photo by Kelley L Cox / USA TODAY Sports
by
Greek Giant
Jae Gyun Hwang made an auspicious debut in the Major Leagues with a soaring solo home run that proved to be the difference in the game as the Giants swept their first series of the year by beating the Rox 5-3. Mr. Hwang’s blast was warmly received by the Giants faithful on a beautiful afternoon at Willie Mays Field. Todd Hundley hit a huge 2-run homer and the Ty Blach was steady enough to keep the game close for the Giants sluggers.
Nolan Arenado made one of the greatest plays you will ever see a baseball player make.
Bruce Bochy taunted the Rockies with a specially-made AAA line up whose missing regulars included Buster Posey, Hunter Pence, Denard Span, and Brandon Crawford.
Only 21 more wins a row to get to .500!
in
-Here, use one of mine.
does it smell like teen spirit?
I don’t know, but it feels a lot better than it did last week. I don’t care if the Rockies are slumping. They’re a good team and we swept them. Furthermore, we played winning baseball in all three games. Stay focused, keep the line moving–do your job–and we can win six of these nine pre ASB. That would be a big step forward in this season.
A.P. implied that the team was pissed that a pitcher who was throwing hurt (Melancon) got ripped in the press.
http://www.csnbayarea.com/giants/giants-notes-melancon-gets-injection-kontos-gets-bat
Good read. Thanks for the link, bro.
Just watch the dugout. What my wife and I have noticed over the last few years is the lack of enthusiasm in the dugout. Almost high-fiving by rote. Yes winning gets you going but with the younger blood in the dugout it feels like these guys like each other more. Time will tell.
They were super pumped for Hwang. You could see clearly how every player was smiling and high-fiving him. I loved it!
Congrats to a fine start in MyGuyScouting™
Hwang … doobieibood, Foots, Moose, Noce, Sgbssfg, stevek
His baseline is wRC+ 100 at AA so if he can stick at the MLB for 50 PA’s he gets a 65% bonus.
What bonus % do I get for Slania eating from the clubhouse spread?
Slania is supposed to slip you a free sandwich.
It better be a nice piece of prime rib on a warm brioche.
I’d prefer a MyGuy participation trophy
Yeah, 610nm has your Bonus for you.
Did you see his nuts schedule yesterday? (A.P.):
— Dan Slania woke up a 4:30, drove to Philadelphia, and boarded a flight that was went down through Nashville to fuel up. He arrived in San Francisco in time for the second inning. And then he watched, met with old teammates, showered … and prepared to fly all the way back to Pennsylvania.
“I’m going to pass out as soon as I get on the plane,” Slania said.
He wasn’t complaining at all. The Giants needed a potential innings-eater with Melancon on the DL, and if Slania is sent back down before Friday’s game, he’ll at least be back near Double-A Richmond and the flight back will have been taken on a chartered jet with a bunch of former teammates. Plus he gets a couple of service days.
“I can tell you it’s well worth it,” Bochy said.
That doesn’t make any sense. I don’t see why they just didn’t have Slania meet them in Pittsburgh.
Nope. But as Bochy says, Slania probably didn’t mind. His first time in the Bigs.
Tip of the cap to the Hwang believers. Great introduction yesterday! I’ve listened to the Korean HR highlight about six times. Love their excitement and passion. There’s a Korean “wow!” moment in there that makes me smile every time I hear it. What a great story. I hope this kid makes it–with us!
Thanks to 22’sSweetSwing database we will all get a snapshot of how we are doing in MyGuy™ at the All-Star Break. That means that on July 9 I will send him the numbers from FanGraphs® of each guys wRC+; he plugs it in the MyGuyFormula™ and it spits out a standing for us. Depending on our work-family schedules we might have something to talk about over the ASB besides how Posey will do in the game.
I have two players that have not even played: Duggar [first game last night] and Agosta [Single A starter that got TJ surgery and promises me he will be pitching in July.] That means I get two last place scores but I am set for the second half run.
If they get it under 10 games back of the WC by the break, I’ll take a hit of whatever Joe and Hoona are smoking.
Spirited series hopefully they can ride this wave on the road. Cueto should be set now for one of his gems.
Baggarly’s predictions on who will be traded and who won’t.
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/06/29/with-the-trade-deadline-a-month-away-who-will-giants-look-to-deal/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#link_time=1498732762
As Baggarly says (agreeing with a very wise man), trading Bumgarner might be the smartest move they could make, but I doubt they will make the smartest move.
I knew you’d like that. Baggs keeps raising the trust issue after the dirt bike incident, and I guess I can see that. On the other hand, Bum might be the LEAST likely to do something stupid in the future, having torched his season and risking a bright financial future for one day of risky fun.
I thought his comments about Belt being polarizing in the organization were interesting, too. I’ve always sensed that, and I wondered how the discussion went when they decided to give him the pricey extension.
I would be stunned to see Bumgarner traded, but I wouldn’t be stunned at all if Belt got traded. Chris Shaw’s knocking on the door, and Hwang and Jones can play 1B, too.
Belt contract remains the issue.
For ex, here’s a guy the Yanks are rumored to be more interested in. Making the min, no FA till 2021.
costhttp://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bourju01.shtml
This article makes me think Bob’s days as a Giant are definitely numbered. Hope he goes somewhere and puts up Duvall #s.
Hope he brings back a really good prospect or two that put up really good numbers in SF.
I think so, too, and Baggarly didn’t even mention the friction with Posey. If Posey doesn’t like him, that could decide it. Shouldn’t decide it, but it could.
If they ever made a decision to trade Bumgarner, I don’t think the fact that he rode a dirt bike should have anything to do with it. I think he can be trusted not to do that again. It should be based solely on cost vs. benefit.
Baggarly also mentioned the cautionary tales of Lincecum and Cain, guys who were young studs that piled a lot of innings on when they were still cheap and got rewarded for being franchise heroes. Much as they love Bumgarner, and dirt bike notwithstanding, they absolutely SHOULD love him, they may have some concerns about overpaying for his declining years.
Cold, hard facts, as they say in some beer commercial…
Baggs is good. Not as good as Alex Pavlovich. That was doubly proved when Baggs had the Merc gig, then went to Comcast but could not keep the job and now Alex is pretty much the man. Baggs is a great writer of books however. Marcus Thompson II is another good writer but since he’s from San Jose and has issues in his life with BLM, you are not a fan.
Baggs is a far superior reporter to Pavolich. Alex is a company man who is unwilling to identify problems that at times need to be identified. I’m not saying he’s bad at his job, he’s perfectly fine, but Baggarly is far superior. Your (and many others) dislike of Baggarly clouds judgment because he gets tabbed a “gossip” columnist or a “malcontent” for his rubbing the Giants organization the wrong way at times.
Both can be true. He’s a good reporter and writer and sometimes he’s gossipy to the point of being borderline malicious. I think he’s very, very talented. I also think he believes that, too.
Oh great – now we have to debate beat writers, as well as baseball players. (I know you didn’t start this.)
I won’t continue any more after this post. I just think it’s disingenuous when people state Pavolich is better than Baggarly. Again, Baggarly has a knack for rubbing many people the wrong way, but he is far more talented than Pavolich. And it’s not even close.
And you just kept it going!
Yes, Lefty, 100% agree. Carl Steward might be the best baseball writer, but Baggarly has the best journalistic chops, while Pavlovic has the modern blog-compatible style. Having all three is a delight.
THAT’S THE POINT!!!
I don’t think so…
Any other random thoughts?
