by
Greek Giant
With the new CBA finalized on Wednesday night there have been a flurry of moves to finally get this hot stove season under way. According to my sources in the meetings, the final sticking point was the question of the luxury tax threshold, an issue affecting big market teams like the Giants, Dodgers, Cubs, Yankees and Red Sox.
Per ESPN: “the luxury-tax threshold will jump from $189 million to $195 million next year, then to $197 million in 2018, $206 million in 2019, $209 million in 2020 and $210 million in 2021. Teams that exceed the threshold will pay similar tax rates to the current deal, unless they go way over the threshold, in which case their tax rate could jump as high as 92 percent.”
This is no small potatoes folks. Last season (2016) the Giants had the fifth-highest payroll in baseball at $166,495,945, or just under the luxury tax threshold of $189 million. While the Giants are indeed one of the most successful franchises in all of sports when it comes to revenues and overall value of their team, the ownership consortium has shown a strong reluctance to going over the luxury tax threshold and doling out millions of dollars to the likes of the Marlins and Rays. From a fiduciary point of view, this is good business, especially if you know that the money Jeffrey Loria receives from the MLB luxury tax does not get re-invested in his team, but instead goes toward his luxury lifestyle of collecting bad contemporary art and buying boats….
One more important, and in my opinion, fair, change to the new CBA: Teams that sign a premium free agent will no longer have to give up a first-round draft pick to the team that lost that player. However, teams with payrolls higher than the luxury-tax threshold would have to surrender a second-and fifth-round pick. It seemed that in recent years having to lose a first round pick because you signed a top free agent was a disincentive and an unfair practice, especially because many teams manipulated this rule to their advantage by retaining players solely for the purpose of letting them walk in their free agent years to get that coveted first round pick. With drafting become more and more a staple of how a team builds for the future, the removal of this stipulation will benefit the Giants more than smaller market teams.
There are many other new rules and interesting changes that you can read about here.
The bottom line: at first glance it appears this was a good compromise for both players and owners and overall, the changes to luxury tax thresholds and free-agent signing compensation rules should benefit our Giants.
Breckeroni says: “Spend the coin Bobby, bring us Mark!!!”
I don’t think Jansen is off the table.
Nats may make a very respectable offer to keep Melancon as well.
Meanwhile, the Nats close in on Cutch.
They came within a skosh of grabbing him last August.
Giants and Melancon in July?
I guess you could say that. Seems reluctance to part with a guy like Beede may have been the impediment. And if that was the case, probably can’t blame Evans.
It’s only here, LOL, that marginal value trades get blown into causes, like Duvall.
They better not wait that long to get a closer.
Any freaking day now…
I hope so. How about today or tomorrow?
Having trouble working today. Just want some baseball action. Maybe more productive in afternoon.
I didn’t sleep well last night. Woke up at 4 am with a headache. No mystery as to why.
Now that’s just weird, so did I. Weather change, maybe.
Let’s all talk of the weather and roads, as Marianne said sarcastically in Sense and Sensibility!
I dreamt about changes to the ACA. Bush was even in there mucking things up.
Jeffrey Loria get a lot of flak but bottom line is it’s his team, his money, can do whatever he wants. To worry about what he does is meaningless and an exercise in futility.
One thing about the Giants and all the back slapping they get for being a team with a sound business is they make a shit load of money and have a team that is right there with the best in baseball. A closer may have allowed them to beat the Cubs this past season and maybe even won it all again.
To hold back now is pointless. Make the moves, spend the money, the time is now to win. To hold back because 10-20M is ridiculous.
And guess who owns this? http://www.onemissionbay.com/
dunno? Some rich white dude most likely 😉
The Giants Ownership Group.
no, I don’t
After you sue that ladder company, maybe :-))
The San Francisco Giants.
Last night on MLB Radio, they were talking how the new CBA may force teams like the Royals to sell now, because they’ll be no 1st round draft pick when they lose Cain, Hosmer, and others to FA this next off-season.
I know Ryan’s identical twin brother, Scout Finch, wants Cain in the worst way….so I thought I’d bring this up.
I wanted Alex Gordon last off-season…and he didn’t have a good 2016 because of wrist problems…maybe he’s available if Cain’s price is too high. At least he’s got some GG’s in his pocket and the Giants said he was the “straw” that stirred the Royals “drink” in the 2014 WS. It would be better than a Mac/Parker solution, IMO.
Get real. Gordon is a really bad idea.
I have to agree. I liked Gordon a lot last year, but he too is on wrong side of thirty with a spate of recent injuries.
Sorry KIR, “bad scout” is here to remind you keep it a bit more real.
Scout…you have fawned over Ben Zobrist, who is 3 years older than Gordon.
Gordon had 17 HRs in a shortened season last year and is only 1 year removed from being an all-star. I’m just saying that Gordon…like Zobrist…is a professional ball player. If he comes at a relatively fair price…after a down season…when the Royals will have to sell due to the new CBA…he would look good in LF for the Giants. He would bring more to the table than the guy in LF last season…and I would be he’d be more of a solution than Mac/Parker out there.
You don’t have to agree, but my thoughts here aren’t far fetched.
I agree that they aren’t that far fetched, so I’m sorry to make your idea seem out of left field – I just don’t see the fit given that Gordon is 33 in February with 16, 20, & 20 mil owed on remaining 3 years of his contract. I realize injuries are likely to blame, but Gordon struck out almost 30% of plate appearances last year and hit just .220. I know his defense has been great, but he hit a lot like Jarrett Parker last year and there’s no assurance that he’ll get his swing back.
There is only one Zorilla 🙂
Confucius says…if another team give bad contract…they help pay that bad contract. (Giants incentive)
Confucius also says…paying part of a large bad contract is much better than paying for whole bad contract. (Royals incentive)
Confucius finally says…no need to go into 2017 championship run with unproven players in LF. (KIR incentive)
I see where you’re coming from and a return to form Alex Gordon definitely trumps Mac/Park in defense and offense and adds some presence to the lineup but I guess I just don’t see it happening on the Royals side and I don’t see the Giants picking up whatever proportion of that contract this winter. Maybe things will change by July and Gordon becomes a guy that Evans considers.
From the budgetary stance, Evans really only has payroll space to add a big closer and pick up one of the guys I mentioned on the last thread – Rajai Davis or Peter Bourjos or Drew Stubbs. And maybe a backup catcher? They would still have room to add payroll at the trade deadline.
Fair (from me, not confucius)
Also: Giants may do something for Madison Bumgarner – he kind of deserves recognition for being one of the very best pitchers in the game that helped deliver three big shiny trophies. An extension would certainly increase his AAV from whatever it is now, <10 mil AAV to over 20 AAV.
Unless there's a way to give him a guaranteed extension without inflating his AAV this year that I don't know about.
Alex Gordon is a horrible idea. Well, he would be a good 5th OFer. Just keeping it really real..
I don’t want to use words like “horrible” because I’m like super nice like 99% of the time now. Ask Lefty. I shook hands on this deal 🙂
-Haggar
Rajai Davis or Peter Bourjos or Drew Stubbs. Again- 5th OFers.
Precisely. That’s the idea. If Bobby Evans wants to give Mac/Park a good run of playing time, then best not have somebody that Bochy thinks might be better. Although Rajai Davis may give Bochy a fit of the pauses.
