by
Greek Giant
Amy G. (the “G” is for “Gutierrez”) is a fixture in Giants nation for her interactions with fans during home games and for her post-game interviews with players. A key component of the CSN Bay Area Giants broadcast crew, Amy G. is also an author of children’s books, a busy mom and wife, and an active member of the Bay Area community.
In 2013, the Petaluma native published Smarty Marty’s Got Game. Illustrated by Adam McCauley, the title character, Marty, is based upon Amy’s mother and grandmother who passed away before the book was completed. Her new book, due out in March of 2017, is called Smarty Marty Steps Up Her Game.
Amy G. has become a fixture for the Giants relationship to the fans. More than most in-game reporters, Amy G. combines her baseball smarts with a welcoming persona that inspires both fans and ballplayers alike to make viewers feel like she is interviewing one of her friends. She has witnessed many unforgettable moments in Giants recent history and has become one of the faces of the franchise.
This interview was conducted over Email in the Fall of 2016.
Together We’re Giants: Â 2017 will be your tenth year covering the Giants. Congratulations on an exciting and successful run! Describe some of your career highlights. What moments stand out the most for you?Â
Amy G.: There are so many great moments that have happened with the Giants since I started covering them in 2008. The first true milestone reporting moment for me though was covering the Jonathan Sanchez 2009 no-hitter. It was incredibly emotional with his father in the stands and was very significant for Jonathan’s career since he was struggling that season. I went on to witness 3 World Series Championships, a Matt Cain perfect game, 2 Tim Lincecum no-no’s and so much more. It’s been anything but dull.
TWG: Which of the Giants gives the most insightful and thoughtful interviews? Why?
AG: I’m fortunate that with this particular club anyone/everyone is a good interview. Some show more personality, but in general every player makes himself available and is generous with his time.
TWG: Which of the Giants gives you the funniest interviews? Why?
AG: There are a lot of characters on the team. Usually the veteran players are able to have more fun in an interview, they’ve just had more time to feel confident in their role. But Jeremy Affeldt and Jake Peavy were a guaranteed laugh, and Brandon Belt has a great sense of humor. Hands down the funniest Giants to interview….Kruk & Kuip!
TWG: You are known for telling great stories from both fanâs and playerâs perspectives. What are some of the keys to your success connecting the numbers with the stories in baseball?
AG: I think I just have a love of both baseball and human interest stories. Combining them is just bonus! It’s a lot of fun and very rewarding to know you can use the stage of Major League Baseball to help people in so many ways beyond the diamond. And it’s always fun to see people connect and aide them in making the players tangible. They’re just people after all.
TWG: Do you think times have changed in the past ten years to make things easier for female reporters in the locker rooms and on the fields of Major League baseball? Do you think the players are more respectful and accepting of women reporters now than they were when you first started out?Â
AG: I don’t know if it’s a matter of players being more accepting that women are in the clubhouse as that’s just what this generation of player knows. The women before me blazed quite a trail and while there are still challenges being a female in a male-dominated world, we are making strides and it’s important to point out the Giants organization is extremely progressive which makes everyone who works with them or for them feel they can accomplish their career goals no matter their gender.
TWG: Which personality is the one person you would like to interview that you have not had the privilege of interviewing yet? Why?
AG: I’ve come across really great interview opportunities while covering the Giants. From Billy Jean King to Benjamin Bratt. I never really had to stop and say “I wish I could interview this person” because I’ve been able to have discussions with so many people I enjoy. You never know who’s going to show up to a Giants game so I just keep myself ready and feel fortunate for the unique position I have to chat up very familiar faces.
TWG: If your children could interview you in ten years what is the first question you would like them to ask you?Â
AG: “Can I snuggle with you?”
TWG: Do you ever grow weary of the same tired and true sports cliches ballplayers utter during their interviews? What do you do to entice more original and evocative responses?Â
AG: I usually have fun with them. There are 162 games. They will be asked the same questions and inevitably they’ll run out of original answers. It’s not easy to be interviewed. I try and take something from the game that was interesting or humorous and set them at ease. Then, if I feel a cliche coming I’ll say it first, like, “I know you’re going to tell me you have to take it one game at a time, but how hard is that to do….” Put your own spin or twist on a redundant Q&A.
TWG: What was the strangest interview you ever conducted?
AG: The honor goes to one of my favorites. Tim Lincecum whom after the Giants clinched a playoff spot after winning the final game of the regular season in 2010 I asked, “Are you ready for a champagne shower?” And he blissfully screamed, “f*^% yeah!” on LIVE tv. Then he ran down the steps turned around and called for me and mouthed the words, “I’m sorry.” That was a recovery like none other.
TWG: You are a fixture in the Bay Area sports and cultural scene. Has stardom affected your personal life in any way?Â
AG: I laugh at the word “stardom”, but yes, life has changed. I still consider myself a small town gal from Petaluma. But it’s hard to go places and not be recognized and it’s really hard to lose your privacy. I just visited New Orleans and was recognized in none other than a bar and then saw them trying to not so tactfully take photos. I just asked them to stop. I don’t like having my personal time documented and it’s been challenging to find a balance. All I ask, is ASK. Happy to take photos with people who remember I’m just a person out with family or friends and sneaking pictures is, well…sneaky.
TWG: Congratulations on the publication of your new book, Smarty Marty Steps Up Her Game (Cameron + Company), due out in the Spring.  Can you give us a bit of a preview about the book and itâs story line?Â
AG: I’m so excited to take the character of Smarty Marty to the next level. My picture book came out in 2013 and kids and parents have embraced this young lady who’s a wiz with baseball and uses the lost art of scoring to interest her little brother, Mikey, in the game.Â
This next book is the first of a series. It’s a chapter book so the audience is a little older and Marty is still the town’s resident baseball genius, but comes across challenges from her male peer group and battles whether she belongs. I think there are some great lessons for any age group in Smarty Marty Steps Up Her Game and I am constantly inspired by her!
TWG: Can you describe the process of writing the book? Which childrenâs book authors do you look to for inspiration?
AG: I wrote the book during the 2016 season. I actually wrote quite a bit in the Giants dugout early in the day while I was waiting for players to arrive. It was a good setting! The main idea was decided prior to the writing process but it was fun and very challenging to see the characters develop and decide what path I wanted them to take.Â
I’ve always been a reader. As kids we had a “bed time”, but we could stay up past our bed time if we wanted to read. Judy Blume was one of my favorite authors. I love sibling storylines and think it’s relatable to so many. As a parent I’m a huge fan of Roald Dahl whom my 8 year-old daughter loves.Â
TWG: Looking forward in your career do you see yourself writing more books as your children get older?
AG: I certainly hope so. It’s a wonderful way to connect with your kids and stay abreast of what they find interesting. They love feeling involved. Both of my children read along as I was completing chapters.Â
TWG: How do your kids like your books? How often do you read to them in general?
AG: My children think it’s very cool that I wrote a children’s book and both my husband and I are proud we have been able to put “author” on our resume. At 11 and 8, my kids reading levels are well beyond me reading to them. They read to me though, often and I love it! They do love to look through Smarty Marty’s Got Game and talk about several references to them and our family. They are also fantastic helpers at book signings and enjoy being at book events I host.
TWG: How do you handle all these duties (mom, wife, Giants reporter, and author) so successfully?
AG: Carefully, LOL! I just always try and find some balance. It’s difficult, not gonna sugarcoat it. But I have an amazing support system of family and friends and a husband who’s all in. I couldn’t do it by myself, that’s for sure. I really enjoy having a diverse and busy life and feeling challenged every day. It makes me a better person and in turn and better mother and wife.Â
TWG: When you venture among the fans during games for interviews and stories, what type of fan are you seeking out? Is there a step-by-step âHow to get Amy Gâs attentionâ guide you care to share with us?Â
AG: I think I can better answer “what NOT to do”, LOL. It’s actually rare we have an in-game interview that’s NOT already set up. We don’t do much “random” when the camera goes on. What I can share is I will always do my best to be kind and respectful to the Giants fan base. Most people don’t know I wear an earpiece and I can’t hear a lot of people calling for our attention. I also am working and if I blow by someone it’s simply because I have to get to a location, stat! In general, I think my relationship with Giants fans is pretty fantastic and I’m always appreciative of their support.
Breckeroni does not eat broccoli, but does like GG’s interview posts!
Try this one, “orecchiette con i broccoli” – a pasta dish with broccoli, and after you won’t ever make them miss. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/b0e8589ae8a1eb07f4cc1855b1faeb350043a253f4f532b9966dfc57c654e56b.jpg
I love your food pictures, except for the part about not being able to find the dishes in my small US town. In this case, may I suggest swapping out that broccoli for some asparagus and just a few steamed clams?
I think that yours one is a good idea. Proceed.
Me too. But remember Alvise is a ‘fake European.’ He’s probably sending these photos from somewhere in Alabama. ;o)
Lynchburg, Tennessee. I love Old n.7.
If you like #7, you’ll love this:
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e9767bcae33d07e0bf0a56fc0bc3ee91274bc70bc3d94c64496512b67115a0d1.jpg
Never known.
Hmmmm, that seems more like pasta than veggies to me. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Yep. You can’t find a healthier diet than the Mediterranean one. Pasta WITH veggie sauce and EVOO (Extra-Virgin Olive Oil).
It’s true. There’s a lot of research behind that, too.
Oh man I want that.
I think Amy is smart and impressive. Being a busy TV personality AND an author of chidlren’s books AND a wife and mother–that’s a lot of different directions to go.
Also, she’s a proud UC Davis grad. Go Ags!
GG did an excellent job drawing these qualities out in his interview. Kudos to them both.
UC just CHURNS out talent! :o)
Hmmm. Federowicz, huh?
I’d still rather have Andy back.
Details, please?
Just a short blurb that assumes a MiLB deal.
Former Dodger. Got to have some depth at Sacramento. No problemo. In Brownie we trust.
He was with Cubs last year. Will likely get a ST invite. I don’t think the FO is completely sold on Trevor.
They are sold enough. No real upgrade in the works.