Wasn’t random unless you wish to explain this?
http://www.sanjoseinside.com/2017/05/16/op-ed-perverse-justice-system-requires-antolin-garcia-torres-to-sing-like-a-bird-or-fry-like-one/#comment-1642936
Fascinating. I’m very curious, and this is a serious question: What was your point in linking that, assuming you had one?
May I approach the bench your Honor?
Well, you asked if I had any other random thoughts thus I thought that left it open + you’ve signed on as Peter Malloy before on Giants Extra….I was amused that you chose the Perps masturbating moments now in jail as your basis for a future execution feeling…
Good point. I did ask if you had any more random thoughts, and that was very random. Do you have a wall in your room where you tack up printouts of different things I’ve written?
No that would be too archaic – I just have a few favorites of yours that I keep in a folder in my desk top and carry with me at all times just in case.
Who is Alex? I’m a Baggs and Hank man.
Pavs
An excellent breakdown.
It was. Reflected some research and some thought.
I agree that Cueto and Nunez will get traded, though Nunez’s hamstring issues complicate things.
I think I’d add that Belt and Samardzija could very well get traded. Since I don’t believe they’ll trade Bumgarner, those two guys might have the most value on the trade market (unless they want to trade Panik, who’d be desirable for his youth and contract). Trading both those guys, if they can get any kind of return, both brings back prospects and frees up payroll, and with the huge 2018 free agent class looming, freeing up payroll should be a priority.
Besides Gearrin and Kontos being shopped, I could see them shopping Strickland and Law. Law’s having a bad season, but he’s young and cheap and had a very good rookie year. Strickland has a solid major league track record. The Giants aren’t competitive right now and can rebuild their bullpen–they’ve already started with Dyson and bringing up Crick, and there are a couple of other possibilities in AA/AAA. Relievers are the easiest commodity to find or trade for.
I totally agree with Baggarly’s assessment that having a major league caliber centerfielder by 2018 should be their top priority.
Hopefully Cueto can get that done. Stick Clint Frazier in CF, see how that works.
It would be nuts to dump Smarge now that he’s (apparently) figured out how to be a starting pitcher, and in the prime of his career. If they did that, they’d enter 2018 with Bum (hopefully), Moore, Blach + _______ as the rotation. In other words, another written-off season.
Wasn’t Duffy already injured when he got traded?
Yes, he was on the DL–had been for a month.
Not a perfect comparison but maybe trading Nunez not so complicated. Anyway, still a ways off til the deadline to heal up.
Good stuff. Thank you. I like that addition of the bench players such as Hundley to Arizona, Gearing to DC, etc.
Fed-Ex has done a really good job for Sacramento, and there’s still Trevor Brown. They could probably spare Hundley.
Is Brown playing these days?
He is. He started last night and the night before. I think Fed-Ex is the primary catcher, though. Brown is hitting under .150 for the year.
That has crossed my mind too!
Is Fed Ex still over-weight?
He looks like a catcher.
This article certainly makes for a nice discussion on this blog, but honestly, other than the Cueto and Nunez trades, none of the other proposed trades are realistic, nor will returns be worth what they’re giving up.
I hate to say this about Baggarly’s piece, and it’s an interesting breakdown, but it’s more mouse turd for Bochy’s club.
Hard to make this stuff up http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40438207
Wow. Never underestimate the stupidity of some people.
“There was no subtlety when he returned to a raucous Giants dugout. After emerging from the human tunnel of helmet slaps, he leaned against the rail between coach ***Bill Hayes*** and Buster Posey, with a foggy smile on his face. http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/06/28/mic-drop-jae-gyun-hwangs-first-major-league-home-run-lifts-giants-to-series-sweep-of-rockies/
That is the first mention of Coach Billy Hayes I had heard since he and Roberto were dismissed….
Any idea where Roberto Kelly is?
I am guessing he took some time off to get to know his family.
He has five sons, one named Roberto Jr., and five daughters named Charlene, Rhianna, Kennedy, Alexis and Bianca.
Any word on the names of his pets?
Lucky, Rooky, Beisbol, Tater, Butcher Boy and Sparky.
I heard he also has a gerbil named Bruce Bochy.
On loan from Richard Gere
Purdy says Good Bye http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/06/29/purdy-why-im-hitting-the-exit-ramp-on-a-career-thats-been-nothing-but-terrific/
That industry is purging its older “talent” rapidly.
Bud Gerace?
3 folks here got let go…all my age, all at 30+ years…readership has tanked, and their general reputation is extremely low (mostly earned). In general, that industry is toast
I congratulate Mark Purdy for the amazing accomplishment of having decades long writing career but never, in all that time, writing anything that I found particularly interesting or entertaining.
His coverage of the Olympics was decent.
MLB Network’s Village Idiot, aka Eric Byrnes, on High Heat with Mad Dog. Not only does Byrnes act like a teenager, now he has the young hipster haircut. Eric, you’re 41 years old. Stop trying to look like you’re 25. And stop yelling!
He got better back when and then all of the sudden he became the same stumblin’, bumblin’ – Eric.
Obviously they asked him to ratchet up the frat boy stuff when he’s on MLB Central. I guess that plays to the target demographic. For older, serious fans like you and me–and many others here on TWG–a little of that goes a long way.
I saw the skinny jeans he was wearing last night to go with that haircut and I first thought it was Josh Donaldson until I heard him speak. I’m surprised his voice wasn’t constricted given how tight his jeans were.
Men. So catty. Me-ow!
hahahahahah! Excellent! You would think these guys above were a bunch of jealous high schoolers!
Dudes should be jealous of Byrnsie. Former MLBer, and he runs those Ultra-Marathons, so you know he’s got some freakish genes. We’d all love to be a professional athlete in another life. Or a professional something.
I like the way he got paid millions of pesos to play softball in the final year of his A’s contract.
It was more of when I saw him I had to adjust myself because that’s how painful it looked. There are skinny jeans and there are skinny jeans that are spandex style tight. His were the latter.
A year or so ago MLB Network had a commercial about being a good dad and had various analysts interacting with their kids. They showed Byrnes on Facetime with his three kids, and they all yelled back at him, something like this:
“HOW WAS YOUR DAY?”
“GREAT, DAD! WE WENT SWIMMING!”
I thought it was hilarious and showed a good sense of humor on Byrnes’s part. I always appreciate people who can laugh at themselves.
I met him at my old restaurant in NYC and he was actually very low key and I had nice conversations with him on two different occasions.
Nice story, tell it to Reader’s Digest 😉
Snarkyhills?
Call me Dave Mustaine. Owe credit to dementia!
Don’t be putting down no fellow Bruins. Brandon Crawford isn’t pleased either. Our Guy, Byrnsie.
He yells, but the host can’t talk at all. Following the trail blazed by the incompetent Barbara Walters
If you turn the volume up to the Max – the Korean HR call and Flemmings and Kuipers is a tie.
The edge goes to Krukow for predicting Jae-Gyun Hwang would be ‘cheating’ on his front side to clear his hips.
Extra credit for Belts crack on the butt.
https://twitter.com/sung_minkim/status/880182505864744960
http://m.mlb.com/video/v1549747283/?game_pk=491268&partnerId=ed-10537775-55341579
A few days back while in Reno, I had asked the group if I should put $20 down on the Giants losing 100 games. This, of course was after the Giants were swept by the Mets. Well, I did not put any money down. The talent is there, I love my Giants and I just don’t see them losing 100. A lot of if’s for the second 81 games. If they play and pitch like they did in the Rox series, if Bum comes back and pitches like he did before his dirt bike accident and if the young talent continues to adjust to MLB pitching, I can see the Giants going on a serious run to finish at least .500. 51-30 is very doable.
Very happy for Hwang, but MyGuy Slater had probably the best AB yesterday as he worked an 11-pitch AB for a walk.