Because of 1 game? They should get a reserve catcher who *could* start and setup reliever who *could* close.
That’s it.
that sounds good. but they could use another competent OF on the roster because right now it is Pence, Span, Mac, Park, & Gorkys without credible bodies in AAA other than Austin Slater. Gorkys is also kind of that credible AAA body that can play in MLB.
Your mileage may vary.
They got that guy…what’s his name? Wynton Bernard?
Good ol’ Wynton had about 160 AAA PAs last year. Hit .235/.286/.302, but did swipe 10/13 bags.
Good saxophone player.
Nice talking to you again. Nice truck, see ya..
That’s your opinion…which I don’t agree with…and that’s real.
“well that’s like your opinion, man”
Thank you for always keeping it real here. There is no artifice with this man!
KIR is right …
He doesn’t know his ass from LF
I wonder if these moves will loosen up the trade market in the summer.
I think the Royals may see a weak Central Division as their ticket to the Wild Card. Should the White Sox and Tigers sell off, while the Twins continue their rebuild, the opportunity to bank wins is pretty good for the Royals. Their rotation does not inspire a lot of confidence and they lost a good bat in Kendry Morales, so they may see how well they can play in the first half and sell at the break if their playoff chances look slim.
The current rules keeps those Wild Card dreamers in the hunt until well after they should throw in the towel and trade assets. That drives player pricing up, and IMO confuses the entire game of end of the year musical chairs. That’s, IMO, one reason useful midseason add ons are drying up, and the price of really mediocre talent is way up.
One perhaps not so minor note is that the luxury tax threshold does not apply to the 25 man roster opening day payroll. Rather it applies to the 40 man roster and associated expenses of that roster. Also, average annual salaries are part of the equation so that back loading contracts cannot be used as a means to cheat the system.
That has been my understanding the past couple of years anyhow.
That said, the opening day payroll is a much easier number to come by and can be used to estimate a team’s relative position to the threshold.
I AM glad it is Manfred – now – and not Uncle Bud. Not much would have changed with Buddy Selig.
Nice article, except it’s wrong the Giants were over the cap in 2016, since for cap purposes MLB goes by AAV salary not actual salary, for instance the Shark only made 9 Million in 2016, but his contract was back loaded, his AAV is 18 Million, Johnny Cueto the same thing, both Brandon ‘s deals as well !
Well YOU were wrong about Mays going 0 for 20 so maybe the article is correct …
Yes, he was worse 1 for 26 .
Actually, it’s better, do the math.
Starting the season yes, but if it was in June no, so since it was his start you are correct . The point on the Giants salary last year, lots of people do not get the Rules, Fitz on the radio was saying the Giants have over 20 Million of room to spend all year long , not getting who MLB goes by AAV not actual salary .
Mays was 0-12 and at his 13th at bat he hit a HR completely out of the stadium
Yes, then went 0 for his next 13 at bats .
Yesterday you said Mays started his career 0 for 20
I was wrong, I looked it up, he was 1 for 26 .
In high school and college, I felt like I was 0-20 with girls. But years later, I really hit it out of the park.
it happens …. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svXxeaWwIno
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdl658l5TTQ
TO’s boss talking about immigration
https://www.facebook.com/abc7news/videos/10154853920262079/
Could it happen again?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIu_ngbeyeI
Do you mean could someone put out a movie trailer that’s way, way too long? I’d say it’s possible.
Hello, old friend.
And I don’t mean to suggest you’re old.
May the wind be at your back today.
Best wishes,
Me and my personalities
I mean a cop who spends way, way too much time bitching on a blog. Go catch a crook.
I remember when I first saw this movie. Terrifying.
Here’s a fairly thorough profile on Mark Melancon. The Nationals want him back in 2017. A contract would likely be 3 years when he will turn 35. Weaknesses have started to emerge:
“It hasn’t shown up much yet in his bottom-line results, but Melancon’s contact rate and swinging-strike rate have trended in the wrong direction in each of the past two seasons, and he’s also seen the rate at which hitters chase out-of-zone pitches against him decline in that time. He’s down from averaging a strikeout per inning in 2013-14 to averaging 7.7 K/9 in the past two seasons. His K-rate did bounce back a bit in 2016, but this past season represented the lowest swinging-strike rate and chase rate as well as the highest contact rate that Melancon has allowed since 2013.”
There’s stuff in here about the chances of him going to the Rockies. (Not likely, as KIR keeps trying to reassure me.)
Weaknesses aside, my preference is still Melancon over Jansen. The contract is likely to be 3 years versus 4 years. There’s no qualifying offer. He won’t cost as much. But money and contract aside, Melancon’s pitching repertoire and reliable ability to induce groundballs is a good fit for our defensive infield, which will dazzle in the ninth inning with him.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/12/free-agent-profile-mark-melancon.html
Saw this. That contact rate stuff gave me the fits of the pauses, but then I thought to myself : there’s no such thing as a free lunch in free agency, and that your chicken salad sandwich could have a case of the Sam n’ Ella’s.
I prefer Jansen, for the reasons of youth, stuff and wear and tear. Ground balls are good, but strikeouts are better.
Super solid post. I’ve always “preferred” Melancon because it seemed he was attainable and hasn’t had an episode of shooting his gun off in a garage after an altercation with a girlfriend or isn’t the guy that the Dodgers should absolutely retain that has a history of some perhaps not so minor coronary irregularity.
Jansen has a heart condition which could cancel out his advantage in age over Melancon. His heart condition is reportedly well-controlled by medication, but there is no cure, and there is a first-degree-relative family history of stroke. In addition, Jansen has a large body type (6-foot-5, 265-pounds) which may not weather well over a 4-year contract.
Yeesh. I’m no doctor, but heart condition and pumping blood to a big body would seem to correlate with things like potential for blood clots.
You have become so knowledgeable on Jansen’s heart condition 🙂
Holiday Inn Express 😉
Good one. No…I remember when dgg was surprised Jansen had a heart condition and now she is all over it. Good stuff 🙂
This was known, a few years ago his career was almost over because of this condition .
I wonder if his heart condition could even be exacerbated by his being a fastball pitcher? In his interview with the American Heart Association he said he decided to get checked out because “he felt like he was going to pass out with every pitch.”
You’ve got to give Kenley Jansen credit for being open about his heart condition. This is a strong public service for young athletes:
http://news.heart.org/dodgers-pitcher-kenley-jansen-isnt-afraid-to-talk-about-his-heart-condition/
I think he’s Giants material in spite of the jersey he’s been wearing. Plus, I think he knows Sir Hensley Meulens pretty well.
May be talking 5 years, 90 million dollars though. Then cross fingers that his heart health remains steady.
5 years!? I’d prefer for the Dodgers to take that risk.
Ew – remember J.R. Richards? No bueno.
Bobby Evans to Buster Olney: “We need to be clear on who’s pitching the 9th.”
https://t.co/WPyMka5cII
Crystal.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/26ac345bc242c2d55e8c63345f8fa600dc9b7150e3216f01547d91cb001d59f3.jpg
Have to make Bochy’s job as easy as possible, like painting by the numbers, unless he will mess it up !
Hall of Fame Skipper. Slam dunk. First year.
Overrated, last year he was the worse .
You had a pretty sub sub standard year too, as I recall.
I did not get paid millions
So. You seem to think you should be.