Should, God forbid, Buster hit the DL for any length of time, the Giants are in big trouble.
from MLB trade rumors (Minor MLB Transactions 12/7/2016):
“The Giants are âset to signâ catcher Tim Federowicz, 670 The Scoreâs Bruce Levine reports. The deal is presumably of the minor league variety, though Federowicz could provide some veteran competition for Trevor Brown for the backup role behind Buster Posey. Federowicz spent 2016 with the Cubs, getting outrighted off their 40-man roster twice, appearing in 17 big league games, and hitting .293/.352/.450 in 253 Triple-A plate appearances.”
Cot’s seems to say Susac had a one year deal with the Brewers in 2016, but has only 1.0x MLB service years, so presumably they control him. I agree with you, it would be nice if Susac was back in the fold.
From MLB trade rumors:
At catcher, the Brewers will likely retain Martin Maldonado, who
batted .202 and slugged .351 but with a respectable .332 OBP last season. Maldonado profiles as a backup, but the team still likely wonât pursue an established starter at the position, instead likely preferring to get looks at Andrew Susac, who they acquired when they shipped Will Smith to the Giants. The 26-year-old Susac struggled to get his big-league career going, but heâs generally hit well in the minors and still only has 1,660 career professional plate appearances since being drafted in 2011. He could benefit from more regular playing time.
Sadly he may have (or not) reached his ceiling of potential. He was the most domination HS catcher I had ever seen and at Oregon State he was a beast …
I agree with his past; I just don’t think he’d hit his ceiling yet. Until his hands and feet are healed and comfortable, I just don’t think he’s ended his education and development in receiving..
Rockies to sign Ian Desmond ( one of TWG’s semi-hopefuls ).
Terms not yet disclosed.
https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/806532715461767168
one thing you learn from these twitter links in is that peeps love memes.
How can the Giants trade Matt Cain when he has a full no-trade clause?
He could, in theory, waive that protection to specific team/s.
But I see what you’re getting at – that bit about Anibal Sanchez.
I don’t think you have to worry. And I think the Giants will give him a chance to win that #5 spot over Ty Blach.
I don’t think the Giants can trade Matt Cain. I think Ty Blach will win the #5 spot over Matt Cain, and the Giants are stuck with Matt Cain.
I think the Giants will “give him a chance to win that #5 spot” because NOT doing so would sound bad. But I also think Blach is the frontrunner and it’s his job to lose. And then they’ve got a problem about what to do with Cain. I can’t rule out that they just write him a check at the end of spring training.
Maybe that is what the Giants will do. Because otherwise he takes up a roster spot. But wouldn’t that essentially be DFA’ing Cain? After all he’s done and all he’s meant. It’s a sad mess.
The other alternative would be a quiet “retirement” agreement–he decides to retire but he still gets his money. That’s a way to save face and not DFA him. But I’m guessing that at only 32, he’s not any more ready to concede he’s finished than Tim Lincecum was. Very sad situation.
He’s finally healthy so I’m still holding out for him being the come-back player of the year.
In a heated battle with Denard Span as he hits over .300 in ’17 !
Huh?
It often happens when someone is washed-up.
I hate to say it – but I hope he bombs in the Spring. Enough.
Basta ya!
You’d have to talk to Matt, as step one, and get at least a partial permission to talk to this or that team about trades.
5 years, 70 million – and they forfeit the #11 pick!
this is a bit of a head scratcher, but these are the “Rock-heads” afterall.
Even weirder, reports are Desmond will play first base.
Would have been fun to see the kind of #’s Mark Trumbo could put up in Denver. I suppose Rockies can trade one of other outfielders for pitching.
I’d take Charlie B. off their hands in a heartbeat.
Stupid Rockies. They took my Ian Desmond! đ
This could have been said by Lucy.
A formidable lineup, nonetheless:
Blackmon
LeMahieu
Arenado
Gonzalez
Desmond
Story
Dahl
Wolters/Murphy
Pitcher
Indeed.
Ouch.
Judy Blume was one of my favorite authors too, along with Beverly Cleary. Good interview, GG.
Me too, both of them. And I had so much fun reading the “Ramona” series to my girls. My younger daughter was so much like Ramona that I absentmindedly called her “Ramona” once or twice(!).
Amazon indicates Amy’s new children’s book will be published in mid-March.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/516Vr03msBL._SX384_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg
I think I’ll order Amy’s new Smarty Marty book and Smarty Marty’s spiral-bound Scorebook for my grandson for his birthday.
I’ve just decided I don’t have any relatives in the right age group – too bad since this book sounds like a nice Christmas present.
I hope “Marty” isn’t in honor of Marty Lurie.
This morning I read through all the comments from where I left off yesterday on the previous blog. The funniest by far was Lefty’s response to the damning charge that she has “pet peas.”
Dr. Lefty: “Peas are pretty good, but I’m big on cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, carrots, and–my favorite–asparagus.”
Brandon and Jalynne are in South Africa. They sent two terrific greetings photos. (You can find the photos on SF Giants twitter.) The one of the two of them in mid-leap, in silhouette, is amazing. I forget sometimes that Jalynne is an athlete herself.
Jalynne has the best mom in the world. Even if you LOVE your grandchildren, taking on three of them under age 4 while their parents go all the way to Africa…well, that’s Grandma-of-the-Year material. I’m not sure I’d be that generous!
I’m sure you are.
I don’t have grandchildren yet–just grandcats–so time will tell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk_gWwQ0lCs
Very cool, Amico.
I just did my first tweet! (to them)
Glad to hear that Bill King won the Ford Frick Award. A little too late but nevertheless it’s great that he’s recognized for his contributions. If Krukow won it over him, I’d question the integrity (like a lot of awards) of the FFA.
That is awesome. Excellent choice.
I haven’t been following up, but I hope she’s not doing the segment “Diamond Girls” on the players wives and girlfriends. I found that to be a bit too cringe-worthy.
Great to know more about that infamous Lincecum interview of 2010. No matter what anyone thinks of Lincecum, past, present and future, you can’t say that he’s not a thoughtful and nice kid.
Pretty sure that was her.
I mean I hope these segments are done with.
Tweet worthy? I guess Evans is just looking for a reason to stay at the meetings.
https://twitter.com/jcrasnick/status/806556416760758272
This would fall into the “Well, duh” category, wouldn’t it?
They maybe should be shopping Stratton and Blackburn, too, who are probably about as major league ready as they’re ever going to get, but I can see that Heston, with his experience, would have more trade value (if any of them do).
Too bad the Giants didn’t trade Crick when his stock was higher seasons ago.
I just counted, twice. The Giants have 41 guys on the 40-man roster. They’ve added Melancon and haven’t subtracted anyone:
25 pitchers
2 catchers
9 infielders
5 outfielders
=41
http://m.giants.mlb.com/roster/40-man/
Heston -> DFA
& to add an outfielder, can probably DFA Chase Johnson since he didn’t pitch very much last year.
They just put Chase on the 40! Another option might be Ian Gardeck, who’s still months away from throwing a pitch. He had his injury/TJ during spring training. Doubtful anyone would pick him up right now. They did the same once or twice with Hunter Strickland when he was recovering and they needed space.
I thought Chase went on 40 man last year. As for Gardeck, can put him on 60 man DL to clear space – that would do it.
Nope, just last month for CJ. He, Slania, and Moronta were the additions, along with Miguel Gomez and that Calixte guy they picked up.
http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2016/11/18/13682832/sf-giants-40-man-roster
Whoops – sorry for the repost.
No probs.
This would explain the “shopping Heston” tweet–maybe they have a couple days to clear a 40-man space after signing Melancon.
Didn’t see this before I posted. Sorry đ
No worries.
I just saw a tweet that they’re shopping Heston.
Brisbee says they’re marketing Chris Heston:
http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2016/12/7/13872422/sf-giants-trade-rumors-chris-heston
I hope he goes to Cincy and wins 20.
Alex Pavlovic, 24min ago:
Giants not planning reunions with Casilla, Lopez or Romo. Front office is excited about young bullpen arms teaming up with Melancon.
Will Javy retire and join the Giants in another capacity?
I think he’d make a good agent. Either secret agent, or talent agent. He certainly knows the ropes and is a cool and smart cucumber.
I’d like for Lopez to have a more visible role. One where he could not only be seen but could talk. He has things to say worth listening to.
I wasn’t holding my breath for a reunion (in a playing capacity) between those three and the organization.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Javy retire and be a broadcaster. He’s articulate, intelligent and charismatic.
Javi is very intelligent and went to the University of Virginia and has a degree in psychology – why would he just have to be a broadcaster when he looks like he has more to offer.
It’s because of racism.
lol funny guy, I just don’t think all ex players, if that is the case here, need to be coaches or broadcasters. I’m sure plenty have other things to offer, specially a guy like Javi
Got a feeling Romo with be in doger blue next season – I’d prefer Padre brown.
.237/.283/.347, Desmond’s 2nd half splits in 2016, for all the posters who wanted the Giants to get him .
Think he will be a bad signing, but I’d wager he’s another slugger who wouldn’t want to hit here.
.231/.306/.434. Duvall, 2nd half.
Which would’ve led the Giants in second half SLG.
Not here muffy. That Sept/Oct .212/.266/.407 and RC+ of 70 would have been an interesting addition.
Looking desperately for a stat to make Duvall, pretty sad !
Actually, were you an avid instead of occasional reader, you’d know that has never been my point. I’ve post enough stats and graphics here on Duvall to persuade anyone reasonable that, as I’ve said, the jury is still out on Duvall. I don’t think anything to this point warrants undo optimism or pessimism on the lads future. He’s a resounding, who knows, on the market floor.
Keep denying reality. Duvall had a good season and could’ve helped the Giants. True power hitters, of which Duvall is one, hit home runs in any park. Duvall crushed two in 10 ABs in San Francisco. The Giants just don’t have any true power hitters. Duvall was also playing his first full season, and it’s not unreasonable to expect he will improve. The Giants made a poor trade. It happens. Maybe someday you’ll be able to admit it.
curious what kind of drop off league may have had between 1st and 2nd half for non-pitchers:
.260/.327/.427 1st half
.257/.324/.422 2nd half
so .740 2nd half OPS for Duvall, and .746 for league (non-P)
Seasons last 162 games.
Thanks.
…and in 2016, the FIRST half was when Pence and Pagan spent extended time on the DL.
You play in the now, not the then.