I was watching that AB when I had to go back to work before it finished … that was fun to watch.
Even the Giants’ Up Moments are Losers: two days off in the next five days. Way to lose the momentum.
Braves have DFA’d Bartolo Colon
Two Slices is gone, huh?
Mets should grab him back. They loved him there.
And NY has better pizza than Atlanta
Than anywhere except maybe Italy!
Or Chicago.
Ughh…Chicago pizza sucks
I concur that Chicago pizza sucks
I found myself disappointed with the pizza in Italy but maybe I just ate at the wrong places
Tokyo, and Japan in general has surprisingly good pizza. Seriously.
I want him. He’s not good anymore, but he’s so much fun. I went to a Giants/Mets game last year just to watch Bartolo bat. It was wonderful.
Designated For Arteriosclerosis?
Bumgarner’s start tonight with the Rivercats is reported to be a sellout.
Wednesday in SJ will be a sell-out too. If I could I would go. What a great chance to see a World Series MVP in a small park like that.
Will be there…looking forward to it
Bummer for me; missed a chance to share a local moment with you.
TWG Report would be appreciated.
I know the BBQ will be great. Hopefully, he’ll be at least as good.
Fresh tacos and a BlueMoon® are not a bad deal either.
Tomorrow night.
Your are the TWG Reporter on Scene
I’ll try to post some pics, but it’s always a hassle as the file size is usually too large for Disqus to handle.
HWANG chose not to do the Full Monty https://twitter.com/sung_minkim/status/880189749473951744
Baez decides yes on the full Monty
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4651628/Javier-Baez-flashes-cameras-ESPN-Body-Issue.html
Oooh, this is cool. Sprint Speed Leaderboard. Of course, Billy Hamilton is first. But the guy that could be playing CF for SF for the next while is 4th.
https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/sprint_speed_leaderboard?year=2017&position=&team=
or tied for 3rd with the guy we just saw with Denver.
I want the Giants to prioritize either developing (Duggar, Reynolds) or trading for a quality young CF. Lorenzo Cain is terrific, but no more 30-something free agent outfielders please. Learn from the Span mistake.
I was referring to Bradley Zimmer and the Beede decision. It could be solved. He was there for the taking. Right from their backyard, highly touted. SMH.
Yes, I know you’ve always felt that way about Zimmer vs Beede. But I’ve been watching Beede pretty carefully since he started his pro career, and I think he’s going to be a very good major league pitcher. The Giants haven’t really developed a homegrown starter since Bumgarner (Blach maybe), and they need those, too, as they’re big-ticket items when you go shopping.
Andrew Suarez is coming along fast, too, and there’s the enigmatic Joan Gregorio.
I think Beede will be a solid mid rotation innings eater. I’m not so sure his results will be much superior to Ty Blach’s also. Between college and the pros, Beede has yet to have a run as a superior, winning pitcher.
Having such an OF void, you’d think they would have leaned heavily towards drafting a CFer rather than the one position which they have an advantage in the free agent market. Oh well.
Again, context is everything. Beede was drafted in the middle of 2014. The Giants had an aging and bad rotation in 2014. They also had Pence in the first year of a 5-year deal (and having an All-Star season) and Pagan and Blanco with 2 1/2 more years to go on their contracts. They’d traded Wheeler years before, Stratton was a bust, and they needed a good pitching prospect. In the same way it made sense in the moment to trade Wheeler and not Gary Brown, it made sense in 2014 to draft Beede instead of an outfielder.
But then they demonstrated their ability to sign pitching over hitting with Cueto AND Samardzija. Anyways, Beede better be good because Zimmer is on his way.
but, now they do have a nice flow of B to C+ OF prospects that should get ample opportunity on a retooling/rebuilding ballclub. Less need to worry about Vets and their contracts blocking the path of the young guys.
Between Slater, Shaw, Reynolds, Duggar, Quinn & Jebavy they should be able to field a homegrown, cheap outfield. Maybe Mac and Park still figure into the picture somehow. Maybe Ryder Jones becomes capable in the OF. Maybe Kelby as well. Maybe Daniel Carbonell resurfaces.
BTW, SJ’s playing right now, and Duggar seems to have found his timing. Reynolds has been named to the Futures Game. Jebavy’s over .300, and The Mighty Quinn will be back in a couple days. All of a sudden, the SJ games are pretty interesting to check in on.
Regarding the OF possibilities, my Raley Field eye test says keep Shaw in LF and put Jones at 1B if they trade Belt. Shaw made a fantastic diving catch down the line and threw a guy out at the plate the last time we were there. He’s supposed to be a below-average 1B, though. Meanwhile, Jones has always been rough around the edges at 3B but ought to be able to handle 1B.
Jones 1B
Panik 2B
Craw SS
Arroyo 3B
Shaw LF
Duggar or Reynolds, CF
Slater RF
Posey C
There’s your homegrown lineup. Bench: Duggar or Reynolds, Tomlinson, Hwang, Quinn, backup C
Love the potential if you let yourself think positive but Slater is the only one close to showing he can stay in the MLB: http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=16153&position=OF. 82 PA’s is becoming more than a SSS.
gonna need about 120 more to really get out of that SSS region.
“SSS” numbers? Not by Giant Standards.
30 AB’s usually is all you get. /S
And if we can find one OFer in either a Cueto or Belt trade that is superior to anything in the system, it won’t be homegrown, but that would really help things along. C’mon Cueto market, heat up.
But trading Belt really does help open up opportunity for guys in the system.
I think Jones should at least get a hit before anyone starts counting on him for the future.
Duggar has two Doubles today.
Ryan Howard has 3 hits, batting .330!
Slater is on line to be one of the OF but he also plays 2B to spot Panik.
Shaw had a great night and maybe gets some September MLB AB’s to test the waters.
If that looks promising then the off season is scouting for your high picks to come and do not go after any FA? Make a bid to re-sign Cueto but not go too high.
I think Shaw is the LF of the future. I think Slater is the RF of the future. Duggar or Reynolds for CF.
Gotta slot in a key trade acquisition into the OF. Just gotta. Preferably CF stud.
Foots is demographic driven
Alex has an article about the Giants’ views of their situation. I thought it was interesting that both Cueto and Nunez have said they’d entertain re-signing with the Giants even if traded.
https://twitter.com/pavlovicnbcs/status/880475288689287168
Neither is going to intentionally diminish his market.
Can the Giants pry Dustin Fowler (and maybe another prospect) from the Yankees for Cueto? He just got called up so he’ll offer some good looks into what might be.
If not Frazier this could be a great get. Almost a 30/30 pace in AAA. Seems very enticing. Probably trumps current SF OF prospect crop.
http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=641583#/career/R/hitting/2017/ALL
13) Dustin Fowler, OF, Grade B-: Age 21, 18th
round pick in 2013, hit .281/.311/.458 with 30 doubles, 15 triples, 12
homers, 25 steals, 22 walks, 86 strikeouts in 541 at-bats in Double-A;
rather under-the-radar nationally in a deep system but has intriguing
tools including 60-grade speed and 50/55 power, 55 throwing arm; can
handle center field; main concern is an aggressive hitting approach that
may hamper his OBP, but he’s still young enough to improve that. ETA
2018. -JS
Here’s another potential OF get from their system:
3) Blake Rutherford, OF, Grade B+: Age
19, first round pick in 2016; hit .351/.415/.570 in 114 at-bats in
rookie ball, 13 walks, 30 strikeouts; was rumored as high as
first-overall but dropped to 18th due to bonus demands and
being a bit older than typical high schooler, plus there was some
prospect fatigue since he had been on the radar for so long; pure hitter
with a good eye, above-average power, polished for his age; arm grades
vary between 45 and 55 depending on source, should be solid defensively
due to instincts but hitting is the main draw; ETA: 2020.