Nope
A critic without portfolio. ;-(
/mic drop
Interesting ‘unanticipated’ impacts of new agreement. http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/12/01/dodgers-latin-american-players-losers-in-mlb-labor-deal/94772202/
Players win and lose games. Had the position players and pitchers he chose had executed their tasks aka their jobs – then it would have been talent.
Talent trumps managerial skills.
Then why is he a Hall of Fame manager? According to you, he’s not involved in winning and losing?
Nice Try Malloy
I’m just repeating what you said.
Clutch – is this coming thru? Can’t seem to open up the blog…
Huge over reaction here to last season. The Giants will start the season in better shape than they did.last year if Evans does NOTHING.
I’ll take your comments off line. Nice to see you all.
What a great name for a restaurant or bar. Off Line’s Comment.
I always was a sucker for the bad pun, like the Stagger Inn, or the Squeeze Inn or the Back Door.
I here the last one is in the Castro…..
Liquor in the front?
You’ve a dirty mind, A-L.
He’s just thirsty.
He’s been listening to too much Van Hagar, especially OU812.
Feels so Good!
Since Sincere isn’t here,
will you be my Van Halen buddy?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d681GuMZj6Y
I’m always Hot for Teacher!
True that: The rotation beginning 2016 was Bum-Cueto-Shark-Peavy-Cain. In 2017, it will likely be Bum-Cueto-Moore-Shark-Blach. Already better. And, without mentioning any names, there will be some addition by subtraction, as well.
I agree with some of the sentiment, but if Bochy manages the bullpen the same way EVEN with Melancon, Chapman & Jensen it won’t translate to a title.
With just a little help in LF, 2017 could be a pretty good and competitive roster.
Come On Roberto Bobby the Evans….. do it…… Closer and Cutch. Dream BIG. YMMV…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EErSKhC0CZs
My fave H & O is :
You’re out of touch
I’m out of time
But I’m out of my head when you’re not around
Woah here she comes…….
Looks like, maybe, Tiger Woods is starting to remember how to play golf again. More trouble for NFL audence maintenance.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2016/12/02/golf-tiger-woods-hero-world-challenge-friday-second-round/94806190/
Let’s see, linked an analysis of a really good farm system this morning (Cleveland), here’s a not so good one (The Giants do not have the weakest farm in their own division).
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2016/12/2/13810450/arizona-diamondbacks-top-20-prospects-for-2017
Beede and Arroyo are better than the top two prospect in this system, although I really liked Banda when I saw him Visalia a couple years ago and he has progressed very well.
Arroyo was just ok, by production on the field, I would rate Slater higher, but reputation is who these players get graded, and Arroyo is the hot prospect 1st round selection, younger player with more hype , so is rated higher .
I’m not going to disagree with this premise and Slater may very well have a better big league career. However, Arroyo brings middle infield defense, although 3rd and 2nd are where he’s best fit. Infielders that can hit have value and I think Arroyo has a good swing and that he will have a strong year at the plate in Sacramento.
I go by production, not potential, seen many players in all sports never live up to potential .
Sounds like life in general. So much potential everywhere.
I like your new sardonic poet self.
thanks, I’m trying to find my voice, but have no plans of quitting my day jobs.
From Jeff Passan:
https://twitter.com/CoveChatter/status/804790632828911616
I’m confused. Are Giants “exploring” LF options or are they “content” with Mac/Will, or is saying they want to let Mac/Will play just a smokescreen to help given them a smidgen of leverage?
I miss Kyle. Good guy, an educator. He should stop by the new site.
Listen to the Bobby Evans interview on KNBR podcast from the Gary and Larry show, maybe Clutch will post the link, Evans said Giants do not want to sign a long term deal for a LF, short term maybe, but do not want to block that position from a young player in the future, since it is only position open on team , most others have players with long term contracts .
This makes sense, especially if it’s a guy like JD Martinez that can bat in the middle of the lineup and not be a “slappy hitter”.
But if I’m the GM in Detroit, I’m going to ask for Tyler Beede and Mac Williamson and Evans will probably find that unacceptable as would many on this blog.
Yeah. It’s confusing. Either Passan’s sources are wrong or BoEv is fibbing.
Bobby Evans does not fib, Gary accused of him doing it, and he got very upset, he is very honest, says he never lies .
Are you familiar with the common baseball executive acronym tattoo. F.O.S.
Any body listen to This American Life this week? Kind of unusual episode, a little slow, but the story of the con man with his “angel letters” was really something else. Human psychology is something else! It’s the episode entitled “the heart wants what the heart wants” – from Dickinson.
https://www.thisamericanlife.org/
https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/804798541491212293
divide by 40+ bodies in the dugout, carry the one…
$15,000+ per player?
https://s3.amazonaws.com/lowres.cartoonstock.com/sport-heaven-death-die-angels-baseballer-smb070713_low.jpg
awesome cartoon!
theological diversion: not only will all our dogs be there to join us when we get to heaven, but MLBTV will stream the Giants without pixelation or freezing, and the Giants will have a better WL record than the Dodgers. I just know it!
(and probably conversely if we end up “down there”)
Jerry Crasnick @jcrasnick 4m4 minutes ago
Just to clarify, #SFGiants and #Nationals aren’t the only teams in on Melancon. But it appears he could be first big reliever off the board.
Jerry Crasnick @jcrasnick 35m35 minutes ago
#SFGiants focusing on closer while #Nationals are talking McCutchen and Sale as well. Giants might be better poised to strike with Melancon.
Where are you on Jansen?
Does sticking it too the Dodgers count for anything?
Would the Dodgers sign Melancon if Giants signed Jansen, pick up draft pick and rub hands together like a villain in Scooby-do?
You do NOT send the Fodgers your first rounder. Though he is the most effective closer on the market.
Dodgers don’t get the Giants 1st rounder. They just forfeit it.
I’ve been pro-Melancon from the beginning. I leaned towards Jansen for a day or two (Lefty and dgg will hold me accountable), but came back on Melancon primarily because of the heart issue and Giants have had pretty good success with ground balls. He’s also only given up 11 HRs in the last 4 years (Jansen 21).
I don’t think the Dodgers can afford Jansen, because of their financial issues.
I think the Dodgers realistically can spend about 50 or so million dollars in AAV to address closer, 3b, starter? additional reliever?
that’s my read on the sitch.
OK…checked out your spreadsheet and it seems legit. 🙂
oh yeah, they need a second baseman too.
at any rate, Bobby Evans needs to operate as if the Dodgers are going to be strong next year – and beyond.
Sign Melancon to either 3/$45 mil or 4/60.
sounds like the latter is what he’ll get.
I like Melancon better than either Jansen or Chapman because he has the best WPA of any reliever in baseball the last 4 years (13.25). Only Britton is even close.
Britton is clearly the best reliever in baseball – ERA of about half a run.
Wade Davis was the best, until Britton pushed him aside. Jansen was right there in that discussion and so was Chapman and his high velocity circus act.
Melancon has been Mr. Reliable, quietly just getting the job done and he deserves to get paid.
Who will have the best WPA over the next 4 years? Maybe the next two years is what matters most.
Jansen is not leaving the Dodgers, they showed a lot of faith in him in his development and stuck with him through thick and thin. I think he stays.
That’s what I’ve thought. But I don’t know anything anymore.