You prefer the .630 OPS of Desmod in 2nd half then ?
I have stated no preference.
Let’s see if Mac Williamson can put up similar park adjusted numbers as Adam Duvall.
Remember, Cincinnati plays in a very offensive yard and playing for a last place team can skew offensive numbers.
Talk about offensive yards… I have so many gopher holes in mine that I’m at my wit’s end.
Actually preferring neither is an option.
Much higher SLG % for Duvall, my favorite stat, even a higher OB% for Duvall, one of your favorite stats .
Yeah, pretty Paganish.
I liked him for his versatility. He has some pop. He could play LF, back up CF, back up 3B and SS, and possibly take over 3B after Nunez is a free agent. But $70 mil. is a lot to pay for that, and the Rox gave up the #11 draft pick, too.
He was very bad in 2015, but had a good 1st half in 2016, you liked him because you did not realize he was that bad in the 2nd half of 2016 .
A slap hitter, indeed. I like him.
It was -1° when I woke up. It’s 0° now with the expected high today: 0°. Since it’s not expected to get any warmer than that, I guess I better bundle up and go ahead and walk to the gym.
we don’t have central heat, so when I wake up in the morning, the house is usually between 52-57, depending on the heat from the coals in the fireplace.
Try this. “Shivering for 10 minutes ‘burns as many calories as an HOUR’S exercise'”
And a glass of red wine has the same cardiac benefits as an hour at the gym, so there’s that.
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/01/08/a-glass-of-red-wine-is-the-equivalent-to-an-hour-at-the-gym-says-new-study_n_7317240.html
So… drinking lots of wine out in the snow in your underwear….
While smoking a stogie to balance things out.
I just don’t see Deeg burning a huge Presidente in her skivies while holding a bottle of Pinot Noir.
Yeah, the capital letter is just all wrong.
It’s so cold in Vallarta mi Esposa had to shut off the overhead fan! (70*F) ;o)
I know what you mean. I had to put on a long sleeved shirt this week.
Speaking of winter, screwy climate and such. A sad story. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/12/07/montana-snow-geese-searching-for-pond-land-in-toxic-mine-pit-thousands-die/
More from Alex on the Giants shopping Heston:
http://www.csnbayarea.com/giants/giants-looking-new-home-right-hander-chris-heston
I found this comment interesting:
“Heston made just four appearances in 2016 after being moved to the bullpen. It was a transition that didn’t quite take, and he ended up back in the minors, making 14 starts for the River Cats as he worked to regain some of the velocity that was lost when he dropped 15 pounds during offseason workouts. An oblique injury led to Heston being put on the 60-day DL in June, and ultimately ended his season”
So he worked out to be stronger in 2016 – lost weight – and was less effective…
Being a ML pitcher can’t be an easy thing.
Interesting examination of strength coaches in sports. http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2016/12/07/college-football-assistant-coach-salary-mickey-marotti-chris-doyle-scott-cochran-strength-coaches/95069266/
That is one mucked-up website.
And Amy’s home town is getting their packages ripped off…
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/6401995-181/petaluma-police-arrest-suspected-package?ref=most
Having a Bad Day?
http://www.elpasoproud.com/news/chihuahuas-groundskeeper-nate-jones-passes-away/616183988
Federowicz at least gives a shot at the DMV eye chart contest…
Samardzija delivers a fast ball to Federowicz…
WOW – for the “doubles” match – we win hands down!
Bochy: For those who can open this: https://www.facebook.com/Giants/videos/10154048925121828/
While we were on the subject of landing another outfielder via trade or FA, Daniel Sperry of Fansided came up with this player who could be available.
Adam Eaton, the guy who had the highest UZR in baseball, and second highest dRS in baseball. Heâs a defensive freak, can cover all sorts of room in the outfield. The Giants saw plenty of him in Arizona, and since he went to Chicago, heâs only gotten better. How about his plate approach? Last season he had a 6.0 WAR, his wRC+ was higher than any other Giants outfielder. A slashline of .286/.362/.428 screams leadoff hitter. Not to mention, heâs on a cheap, team friendly contract with team options through 2021! Wow!
I like it, but why would Chicago trade him?
We probably have to examine who Chicago is actually going to keep instead of who they will trade. But you’re probably right on this one.
I think Eaton is a All-Star quality player on a cost controlled contract. I think teams are built being strong up the middle and Eaton as a premier defensive CF certainly fits that bill. For all the reasons we would want him is exactly why the Chi-Sox will keep him.
The author doesn’t say, other than the gist of his story was that the Giants fans need to stop pining for expensive outfield bats.
I’m guessing the author was just looking to make a case for an inexpensive outfielder if the Giants FO changed course and kept Mac and Parker on the bench.
The Giants are stuck with Span for 2 more years, they are not moving him to LF either .
Given Span’s knack for slooowww starts, a young player could get a lot of platoon exposure in the 1st half if he can produce. If he can hold it together, he could phase in next year and earn the position full time next.
“Federo” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7H9vIzMNRA
In college: ESPN Coverage of Tim Federowicz’s Grand Slam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIM8otzR5KM
2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4adZQ-VIt6Y
I was listening to Kuiper this morning about LF and I’m getting pretty tired about Adam Duvall being mentioned as reason to give Parker and Williamson a shot. It seems this is the Giants “canned” answer for the reason not to upgrade in LF (in addition to the luxury tax).
The jury is still out on Duvall…and the Giants could’ve used him in LF…but that’s where any Duvall comparison to Parker/Williamson should end. There is no comparison to support this…besides words.
Here is their HR comparison in the minors:
Duvall…6 minor league seasons…four 20+ HR seasons (22, 30, 27, 30)
Parker…6 minor league seasons…one 20+ HR season (23)
Williamson…5 minor league seasons…one 20+ HR season (25)
Yes…I could could dive deeper into the stats, but let’s face it…Duvall is getting love for his 33 HRs in Cincinnati. He had a minor league history of hitting the long ball…and Parker/Williamson doesn’t compare in that area. I also think we can agree that Parker/Williamson aren’t high BA possibilities at this point in time either.
No one will convince me that a closer wasn’t the most important “get” this off-season, but ignoring LF now…when you don’t have to give up prospects for a FA…may come back to bite them. I hope not.
Duvall also hit 31 Doubles and had 103 RBI in 2016, and in the Minors he also was a big RBI guy, and that 27 HR year in the Minors he had a higher OPS over 1000, then the Dodger CF Pederson that got all the hype, before the Giants called him up, and he missed a lot of AAA at bats while he was rotting on Bruce Bochy’s bench .
we agree the missed on Duvall and the biggest reason was not thinking he could he, because he obviously can, but that he could take in Lf full time.
I stil say the jury is out and let’s see if he can equate last years break out year.
He may still just be a power guy with a very mediocre average.
And hitting in CIN is not hitting in SF.
Are you Larry Krueger, just sent a tweet to KNBR, about he must be 90, since he only talks about Batting average, the Giants need Power, they have plenty of slap hitters already
2014 in Fresno, in 359 at bats Duvall hit .298 with 27 HRs, 21 Doubles, 90 RBI, with a .599 SLG% and a OPS of .959 .
I love you, man.
http://www.bughouse.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/press_aspect_switcher/Picture%202_0.png
this is the lineup I construct just for you, Bro Montana:
Span CF
Panik 2B
Posey C
Belt 1B
Frazier 3B
Pence RF
Crawford SS
Nunez*/Williamson/Parker LF
Pitcher
*Nunez backs up 3B/SS/2B, so there’s a good amount of ABs for him.
The cost for Frazier in this dreamed up world may not include Beede/Arroyo.
Something like Blackburn, Andrew Suarez, and Chris Shaw; or 3 B- prospects.
Go ahead, shoot me down peeps. I know it isn’t happening. Bobby Evans already has his feet up on his desk. KIR and I are going to go jam on some Tom Sawyer in the basement.
Frazier only hit .225 last year, this blog would never like him .
But 40 HRs, so I know you are standing at full attention.
He is a butcher a 3rd base too , this blog would kill him .
I think we’re going to need bigger speakers!
Yeah, this isn’t working so good…
http://media.npr.org/programs/atc/features/2009/apr/boombox300-d8f3a058e33bdfdd7f5b61647b4bb8c02a31c1b8-s300-c85.jpg
He is a rental, FA after 2017, that is a lot for a rental ., Shaw should be MLB ready by 2018, then you have Belt move to LF, or trade him ,Ha, Ha, Ha !
The Giants have committed about $400 million to Cueto, Samardzija, Melancon, Crawford and Belt in just the last two years. They gave big money to Posey, Pence and Cain. Management is doing its part. They’re not sitting on their hands or their wallets, but you can’t expect them to buy a player to fill every need. There was no FA target out there that was worth the money. If Williamson and/or Parker can’t cut it, they can always pick someone up at the deadline.
Not disagreeing with the money spent. I’m disagreeing that Adam Duvall is being brought up as the poster-child for giving Parker/Williamson a shot in LF. Neither Parker or Williamson has a history of what Duvall was doing in the minor leagues, so just stick with “We’re giving the kids a chance, since we’ve spent so much $$$ in other areas” and leave Duvall out of the conversation. They are not setting up either guy for success by using Duvall as the reason.
You have a point, but Williamson only played two full minor league seasons, 2013 and 2015. He played 33 games of rookie ball in 2012, was done because of injury after 23 games in 2014, and split time between Fresno and San Francisco in 2016.
Injury = Williamson’s biggest challenge to get the regular starting gig. He got hurt last year too…after showing some promise.
He also got into somebody’s doghouse for awhile but not enough to make a difference going forward.
Eh. He banged up his shoulder diving for a ball on July 31 and missed maybe 2-3 weeks in August. He was playing for the River Cats before the end of August, so he wasn’t that badly injured. The truth was that with Pence coming back right about then, either he or Parker was getting demoted, anyway. Mac getting injured right then just made it a bit easier for them to decide.
Now, the TJ surgery in 2014 was a big deal, but it’s also kind of a fluky injury for an outfielder. I’m a lot more worried about Pence’s hamstring issues and Span’s hip/shoulder, etc. than I am about Mac staying healthy. Now, Mac actually hitting for a major league batting average if given a real opportunity? I’ll admit to equal parts curiosity and anxiety about that. But I’m intrigued by the strong defense (Lord knows they need it) and the raw power.