Evans blew it on Gregor Blanco…and he is being reminded today
Double and a triple so far …….Playing cf
Evans and Sabean.
My bad : Evans and Sabean and Baer and Bochy and Johnson and Ball Dudes and …..
Now your just being ridiculous. Everyone knows Ball Dudes have no input on employee affairs.
I think you might not understand the first thing about corporate management.
In honor of Haak Away’s due diligence with his My_Guy gizmo – and the fact that it is a day off I’m venturing for ‘us’ to come up with a lineup of NL or AL opposing players from 2017 season – that we could or like to or like to for a day-week-month to become Giants and don the Uniform. Also one New Skipper from the NL and one from the AL.
PerSpeier35 and Rob Deer can pick an overall winner (free Club View Passes) and and whoever wins I will leave the proper amount of ATT Club View Passes you ask for at Will Call Window.
Peter Johnson and Just Peachy can help break a tie. “-)
No duplicates – No Giants however. No fair leaving out the hated Dodger players or Cardinal players. If somebody is on the DL – that does not rule them out. Pitchers count against the one per team so you cannot have a position player and pitcher from the same team. Also choosing a Manager from one team also effects not choosing a position player or pitcher from the same team.
Others on TWG can use the same names I have or anybody else.
You list the batting order also. Two Starters from the NL and AL and Two guys from the Bullpen.
Here is mine
1) Francisco Lindor SS
2) Christian Yelich LF
3) Nolan Arenado 3B
4) Aaron Judge RF
5) Daniel Murphy 2B
6) Mike Trout CF
7) Anthony Rizzo 1B
8) Yadier Molina
Chris Sale SP
Clayton Kershaw SP
Bullpen
Craig Kimbrel
Kenley Jansen
Skipper
Clint Hurdle
Jeff Banister
1) Bryce Harper, RF
2) Javier Baez, 2B
3) Carlos Correa , SS
4) Nolan Arenado, 3B
5) Mike Trout CF
6) Paul Goldschmitt, 1B
7) Avasail Garcia, LF (can he play there? If Hill can….)
8) Wellington Castillo C
9) Marcus Strohman P (sorry…no LA. Nope. Not gonna happen)
Bullpen: Brandon Kintzler,
Manager: Peter Johnson
(If in an AL park, Aaron Judge, DH)
“Da Rules Boss, Da Rules”
Manager(s) Dos
… and John Myhill
Why the “no Giants” restriction? I take these lists as being like ASG picks. Buster’s the one guy who will go and his numbers are substantially better than Castillo or Molina.
Ask Clutch…I’m just here for the tacos
mmmm tacos
You better have a quality relief manager on the bench to close the games that PJ gets tossed from for yelling at the officiating crews.
The fan who caught Hwang’s HR ball got a Duffy jersey in exchange. Lucky gal.
That’s pretty interesting. It must have come from the Giants org, and might be a kind of recognition that the Duffy trade wasn’t such a hot idea?
I gave away some old couches today, but it wasn’t because I regretted buying new ones.
NBC Bay Area said that they would have given her a signed Hwang jersey, but there was only one and it was the one he was wearing, so they gave her a Duffy jersey instead.
Perhaps a Duffy is what she asked for!
Duvall isn’t just a power bat:
http://m.mlb.com/video/v1549625783/milcin-duvall-nabs-perez-trying-to-extend-a-single/?query=Adam+Duvall
Who is this guy? Where did he come from?
The Oracoe isn’t just a broken record:
Not everyone has your ability to come with fresh perspectives every day, like they never recovered from the emotional impact of the Duffy trade.
Larry Baer wants a word
The Giants outfielders of the future, featuring a couple hypothetical players, ranked:
#1 ??? (next year’s top 5 pick)
#2 Heliot Ramos (20/20 in 2020)
#3 ??? (Johnny Cueto trade bait)
#4 Bryan Reynolds
#5 Chris Shaw
#6 Austin Slater
#7 Steve Duggar
#8 Heath Quinn
#9 Ronnie Jebavy or ??? (some 2018 draft pick)
#10 Bryce Johnson (2017 6th round pick could be the next Duggar/Jebavy)
They’re going to make homegrown outfielders a priority and then it will be a thing.
Who the hell is “???”
He’s the archenemy of “!!!”.
I notice no Mac and no Parker. And I think that’s right.
You know who I forgot? Our Guy, Sandro Fabian. Where to slide him in? 9th, 10th?
Fabian is batting .289 over his last 10 games and .253/.273/.362 with 4 HRs and 4 SBs in A ball at the tender age of 19. The Giants just don’t have a track record of developing the Caribbean players. They don’t spend the money or the time. I suppose it would be safer to bet on the likes of Jebavy and Johnson than the Fabian and Cabrera’s of the world.
I knew that 2 years ago.
I think next years top 5 is a pitcher or a SS. Craw has at tops 3 years at a high level, tops, and he will not be the Giants SS within 5. I don’t think the answer is Arroyo who most likely will get bigger and slower.
Uh oh…. Trea Turner with a broken wrist. The Cubs killed off another player.
Bwahahahaha. Former Giant Jean Machi, now pitching for AAA Tacoma, calls every white teammate “Tyler.”
Meanwhile, NYT baseball writer Tyler Kepner wrote a whole article about the all-Tyler starting lineup. Who was it last year who picked all their MyGuys if they were named Tyler?
https://twitter.com/tylerkepner/status/880409933568774144
My Tyler All Star lineup last year did not result in MyGuy glory … 🙁
No need to read between the lines. Baer makes it pretty clear how this will play out.
”http://www.csnbayarea.com/giants/giants-not-looking-rebuild-rather-reload-2018
….we’ve shown the ability to bounce back fast from tough years. This organization will throw the resources at it to do that.”
Them’s fightin’ words!
I know someone who’s not gonna be too happy….
But, I’m with Larry.
The issue remains on a few of the older fading vets that are owed lots. I don’t see Pence or Span being part of a successful recovery in ’18
I think they recognize that.
Baggs’s article said that Pence and Span should be platooning in a corner OF spot for 2018.
I honestly don’t think they should even do that….
Agree, but they owe those two guys $30 million in 2018. They’re not DFA’ing or benching that.
Baer really does appear a bit delusional, as does Pavlovic. He compares this year’s team to 2008, but that team featured young stars like Lincecum and Cain, who were on the way up, and was soon to add Bumgarner and Posey. Most of the core players on this year’s team are around the age decline becomes more likely than improvement, and we may be seeing it happening already.
Trying to use what the Yankees did last season by trading Miller and Chapman is also quite a stretch. I don’t think the Giants have anyone they’re willing to deal that can measure up to those two.
Those are good points. And yankees still have issues at 1b, 3b and in the SP.
If that’s the way they’re viewing things, I think you’re one of those that’s going to end up being not too happy.
I’m between you and Larry. I think they should see what they can get for Cueto, Samardzija, Nunez, Belt, and a couple of bullpen guys (Kontos, Gearrin, Strickland, or Law) and guys like Parker, Gillaspie, and Williamson. I wish they could trade Melancon, but that’s not possible with his latest injury setback. Wonder if the Nats would like Span back, given the injury to Turner? Nah, prolly not.
Doing that allows them to both restock a bit and to clear some payroll. If Cain, Cueto, Belt, and Samardzija are all gone next year, that makes their payroll $75 million lower. If they could somehow unload Span, that’s another $11 million.
