate with you. But, in this specific case, there is a “celebrity” ( of debatable significance) making statements through words and actions. You claim that you both know what is his intent, AND that you have no idea what he’s saying.
A cop got executed today. Read my original comment. Your original comment makes it clear you disagree with my take…but then you are bobbing and weaving.
Again…a cop got executed. Given Colin’s platform that he created, a comment on this is warranted.
Executed is an incendiary term, you know that. It has ‘legs’ far beyond the crime. It may indeed be accurate, but I don’t know, yet. Everyone who is sane is enraged, or ought to be, by such a crime. I have no idea about Kaepernick’s ‘intent’, beyond publicity. Kaepernick is only a celebrity if people make him one.
Shooting a cop in the head twice as he sits in his cruiser is an incendiary act. I’m firm in my beliefs of this incident.
What I’m concerned about is that an incident like this just results in other innocent people being hurt. If this sort of thing escalates into a tit for tat situation no one benefits beyond those who want to foment such disorder. Then the only people being hurt are innocent people, police or civilian. It then goes places we’ve been before and don’t want to revisit ever again, particularly in a State like Texas. It was not my intent to bait you, but to voice my opinion, and general disdain for sports icons as spokesmen for much of anything serious.
You’re really leaving the real world at this point. Which innocent people do you think are going to be hurt because someone walked up and shot this cop in the head?
TO, I’m talking about the consequences of such an act. Innocent people, minority citizens and police officers. Since the guy ID’ed as the shooter is described as a black man, and it’s Texas…concern is justified. It isn’t a flight of fantasy there.
It is. Cops don’t go out looking for random retaliation.
I’m not concerned about that at all, it’s the ‘yahoo’ club members there who think they are free to behave like them.
Matthew with all due respect you make it seem as if a cop getting executed is far worse then anyone else getting executed. Black men have been getting executed by cops at a rapid rate that is steadily increasing every year. Lets put some importance on that.
Not at all…if you start at the top, my premise is that Kap needs to mention that the answer isn’t shooting cops.
Two days ago , my post was “I can’t imagine walking in the shoes of….” Either an African American OR a cop.
Who was shot with their hands up? The Michael Brown “hands up” story was proven to be completely false. And how do you have any idea what cops are thinking when they look at you? Your comments are another example that, when it comes to this issue, feelings override actual facts.
Numerous blacks hv been shot with their hands up because the punk cop is fearful of getting his ass beat. Google it son! Don’t be ridicoulous.
You’re wrong. Who are you talking about?
Tulsa Oklahoma, Miami Florida if you don’t know then you’re part of the problem now vanish!
whose culture and custom are you alluding to? Your old white culture and customs? And because you are part of that “majority” you assume it’s the only ones to follow?
You did get one thing right? The NFL and this military bullshit is boresome and mundane.
Why does every freaking game have to have the pomp and circumstance and full regalia of 4th of July and the Bicentennial wrapped into one?
Just play the damn game, play the anthem and get on with it. I don’t need to see soldiers or cops or firemen on the field.
How should tactics be changed? What are the important issues that need addressing? I think Kaepernick’s entire premise isn’t based on reality. When you consider the literally millions of police contacts that occur every year, the handful of incidents that make the news don’t represent any kind of a trend, and even many of those are incidents that were justified.
as Matthew said below stick your noise somewhere else. The premise “isn’t based on reality”? WTF are you talking about. The US government along with public officials aka cops have been part of systematically treating people of color like animals for decades. I guess all that has never registered with you.
I’m talking about reality, something with which you’re not very well acquainted. You’re a really a funny guy. You talk very tough here on the internet. It’s so intimidating.
whatever dude, you are so predictable, like anyone in your profession.
‘Whatever dude”…Good comeback. You’re so quick witted. And so clueless as to how ridiculous you always sound when you complain about all the bias you see everywhere, while at the same time making your own biases painfully obvious. Keep up the good work.
You are the predictable walking cliche, I’m sure from your years of training, you basically mouth things off like a parrot. Sort of ingrained your type.
What type is that?
more of a Times New Roman, most def not cool like Helvetica
lolz
One of the few, if only, things on which The Oracle and I are in agreement.
He knows.
We know
This may amagedon as we know it.
On Hulu, I think, I watched a surprisingly good movie last evening, Creed.
Searching “Jed York” on Twitter after each 49er game is so much fun.
Read Ratto’s story about the game on CSN Bay Area. He tells it like it is.
Any chance Kelly would move to Texas, Strong was fired this afternoon I saw on a news site.
If he went anywhere, it would more likely back to Oregon. Phil Knight apparently loves him. But I don’t think he’s going anywhere.
That’s where I would bet he goes…
He’s going to Oregon, on a white horse, and they will worship him for it.
Hold those horses (longhorns?) Strong not fired just yet, likely after this weekend.