Sounds liek the coin the Dodgers were dropping a few years ago.
You raise a good point, but the question is who? Cespedes was always a pipe dream and is now off the board. Any major signing will cost extra beyond just the terms of the contract because of the luxury tax payments, so they have to really like the player and not just marginally upgrade. The remaining FA OF market looks very shallow. Heck, Desmond got 5/70 and that’s too high IMO. The Giants could go after Fowler but he’s going to get CF money and you don’t want to pay two guys CF money for one of them to play LF. So, while I agree with your general sentiment, the missing piece is the practical application given the dearth of options.
I don’t have a “who”. They just need to stop with the Adam Duvall rationale nonsense.
Then again either one of them could turn into a Brandon Moss type power hitter. Moss at the age of 29 started knocking balls out right and left for the A’s and that park does not play small.You just never know.
We can only hope!
I believe it is time for Scout Finch Baseball to bring up the annual hot stove reason as to why Skip Schumaker would be a great pick up ——- as well as The Oracles case for Brandon Webb (or maybe it was Ted Lilly)
Meanwhile the entire Cuban Nation is still wondering what the heck happened to Erisbel Arruebarrena and the Dominican Nation is looking for Jordany Valdespin …. while Homeland Security is searching for Lastings Milledge.
Uhhhhhh…
I think it’s time for ClutchUp to do some ice skating with Sonja Henning on the St. Lawrence seaway.
Line me up Kristi Yamaguchi and you have a deal đ
Katarina Witt, cousin of Mike and Bobby?
It’s doubtful that Bobby and Mike have been to Germany whereas KW was born outside West Berlin. KW went to school in Karl-Marx-Stadt. There she attended Kinder- und Jugendsportschule, a special school for athletically talented children.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/01035ae4d3ad0b799cf932b7df979b6a4211d5a02a0087de27d684a7e34e5179.jpg
Yes, that’s really Katarina.
thought you were going to post pics from your Playboy stack in the garage. This is a PG-13 zone, thanks for keeping it that way.
It was. No naughty bits were shown. You’re the dirty old man for imagining there were.
Beautiful woman.
I used to have a floating garden just like that
Nice fertilizer
That is over the line you dirty old man.
I picked the tamest one to answer his question.
Carolina Kostner
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/43b699ea88828d048b2092eb377f5fd02425731096f64d0eb085c8d33ec64866.jpg
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/965a945d3261d8d813970e1f0c452f45fa693176585445acff2ae4cd4ea104bb.png
Kristi
Henie, Dufus.
My bad, Professor.
Two of the funniest expressions ~ ~ ~
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/040a5323f1d381c62072db040b3a0d1776ef24c85e41aba145eac916e4d8cd4c.jpg
I didn’t know Pavlovic had any emotions to express.
Prozac central command.
Supposed additional newcomer Bryan Morris
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG0UVuCabcg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvZCPHeHwSQ
Hysterical that Melancon told Tolbert (in jest) that he was disgusted when – they were both with PITT and they would stand in the dugout and Vogey would 24/7 talk to MM about how great the Giants would be to play for @ 2:10 on the audio
https://audioboom.com/posts/5365224-12-6-mark-melancon-says-ryan-vogelsong-helped-sway-him-to-join-the-giants?t=0
Another announcer – or player that should have gone into their version of the Hall BEFORE they died.
Holy Toledo!
Thanks for the memories Bill!
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/38e04de919154671aa24fdc81cb678df2e66f56dde9d15d516cceacb944a408d.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a3c4137795d2a9f930da478681d2cba66e3c4dc5697b1e5fd51576712b1e8f28.jpg
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/174b105b36f96c9d7fdaf7c57e0b22a5089db2b2233452bd971b0a46e17ad3f0.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/18d274acf89e3885ea9c6c3bf10d8755395db9f1b8016a6b2e4e384835fe0eef.jpg
Interesting article on physical recovery, travel, etc. Emphasis on the role that issue and the Giants philosophy on it played in Melancon coming to the Giants. Interesting tidbits on how he approaches the game as well.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/12/07/mlb-device-whoop-aimed-improving-performance/95080392/
Jeff Passan on what’s likely to come of Shohei Otani (sorry Yankees, not until 2019):
https://sports.yahoo.com/news/why-the-modern-day-babe-ruth-wont-be-coming-to-mlb-for-years-180129681.html
Dang Pablo looks like he is in great shape. Time for the Giants to trade for him.
http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2016/12/06/pablo-sandoval-is-in-the-best-shape-of-his-life-2/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs&yptr=yahoo
So Crawnik & A-L, here’s something on Adam Eaton…
https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/806613181464530950
and it sounds like it’s gonna go down.
Alex Pavlovic â@AlexPavlovic 30s30 seconds ago
Giants would need to include a big leaguer in any deal for a J.D. Martinez ($11.75 mil) type to offset incoming $$. Makes a deal unlikely.
Span, Ha,Ha,Ha !
Booooo
I guess this means $11M big leaguer for Martinez? Or just a big leaguer?
Matt Cain ! ha ha
But seriously, all of this underscores the cold, grim reality that the Giants have likely pushed the budget as far as they want to, Cha-Cha bowls be damned.
A sports story of note. Linda McMahon, former CEO of WWE Wrastling has been nominated to head the Small Business Administration. SMH.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/talalansari/trump-nominates-linda-mcmahon-for-cabinet-post?utm_term=.ms1ypYZ3k#.bb1rq6me9
Next – Hulk Hogan for the Supreme Court.
The less I say the better.
I think that, perhaps, we should revert to the enlightened despotism, everything for the people nothing through the people. The people could elect Donald. Wait…you say they have done it already ?
America gets what it asked for.
More-or-less (46%) Alvise. The belligerent buffoon lost the general election, but now has complete control. It’s gonna be a hairy ride.
And hairy rhymes with SCARY.
I ask for roast beef on cracked wheat myself.
He probably hit her hard just like he did with her hubby Vince
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMKFIHRpe7I
A Schulman tweet links to this play by the Snake:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y1SeAjv5ao
Core Four is officially bye bye
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-hot-stove-rumors-giants-plan-to-go-young-in-the-bullpen-behind-mark-melancon/
Alex: https://twitter.com/AlexPavlovic/status/806552308788170752
Eaton to Nats – & they paid a lot: Giolito and Lopez. Giants had no chance of sniffing Eaton with their top prospects.
but nice lineup, and nice OF defense:
Turner SS
Eaton CF
Murphy 2B
Harper RF
Rendon 3B
Werth LF
Zimmerman 1B
Norris/Lobaton C
What a haul for the CWS this week. They may have shot right up the minor league rankings, and they’re probably not done. They might still trade Quintana, Melky, Frazier, Robertson…
How did they suck so bad with all that talent?
There’s Abreu, too, but I haven’t heard anything about them selling him off.
Melkey would look good in left. He did do the Giants a plus and took himself out of the batting title which gave it Buster.
So I just made that trade for JD from Detroit for one year only since he is a FA in 2017.
At 6’3 and 200 lbs he will butcher a few balls per week – but then BB15 will insert a def. replacement.
Name/Guess who I gave up for a one year rental.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/aa7d8366e46f9b4f4a9ed60d9c9fca4b90aebe926cd71d7e4aaa8f21a0495fbb.png
Carl Kochan and a boiler to be named later?
So Dane Dunning, one of the three top prospects just sent from the Nats to the CWS for Adam Eaton, is our Jake’s baby brother.
Once again, the Giants get the wrong brother. I expect that the “other” Seager brother, Justin, will be signing a minor league deal with the Giants any day now, to go with other wrong brothers Jonah Arenado, Jacob Heyward, etc.–and following in the proud footsteps of Rich Murray (brother of HOFer Eddie).
Hey, we had ALL of the Alous!
That IS one way to make sure you don’t get the wrong one!
good stuff!
Barry was a tiny bit better than Robert….
Better look it up , Bobby’s first 6 years with Giants were better then Barry’s first 6 years with Pirates, and Bobby had a 37 HR , 117 RBI year with Angels in 1977, my brother listend to those games on the Radio late at night , when we got the signal, he was my brother’s favorite player
Barry was (much) better overall. Barry Bonds was a HOF player before he came to SF. Bobby played for 8 teams. Barry played for two teams
Barry actually had a slow start to his career, was a rookie in 1986 , but had his 1st good year in 1990, Bobby was good from his 1st full year 1969 .Matter of fact after his 1st 5 full seasons Bobby Bonds scored way more runs, stole way more bases then Mike Trout has in 1st 5 full seasons, and just hit 7 fewer HRs and had 30 fewer RBI then Trout, the MLB writers think Trout is the Best ever. Yes Bobby had personal problems, with booze and was traded a lot but was a great player for 10 years .
Barry did not have a bad arm early in his career but he did not have his fathers arm. Barry learned to get rid of the ball quickly and perfected the 180 spin and turn and one hop of second base while playing in Candlestick. His worst throw of his life was when he could not throw out Sid Bream. Barry attended my HS and I watched him play for four years before Tom Haller offered him 70K to sign – Bonds wanted 75K to turn pro and thus BLB – headed to ARZ State.
Barry finished 6th in ROY in 1986 with 16 HR’s and 36 stolen bases in 113 games. Bobby in 1968 hit 9 HR’s and stole 16 bases in 81 games.
In 1987 Barry hit 25 HRs, Stole 32 bases, 34 doubles, 9 triples.
In 1969 Bobby hit 32 HR’s. Stole 45 bases. Hit 36 doubles and 10 triples.90 RBI’s.
In 1988 Barry hit 24 HR’s. 30 doubles and 9 triples.
In 1970 Bobby hit 26 HR’s. 36 doubles and 10 triples.
What is not to like about Barrys start?
Bobby was a 2 time Gold glover too, and had a way better arm too, Bobby had more tools then Barry , because of the bad Arm Barry had .
Bobby had a son named Robert…now it’s time for YOU to look it up. We’re talking brothers, not father/son
Can we label Nationals the offseason losers yet
Lost their closer, lost their all-star catcher, lost out on Chris Sale, and gave up loads of prospects for a non all-star player.
For a lot of reasons, this likely to be an off year in Washington.