Keep the core pieces–Bum, Posey, Crawford, Panik. Take advantage of the bad year to look at young players and get good draft picks. Hopefully get at least a couple viable prospects from the trades. And shop wisely in 2017 and 2018 with the freed up payroll (Span and Pence are gone after 2018, so that’s another $30 mil.)
I’ve always liked Belt and I hate the idea of trading him. But they do have some up-and-coming guys (Shaw, in particular) who could fill that void. As for Samardzija, he’s a solid contributor and innings-eater, but what they could get back in a trade + more payroll flexibility might be more valuable than his 4-5 ERA and his 25-30 HRs allowed. Cueto and Nunez are obvious trade bait, and as for the bit pieces, whatever. None of them would be missed much, with the exception of Law and Strickland, and it’s easier to find bullpen replacements.
They shouldn’t make any trades just to make trades. And maybe dumping all that salary might get them to the table on the Bryce Harper bidding?
of course they shouldn’t be.
Denying the problems for another season, or at least until next year’s trading deadline, might actually turn out to be helpful for the future. I’m also thinking that Baer may may be a contributor to TWG under the name “Crawfish Joe.”
Ha. That’s awesome. I’ll tell Larry. He’ll get a kick outta that.
I do make fun, but your optimism is admirable.
Once I realized that looking at the Giants losing game after game was now to be taken as a therapeutic session, the winning has created a overly excited hyperbole side effect.
Hate the CSN site. Lemme guess, this is a one-off year and Giants will not tear down to rebuild, but will re-tool and empower with the pieces they have. The team will be competitive and butts will be in the seats.
Another HR for Chris Shaw. That’s 5 in 30 AAA ABs. Pretty good, yes?
Very. I hope we see him before the end of the season.
.276 BA too. Not bad, not bad
Up to .276 after that HR.
Not bad, not bad. Hope we get to see him soon
Good to see him coming around. Maybe he just needed to relaaaaax….
Nice! Outfielder University is accredited and looking for some land grants.
Whoa – major bummer. Just read the crawler that Trea Turner has a fractured wrist after HBP.
Between him and Eaton that’s a lot of get up and go that has left the Nats lineup.
The Cubs broke him. SMH
That’s what the Cubs do.
No kidding. Seems more than co-incidence.
Reading the remarks by Madden about the Posey rule, versus the things Bochy said in response, shows the Cubs are being taught a very old school hard nosed style of play. I’m keeping Bruce for my team!
The Giants could use more hard nosed mentality, that way they wouldn’t appear so milk toast so often.
Things are really opening up for the Dodgers in the NL.
Boo!
Maybe a deep Dodgers run will wake up Larry Baer and the owners from their triple trophy trauma.
Hmm. I have a triple toroidal taunt for that.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/bb24f019c3136a2927cc112202ddb97b4ab3df5df9c5c151afb45f1898afee29.jpg
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/843719d27364ab903b94c01f9843954e15d64670c5d10d985a3c5fc912bb793a.jpg
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1f58b95d29206156e3eb78e4a869fed9341e3c8bfeff856df67096153cc4a396.jpg
Good schtuff!
WHOA ! Shaw has 2 HRs ! Bring him up! Did I say #5 ranked OFer of the future? I meant #1 with a bullet!!!
2019:
1. Duggar CF
2. Slater LF
3. Harper RF
4. Posey C
5. Shaw 1B
6. Arroyo 3B
7. Crawford SS
8. Panik 2B
Is Bumgarner your opening day pitcher?
Traded. They chose between Harper and Bumgarner.
Radical stuff, then. I’m glad you kept Joe on the team.
I’m not so sure Bum is gonna be here either. And I hope they realize that before he walks into the FA market. If they want to lock him down they better get moving early. Or get the best player in baseball not on the Giants like Harper or Trout in return. One has to be very careful not to put all the Bumgarner eggs in one basket.
Harper will become a free agent before the 2019 season, when he’s only 26 years old. That almost never happens. If you’re going to gamble huge money on someone, I’d gamble it on the 26 year old outfielder, not the 29 year old pitcher about to begin his 11th big league season.
The money will be large. And I don’t like the way and aging vet is still owed a mountain of money and their better days are in the dust but the team keeps them because of the investment. Tough racket.
I call it the apocalypse contract. Pay him 500 million dollars backloaded. Who knows if we’ll be here in 10 years or what inflation will look like if we are.
The apocalypse contract. Awesome. Makes sense to me.
Assuming a second term for Trump?
Possibly Pence. Things could get VERY INTERESTING, O.
Yeah, so they’ll probably never have to pay off on the back end of the deal, since the world will be ending. Very shrewd strategy, but Boras will probably negotiate some kind of pre-apocalypse accelerator clause.
That bastard. Ultimately, do you think Trump is just a puppet for deep state military commanders?
I like it. All in all, I like it. I’d go another route, but I’d say Eff it. Let’s score some runs!
Didn’t you get any MLB talent back for Bumgarner?
Younger guys still on the way up. Crawford is slowing down.
Building the farm, I like that. Maybe want to start thinking about drafting his replacement. If the best available talent is the next Corey Seager, you have to take that pick.
What happened to Reynolds? And why is Posey still catching?
Traded. Posey is catching because he’s a catcher. But don’t worry, he’s getting plenty of rest. No longer the incredible iron man he was during the World Series years.
What did we get for Reynolds?
He was part of a deal for a bullpen arm.
sounds good
I doubt Harper would choose SF over better hitter’s parks in NY BSN LA Chi or Tex…
Boras is his agent. $$$ will be the most important consideration.
Would make the Zito overpay pale by comparison.
Of course it could always turn into a disaster, but they’d be paying one of the very best players in the game as he’s about to enter his physical prime.
If you orchestrate landing Harper, I’ll preach from the pulpit at The Church of the Oracle for evermore
I’ll even tithe!
I’m just happy to see no Belt.
Shaw: 3 for 3 with two homers and four RBIs. It’s only the fifth inning.
P Tyrell Jenkins is having a tough year.
It’s 8-8 after 6 innings too.
Just what Matt Moore wants to hear:After today, Andrew McCutchen is 40 for his last 102 (.392 batting average) with 6 doubles, 1 triple, and 7 homers (.676 slugging %).
That’s good to hear about Cutch. Pirates are still in it despite being about 5 games below .500.
Wow, 10 hours ago, the last TWG post (by Crawnik). Must have been an off day, that has to be a postless duration record. I wonder how long it will go.
The Cardinals optioned Aledmys Diaz to AAA. From the all-star team to a minor league tune-up in one year. That all-star spot belonged to Crawford. Baseball karma.
It further proves patience and perspective is needed in analyzing these young players…think about the set-in-stone stardom that we read from a couple of folks here about Schwarber. Think about them also raving about Diaz. Both are in the minors.
Today’s paper says Schwarber is 5 for 15 with the Iowa Cubs (AAA). They’ve had hitting coaches from Chicago over to work with him, etc. so he’s just on a re-education break from the bigs.
This amazes me about Schwarber. Such a fast rise to the Bigs. A guy that seeminly fell out of bed hitting, the World Series miracle, having not played all year, coming to the plate and raking off the best. And now, struggling. Baseball can be cruel, as Giants fans definitely are aware of.
Baseball is life, only on a faster time scale. Imagine what was going on inside Slania’s head, when he was demoted from AAA to AA (that probably was no surprise) and then was sent on a cross-country marathon trip to the SFGs as backup arm following a 14 inning game?
From what I read, Schwarber has the right attitude about adjusting his swing. My Mom is certain he’ll never learn to field a position, however.