Hmmm, I read a headline saying otherwise in the margin on a baseball news sight.
Living here in Austin I saw it on the news this morning, sounds like people jumped the gun
http://kxan.com/2016/11/21/coach-strong-i-want-to-come-back-next-year/
It happens. Where to you live? I lived up off Steck, then off Lamar, over toward Central Market North, then I settled in Lakeway.
Oh man not far at all from us. We live basically where Mopac and 183 meet, in North Shoal Creek, right near Steck.
Know, knew it well. One of my best friends lives up of Parmer Lane (?) still. Small world.
I was on Parmer lane just last night, small world indeed!
My daughter loved the music scene when she lived in Austin. Her and her boyfriend lived in a shack on Overbrook Drive and then Avenue D. The music scene came to a thud when the boyfriend did everyone in the band Her Space Holiday.
the favorite is Herman, comfortable in the Texas environment, which I highly doubt Kelly would be. Nothing wring with that.
ESPN headline, “Strong: Texas hasn’t told me I am being fired”
Pitchers and catchers report in 81 days. Regular season tix go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m. (I’m sure mostly Upper Reserved and CF bleachers).
Thats 81 days to long!
And who can resist that Johnny Cueto nutcracker?
This is what I feel like doing.
https://www.facebook.com/BaseballSoftballaroundtheWorld/videos/941509779315779/
Did you notice his hands were backwards?
That’s what happens with out coaching.
He hit the ball pretty good, even though…
This is so cute! I’m especially impressed with the fielder/retriever. The two of them could do this all day.
Nothing wrong with CF bleachers. Get a Crazy Crab, Garlic Fries and an Anchor Steam.
Nope. Nothing wrong with that. Love me some Anchor Steam.
Marcell Ozuna, Andrew McCutchen have been names floated out there by the rosterbators. Wonder if either Miami or Pittsburgh would want a passel of Single A or Double A relievers?
Maybe if Schoenfield was drawing up a trade.
yes because the Pirates would trade their one MVP and a guy who has been thrown around for HOF (even if only in discussion) for a group of relievers who may never make it to the show.
While you are at it, why not propose Posey for two minor league OF and a case of beer?
Damn, Cutch’d look good in those creams, though, eh?
Hell to the yeah, Milton.
He would and would become an instant fan favorite.
On the Giants, with Posey he would not have the weight of the team on his shoulder and just play.
Here is a piece from ESPN Insider from David Schoenfield, stating why he believes the Giants are the favorite to sign Yoenis Cespedes (Verbatim, except for formatting to fit here)
1. The favorite: San Francisco Giants
This almost makes too much sense. The Giants need a left fielder to replace free agent Angel Pagan, and after finishing 13th in the NL in home runs — Brandon Belt led the team with 17 — they need power. They also ranked 24th in the majors in weighted on-base average (wOBA) against left-handed pitching, so they need more right-handed production. Cespedes, who hit .341/.457/.624 against southpaws in 2016, is the perfect fit.
One red flag is that he doesn’t feel like a Giants-type player, with his flashy, glow-in-the-dark wristbands and spring training car-of-the-day display. The Giants also prefer a contact-oriented approach at the plate, striking out the least in the NL in 2016, though it’s worth noting that Cespedes’ strikeout rate was better than league average, so his power hasn’t come as a result of excess strikeouts.
The Giants spent a lot of money last winter on Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija, but remember that Cueto can opt out of his deal following the 2017 season and Matt Cain comes off the books after 2017 (and Hunter Pence after 2018). Craig Edwards of FanGraphs estimates that the Giants have just over $20 million to spend this offseason, and you can always backload a long-term contract after Cain’s and Pence’s salaries are no longer an issue. Of course, they might spend most of that available payroll on a new closer.
The bottom line: The Dodgers have won four straight NL West titles. It would behoove the Giants to avoid the wild-card game, even if they won it in 2014 and 2016.
I’d be more shocked than I was when they signed Bonds.
Me too. Clearly and rightfully, the offseason plan of action should look like this:
1. Bullpen
2. Bullpen
3. Bullpen
4. Bullpen
5. Bullpen
6. Bullpen / Left Field
I think we will probably see a platoon of Mac and Parker in LF.
I agree with almost 100%. I don’t want to see a platoon of Mac/Parker in LF.
I would prefer they trade Parker and keep Mac, then sign Matt Holliday for 1-2 years as a LF and then RH pinch hitter off the bench (if/when Mac beats him out). They can swap out Holliday for a defensive replacement like they have so many times with Ishikawa and Morse out there. He could also mentor Mac…which would be good; especially since he’s bigger than Mac 🙂
Interesting, never thought about Holliday. How are his defensive metrics though? With Span a year older I’d worry about defense with Holliday and Span out grazing LF –> CF
If they sign Holliday, in Spring, they should have a special mandatory sliding session conducted by Marco Scutaro….