Funny…
Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater 11m11 minutes ago
Steve Kerr on Charles Barkley comments: “It’s getting to the point if our team walked in front of his house, he’d yell ‘Get off my lawn!'”
Excellent!! Just sack, baby!!
Ian Rapoport @PepeinVegas 33m33 minutes ago
BREAKING: Aldon Smith has been reinstated to play by the NFL per sources.
Fake account, listening to Papa on radio , nothing on Aldon Smith ., nothing on my twitter about it I follow a lot of NFL people .
Just checked that twitter , it is a Fake !
That’s good, because the Raiders lost D.J. Hayden for the season.
It’s fake account, no news on Aldon Smith yet .
Losing Hayden isn’t fake though.
He is bad , been a bust anyway , yes on IR out for the year .
A’s have found stadium religion…
John Shea @JohnSheaHey 23s24 seconds ago
(A’s New President) “A new ballpark will allow for most competitive level of play on the field.We are laser-focused on making that happen as quickly as we can.”
Awww… What will A’s fans do without chain link fences and backed-up sewers?
I think the inferiority complex will continue. It’s a DNA thing.
Reduce the size of their bucket list?
Will it be the house that Matt Joyce built (having just signed him for like 2 years/12 mil)?
Amen!! Sing it with the choir!!!
I’ve always wondered how you focus a laser.
Pitchers and catchers report in 73 days!
that’s like two and one third months!
doable.
Larry the Entrepreneur Baer
http://www.7×7.com/plans-for-sf-giants-mission-rock-development-project-revealed-2122467108.html
* Nats acquire Derek Norris
* Number of drug tests, including blood draws for HGH, will rise, in season and off-season.
Stimulant penalties rising.
* Interesting tidbit in new CBA. Leagues, not managers, will make final All-Star selections.
Should prevent mgrs from rewarding own players.
What is the sound of a Daisy Air Rifle?
Do you still have yours?
I have my Roy Rogers stirrups.
never did as a kid. we have a few now, but I stick with the Ruger .22 long for the squirrels.
check your email
Let it be?
Melancon isn’t signing here:….
https://twitter.com/Mark_Melancon_/status/804424680199159808?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Onward and upward with chicken man, I guess. Strickland better cultivate that spike curve.
my retinas are burning. but hey, his profile says Jesus believer and we all are to some degree, but I think Melancon and Bobby Evans may speak the same language if you catch my drift.
This doesn’t look so good.
Oh, what the heck. This is just a photo of a couple of guys on a boulder beach. What’s an historic baseball rivalry between BFFs? It will bring out the best in both of them.
I agree. Mark is wearing blue. Question is do we get Jansen or do the Doyers?
Does Bam-Bam bring in fellow Curacao native Jansen so they can speak Dutch in the dugout?
Do you believe in miracles, Al?
Kill joy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy6iwP9Ux3A
Kilroy.
https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/522955493774356480/mpdw1kl7_400x400.png
LOL.
what did you think of the book by Krakeur, and the movie as wel? Into the Wild.
I suppose it’s a good book, it just wasn’t for me. I enjoy people and conversation too much. I did my brief stints in a big lonely 30+ years ago. I’ve completely suppressed my Outward Bound gene now.
Agreed. Wandering off into Alaskan wilderness not for everyone.
Grizzle Bears are way big, and completely omnivorous.
Are you able to get on TWG? I haven’t been able to since Friday.
Nope. But I think the Disqus back route works. Did I break the blog?
Bring back more managers like Hal or others who toss the food spread
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kamDqL-AGzI
Melancon is practicing this method
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVK7LJEpcDg
This is Panda Puffs’ guy.
Got some Andres Torres to him.
Hey, Kenley Rae Jansen…call me, maybe?
You would love it here
There’s a real groundswell today. Are you lighting a bonfire?
I vape…no need for fire
I’ve thought about the comic symmetry of that, and how bad LAs infield can be for essential a bad contact pitcher.
The Snakes nontendered Welington Castillo and Rubby de la Rosa.
Budget problems? And Rubby’s arm may have a fork stuck in it.
Interested in “Beef” as a Buster backup?
The Dbacks signed Jeff Mathis. And yeah, poor Rubby seems to be toast.
You’ve always been right about Arizona. They’re a mess.
As you know, I’d really like a veteran backup catcher. Castillo would be just fine.
Castillo burned the Giants a lot last year, so I’d much rather have him on our side! 🙂
Is the new CBA about a thousand pages? There seems to be an endless roll-out of new provisions.
https://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/804801566435897345
Alex, on what changes in the CBA mean for the Giants. He published this about an hour ago. I was waiting for his take. I’m not sure what this punchline to the last item on his list means, but it made me laugh:
— Various improvements to the allowances that players receive, including moving allowances.
Congrats to Mark Melancon.
Well, Melancon will likely be moving, so…
Giants signed Cory Gearrin back for $1.05 million. Really happy to hear this. I was a bit nervous he’d get left out in the numbers game.
Probably means ‘bye-bye’ Sergio, doncha think?
That’s what’s up!
Six nontenders for the Padres, including Tyson Ross, Alexi Amarista, and our old friend Hector Sanchez. Also, they traded Derek Norris to the Nats today for a 19-year-old pitching prospect in A ball.
Tyson Ross surprises me…what am I missing?
Thoracic outlet syndrome…but all in all, the Friars dumped $16 mil in salary with all the nontenders.
More wins for the Giants. Major rebuild, except for keeping Will Myers. Why not go all in?
Does that mean Ross has a big mouth? He’s a purty good SP ne?
STUD
Giants tender all six of their arbitration-eligible players. Way to be, Ehire!
The competition for backup infielder will be fierce! And you know how it goes with Kelby and his options. Adrianza has been very slippery on the waiver wire.
Bullpen will also be fierce. They may have to option a guy just to save a guy like Gearrin without options.
The math still doesn’t add up if they sign a closer:
(Melancon)
Law
Strickland (no options)
Kontos
Gearrin
Smith
Osich or Okert (both have options; one will go to AAA)
Long man
That’s eight. Other than the “O” lefties, Law’s the only guy with options.
8 man pen? I’ve seen it before.
4 OFers and then use Kelby and/or Nunez as emergency – plus Belt.
or maybe somebody has an injury
or option both young lefties
or somebody from pen leaves in a trade.
An 8-man pen made some sense when the rotation was on a day pass from the senior citizens’ home. Now the Giants have four guys who hit 200 innings last year and the guy who led the PCL in innings the last two seasons. If there ever was a rotation that doesn’t call for an eight-man pen, this would be it.
That pretty much sizes up the situation.
Wouldn’t be stunned to see a reliever go in a package for an outfielder.
Somebody’s got an eyeball on Strickland, Osich, and even Okert.
Eyeballs definitely focused on the young Law.
Nats nontendered Ben Revere.
Zactly – put him on the list. Too bad he bats LHH though. He’s a guy that can really get after the ball. I don’t think he has much of an arm, but compared to you-know-who, it’s grades out alright.
at least he will catch the balls hit his way. More than one can say about any Giants outfielder
BTW, tell Mr. L that I said hello and thank you for the not-half-priced, fine whiskey. That was a real nice treat. He’s all class and I would love to hear some tracks from his guitar and vocals 🙂
Will do!
No Long Man.
Piece together those early exits. There’s shouldn’t be too many with this rotation. Doable. There’s guys that can go two innings. Give Kontos 3.