…and that is ANOTHER key – he looked like a DH, smelled like a DH, and then stopped hitting like a DH. Had he not been in Chicago, they hype would have been much more appropriate
That was terrible what Terry Collins did to Crawford. Karma bit him in the form of Conor Gillaspie last year and breaking pitchers this year.
Oh man, GSDUBs had spotted a nice Johnny Cueto trade target from the Yankees, and this guy goes down in his first MLB game. Baseball is cruel! Life is cruel even when your own is peachy-keen.
“In terrible news for the Yankees and one of their most promising young talents, the team announced that outfielder Dustin Fowler suffered an open rupture of the patella tendon in his right knee and will undergo surgery tonight in Chicago (Twitter link via MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch).
Fowler, 22, sustained the injury when running full-speed into the right-field retaining wall in an effort to catch a foul ball off the bat of Jose Abreu in the bottom of the first inning (video available at MLB.com). He was carted off the field shortly thereafter.
Yankees fans have been waiting for months to get a look at Fowler following a terrific start to his season in Triple-A. Through 313 Triple-A plate appearances, Fowler hit .293/.329/.542 with 13 homers and 13 stolen bases. Unfortunately, tonight’s injury occurred before Fowler was even able to take his first big league plate appearance.
Eschewing the baseball perspective and viewing the injury through a human element lens, the injury is a terribly saddening occurrence for a 22-year-old that was merely minutes into realizing a lifelong dream. Hopefully, Fowler proves able to make a full recovery and rejoins the Yankees as a part of their future down the road.
From a strictly on-field perspective, New York has the outfield depth to weather the injury, though they’ll be short-handed for awhile with Aaron Hicks on the shelf for upwards of four weeks and Fowler down for the remainder of the season. The Yankees do have another of baseball’s top outfield prospects, Clint Frazier, not far off from Major League readiness in Triple-A, though it’s not clear when he’ll emerge as a candidate for a promotion of his own.” -MLBTR
That other premium Yankee trade target has not quite hit as well as Fowler. But keep an eye on him. And maybe the Yankees could use one of Mac or Park.
http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=640449#/career/R/hitting/2017/ALL
Aren’t the Yanks looking for a 1st baseman?
who can reach that ridiculously close RF wall?
They’re looking for a lotta things. I’m with the Giants and I’m here to help.
how about packaging kelby and melancon to the nats for prospects? their pen is awful, and they’ll need a ss for a few months.,
that was more bad news from yesterday.
Can’t trade Melancon right now. Send them Strickland so he and Bryce can be besties. Dusty can handle it. He had Bonds and Kent.
Doesn’t logic tell us that since Fowler got injured, they would be less likely to move their next-in-line prospect?
logic? we don’t need no stinkin’ logic..
Highly illogical, Captain Steve?
I dig this song, how about you?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh3Kk5tZSmo
just teasing of course, my friend.i do like this, as well as a few of their others,.
ALL of their others, for me. One of my favorite bands. Crime of the Century top 20 on my all-time list.
Take a look at my girlfriend, not much of a girlfriend..
Guess that would explain your post below.
snap!!! good one..
I like Frazier too, but since Fowler got hurt, and it would’ve been a nice trade target involving Cueto, is that the baseball gods telling the Giants, “Um, no”?
Now, that IS sad.
True that. I hate all things Yankees, but that was so sad. The kid sells out to make a play on defense and suffers a year-ending injury.
Giants Future’s Game representative and future center fielder, Bryan Reynolds, finished yesterday’s game 2 for 5 and is now batting .311 on the season. He has a 6 game hit streak going and is batting .337/.360/.547 in June.
Richmond beckons. 2018 MLB debut just beyond the horizon.
Ryan Howard finished game 4 for 5 and is batting .332 for season. He can’t be long for San Jose. But talk about playing in the wrong system. His path to the Bigs seems blocked by downtown infielder traffic.
Would be nice, but let me ask you this.
After not producing a productive (let’s leave Duvall out of this conversation) what do you think the odds are that the Giants produce 2 starting OF in the next few years?
I see many posts on what this team is going to look like in 2018-2019, and while it’s sweet that it’s mostly homegrown, you are assuming Giants picks are just going to make it?
Oracle made the point yesterday that the three championships were built on years of high draft pics (TL, Bum, Posey).
The Giants need star, high impact players to compete and retool. Do you actually think that the Giants have a Bryant, Judge or Seager in the minors. You do realize the Giants have had a bottom 5 farm system for a few years.
Sure the Giants can bring up farm guys to “start” but are they going to be long term solutions? No one in the system is highly rated or guaranteed by the people that study this. Yes, Yes, I know many of you TWG bloggers claim to know more than pros in this field. But then again you also think guys like Kelby and Duffy are saviors and the answer.
LOLZ
If you’d been paying attention, you’d see a litany of outfield prospects that will someday audition for MLB role just as Austin Slater is doing and Mac and Park have done. That doesn’t mean perennial AllStars await. It just means they’ll have guys to put out there that may hit league average or above and not trip over their own feet out there. The Giants are now in a position where they can give some rope to young outfielders. It’s a rebuild, it’s a retool, it’s a reload. It’s whatever. Utes will play. Some utes will stick. See Slater, Austin.
PS- we’re gonna get one of those pearls for Johnny C (fingers crossed). Then maybe another with Top 5 draft pick. And maybe Heliot Ramos fits the bill as a game changing stud.
Have Faith. Trust the process. 🙂
2018 would be a nice surprise. The jump to AA is a slippery one.
I’ve noticed a trend of higher averages in that league. The power #’s get suppressed, but guys are hitting. Duffman hit .320ish. Kelby Tomlinson hit about that in his 2nd tour of duty. Steve Duggar hit .290 for San Jose and .320 for Richmond. Austin Slater and Chris had .290ish averages, IIRC. This year it’s Miguel Gomez hitting .320.
And then when the guys perform there, they don’t seem to stick long. 60-80 games seems to satisfy the Giants AA instructional demands.
Well, Shaw hit just .240 in his first AA tour. His OPS went from .902 at SJ to .722 in RIchmond. Arroyo hit just .274/.689 after a .304/.803 in SJ.
Slater repeated AA. His first 200ab .712 ops ,2nd .902
Shaw was awful his 1st month in Richmond in 2016, but his 2nd month in 2016 was very good, very similar to what he is doing in Sacramento this year, after slow start he is hitting much better now .
Cueto, Moore and Shark: I think we have a good chance for two outta three. Moore is going to have another good road start tomorrow.
Keep showing that top of rotation stuff, Johnny C.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFo8-JqzSCM
Which Matt Moore will show up tomorrow? That is the question …
Each start of his reminds me of that Star Trek episode where a transporter malfunction splits Kirk into two people – one good, one evil. I hope the good Matt Moore is on the hill tomorrow, ‘cuz the bad Matt Moore is scary!!
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7a4af297666d3c68095e7b119ca437ddd8a9dd598225b8a4d2453058d61fc363.jpg
I’m channeling the Matt Moore who pitched in Atlanta Tuesday 6/20. He was stellar, kept us in the game and gave us a chance to win. Which we did. More of that, Matty Mo!
Don’t mess with Evil Spock either.
http://www.sondrakistan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/EvilSpockEyebrow.gif
With Cole pitching, will Bochy break his hr rule and sit Hwang for the struggling Jones?
4th of July caps are predictably awful.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6ad874afb8b2e5573c8336267fd20abadb6bedc9dde0c79f1e48b23074d5802b.jpg
Eh, not so bad. There have been worse.