That trade is awful for the Nats. Seems like a reactionary, out-of-desperation move to me.
For the Sox, they get Moncada, Kopech, Giolito, Lopez, Dunning for the price of 2 players.
That’s not too shabby..
No arguments from me.
so who’s closing for the Nats?
Chapman and Jansen still unsigned – and the Nats went hard after Chapman before.
Ziegler & Holland?
They are not going to leaves selves totally exposed in the 9th.
Trump? He once declared himself the best baseball player in NY State.
Trump likely called himself the greatest boxer of all time as well.
They should trade Harper now and see what they can get.
I think Mike Rizzo is viewing this as a small window of opportunity to go deep in the playoffs while Harper’s still there. Otherwise this doesn’t make sense
Penny-wise and pound-foolish.
It’s not over yet. Pittsburgh would have asked for approximately the same for Cutch, apparently, so what’s better, up to five years of Eaton or up to 2 of McCutchen?
I think there’s reason to believe Giolito was overhyped and their own evaluations lead them to believe he was expendable given the enormous depth of starting pitching they already have. Same applies to Lopez, great arm, but perhaps not enough pitchability to be a real stud.
Ken Rosenthal â@Ken_Rosenthal 19m19 minutes ago
On other hand, one #Nationals player sent me this text: “WTF?!?!” Team still needs closer. Likely out on big two. Melancon, Davis off board.
Davis went to the Cubs, right?
Yes
Bobby Evans getting it done! Surely Corey Seager’s brother is coming to SF!
https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/806618173055389696
I sooooo took that bait. SMH đ
“bad scout!”
Couple keys about the OTHER beloved team in the BAY.
Clips vs Dubs
* Can Draymond stop barking and thus NOT get a T
* Will Fitz and Barney screw up Luc Mbah a Moute’s name
* Will Glenn Rivers motivate his team into a frenzy
* Will Mo Buckets go for 18 Pts in 14 minutes
* Will Jamal Crawford go to the line 100 times
* Will JaVale McGee keep DeAndre from easy buckets
* Will Paul Pierce play more than 7 minutes
* Can Steph distribute if his J is not falling
* Does KD eat up Blake
* Does Iguodala thwart Blake
Real Keys: JJ Redick and Shaun Livingston
Will JaVale get on the Jimmy Fallon show with his funny-haha?
http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/12/javale-mcgee-inbounds
LOL!
Chris Cotillo â@ChrisCotillo 12m12 minutes ago
Interesting wrinkle in Matt Holliday’s deal with Yankees. Contract allows him to block trades to one team: Oakland Athletics.
The Sewage Clause
Smart dude. I think he fell down IN it.
They never did fix the toilet/dugout leak, right?
I was thinking ankle deep. LOL.
The A’s traded Huston Street and CarGo to the Rox to get Holliday. He hated it in Oakland and didn’t last a year there before being traded to the Cardinals. One of the worst trades ever.
There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of manâs fears, and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension where you have no second baseman, no third baseman, and lost out on all the premier closers. It is an area which we call … The Dodgers Zone.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kb6frp7rfUs/U9mLwC0hAkI/AAAAAAAAvwI/K7YQKSgwCz4/s1600/zone13.png
I could stop laughing just now, after 1 hour of tries.
Jon Morosi â@jonmorosi 23s24 seconds ago
Source: Chris Heston has been traded to #Mariners.
Whoa. For what?, he asks.
John Shea â@JohnSheaHey 8m8 minutes ago
Giants trading Chris Heston to Mariners for player to be named. Not official yet. Details being finalized.
Rosin bag
sadly, yes.
I wish him nothing but the best.
BOOM!! I hear this player is a stud!
https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/806649873944760320
Tough to top THAT deal.
Giants just wanted the 40 man spot , hope Heston Burns them, he showed he has the talent .
You got it. It was either PTBNL or DFA.
Any Giants potential starter like Heston and anyone in the minors is potential trade. All but 1 are blocked for a couple years.
They seem to read Scout’s grade on n the team Prospects, and never give them a honest chance to play , Blach, Blackburn, Stranton, the past has proven Sabean and Bochy or pro Veteran, anti prospect, so hard for a prospect to make it to MLB club .
PJ the non fan
I root for players, and I think he was treated badly last year by the Giants, and I want him to succeed .
He certainly was … although he didn’t respond to any of the challenges. Maybe we can stop making headlines out of no-hitters now that we know they mean nothing.
You must be a mercenary type fan. I am a fan of the game of baseball but I root for the Name on the front of the SF Giants Jersey – and while I do that I respect players and coaches from other organizations.
I can name literally on only one hand how many pitchers have succeeded to the point the Giants may have felt “burned” after trading away. I doubt Heston will be the next one Giants fans will wish they have back.
You’re right, that guy Ptbnl is a stud. Dude can rake!
Why did Seattle not wait for him to be DFA? Has anyone who threw a no-no ever been traded for less? Hope he can make the best of his opportunity, too bad it doesn’t feel like the GIants did.
Maybe he had to clear waivers and they were afraid he’d be claimed before he got to their claim position.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veKapH-HO6c
I love it when Chef calls the team from Denver “the Rock Heads”.
So what are they cooking?
They are apparently still in on Trumbo to play first base and are looking to trade an outfielder for frontline pitching.
This team could be pretty “formidadable”.
The Shark for Cargo, straight up ! HA!
Pass
It might work better if they were an AL team.
Noooo, not Chris Heston!
Anybody else freaked out that Trump is surrounding himself with Generals? I’m just asking what would an authoritarian do?
The world has gone insane, I’m convinced of it.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/feds-woman-made-death-threats-to-sandy-hook-parents/2016/12/07/85fa3702-bc9c-11e6-ae79-bec72d34f8c9_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-more-top-stories_ap-sandyhook550p%3Ahomepage%2Fstory
That is just sickening. Those poor parents. Time to hunker down with those you love, and learn the guitar.
As someone who lives in the Middle East and knows that American Generals are 100x more knowledgeable about the area than American politicians and cause 100x less chaos here, I’m not freked out at all.
I’m glad to hear that.
Thank you…I was gonna, but you put it so much better. The positions these generals were assigned make perfect sense for security…for all the very good that President Obama has done, security and foreign relations aren’t amongst them, mostly because of those below that were feeding him bad info
That wasn’t the only problem with Obama. When he started off his presidency by giving a speech at Al-Azhar University about how the US was going to reach out a hand of friendship to the Muslim world, that was clearly interpreted as an invitation to Jihadists to start rioting because the US wouldn’t interfere. 8 years later, we’ve got ISIS, more than half a million dead, civil wars in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, Libya has disintegrated. Obama didn’t intend it that way but to anyone who understands the Middle East it was obvious that that would be the result.
yes
Michael Flynn in particular.
Some serious licks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhbDVRQOIUg
I love a good bass jam.
I miss the 70s and 80s with the funky soul bands! Brothers jammin on guitars pianos organs etc….
I’m sorry, but this Heston thing is stupid.
1. The Giants completely filled their 40-man roster a couple weeks ago.
2. The Giants went to the Winter Meetings intending to sign a closer.
3. When you do sign a closer, that means you’ll need a 40-man spot for him.
4. You have like 72 hours to open up the 40-man spot.
So, today, a few hours before the deadline, suddenly they realize it’s time to shop Heston (or someone) and end up dumping him for literally nothing? Maybe the time to “shop” someone was, I dunno, a couple weeks ago when you knew your 40-man was full and you might need an opening if you were successful in landing a closer?
SMH. This reminds me of some of the people I work with. Not in a good way. Boooo on Bobby and the front office for this one. I can’t believe a guy with substantial major league experience wasn’t worth SOMETHING in a horrendous market for starting pitching. Bad planning.
Duvall redux. Go Presto. Win 20.
It’s worse than Duvall. The Giants DID need a starting pitcher at the trade deadline in 2015. They at least traded Duvall for something they needed. They traded Heston for NOTHING.
Like, Clutch said – a rosin bag.
It’s pretty clear that they decided a while ago that they don’t think much of Heston. I don’t get it, since he actually performed pretty well for them, but that’s what they decided.
I’m not objecting to them trading Heston himself. He WAS blocked and hopefully he’ll get a real opportunity somewhere else. I’m just objecting to them being so last-minute and basically recouping nothing from a guy they drafted and developed for years and who won 12 games for them in 2015 and pitched a no-hitter against the team that won the NL pennant that year. This is not busted Kyle Crick or Gary Brown. Heston actually had accomplishments, and with a little forethought, maybe they package him and someone else for something valuable.
A hint.
https://i.imgur.com/RQ4F0ed.png
That’s what I mean. They thought so little of him that it didn’t matter. And, given what they got for him, they’re not alone in that opinion.
They probably helped CREATE that opinion. They did nothing to help Heston thrive or succeed after a pretty good 2015 season. Instead, they let Cain and Peavy go out and get pounded over and over. They moved Heston to an unfamiliar middle-relief role, dumped him after FOUR whole innings of work, and then buried him in the minors and on the 60-day DL for the rest of the year.
So not only did they treat Heston himself poorly, but they destroyed any trade value he might have had. I just think it’s bad business. A lot of front offices seem savvier than ours does, gotta say.
Say, THAT’S tautological!
There went that Evans prop again.
I’m sorry. I don’t follow. Hesto-Presto’s 2016 pushed him way down the depth charts. His success in 2015 was almost irrelevant – but apparently relevant enough for the Mariners whose need for another rotation depth piece surfaced when Taijuan Walker was traded to Arizona.
The Winter Meetings are the time to shop anyhow. This just feels better than DFA which Heston was a candidate for anyhow.
It’s the last-minute bad planning–the “oops, we don’t have a 40-man spot” thing–that bugs me, specific names aside.
I think Heton could of taken over Petit spot without a doubt! They just said here take him smh.
Both Bochy and Maddon talking about Game 4 today. Because of the World Series that game is going to get overlooked. But man I’m still burning about it. It was like watching your nightmare unfold in slow motion and deep down you’re not even surprised.