; )
Holiday is awful in left and no real answer. He’d have to hit 40/110 just to make up for the defensive runs lost.
That is not the way the team is build philosophy wise. Yes they did it for Ishi and Morse, but that was out of need and not a strategic plan, they quickly moved away from both.
Holliday will go somewhere and play 1b/ DH.
He’s a slow Pat Burrell.
What do you think a talent such as Parker would net them?
minimal, its just best to keep him
Not sure. I just think the 2 guys going for a single spot…over and over again…doesn’t do them both any good. I actually heard on the radio where someone was being interviewed and said they thought one of them would be traded; which has been my opinion too.
If traded, he’ll be part of a package.
he could be secondary piece as Duvall was in Leake trade. A C+ prospect with MLB service time.
This Schoenfield guy is clueless. Maybe someday people will ignore his rumors. That would be healthy, imo.
Schoenfield is actually very well respected. Just because a national writer is not on the same page as you is no reason to shoot off at the mouth.
His job is to makeup rumors, part of his job, get folks excited about hot stove.
If you don’t get that from the jump, then everything he writes will irk you. No way to live homey. LOLZ
If you’re going to make up rumors, do homework and make plausible. That’s all I ask. Got it?
This IS a plausible scenario, simple as that. Just because you don’t like it does not make it “plausible”.
Ok 👌
I’ve seen a lot of YC over the past few years and a deal like that has its concerns, one being his body and how he will deal with injuries.
He however is one of those players that can put a team on his back and carry them for a month at a time. There are periods where he has been the METS offense on his own the past two years.
But the ball carries better in those hot nights in NYC, I question his numbers over a season with 1/2 the games at ATT.
and it wasn’t really plausable, Cespedes’ wishes aside, because the Giants #1 priority is relief help. After addition of guy like Melancon, they would have limited amount to spend – like perhaps another 10-15 mil in sal.
No sheet, Scout. He just throws things against a wall.
While I understand the basis of the argument, specially the fact the Dodgers HAVE WON the West 4 years straight, two things make me think twice:
– we won a WS in those 1 of those four years
– he does not feel like a Giant
Being in NYC there is much talk the Yankees may pull the plug, they are rebuilding but think the turnaround will be quick. He has liked the market with the Mets, but being the star on the Yanks is bigger. Just feels right.
Yes. Yo will stay in NY, either way.
but hey I NEVER EVER expected Cueto to join the Giants. So one never knows.
now that made sense, as Giants were in market for pitching, had money, and have the ballpark to lure pitching.
I was thinking more about the culture of the team and being closer to home.
Cueto was a guy that had success at every stop but I also knew he is a family man and likes to stay close to his roots, does a lot for the DR as players like Pedro Martinez and Big Papi.
SF does not offer the geographic proximity to the Caribbean that the East Coast or even the midwest or south may. Add to this that some Latin players like to play in warmer climate and SF is colder. And the team makeup and culture does not offer what some players can find in another team that can offer an environment more to their liking.
I just did not see Cueto making that move, but it paid off that he did for all parties.
Cespedes has ~76 Pa in AT&T over his career, and has hit 3 HR and batted .233. Home and away, Cespedes has hit .212 against the Giants. I suppose the good news is all those HR were in 2016.
Can he hit Kershaw? All the G’s LH hitting woes can be summed up in those 5 starts we get a year from #22 in blue.
Find a RH LF that can hit him. Sign him. If not… pass….
15 AB, 1 single, 5 SO…hitting 0.067.
Yeah…. Pass
Who can? Toucan Sam?
You’d be surprised 2-3 guys have lifetime BAs between 300-400 against Kershaw.
Yes, but they let Arias go.
Chris Stewart hit .529 against him. Dexter Fowler hit .400 against him in 54 ABs. Pujols hit him at .360 or so. Hard to find a common thread.
Well, well, well. Free agent Dexter Fowler.
Since they essentially passed on him last year, I wonder if they are inclined to pass again, as his price tag should be even greater.
I saw those stats.
Dexter Fowler life time .400 hitter off Kershaw. Also a free agent left fielder; and a World Champion. Jus’ Sayin’
The main problem i see is that he won’t want to play in sf. The park is too big and he’s too far from his family. In principle he doesn’t feel like a giant but the guy is just plain a winner and he may want a world series ring enough to do what he has to to fit in. If he’s willing to sign with the giants that’ll probably be his attitude
I’d prefer McCutcheon.
Waiting for either extraterrestrials to arrive or a big splash on the baseball market.
Let’s get this shit on the road.
Are you still making a living, in part, doing HPLC?
using HPLC to quantify aflatoxins is a small smart of earning my paycheck, seasonally, it becomes a larger part – but this project may eventually go the way of the dodo. I also use TLC to quantify larger concentrations, and this is a new development, and also more cost effective. But thanks for asking 🙂
Do you have personal access to the instrumentation?