PS – forgot about Suarez. He’s in the mix and should have an option.
The Bochy Dream Bullpen octet
Math doesn’t have to add up till they get out of ST. No need to worry or lose sleep about it. If they accumulate a bunch of pen arms and use some to deal for other talent then so be it. The main problem is finding those 1-2 guys to be the main closer, everyone else will need to fall in place.
I frankly don’t care about the names since I never get attached to anyone. I just care the team plays well. Could be Gearrin, Strickland Law or Manny Moe and Jack, all that matters is the production is there.
Therefore having 8-9-10 pen arms right now means nothing till opening day.
The Pep Boys!
Adrianza gets the award for hanging around the longest while accomplishing the least.
I guess it makes sense to keep him for now. But they have a full 40-man roster. If they sign a free agent, it’s adios to someone.
And I think he gets 900K if on MLB roster. Something tells me you have contributed more to society than this guy. Talk about inequity.
You need to put in an offer for Kap’s little bungalow.
His neighborhood would be my first choice of places to live in San Jose. I’ll check the lotto ticket I bought this week.
Not for me, I went to Oak Grove high in San Jose, and went to Silver Creek high to play sports, and it was not the best area in San Jose .
Kaepernick’s house is in the Silver Creek Valley Country Club. Although Silver Creek HS is close geographically, the country club is its own little gated and patrolled world.
wow finally right about one thing?
Having Ehire on the team for the past couple of seasons is part of the reason the GMen have not won.
Championship should just not have a player with his level of production on a 25 man roster. just should not…..PERIOD.
Oooh! Another season of Ehire arguments from the pro-Ehire and anti-Ehire groups!
Like this line, GG:
“especially if you know that the money Jeffrey Loria receives from the MLB luxury tax does not get re-invested in his team, but instead goes toward his luxury lifestyle of collecting bad contemporary art and buying boats…”.
it’s his money right? So why take it upon yourself to question it or laugh about it?
Not the most exciting day on the hot stove. This deal has yet to come to fruition:
https://twitter.com/JimBowden_ESPN/status/804896411540189184
Check out CSN story on Kerr trying weed for pain relief….and his commentary on athletes -mostly NFL – who should be able to use it for pain relief rather than “legal” narcotics that ruin lives.
I love Steve Kerr.
How about the part where he said it did not help him !
Way to get the point.
Think. He’s saying that if the relatively minor in it’s effect pot can keep people from vicodin and oxicontin addiction then the powers that be should look into allowing that.
Me too. Really appreciated his courage speaking out about the, uhh, you know, that thing that happened last month…
How did that require courage?
I get your point. Different kind of courage but he’s supposed to represent his organization who may hold entirely different views.
Testing…
Hey, we’re back!
Matt Holliday to the Yanks, one year/$13 mil.
A match made in heaven, or perhaps I mean that other place.
What the heck happened? I checked Lefty’s and TF62’s and George’s and Matthew’s twitter accounts over the past two days hoping someone would comment about the TWG blog problem.
It was a long weekend, with no TWG. I think the lesson here is that this site is very important to Giants fans, especially with the winter meetings about to spin up.
I kept wanting to say: Okay, 610nm, maybe the Giants will pull off the Melancon deal before the Winter Meetings!
In some years, the Giants like to swoop in early, and that may be necessary to get a closer like Melancon. But there is a part of me that expects them to get a closer outside the FA lists by trade during these meetings. Or they trade for a new OF, and let the closer emerge from the guys on the 40 man already? They tend to surprise me.
I worry about what a closer via trade would cost the Giants.
I had a bunch of people email me or message me on Twitter but didn’t think to put something on Twitter about it (not that I knew any more than you did, but at least I could have said “Yeah, it’s down for me, too.”). Good idea if there’s a next time.
Thanks, Lefty. I truly didn’t know if the blog was down for everyone. One funny thing. When I finally located @Greek Giant’s Twitter Account (because I thought it was @George), it was actually in Greek! I had to restart my computer to get the Account in English.
thanks for the tip, it’s been all Greek to me too since I checked his twitter.
I was unable to connect, also.
Did you see Ken Rosenthal’s two tweets last night about Melancon:
1) Sources: Melancon has multiple 4-yr, $60M+ offers: #SFGiants, #Nationals, perhaps one other. SF thought to be strongest, as @jcrasnick said.
2) About #SFGiants: Already at $155M+ in luxury-tax payroll for ’17, including arb projections. Melancon would make it $170M+. Threshold $195M.
I hope there’s not a real mystery team.
Ken’s numbers are interesting. That suggests that even if they get Melancon at that price, there would still be room to add a bat(s) if they decide to go that route.
Me, I just want to hear that Melancon’s given us the rose. I was thinking about it: The Giants could have a good bullpen for years if they get a lockdown closer. Everyone else returning to the pen is young, and they can just get keep gaining experience and confidence with a solid closer holding down the ninth inning. Together with the solid rotation, the pitching will clearly be the strength of the team.
I hope Melancon’s the guy. He’s a top tier closer, he’s a good fit, the Giants will get what they need for the ninth inning and in the clubhouse, and Melancon will like being on the Giants and close to home.
They think mystery team is the Marlins
I don’t even know what to say to that. Would Melancon have any interest in the Marlins?
Yes…to drive up the price with the Giants and Nationals. 🙂
Not sure why he hasn’t picked the Giants already, unless they’re hoping for more suitors.
At some point, I would think the Giants say “yes or no” and back up a Brinks truck for Jansen.
As you know, I have concerns about Jansen’s longevity as an elite closer. Melancon is expected to get a 4-year contract. Ryan mentioned that Jansen could get a 5-year contract!
I want Melancon too, but I’d rather have Jansen….then no closer at all.
Oh, the Giants will get a closer. A top tier closer, I hope. Although Evans talked about middle-tier closers in one interview, if the top tier is closed (terrible pun).
I think the Nats really want Melancon back.
Remember the Holland, just in case.
I saw on MLB TV (last night) that 2 guys said they wouldn’t be surprised to see the Giants get Melancon and Holland. I like the way they think!
That would be something – but they’d have to trade somebody to make Holland fit.
First, there is no way in hell Jansen is leaving the Dodgers for the Giants.
Second, I don’t know much about Melancon the person only the pitcher and his stats. Seems he would be the guy we need but in reading more about him, he is deeply religious and family man. At 31 you would think he would want to put himself in position to win it all but maybe he is the type to pick hope and comfort over that. Some may not agree with the notion, but he does have the right to make his choice.
I read they’re trying for all of the “Big Three” closers. They have a good core of position players, but even without the untimely death of Jose Fernandez, they would have had a mediocre rotation. Building a strong bullpen is another way to go–see 2014-15 KC Royals.
I appreciated the L-T payroll bit. My #’s were off, at least I think my #’s were off.
But 60 million sure is a lot of dough!
I’m betting cash he’s in LAs pocket
My Matt Holliday dreams have vanished. All you against it, can now rest easier :-))
There are several guys I never want to see on the Giants. Matt Holliday is one.
Way to kick a dreamer when they’re down 🙂
Speaking of kicking someone when they’re down, you need your memory refreshed. #NeverForget
http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/39049312/v25415817/must-c-collision-holliday-slides-into-scutaro
I remember! That was 4+ years ago and if Holliday would make the Giants better, it’s not wise business to hold a grudge. Obviously the Front Office would have checked with the “inner circle” and that would’ve been enough for me.