Wrong color.
can this be incorporated?
https://rlv.zcache.com/flag_of_the_united_states_upside_down_rectangular_sticker-r2bf599fe8529408da8db5c1d722c2dcd_v9wxo_8byvr_324.jpg
ps- love your shrooms, dude. My wife’s aunt sent her inoculated bags of shrooms this spring and they grew great and tasted splendid. I once tried to inoculate some oak logs with plugs, but that did not go so well. Stickin with the bags, Extra Baggs?
Found these beauties growing in my blueberries. They love wood chips and oyster shells.
Butt. Ugly.
I’m not into Giants gear much anymore, but I might spring $125 for this alternate.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a1ee0fd5c7130653d30e50f3b4be09d0535994cd7ca3a0e4d59a46cdbceb7dc2.jpg
Good find.
Boo yeah! Reminds me of the picture of a guy at a Nats game with the #45 on the back and IMPEACH for the player’s name.
Bless his heart, he’s just not well. Not that he ever was. Now, as for those Pence jerseys, what will we do with those?
Trump being removed from office through impeachment is about as likely as the Giants winning the 2017 World Series, but I guess it’s a fantasy baseball jersey.
Liberal Fantasy!
But you still think the guy is mentally fit for the job or we’re just stuck? Go on, stick your neck out there.
He’s not crazy. He’s a thin-skinned, boorish a-hole, but there are a lot of those kind of people who successfully run large organizations. Whether he is ultimately successful from that perspective remains to be seen. But again, he’s only President because the Democrats chose a truly awful candidate of their own. If the Democrats want him removed from office, their best bet is to stow the hysterics, whining and BS allegations and come up with some ideas and candidates that move beyond the platform of “we hate Trump.”
I agree with most of that except for “BS allegations.” His own DOJ appointed a special counsel. That was not the product of Democrats whining or making stuff up. There are serious issues related to Flynn, Manafort, etc. that are being investigated, and I’m not going to be surprised if Flynn and others end up being criminally prosecuted. Whether or not they lead directly to Trump remains to be seen, but clearly some bad stuff happened in our election, and it’s being legitimately investigated by real professionals–this is not just wild Twitter speculation by disgruntled liberals.
As for hysterics and whining, some of it is justified. Those health care bills are a train wreck in every possible way they could be. The vast majority of the American public is deeply opposed to the Senate bill (the polls yesterday were all at 16-17% approval). Resistance and sounding the alarm is appropriate, and, I would argue, a moral imperative. (And I say that as someone whose health care is locked in for life thanks to the State of California.)
But I totally agree with “ideas and candidates that move beyond…”–and I’ll go further. I don’t want to see any of the Old Guard in 2020. Not Biden, not Bernie, not Warren. New, younger leaders with some fresh perspective.
Mueller as a special prosecutor is either already a joke, or more likely the investigation doesn’t even involve Trump. If it did involve potential wrongdoing on Trump’s part, Mueller’s close relationship with Comey would require that he recuse himself.
Trump thinks the investigation involves him. He tweeted about it himself–that he was pissed that Rosenstein appointed Mueller to investigate him for obstruction of justice for firing Comey when Rosenstein advised Trump to fire Comey.
I have no idea what’s going to come of it all, but I hardly think Mueller’s investigation is a joke or the wishful thinking of delusional liberals. It’s a real thing.
The investigation isn’t necessarily a joke, but Mueller heading it, if it involves Trump, would be.
I suspect you’re right that he will have to recuse himself at some point.
Wrong. It has been reported on more than one occasion that there is only a working relationship. They don’t do out-of-work things together and they actually have records on the amount of 1:1 dinners they’ve have…which I think is 1. There is no recusal needed.
The joke is how many parties on both sides loved the selection Mueller (knowing that Comey and he worked together)….and now there’s efforts by Trump’s buddies to smear Mueller.
The point is that if they had a relationship that was close enough to spark a debate about how close it actually was, it becomes a situation where he needs to recuse himself.
When you listen to people in this level of law enforcement being interviewed, they will tell you that getting to the truth is more important than whatever party they may be registered as, political contributions made, etc., etc., etc.
I bring this up…because this too…has been an angle the Trumpeteers have been trying to use to smear what Mueller is doing. The Trumpeteers are also the only ones trying to “spark a debate” about Mueller’s/Comey’s relationship, because they know how good Mueller is at what he does.
People that know about this things…in a legal way…aren’t buying this recusal stuff. The records surrounding their “work only relationship” will only solidify this.
What’s very important is protecting the integrity of the process. Recusal is a common practice with both state and federal judges, as well as with prosecutors. In the highly unlikely event that there really is a criminal case against the President of the United States, it’s even more important that there not be even the appearance of impropriety.
I’m not concerned about impropriety and I don’t believe Mueller is either. If he did, I’m sure he would do exactly what you are suggesting.
Any elected Republican that says as such…after this is all over…is not putting country over party. I also believe the vast majority (on both sides) will stand behind whatever Mueller ends up with.
Don’t worry. Someone out of this group will carry the torch.
https://www.wired.com/story/robert-mueller-special-counsel-investigation-team/?utm_source=pocket&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pockethits
You are 100% correct in your comment about the Democrats and their candidate. They chose to run/back Hillary, because the DNC felt it was her turn. It wasn’t. She was extremely flawed (regardless of experience), because the Clinton family is extremely polarizing. I will leave out any impact the “outside sources” might’ve had on the election, but I think Joe Biden…and perhaps Bernie Sanders…could have won.
The DNC owns at least 50% of our current situation.
As far as the other guy goes, I don’t care how successful he was in the business world (some would argue he hasn’t been and sold his soul to others…in addition to being in huge debt)…he is unfit to represent this country’s highest position. His behavior towards others prompted whatever hate is now bestowed upon him. The allegations aren’t BS. There’s enough smoke and questionable behavior there to warrant a special counsel. He may not ultimately be charged, but anyone thinking that all the non-disclosures of meetings and payments are strictly a coincidence…they’ve bought a bridge or two in their time.
The RNC owns some of this too. Trump is a Republican of convenience. They continue to look the other way at his incompetence, because they’re so fixated on agenda; all of which may not happen because of their own stupidity. It also amazes me that they continue to let Trump’s stench get on Pence, because he…assuming there’s nothing on him…would become the President if Trump is ousted (or likely resigns). They would be smart to cut bait with Trump and try and salvage a somewhat successful term out of all this.
I’m concerned that it seems more important to win and beat liberals than it is to govern.
I think the best campaign the Democrats are capable of putting out there is :
“hey, we’re not Republicans”
Would be nice if they could aim higher.
“Raise taxes to 1960 levels!” is a lousy slogan.
It’s heartening to me to see a few Republican senators say it’s time to work with the Dems and actually come up with a health care solution that will help people. There need to be a lot more of them to make a difference, but that would actually be governing.
I don’t get the Trump success story either. Luxury hotels, golf courses, bankruptcy, branding of cologne and steaks and fraudulent universities? Puh-lease.
Let the flag fly upside down!
Not any more. Uber’s CEO hit the pavement for similar behavior.
So he was the only other one?
Get a grip. You’d get fired for pulling that shite.
BTW, there are professionals that do consider him crazy and would identify his mindset as that of a malignant narcissist. But because of the “Goldwater Rule” they’re not supposed to come out and publicly voice their assessments.
Would a true professional actually make a diagnosis based upon the public pronouncements of a person they’ve never met in a professional setting?
He’s a pathological liar and truly unqualified for the office he holds.
It will be 25 or resign and claim victory +/- on 6 months?
Nice jersey though. I like their alternates. And decent price for a lousy personalized garment.
Does he have 4 + 4 in him or will he be done after four.
Where can I get one.
I am glad Trump doesn’t own the Giants.
Now THAT would be a conflict.