No, but he knows all about menstruation. Ha! Boom, Footy!!
Hmm, on what planet does that pass for humor?
Uranus?
At least you can claim consistency as an attribute.
As in “Way Uppa U S”
I’ve got a stool sample for you. It’s in the mail.
boom!
I’m hopped up on pain meds. I’ll try and elevate my humor and not draw CC’s wrath.
I’m fine with low brow. Though I dare not let one fly and pull the sheets over the wife’s head. We have a tent that would become my bedroom.
So, the results of the accident not so good huh? You need to get out of the city. It’s a sign from above. Unlike the Glenn Fry song, you don’t belong.
But the concrete feels so good under my feet.
Careful with the meds. The other day they put me out for mini-procedure. I dreamed the whole time that my nurses were Morena Baccarin and Sofija Velarga but when I awoke it was The Oracle and Efrain standing over my bed…
Wrath, I’m wrath free, although I could share a wraith or two.
Even a wreath
Better SEAL the envelope real tight or else when temps change it gets messy
Yes. Anytime. Need me to run a sample for you?
Nope, if you have Clutch email address, drop him a note on contacting me if you will.
Done
Yep. This is the “dead” time of baseball. Might have to wait until the GM meetings next month before things heat up.
Every presidential-election year the baseball hot stove has basically been a downer…
New heights and all-time lows this year. The league may revert back to the 30’s. The reserve clause is back!
Willie McGee retired
careful…
I’ve met Willie a few times over the years while coaching LL. He was a coach as well for his daughter in softball till they moved on to tournament teams. Nice guy, what I remember most about him is that he was always on his cell phone every time I saw him. Always.
Presumably phoning “home”.
Aye yi yi.
He could sure hit.
Last time I saw him (at Franklin Canyon Golf Course I hit him up to see if he wanted to play some MSBL but I couldn’t get him to bite even with a dare (willie you probably couldn’t hit all the softies we have pitching in our league). He said retired is retired.
Casilla was never a big ‘celebrator’ like Domingo …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVK7LJEpcDg
The Orioles are said to not be interested in trading Zach Britton – when they very well should be entertaining that very idea. They have other guys that can close and do a good job, and their farm system could use the boost, especially on the pitching front.
Unlike some other targets the Giants could trade for, like JD Martinez or Wade Davis, the Giants do not have the pieces it would take to land Britton. But some team surely could swing a deal for the best reliever in baseball – having passed up Wade Davis on the Rolaids list.
Britton is interesting. I’m not going to pretend to know the Orioles’ farm system right now but the Giants are the perfect trading partner for any team that has real issues in the upper farm system as the Giants seem to have AAA arms that are blocked due to our strong staff. A couple of these guys have been in AAA for a number of years, not much to prove going forward.
Giants could tack on Clayton Blackburn and Mac Williamson to Tyler Beede and get back an impact player for a year or two – just not Britton.
The only concern shipping Beede out so early is that no one has a clue if Cueto will opt out or not.
Beede is at the moment a prime option to put into the rotation if this happens.
If Cueto has a super year like this season, he’ll opt out for more money and the Giants may be the ones to re-sign him.
If he has a downer/injured year, he’ll keep the ink on present deal.
Agree, but I’d like to hold on the Beede one more season just in case……..
I’m sure the Giants would too. As they’d like to hold on to Arroyo.
but they know full well that will take moving one or both of their top prospects to strike a significant trade. The step down to the next most valuable prospect is considerable.
AGREED!
the farm sucks!
Plus while I like your optimism that IF Cueto has another great year, he will like to stay and the Giants will open up their check book.
HOWEVER, here is a guy that has moved on to different teams and has always been successful. To a team starving for a front end starter, be sure that that Giants will have stiff competition for his services.
The way it goes these days he could have a down year and still opt out for more money.
We’re in the wrong business. Or have/had the wrong idea about paying to play baseball. They’re supposed to pay us!!
The way people have been talking about Britton on MLB Radio (“should have been the Cy Young winner…or at least a finalist”), I would agree with you that the Giants wouldn’t have the chips to get this done. Some of the packages discussed for Sale is crazy too…so Britton won’t come cheap. The Yankees kind of set bar for getting relievers via trade and it’s high.
I would think Cubs would be the only ones that could get him…without knowing if Boston or Texas (others mentioned with farm system for Sale) need a closer at this high level.
I would say look out for the Dodgers on any potential Britton market.
Interesting to see how Cubs tackle the 9th without Chapman. Rondon has closed before. They may try to mold CJ Edwards into this role.
Everyone keeps saying the Dodgers are only willing to give up young minor leaguers and teams are unwilling to roll that dice that way. Other teams want players that are farther along and smaller risk.
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