He is breaking down every year lately, not a good fit .
Pete Rose? Ty Cobb? Kenesaw Mountain Landis?
Duke Snyder?
Yeah, we brought in Reggie Smith so we can bring in just about anybody. If they can play, they can play for me.
Sorry, Chollie.
It was pretty good idea, I thought.
I have always been in your camp about getting someone so that all the eggs aren’t in the Mac/Park basket.
Hope your weekend has seemed like a holiday.
He could not stay healthy, just like Pence the last couple years, the Giants need to get younger in the Outfield not older .
Do you believe the Fountain of Youth exists?
no
You are a very reasonable man.
Mortimer, we’re back!
I have to confess, the broken blog kept me much more focused on pruning up the fruit trees today.
where was the blog by the way?
in Westworld.
Kaepernick 1-5 for 4 yards and the 49ers lose in especially pathetic fashion. Soon, The Walking Dead and Westworld. It’s a pretty good Sunday.
How do you like Westworld? Is it coherent? Or lots of suspension of disbelief required?
I think it’s a show where you almost need to read the online discussions about it to understand what’s actually happening.
I saw the first episode, so I was intrigued and there were questions.
It’s a good show, so far.
which of the three QB’s had good numbers?
MyGuy™ Matt Barkley did pretty well throwing in a blizzard!
We watched about 20 min of the game before heading to 11 am church. First time all year I’ve turned on a 49ers game…and it was to root for Barkley.
I would like to mention that Chip Kelly coached this game 2 days after his father died. I know you enjoy reveling in failures much more than enjoying successes, so you surely enjoyed today…but perhaps a take a moment for the Coach.
The other relevant news is that the Dodgers and Rich Hill appear to have a deal in place.
So their rotation will be something like:
Kershaw
Maeda
Kazmir
Hill
McCarthy
w/Urias, DeLeon, Stripling, Stewart, Ryu, & Wood among the bodies that could grab a spot in the rotation.
So after Kershaw, it’s hard to say there is a sure fire #2.
So they’ve been saying this on Twitter since yesterday afternoon but still no announcement–I wonder what’s up with that.
They are a the one yard line and just need to draw up the right play?
They don’t have an obvious top 4 as the Giants do, but they get you on sheer depth. That’s what kept them afloat during all the injuries last season.
I guess this is what happens when the Rays guy comes to LA.
I think they sign Turner and Jansen and possibly swing trade for Dozier.
yep, I have a feeling Dozier is a Giant. Nice to have Kiki and Culberson on the bench to back him up.
Since I couldn’t post on the blog yesterday, we drove to Sacramento to see “Manchester by the Sea” at the historic Tower Theatre. Wow, amazing film. Sure Oscar nom for Casey Affleck and likely for Michelle Williams (supporting). Also maybe a supporting nod for the kid who plays Casey’s teenage nephew.
(OK, we would have gone even if the blog had been working. We love movies!)
It’s Casey’s time to outshine his brother – wife thinks Ben is a douche, and I have the agree (that whole nanny bit especially). But that movie does look good, nice change of pace from other stuff out there.
I read that Matt Damon was originally going to direct the film and play the lead. He may have handed the Oscar to Casey. I think Damon would have been good in the role, too, but Casey was amazing.
Matt has enough exposure already.
$9 billion spent to rescue Matt Damon, between “Saving Private Ryan” and “The Martian.”
Since I couldn’t post on the blog yesterday, I went out and solved all the world’s major problems. Well not really, I just chilled. But thanks for the cinema tip.
I got so bored for a time, I was trolling white supremacist at The Atlantic. I’m ashamed.
Great news from Austria today. An Independent Lefty just defeated a White Supremacist Trumpy for President of Austria. Most all the polls predicted wrongly. And the Independent Lefty didn’t run an appeasement campaign, and still won decisively.
http://www.vox.com/world/2016/12/4/13833796/austria-presidential-election-2016-hofer-van-der-bellen
The North Dakota pipeline route is being redone as well.
Have you seen Arrival?
Yes, we saw it last weekend.
Like it? I’ve never seen a SciFi movie built around linguistically driven evolution.
See it. It’s worth the price of admission.
I have to admit that I don’t care for SciFi and I only saw it for the linguistics piece. And that was interesting. Some of it was very cutting-edge as to linguistics research (the ability to use computing to figure out languages in the field) and some was pretty far-fetched.
I also found it a bit ponderous in the middle and was a bit troubled by the ethical question raised at the end. But I’m still glad I saw it.
(I kept thinking about the Matt Damon line in “The Martian”: “I’m gonna science the s**t out of it.” Well, Amy “linguistics-ed” the s**t out of it!)
Talk in tongues, so to speak.
hi doc..we just got back from seeing “manchester”. good flick, with some excellent acting. nice to see a film that doesn’t need CGI , and explosions, and such. just a good, realistic story, and character driven. we both liked it.
Yep, it’s my kind of movie. Glad you liked it, too.
I’ll assume the blog didn’t magically fix itself, so thanks Greek Giant for getting under the hood and replacing that belt. And thanks for keeping this space running like you do. We had a little taste of life without TWG, and it wasn’t cool, the Giants could have signed Melancon and there wouldn’t have been anybody around to high-five.
Now I can pee. I was holding out in protest of blog absence. It’s been a log day, back in a minute.
I damn near called T-Mobile because I thought my phone was acting up
As usual the Giants sit back and wait while everyone else signs the big guys and we get the rubbish
I really think Evans gets too much credit for his overall job performance. I truth he has been more reactionary other proactive. Sure he remade the starting rotation, but he was absolutely more reactive than proactive. Most baseball people saw the holes in the Giants rotation going into the season and still the team kept shoving Cain and Peavy down out throat. The hot streak before the ASB masked the actual issue and only till they got desperate did the team make the move for Moore and insert Blach.
His failure to be more aggressive cost the Duffy their guy. If they had moved earlier in the season they may have been able to get another pitcher, sure perhaps not Moore level, but good enough to help out and have perhaps avoided the sinkhole that caused Evans to get off his ass.
I think you have no clue, Evans is the guy getting younger , and Bochy and Sabean are the guy’s sticking with the veterans and the long time Giants to long .
whatever dude, it’s your opinion.
How so then smartass? Seems Sabean and Bochy did pretty well with that formula for three rings, if it is a fourmula.
So the Casilla thing was all Bochy and Sabean in your mind but the trades were all Evans? He only gets credit for the good stuff in your head but the failures fall on on Skip? Really don’t think that’s how it works. Did you ever think that Bochy had to use who he had because Evan’s actually failed to get off his ass and make the one move he really needed to make this past mid season when it became obvious the pen needed help and fast.
Bochy is over the hill, he panicked in that last game, never giving his pitchers a chance to get in a grove, after the night before those same pitchers got the job done .
Bingo
He signed Cueto and Samardzija for $220 mil. total. That’s pretty proactive. Did you think he was going to sign THREE free-agent pitchers last winter? He did a fantastic job getting Moore–so far all he gave up was three injured guys for a stud lefty in his prime signed to a team-friendly deal for the next three years.