The Bochy interviews about Game 4 just made me mad at him again. OK, he doesn’t regret taking out Matt Moore after 8 innings. I don’t agree, but I understand his thinking. But the way he handled the ninth, having taken Moore out, was dreadful, and he seems to take no ownership for that. “The walk hurt us” (Lopez walking Rizzo). Gee, ya think? And how many of us were SCREAMING AT OUR TVs that Lopez was absolutely going to walk Rizzo the minute Bochy came out and tapped his left arm? Lopez had been coming in all year and NOT getting the lefty he was brought in to face.
The only thing I didn’t foresee was that I thought Romo was going to give up a three-run homer after Lopez walked Rizzo. Other than that, I pretty much saw it happening.
Also, Bochy saying he’d “welcome Casilla back”?! Talk about stubborn and tone-deaf.
Bochy made it clear last season that when things go wrong, he’s not much of a stand up guy. That was especially obvious when he tried to spread the decision making blame around to the coaches.
And that stuff Baggarly and Carl Steward came up with after the season about how it was the fans’ fault that Bochy couldn’t use Casilla in the postseason–and, by implication, that the Giants got knocked out in the first round? That was because of comments Bochy made about the fans booing him/Casilla, so his hands were tied. Blaming the coaches is bad enough. Blaming the fans is ridiculous. Next thing, we’ll hear that it was all the meanies on the TWG blog who killed the Giants’ season.
I’m glad I tuned out for 2 weeks, and missed that ignorant bull-sheet. I need my molars for a few more years.
So do you admire someone who’s in charge trying to shift blame to others when things don’t go well?
God, no. You misread me.
He never blamed the fans and I don’t remember him blaming any coaches either.
He , did , another Bochy fan boy !!
Baggerly is totally forgotten in my mind
Meathead.
True, but he’s also had some success as well.
You guys are turning fauxrage into an art form.
I can’t speak for anyone else, but there’s nothing “faux” about my rage. The 2016 season was incredibly disappointing and frustrating, and I assign about 80% of the blame for that to Bochy.
CC is one of Bochy’s fan boys he will never criticize him for nothing .
I agree. That was a team that could well have won the World Series if Bochy hadn’t focused on having a temper tantrum more than on managing.
Even Joe Maddon said Game 4 against the Giants was THE key to their title and that he didn’t want any part of a Game 5 vs. Cueto.
Where did he say that?
Just today.
I mean where can I read it and where can I see the Bochy interview today about game 4?
Try Alex over at CSN
Cueto’s performance in Game 1 kind of got forgotten with all the hysteria later but he was just awesome. He completely dominated the Cubs other than Baez’ fly ball which was a homer by about 1 foot, Lester was good not nearly as good, he got helped a lot by lousy baserunning. And especially if they’d won two in a row to force a 5th game you had to like the Giants’ chances in game 5.
Bochy’s 2016 was comparable to Huff’s 2011.
And we now know Huff was hooked on Adderall and alcohol in 2011.
Don’t mean to get melodramatic, but it reminds me of finding out that Nancy Reagan was running the country for a couple of years. Say what?
No, Bruce, you can’t “welcome Casilla back.” Get a fkn grip.
I knew Lopez was going to walk Rizzo when LAW game into the game. It was obvious what Bochy’s ‘plan’ for the 9th was–rely on two relievers who had pitched 2 innings each the day before and a third who had been lousy all season.
Where’s the interview?
Very sad situation for former beloved Giant Andres Torres. I wondered why he wasn’t in the house for the Willie Mac Award presentation–he usually always comes–but I heard this was why. So sad when you think of Solarte on the Padres losing his wife, and Bob Fitzgerald recently, too.
https://twitter.com/bengiemolina1/status/806614203591053312
đ
Thoughts and prayers to the Andres Torres family. Channel some of that inner strength to your helpmate, Yungo. Praying for you.
You and your kids are in our thoughts Andres. Prayers go out to your wife.
A Forever Giant. #56.
Ugh that is so sad. đ
That ain’t right, Baby Jeesus.
Sad news , Molina just tweeted out that Andres wife just passed away .
Lefty tweeted it out 16 hours ago
Nightall, even TO. đ
http://poorlydrawnlines.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/the-present.png
Great job GG
LOL, Chapman’s deal with the Yankees includes the stipulation that he can’t be traded to any team in California.
Yeah, we don’t want you here, either, slimeball.
5 years, $86 million. Yep, Melancon’s record deal for a closer lasted the better part of what, 34 hours?
He and Bobby Bonilla can hang out together.
So you figure Jansen will slide somewhere in between those two numbers.
Possibly. The Marlins reportedly offered 5 years/$80 million for Jansen
Also waiting to see what Keith Law thinks of the Chapman deal. Is it stupid Keith?
I think we all knew both Chapman and Jensen’s deals would be higher monetary value than Melancon with the Giants. And I’m fine with that. MM will be paid market value price and likely get a WS ring or two out of the deal. We’ll see about the other guys.
Californians keep voting to release felons with violent histories from prison, but don’t want a guy who never faced any criminal charges is to vile to play for their baseball team. Makes sense to me.
You in favor of a man choking a woman, and then firing multiple bullets in his Garage in a rage, that sounds like a ticking time bomb to me , but a police officer has no problem with it , just wow ! That does not surprise me though, as a kid I had to deal with crazy , or drunk brother’s chase family members with butcher knives, and the police do nothing about it until somebody got hurt or killed !!!~
No, but I find the moral outrage directed at Chapman inconsistent with the support the same community gives to releasing criminals from prison.
Excuse me, Oracle, but I’ve never advocated for releasing hardened criminals from prison, so I think I have a right to dislike Chapman, his behavior and apparent refusal to grow up, fit in and be a productive citizen. By the all-star break of year three of that deal, the Yankees will realize they overpaid for a problem player.
You are a generous man TF; I’d give it half the time before the deal is deemed a bad one for the team. Never mind his off field issues, it’s just nuts to sign relievers to such long contracts, they just don’t have the shelf life. I’m skeptical about the Giants deal with MM, so much security, how’s he going to keep that edge?
Hopefully 2 years.
BINGO
CA firearms restrictions speak for themselves…..
Haha, maybe that’s it!
I think it brings to mind an edited lyric from Sting
You can’t save what you don’t lead
Id take him if i felt that his problems were behind him. Why not give him 1 chance Dr? If i were never given the opportunity after all the mistakes ive made in life id probably be dead or sittin in a cell somewhwere and im flourishing now. Haven’t you ever made mistakes before while on planet earth?
Why do you think his problems are behind him? He didn’t face criminal charges because the GF wouldn’t pursue it, as is typical in these high-profile cases (money talks, I”m sure). He’s never admitted anything or expressed any remorse for the incident, so there’s no evidence he’s learned from it. And now he’s just been handed huge money to play for the Yankees. So he’s taken no responsibility and faced basically no consequences–on the contrary, he went from suspension to getting traded to the Cubs and getting a World Series ring (that he almost kept the Cubs from winning), and the incident obviously didn’t affect his free agent payoff.
POTD!
BUT it is a SOCIETY issue – it is NOT solely an pro sports issue.
I would have no problems giving him one chance. $90M or whatever would make it a lifetime of chances, however.
Watching the Warriors play basketball is like watching great art.
Warriors and Sharks tonight, Raiders tomorrow. It is all good. That and 68 days until pitchers and catchers report.
68 days is actually pretty damn close
I know the Warriors are playing some great ball… but the Spurs were doing it before them. The passing clinic the Spurs put on in the Finals they beat Miami was still the best performance I’ve ever seen.
Sure they were…and that helped Kerr learn. The Dubs now have it down , regardless of the Genesis….and if they stay in their lane, will keep rolling over everything in their path
MyHotStoveGuyâą Whiff … Half of us thought it would be a pitcher but not Heston.
Here are the guesses we had with nine still in the running after getting “Closer” right:
Me: C and Blackburn
KIR: CL and Osich
Lefty CL and Mac
TF62 CL and Parker
Anti-L CL Blach
stevek C Coonrod
Noce CL Parker
Sgbssfg CL No one
PS35 C Mac
dgg CL Blackburn
610 CL Span
Efrain CL Stratton
The next predictions submitted: First to get extended and for how much… Five in on Bum; no one else even got two votes.
g’morn haakman. were the my guy results posted yet? i think you said that last w/e they would be posted, but with the site being down last w/e, i wasn’t sure if i missed it. thanks…
Yes, the site going down threw things off and then Melacon hit the front pages. You have not missed it. I can tell you that you did very well; Bickford was a #2 as your best pick and Hunter Cole finished the weakest at #30 [because he did so well in 2015 with a wRC+ of 130. He got a 104 this year and he stayed at Richmond the whole season so no Bonus.]
thank you, one flap. your hard work is greatly appreciated.
Nice Giants80’s Reference …
Would the Ehire and Gearrin contracts count as extensions? I wonder cause someone picked Nunez who is in a similar boat
It may be subjective but I did not think those two contracts really fit what most were thinking of. Nunez is higher up as a starter in the line-up.
BTW: you never gave me numbers on Moore. Do you want to add that now?
I didn’t really think this one out, but I’d say that signing an arbitration eligible player to the next year’s contract is just agreeing on the price, no extension. So if my Nunez is to count, it must be a genuine multi-year contract that is signed.
The Rule V draft has already come and gone. Naturally, the Giants don’t pick with a stuffed 40 man – it was interesting that the Rockies passed with 3 open slots on 40 man. Also, there will be no Joe Biagini’s this year as unprotected Giant farm hands were not selected. Only 17 players selected in the MLB portion.
But Joe Be-A-Genie is a great example of a Prospect that exceeded expecations right? Did anyone rank him to be a solid reliever in the MLB?
He looked mostly like a C/C+ prospect with some potential to be a back of rotation starter – which he still can be in Toronto because they could use more depth in the rotation.
Prospects that are bullpen bound don’t rate exceptionally high. The good ones are C+ prospects, the guys that look like closers could be rated B to B+ in theory, but most bullpen bound arms are in the C category.
You never know what is going to happen after converting a guy from starting to the bullpen. In Joe’s case as with others, the stuff picks up and they find a niche.
Thanks … love your work to get folks talking.
JH
Also Haak, you can go through the recent history of the Giants bullpen and find that all the favorites such as Romo, Casilla, Lopez, Kontos were never prospects with buzz. Affeldt may have had some recognition because he was a lefty with mid to high 90’s sink. Brian Wilson was something like a C+ prospect because he could throw 100 mph, kind of like Strickland.