I enjoyed the firing of Phil Jackson, who might be the most overrated figure in sports history.
Tremendous game coach. Bad GM.
Harder to coach a team full of Showtime vs having only one or two stars.
Ask Paul Westhead.
Yes. Hugely difficult to coach teams with Jordan, Pippen, Bryant and O’Neal. No one else could have performed the miracle of leading those guys to a championships.
You need to brush up on these things because it is a well known fact that is true and those in the coaching ranks have covered this topic especially at HS, College and Pro Coaching Conferences. Try to keep up next time.
Steve Kerr is an excellent coach. The Warriors would still have won the title with Mike Brown on the sidelines. I’m sure the discussion at the high school coaches conference about the difficulties in coaching an NBA team with two or three of the best players in the world was riveting and highly relevant.
This topic is well covered and 99% of those who have dealt with trying to cover a Hoops team with a couple – or several stars on it of the stature of Michael or Scotty or Kobe or Shaq have gone on record that it is tougher to coach a team full of stars than it is a team full of talented unselfish players.
The conference conventions I attend are laced with NBA coaches. That is the purpose of HS and College coaches attending. Same goes with other sports. DOH!
$60 million for three years “work”. There was a tweet (that I couldn’t re-locate) that said he was paid (I think) $50,000 a day!? Almost seems as if he is suffering from some type of illness. His behavior is so opposite of what he has done throughout his career.
He was never the main person responsible for putting a team together, and coaching is quite a bit easier when you start out with some of the best ever. Not surprisingly, the Bulls were pretty ordinary when Jordan took his baseball.
In accordance with tradition, I will once again commemorate a Gerritt Cole start by linking this video of him eating a booger:
http://deadspin.com/gerrit-cole-picks-nose-eats-booger-942939698
Future Dodger?
He and Madbum should shake hands during a game.
Pirates PreGame Notes
http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/documents/3/4/4/239663344/game_notes_pbzj1p5v.pdf
The Giants are almost a .500 team at home. They held serve this last round at home playing .500 ball. Now they go back on the road where they play .300 ball and are 17 games under .500. Can the last 3 games be part of the recovery to the team was expected? This road trip could be the key to whether the past 3 games was a trend and a turnaround to the expectations that most all pundits had at the start of the year or if the last 3 games was nothing but Fake news.
Tonight match up does not look good on paper. The Giants starters have a cumulative .188 average with 1 HR against Cole in 50+ at bats. The core 4 Pen Posey and the Brandons have not fared well against Cole in their limited number of AB’s.
The Pirates on the other hand have a healthy .274 batting average against Johny Cueto with 3 home runs in 117 at bats.
The wild card for the Giants and the keys to the game will be how well the Rookies perform.
Heard Bobby Evans on KNBR moments ago. I was thinking of Slik shaking his head behind the wheel. SMH, Bobby Evs, head of the Giants. I miss Sabean and Colletti.
Sabean is still chuckling to himself about the fast one he pulled on Evans, maintaining control while setting up Evans to take all the heat.
Fourth of July Sale: Get MLB.TV for $20.17
Discounted subscription rates available through Tuesday
For the rest of the season!? That’s a great deal. It was $50 for balance of the season Father’s Day week, less than three weeks ago. MLB-TV is a must for us out of market folks.
Correct ——> http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/subscriptions/index.jsp?c_id=mlb
I’m ready for more of the Hwang Show. Something like this:
Span CF
Panik 2B
Posey C
Pence RF
Belt 1B
Hwang 3B
Crawford SS
Slater LF
Cueto P
Flip Pence and Posey? I agree, more Hwang, please.
You’re close:
Span
Panik
Pence
Posey
Belt
Crawford
Hwang
Slater
Cueto
Let’s get the first game, boys!
Love Brisbee’s take on Blach’s performance Wed.:
“Ty Blach was down two runs before recording his first out, in a day game after a 14-inning night game. He couldn’t cough up a 70-pitch, 3-inning blem. This was the kind of game that screws with a pitcher’s career ERA because the manager is willing to leave him in until he allows 12 earned runs. There were a lot of ways this could have ended poorly.”
https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2017/6/28/15889296/giants-sweep-rockies-recap-hwang
Also – Hwang’s HR was “liquidated.” !!!
Here’s an amazing stat no one will want to hear: in 75 of his 280 career starts, Kershaw has given up 3 hits or less.
Amazing maybe in your world but that really is old(er) news…
Was it discussed at the youth baseball volunteer coaches conference?
Clutch thinks Bum is better, hell he thinks TL WAS better.
Actually I have always acknowledged that Opie is the best pitcher in baseball but has had difficult post seasons.
Two opposite things can be equally true.
very good take, there are plenty of HOF pitchers that did not get to play or win in post season and on the flip side guys who had a few good PS runs that had short careers.
No I saw it highlighted at the San Jose Police Athletic League at PAL stadium where all you volunteers were given ribbons and trophies regardless of what teams your teams finished in the rankings.
Best pitcher of his generation. Is it even close?
Nope, he’s had guys in that conversation, but they have not had the string of years to match.
Downright Koufaxian. Sacrilegious to even think if given a few more years of the same, he will be considered even better than Koufax? i don’t think it’s that crazy.
Not close.
Me no think so either
Did you put the whammy on the Yankees Fowler ? Ouch!
Oh man…I couldnt believe it. I’m out of the hypothetical trade business.
But he has been a little closer to human so far this season. He’s walking more batters and has given up a lot of home runs.
I’m pulling for Max.
pulling for what? Do you even know what the topic is? lol
Do you?
Kershaw 29 yrs old, 138-62, 2.36 ERA, 1876.1 innings
Sherzer 32 yrs old, 134-74, 3.31 ERA, 1801.0 innings
you go ahead take Max, would only show how much you really know about baseball and your inabilities to make a solid unbiased decision. Go ahead take the guy 3 years older and over 1 run more collective ERA.
https://theringer.com/mlb-clayton-kershaw-max-scherzer-debate-los-angeles-dodgers-washington-nationals-3fa63b71c97a
When Kershaw wins another CY this season and perhaps is top 3 MVP, we can talk.
OK E. You win. But I’m still pulling for Max. Great righties impress me more than great lefties.
no way!!!! Lefties are the way to go. Look at Bum.
I think the Giants teams are at their best when they have a good R/L balance.
Look at the Dodgers and a few other teams that have issues with L and how young L are viewed in the draft.
PREMIUM
That’s kind of my point. I think it’s easier for a lefty to be dominant.
lol tell Moore that.
I’d take Kershaw for sure, but lets not pretend the ERA gulf is as big as that looks. Throughout his career the league average where Kershaw has pitched has been 3.81 versus 4.14 for Max. Kershaw’s is certainly more amazing, but Scherzer has pitched in tougher environments.
I get it’s close and by no means am I discounting MS.
The fact that he is in the conversation spells it all out. He’s amazing.
No – but he thinks he does.
The business of baseball, diversity…
http://www.latimes.com/sports/mlb/la-sp-baseball-diversity-minority-hiring-20170630-story.html
SF Giants PreGame Notes
http://mlb.mlb.com/documents/5/3/0/239687530/06.30.17_at_PIT_Game_Notes_p0jg7se9.pdf
This Date in Giants History: June 30, 2016
Bruce Bochy allowed pitcher Madison Bumgarner to hit for himself in the Giants’ game at Oakland instead of using a DH…Bumgarner doubled off Dillon Overton in the 3rd inning, sparking a six-run outburst, as the Giants
went on to win, 12-6
New Post: http://fe0.84e.myftpupload.com/2017-season/game-82-preview-the-second-half-begins-with-johnny-cueto-vs-the-pirates/