I think he did great with the rotation. He got those two guys for basically what the Snakes paid Greinke, and then he got Moore. I get your point about Peavy and Cain, but remember Peavy had an excellent second half of 2015 after coming back from his injury (8-2, 3.31, 1.045 WHIP in 15 starts/89 innings). It didn’t seem ridiculous to think Peavy could be a decent #4 if healthy.
Now Cain’s a different story. I thought it was awful that they just handed the fifth starter job to him and didn’t even let Heston (who won 12 games for them in 2015) or Blackburn (who won the PCL ERA title in 2015) have a shot at it. (That was before Blach or Stratton or Albert Suarez emerged as fifth-starter alternatives.) But I don’t know how much influence Bobby had over that decision. I get that it’s awkward and complicated. But I bet it doesn’t happen again this season. Bobby’s made too many comments about “blocking young players,” and Blach has earned the opportunity.
Sure he deserves a little credit, but lets not get carried away. His lack of planning put the Giants in a difficult position out of the gate. Many here pointed out as far as ST that the Giants needed another starter and closer from the jump of the season.
And about spending the $$$ on Cueto and Shark, I’ve posted ad nauseam, with many writers national writers pointed out the same, the fact that a trained monkey could have done that. All they did was open up the check book and started with Greinke, then Lester on down the line till the next two guys said yes. Not much strategy there. They HAD to buy pitching due to their inability to produce top tier quality arms, their system is made up of a bunch of mediocre #5 types.
I really think that’s it’s too early in the tenure of Bobby Evans to decide if he’s a great GM, or a really great GM.
We got Johnnie last season, Slikk!
Good point there
Did I miss the signing of one of the top 3 closers?
In addition to rebuilding the rotation last yr, he was very aggressive early with Pablo then Lester the year before.Very aggressive at the deadlines trying to make deals. If anything, he’s been lucky some of these guys went elsewhere.
You can go after anyone you want to actually getting them is a totally different story
You said they are sitting back…I don’t think you have a clue
Hi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8JtahjTXDw
Now you’ve gone and brought up Jeff Healey. I miss his touch and hand on those strings.
An aggressive blues player. A lot of passion running through those fingers.
Any Healey is good music. I love the dirt and the byte in his style and his vocals blend well with his blues style.
Giants have a 1-year deal with Casey McGehee 😉
https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/805226763991339008
Hahahahahaha
The exact spirit it was meant in!
TO just fainted.
Made ya look.
Some grist getting ground…
Rockies may be in play for Mark Trumbo – some source backs this up.
If they’re checking on Trumbo, could they be making offer on Encarnacion as well?
Both of these guys are potentially 50+ bombers in Denver. Would that potential intrigue the players as well? Rockies are by no means favorites to get in the playoffs, but they have no shortage of talent.
They have to give up the 11th pick for trumbo.
What do you think..worth it?
That’s like the worst position to sign a FA from. Good thing they are doing away with this penalty.
It’s a big Denver splash and I think it could happen, Trumbo plays 1B better than OF.
Informed speculation to take or leave:
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/210227756/who-will-sign-be-traded-at-winter-meetings/
Buster Olney says the Dodgers are shopping Kazmir, McCarthy, maybe “others” to clear 40-man spots.
https://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/status/805618672211464192
Hopefully no one helps them out, let them be stuck with kazmir and McCarthy.
If the Dodgers are shopping their broken-down, overpaid extra parts because the starting pitching market is so bad, I hope Bobby’s out there reminding everyone that we have young, healthy, major-league-ready, cheap starting pitching for sale.
I’m beginning to feel that the anxiousness I experience during the MLB Winter Meetings…has replaced what Christmas used to feel like when I was a little kid! Come on Santa, bring me that closer I asked for! 🙂
http://www.carolinaplotthound.com/photos/ralphie-shoot-eye-out.jpg
They have made their offer and I’d guess it’s a very generous one. It’s up to MM. Maybe SF isn’t his kind of town.
Wha’ happened? I demand an explanation!
Intelligence sources say a subversive Dodger splinter group cut one of the main wires.
Ducking Fodgers!!!
Exactly
Yep, hacked by some Dodgers operatives.
“TogetherWereGiants” was already patented by Baer
You might recall that when I did my guest post a couple months ago, I quoted lyrics from Mr. Lefty’s new song, “Strong Cup of Joe.” The album is (finally) finished, and I THINK I figured out how to put the music into Dropbox and get a share link. Hope it works, and if it does, hope you enjoy the song!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0j2kxdsnuyc4sx9/Strong%20Cup%20of%20Joe.mp3?dl=0
Great job, Mr. Lefty. Nice composition, solid vocals, excellent songwriting. I dig the guitar riff too!
I will pass that along! Thanks.
kudos to sr. southpaw!! what a catch little ditty..better than 90% of the crap that passes for music today. i know..get off my lawn!! but really, i liked it a lot
Thanks, Steve! I’m biased, but I think he’s a great singer and a very good songwriter.
Interesting southern country style. I like the chorus it speaks to a night out. The recordings voice and some of the rythm reminds a bit of the early outlaws while the intro kinda deadheadish at first. Was there a bass guitar in it? The recording was more tinny than a deeper richness of more bass and not just the lack of hearing a bass guitar.
I like your review. this must be Mr. L’s strat.
I had some excellent sessions this weekend on my ’62 re-issue. I prefer the neck position on my pickups with reverb high and a varying amount of delay. Played it mostly clean, but sometimes just add gain through the amp.
He didn’t play electric guitar on this. Two guitarists from the band (a father and son) did the guitars. A different guy played bass. Mr. L played some acoustic on some tracks, but mostly he just did the vocals.
I think no less of Mr. L. Even Bob Dylan had session guitarists play fills and leads.
It’s probably just the Dropbox interface. It was a full band and it’s pretty well produced.
That could be. I am not much a fan of downloaded music. The compression they do loses all kinds of highs and lows. I prefer vinyl and have several half speed masters that are awesome. I refuse to ever buy downloadable music and will order a CD. The problem though is most of the laptops these days do not even have a CD. Thank goodness for a solid tower.
Very nice!
JStreet and Diane have remixed it already 🙂
Giants players all cleaned up for Joe Panik’s wedding yesterday. [NO, EFRAIN, I’M NOT A CREEPY STALKER. THIS ARTICLE IS ON MLB.COM.]
I obviously recognize Panik, Pence, Crawford, and Andrew Susac next to Panik (looks like he was in the wedding–they came up through the minors together). That’s Gary Brown next to Crawford on the end. And Matt Duffy next to Susac. The other two guys? Don’t know. Joe’s brother and father, maybe?
http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2016/12/04/210224602/photo-giants-players-celebrate-at-joe-paniks-wedding
Very cool and congrats to young Mr. and Mrs. Panik, but I was somewhat perplexed to not to have seen anything about the Pence-Cozmoleonidasalcibiades(?) marriage. They’ve been very internet generous in the past. Like they’re maintaining strict digital silence
I was a bit surprised by that, too. My guess is they’ll do some big video compilation on Lexi’s Youtube in due time. They’re probably just picking their spot.
Such cute kids. I’m guessing he doesn’t want to look too dreamy, but it would be nice if Crawford trimmed it up a bit.
Hah! Lol, good call.
God I’m terrible at this stuff; I didn’t even recognize Pence out of uniform. Crawford needs a haircut though, he looks ridiculous, IMO, he’s going to show up in the spring looking like Cueto no doubt.