Now take the 62 million dollar man. He was barely a prospect at all. Struggled until he got to Pittsburgh, then he learned the cutter, and the rest is multi-million dollar history.
I saw him throw in a game down here (against Quakes) and thought he was much better than a C/C+ pitcher. He was very sharp and at the time he looked more B+ to me, than a middle of the roader.
To each their own grading scale đ
A guy regarded as B+ would be viewed as a top 50 prospect in all of MiLB.
Tyler Beede currently deserves recognition in these terms. B/B+ anyhow.
OK, I’ll yield to the grading system you suggest. I just know I was impressed with the only live performance where I saw him throw. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/83f88115eaa867cda1087fd4925c944f3933c1d4f65d911320ce31a304eec773.jpg
Topsy turvy world, eh.
Couldn’t flip it for some reason. I even took pics while I was at that game.
Nice. Well good scouting on Joe anyway. Vegas Giants Fan was grade A talent evaluator in my book. You’re doing good too. Can’t wait for the blog angst when Susac hits 20+ HRs !
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/483926f12e33d4f6b884b1d373a2d8ab47a208a96ccacfd47540c48640a7e675.jpg Speaking of “topsy turvy” … my Mac cannot get these pics to turn. Here is what I am Cold Brewing right now … “Ethiopian Sidama”. It was the decaf that was coming out of the roaster when I walked in so I took it.
What will it be like Bap?
Ethiopian may need to be brewed a little stronger than your typical Sumatran, Costa Rican, etc. Likewise with real Kona.
Decaf is like taking a shower with your raincoat on.
Thanks for keeping that phrase PG.
I have enough trouble sleeping so I am forced into this unsavory choice after two Real Coffees for breakfast
Beede is #98 on the MLB list right now. Will be interesting to see if he rises on the preseason lists. He ended up having a great year and finished very strong.
that’s not my favorite list. Seems they had Giolito #3 as well.
Rule 5 picks only have to stay on 25-man for the one year they’re picked? Right?
That’s the ticket. At least I’m 99% pretty sure you can option a Rule V guy in his 2nd year with new club without penalty.
Dodgers are inching closer to the prospect of trying to defend their NL West crown without a bonafide closer.
Their alternatives are starting to look funky. Perhaps they bring back Blanton, perhaps they sign Daniel Hudson or Brad Ziegler, and perhaps Chris Hatcher comes back strong and maybe top prospect De Leon competes for late inning role. There’s always good ol’ Pedro Baez.
What a winter for Friedman & Co. Tangled up in blue.
You have to wonder if Friedman is trying to build up their farm system much like he did when he was in Tampa. Prospects for bona-fide MLB players at low cost.
He’s on record stating that he intends to be competitive every year for the long haul and the way to do that is to develop your own talent and not to ship off your best prospects and/or overpay every free agent.
But how do the other 6 general managers feel???
like Brigadier Generals??
Meanwhile, the Giants came to the meetings with their closer deal all wrapped up except the paperwork, and we can all spend the coming weekend figuring out our personal Fake25Man lists.
As long as Los Bumbinos finish behind the Giants every year I’m okay with that!
They haven’t for the last four.
You know who that sounds like? The Giants.
money cant buy you everything lol
especially not love.
It can buy you the presidency however.
I don’t think I can look at his face for 4 years what a ugly man
It’s the man’s soul that’s ugly. (sorry for the politics here)
Soul and looks im sorry
What soul?
I’d like to see that clown dance.
OK, so Hillary probably can’t cut the rug much either. But I bet Bill can, while he swings his saxophone on the stage.
It can lose you the presidencuy too it seems.
With the doggers pitching it seems they have to see a Closer as a vital part: bring back Jansen? What are the odds?
Apparently not. Clinton lost.
Hey, I was thinking of you on the drive in. Wanted to ask you your thoughts about NPR report I heard.
Essentially, combat veterans that become police officers may be less likely to use lethal force in escalated situation where perpetrator may have a weapon. It may have to do with training specific to combat zones.
It was a sad story in that man who wanted to commit suicide by police officer was ultimately shot, but the first responding officer (combat veteran) who did not shoot was fired because he essentially put his fellow officers in danger for not shooting the man who was brandishing a pistol. Apparently the department had other grounds to dismiss him, but it was a compelling story and I wanted to know about your thoughts on the whether combat veterans use different discretion. Thanks.
My honest answer is that I don’t think you can make a broad, general statement like that about any group. Situations where cops shoot at anyone are extremely rare. The overwhelming majority of cops never do so. What’s also never reported are the far more common situations where people with weapons are taken into custody without anyone getting hurt. Those stories don’t have any media appeal.
Theres always a resurgence of B Weezy.
Buster Olney suggested in his column that they might get…wait for it…
Santiago Casilla!
I can can Romo signing there as well.
I was about to suggest that. They like ex Giants closers.
Keep me up to speed…what’s up with Jansen?
Apparently offered 5/$80+ by the Marlins, so it sounds like he’ll be reuniting with DTT.
got it…thanks…
If any team is going to buck the trend a put a rookie in there it is them. They probably have atleast 2 guys in there system talented enough to do the job. I wouldn’t want to count on Blanton late in the year (no matter how good he was last year).
Andres Torres’s wife has passed away from cancer (another Bengie Molina tweet). So sad–prayers for the whole family, especially Andres and the children.
Sad news. I don’t think I even knew Andres was married, or had kids until seeing Bengie’s tweet yesterday, but our hearts go out to them today. Bengie is most closely identified with the Angels, but was a good team mate apparently in his short time with us.
Bengie was a two-time Willie Mac winner, and Tim Lincecum says he owes Bengie half of his two Cys. And Bengie has a 2010 World Series ring. I’d say he was a great Giant, too. It’s just that a lot of his time here was buried in several really bad seasons for the team.
I read Bengie’s autobiography about a year ago. Since I remembered his desire to win games that got him these Willie Mac’s, it was a little disappointing that the Giants part of the book was so short. But he comes across as a genuinely warm human being, with a deep feeling for family (the book is actually mostly about Bengie’s father). It is nice to learn he has kept in contact with his former Giants teammates.
Bengie and Andres are also both from Puerto Rico, so I’m guessing there’s a bit of a fraternity there, too.
To me, THE most powerful section of “Band of Misfits” was the Bengie story…
Oh my Lord. Bless Andres and his kids.
Sorry to hear about his wife’s passing. As fans, we almost forget that it’s the wives who, alone, take of the children while the fathers are away for almost 8 months out of the year to play baseball.
Here’s your 2017 Opening Day roster, assuming no trades. Giants are in luxury tax territory now with Melancon signing. Everyone of these 25, with the exception of Osich, have no options left. Only two lefty relievers. I suspect two of these guys will be traded to make room for another lefty, Okert along with Blach: Suarez, Kontos, or Gearrin.
Suarez
Strickland
Law
Melancon
Kontos
Gearrin
Osich
Smith
Moore
Smarge
MadBum
Cueto
Cain
Posey
Brown
Belt
Panik
Nunez
Crawford
Adrianza
Gillaspie
Pence
Parker
Span
Hernandez
These guys have options left and will start in the minors.
Tomlinson
Williamson
Blach
Okert
Nope, options not that important , I think the 4 you say start in the Minors will be on opening day roster, some DL players and a few DFA’s .
I agree with PJ. I’d say it’s likely that Williamson will be the Opening Day LF and that Blach will be the fifth starter. Tomlinson has earned a utility spot (several times over). The only question for me is Osich vs. Okert, and spring training will sort that out, but Okert finished stronger.
The Giants are bringing back Ramiro Pena as a non-roster invitee, so he will push KT and EA for a utility infielder bench spot.
off topic – I like the messages from Ralph Hexter way more than the ones from Katehi. Excellent writer, and seems like a real good person.
I also really like the interim provost, Ken Burtis. I’ve been in bunch of meetings with him this year, and he’s good people–listens well, asks good questions, actually makes decisions(!).
I’ll swap out Osich and Suarez for Okert and Cain in the pen. Move Blach in the starting 5 and swap Mac for Parker.
Or have Mac and Parker on the club and Gorkys in AAA.
I’m sick of protecting adrianza. Time for kelby to be in the majors all year and play against lefties as much as possible, the team needs it. And williamson deserves a serious shot too, out of him, parker, and hernandez he’s the only one who might amount to something.
Williamson won’t be starting in AAA.
I’d agree but if not who exactly will be? Parker?
It’s no wonder that you are unknown.
Alex Pavlovic, 59min ago:
Giants are finalizing a deal to bring Ramiro Pena back as non-roster invitee. Will also add a minor league catcher.
Update at 1 a.m.: The PTBNL has not been named.
Much earlier yesterday I read somewhere that the Giants were hoping to get a prospect back for Chris Heston. I was expecting the Giants would get their pick off a mutually-agreed-upon list, and therefore, the prospect wouldn’t be named until later.
We should Google-up the Mariner’s 40 man list, and scan it for the name Mr. PTBNL! You are right, it could be a list, but it could also be a specific player who the Giants can’t put on their 40-man just now.
I just checked Alex’s twitter exchanges with followers on this, and my hunch was right: there’s a list.
Alex, in reply, 11hr ago: “they have a list of players to choose from, will select one later”
I’m guessing it may NOT be someone from the Mariners’ 40, since the point was for the Giants to open a 40-man spot. So probably a younger prospect who doesn’t have to be added to the 40 yet.
The contract has a ‘player to be named later’ component in it.
Mark Purdy on Giants fans reaction to signing Mark Melancon: “At least their team wasnât morally bankrupt enough to sign the free agent relief pitcher who shot off a gun in his garage to scare his girlfriend.”
Not to mention a guy with a checkered postseason resume. Also, people seem to gloss over the fact that if Chapman isn’t throwing 100+ he’s far more hittable. When he was tired in the playoffs and “only” hitting 97-98 he was getting smoked. How many more years can he sustain 100+? Two, maybe three? He was never in the Giants plans and never should’ve been. While Jansen was a nice dream, the Giants got their guy. And as long as Jansen signs elsewhere (say, Miami?) then it makes the Melancon signing all the better.