You are correct Crawford looks so damn ridiculous about the head! Cut that crap already so greasy and heavy.
Hair is overated anyway, right? 🙂
No Span lol!
He’s smarter. He’s in the Bahamas with his newest honey.
He needs to be in Surprise Arizona working on his stroke from the left side there
Effie is just jealous.
What say they save some ducats for next year to bring across the drink some Shohei Otani. (The Show Hey Kid?) 1.86 ERA, 11.2 K/9, 3.87 K/BB rate that hit .322/.416/.588 with 22 jacks! Too bad he can’t be posted this year, he’d fill two glaring needs.
Get it done!
This guy is going to break all sorts of records for 1st MLB contract. 200 mil?
It’s 6:00 am here PST. Scout posted “testing ” 20 hours ago which means the forum returned at 10:00 am Sunday. Lefty made the first real post 14 hours ago or 4:00 pm. Who says the NFL ratings are down? A six hours gap exactly matching the NFL games, hmmm, I wonder what people were doing.
I checked a few times yesterday, don’t think it was back until later in the afternoon.
Sgbssfg is right. It wasn’t really back when I “tested” the system. I came in through the bathroom window, protected by a silver spoon…
I was able to enter the blog through disqus. Anti-Lasorda did the same and had asked if my blog was broken too. My response to him and Oracle were posted right away, as was my “test”.
The main site was not sending information back, whatever that means, my computer tech knowledge is very limited. It’s all a bunch of electrons to me.
I thought about trying to enter the blog through Disqus. Then I wasn’t sure how. Very, very smart Scout Ryan.
All I wanted to find out: was the blog was really down, or was there something going on with my connection? I finally decided it was the website.
That Beatles riff was for you 🙂
Congratulations! We’ve made it to the winter meetings. There’s bound to be a flurry of activity. It will be impossible to keep up.
The soundtrack for Bobby Evans and his colleagues in the industry:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoHECVnQC7A
First salvo of the day:
Blue Jays to sign 1B/DH/utility Steve Pearce for 2 years, 12.5 mil – per K.R.
My apologies for the downtime TWG fans. There were some serious glitches in the proverbial Matrix. Servers were upgraded, machinery revolted, architects and oracles were battling agents left, right and center!
It was a LONG weekend with no TWG – a sure sign we are all EXTREMELY appreciative of your efforts giving us this space to natter on about the Giants. Glad you got the problems ironed out in time for the winter meetings!
Whatever it is that we’re paying you, it isn’t enough.
I say we double it!
GG has A LOT of leverage right now!
Funny stuff, but in all seriousness, we can make a contribution by sending a guest post to GG to help get through the winter – I’ve been thinking about one from me, and after the new year, should have time to try to write it.
Just blame it on Casilla. Everyone else does.
No problem at all GG i thought you may have blocked me somehow because of my argumentative ways! I stood in the corner with my dunce hat on for several hours and now im rehabilitated to the fullest. You take all the time you need youre doing this on your time who are we to get besides ourselves.
Today’s Word goes out for my pal Alvise in Venice:
campanology
kam-puh-NOL-uh-jee
noun
1. the principles or art of making bells, bell ringing, etc.
The Late Latin noun campāna (plural campānae) meant “bell,” so called because bells were made in Campania (which means “wide, level plain”), whose chief city has always been Naples. About 400 A.D. St. Paulinus of Nola (c354–c431), bishop of Nola, commissioned a large bell to be cast to summon Christians to worship. The Italian word for bell is campana, which has the derivatives campanile, the distinctive bell tower of an Italian church (as opposed to a steeple) and campanilismo, local rivalry, usually petty, sometimes fierce. The word entered English in the 1820s in the sense “the art of bell ringing.”
How about this guy? A Greek Dodger?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Campanis
As for Alvise, I forgot to ask Lefty what she really knew or what there is to know. “Alvise” either flew off the handle or was always “someone else”. It was strange.
Didn’t Alvise kinda blow his top about the election results? That’s really beyond the scope of this blog, so I hope he returns at the time of spring training, along with LongJohnSilver and GiantsFanInItaly and Prime Time Donna and JDforSF and Stickman and the haiku guy…
You’re making me blue remembering all the good folks we’ve lost.
Yea, verily, we’ve seen an interesting collection of posters here, and I’ve learned something interesting from all who are still here, and those who’ve gone on to better (?) things.
If only Vegas Giants Fan would come back. Just a real nice guy.
I think both LJS and Alvise were creations of someone else. I can’t wait to see what country this year’s fake European comes from.
Señor Petty.
Alvise changing screen names became tiresome.
Interesting tweet from Martie Lurie:
SFG fans anxiously awaiting word on new closer..this might not happen until Jansen and Chapman set the $$ market..Will Jansen go to Marlins?
Reminds me of this time last year when Jordan Zimmermann jumped the market (ahead of Price, Greinke, Cueto) by signing a nice deal with the Tigers. He said he wanted to go to a team that really wants him, not be second choice for someone else after the bigger names sign. There’s something to that–your choices start to narrow every time someone in your bracket signs a deal.
I think Encarcion may be feeling a little squeeze right now.
To your point, Bobby should be showering Melancon with love.
Just saw this Ken Rosenthal piece on EE: http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/whats-happened-to-the-market-for-edwin-encarnacion-120516
Too bad he’s not a LFer 🙂
Not at 5/80. Don’t see how they can in a bidding war.
Heyman suggests that if the Giants don’t get Melancon, they’ll turn to Greg Holland as a cheaper alternative. (Not sure why he thinks they’d just drop out of the hunt for Jansen or Chapman. They’re supposedly in on all three.).
Unless Holland is REALLY cheap, I might rather spend the money on a bat if it goes that way. The Giants need a turn-key, move-in ready closer, not a fixer-upper who might not be back to his old self (if he ever is) for another year. If they can’t get that, maybe they should try to improve the team in other ways. As has been pointed out, when bullpens constantly have to protect only one-run leads, that opens the door to more frequent failure. More offense could make the bullpen “better.”
Scout Heyman tends to have too many things to keep track of.
Yeah, he’s got an active mind.
Isn’t Holland a 2X TJ?
Radio guy from Denver posted this. Brisbee re-tweeted and offered free grains of salt.
I’m told premier closer Mark Melancon is wrapping up negotiations with @sfgiants. Expect an announcement in next day or two #SFGiants
Please, let it be true. That would be so great.
I concur. I think it will happen.
that’l be an early Christmas present for dgg!
Following this for sure
Follow-up tweet from Brisbee:
Never forget that the Hunter Pence trade was broke by local TV guy who drops one or two aggressively correct scoops every year.
Joe Schmoe of MyGuy™News is reporting that Melancon is requiring that former Pirate teamate and Giant Chris Stewart come with him. That solves the back-up catcher question too.
Facebook® is reporting this … It must be true.
Fake News Facebook?
Gosh, I wish that WERE true. The Giants could use a veteran backup, Stewart wouldn’t be expensive, and I thought he was great when he was here. He’s exactly what they need right now. Could even reunite with his fellow 2011 backup, Eli Whiteside.
I wish it were true too. I’ve always like Chris Stewart and Eli Whiteside after their many contributions in 2011.
Next day or two? That’s way too long!
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/mlb/san-francisco-giants/article118964043.html
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