One of the things that amused/annoyed me during the postseason was how enamored the announcers were of Chapman’s 100+ velocity when the pitch was a ball, then another ball at 101+. Me to Fox Sports: Yeah, but it wasn’t a strike guys.
Chapman is going to have to flee to the East, preferable the AL. There is way too much Posey out West, in the NL.
Well, this won’t go over well here.
http://www.sfgate.com/giants/shea/article/Giants-maxing-out-on-payroll-relying-heavily-on-10781851.php
That doesn’t surprise me. I’d expect them to say exactly that about Cain. And he SHOULD get an opportunity to come in and “fight” for a spot. This is still a step forward from last spring, when he was handed the spot (after being awful in the second half of 2015), relegating Heston to middle relief and Blackburn back to AAA without even a chance to compete for a rotation spot, even though both had earned that chance in 2015.
If Cain comes to camp “in the best shape of his life” and looks like the old Matt Cain in spring training games, then bravo. We all win. I just don’t really believe that’s what’s going to happen, though. I believed it in 2014 and then again in 2015, but I don’t believe it in 2017.
I don’t think Matt’s been this healthy in many years.
Maybe. Didn’t seem to help a bit in 2016. He was pretty awful and couldn’t even stay on the mound with those hamstring issues. Like I said, if he’s good, then we all win, but I’m going to be a doubter for now.
He has been healthy for a long time, he was not used to not having bone chips in his elbow, and does not have the command anymore .
Cain, thanks for your career year of 2012, but there’s a new kid on the blach.
Nice try.
He wasn’t healthy then, at all.
That’s what they say every year.
They aren’t saying it, I am.
The good part of that is not teams season is made or broken with how the 5th starter performs. Anything above a .400 win percentage is golden.
” The good part of that is not teams season is made or broken with how the 5th starter performs”
Partially true.
I disagree with John Shea on this: I don’t believe Matt Cain is the favorite for the 5th starter spot. I expect Ty Blach will win that competition.
I’ll go a step further. I really want Ty Blach to win that competition.
It’s time for the Giants to move on from Matt Cain in the rotation.
Shea is just quoting Evans.
Alex also interviewed Evans and came to the opposite conclusion–that Blach is the frontrunner. Shea is not the regular beat guy, and I don’t know that he’s as capable as Alex is of reading the situation. But like I said, I absolutely would expect Evans to say exactly what he did about Cain, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t also have major doubts, as well he should.
True about Evans re: Cain. He isn’t going to say anything to essentially disrespect a great Giant. But it could be that neither Matt or Ty will start the season as the 5. These things aren’t decided in December. As to what a GM says in December- it means less than nothing. LF, the number 5 starter, and maybe 3rd base are all up for grabs.
IMO.
Hmmm… Since there are no quotation marks, I see that as Shea’s interpretation.
And Bochy.
John Shea is more of an A’s guy I noticed following him on twitter, he is exaggerating the importance of Matt Cain to the Giants, and Evans has said on the Radio that Cain has to earn his spot on the team, now Bochy since Cain is a veteran is another story .
Bochy chose Ty Blach for the 25-man 2016 NLDS roster.
That is a group decision, GM is involved in that decision .
Bochy made the call on Ty Blach over Matt Cain more than once last year. And Bochy has the final call on the postseason roster.
He does not, the whole front office have meetings, but whatever, you seem to be more of a Bochy fan then I am , and I am more of an Evans fan then most on this blog, prefer him to Sabean or Bochy, who are more veteran friendly then Evans .
We may differ on many Giants related aspects but sometimes I feel like I’m one of the only ones defending Evans. Sure, he’s made some mistakes, but he’s done about as well as could have been hoped for so far. I like Evans, I think he’s proactive and forthright (as much as a GM can be). Next offseason should be interesting if Cueto is ready to walk. Giants might want to focus more on saving their dough for the epic 2018 FA class.
I align with you’re feelings on Evans, but I think the committee discussions, in the end, defer to Bochy to make the ultimate final call. It’s as it should be
Group discussion, but not a group decision. Bochy makes the final call. Bochy deserves criticism for some of his decisions in 2016, but he also deserves credit. He deserves a lot of credit for choosing Ty Blach over Matt Cain.
Bruce makes the decisions on who plays, the roster is not his decision
What are your Cubs going to do for a Closer?
Wade Davis is the plan, I think.
They just traded for him so yes .
What you don’t like Wade Davis? I think they 1 upped the Giants at that spot.
We were talking about the postseason roster.
Cain and Blach made that a pretty easy decision.
Than, than, than, than…
That’s all you good for a grammar correction ?
No, he’s quite multi talented. Even analytical.
Dude, it isn’t grammar, it’s spelling.
It all depends on what the Giants mean by “compete” for the 5th spot. IMO, with what Blach did last year, it is absolutely his to lose. NOTHING Blach does in ST should cause him to lose that spot. He has earned a leash far, far greater than the ones Peavy and Cain were given last year…and they were given long leashes. If the Giants give the 5th spot to Cain (which I don’t think they will) then they will prove salary and tenure trumps merit. But, I really think this is all PR posturing because they don’t want to come and out say directly Cain is washed up and is nothing more than a mop up guy on this team.
“NOTHING Blach does in ST should cause him to lose that spot.”
Look, i’m just relaying, not stating any opinion.
But I disagree there. Blach will have to pitch well. If he and Cain have similar numbers, I believe they will give Cain the spot to start the season.
What do you expect them to say about Cain, your done , you have no chance to start, no way they say that, but the odds are he is done, and that 28 million goes his way if he pitches or not, so why waste the roster spot, if he looks done in Spring training .
Yes and they basically said the same things last yr and Cain and Peavy were both awful in ST and to start the season…yet …
“If he and Cain have similar numbers, I believe they will give Cain the spot to start the season.” I know you are stating what you believe to be the opinion of the organization, but that is absolutely insane if that is their line of thinking. What if both have an ERA of 3.50 in ST? Given what Cain has done over the last FOUR years allowing him to be the 5th SP fits the definition of insanity (doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results). ST performances mean little to nothing. Blach has been nothing but tremendous as a big leaguer. I’m not saying he’s the second coming of Kershaw but he has earned the rotation spot. He’s not a 22 year old kid, he’s a college pitcher with a well polished minor league career. He’s proven he belongs and I will be beyond disappointed in the Giants organization if he is not given a shot in the rotation to begin the year in 2017. Cain is a great Giant, but he’s been awful for four years. Stop pumping that well, move on for the betterment of him and the club.
” it is absolutely his to lose”
Correct- but there is still a competition for the job. Ty has earned nothing but the chance to compete for the spot. He just has the edge going in. And the competition involves more than just Blach and Cain.
IMO.
Alex just posted a report on “Why the Giants are likely done making big offseason additions.” His article included this analysis of the Matt Cain situation:
“Cain would be the only big salary that could be removed without leaving a new hole, but even if a team was willing to take it on (extremely unlikely) in some form, and you ignored the fact that Cain is competing for the fifth starter spot, thereâs a zero percent chance the Giants ask their longest-tenured player to waive his no-trade clause and accept a deal to a rebuilding team.”
http://www.csnbayarea.com/giants/why-giants-are-likely-done-making-big-offseason-additions
It also sounds like Bochy is leaning Parker over Mac….I guess that remains to be seen. I also think Matt will be paid to either fill a long-man role, be put back on the DL…although there is a legacy of guys like him coming out of Scottsdale with First Rights of Disastrous Failure through month one.
I love Blach, and he’s crafty…but the sample size is dramatically small (yes, dramatically successful), and he can be Hestoned in a heartbeat if Cain looks serviceable. Cain is Uncle Matt…and the kids have to respect his history, even if he’s talking Glory Days over pumpkin pie at the table
The Giants should never have signed Matt Cain to a 5-year contract. The floating chips in his elbow were going to erupt into a big problem at some point. I think there is a lot of respect for Matt Cain’s history. But that’s the problem: It’s history.
Perhaps, but I will say this about our Giants in a cut-throat business: their shows of loyalty have created the best workplace environment within the sport, in my opinion. So, though the risk of the Cain signing seems to have come out poorly, the “soft cost” results have been positive. People want to come here and play for this loyal organization*
*- unless they are members of the Right Handed Hitting Peter Johnson Power Coalition
The Cain situation is sad really. I don’t know how it’s going to turn out. What I don’t want to happen is for the Giants to place Cain in the rotation at the outset of 2017 when/if that will not be what’s best for the team.
A perfect game is a serious negotiating tool.
He signed his extension at the start of the 2012 season, before he Pitched the perfect game in June of 2012 .
I stand corrected.
Thanking Saint Gregor always.
That’s obviously because Parker has 205 career PAs, while Williamson has only 161. Parker is the veteran.
Parker has put up an .865 OPS over 176 MLB ABs. Even if he put up a .750-800 OPS that would be an improvement over last year and would be in line with what Desmond did last season.
Is he telling stories to the Giants’ kids about the days when Steve Finley, Marquis Grissom and Barry Bonds were roaming the outfield of AT&T Park?
IF they go with a strict platoon…Parker will see more playing time.
Good comp Heston. Should serve as a caution against getting too high just yet on Blach. We all love this kid’s moxie and what he did last yr, but it’s a very small sample.
Parker gives him an OF option in LF, RF, and even CF. Williamson will prevail only if he can be better at the plate, IMO. Tossups go to Parker, IMO.
It seems apparent that whoever prevails at the plate will start. For my pesos, Mac is a much better fielder regardless of position.
I think you may be right, but they won’t break from the gate that way. A lot can happen before the clubhouse turn.
If Matt is “serviceable”, he’ll be either the number 5 or the long guy, but he would be on the staff. If he looks done, Suarez probably gets the long relief job. IMO.
There is just no reason to favor Parker over Mac. Mac is a way better fielder (Def. 2.9 vs. -4.8), more power (HR every 21 PAs vs. every 30 PAs), RH which the team needs, will be 26 vs. 28. Makes no sense.
http://www.newyorker.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Daily-Cartoon-092614-Jeter-690.jpg
It doesn’t look like this model would work well on ground balls or DPs.
I am happy for Ramiro Pena that he gets to return to the non-invitee list for spring training.
Me too. He did a nice job!
He’s really in tough unless they only go with 4 OFers, what with KT and Gillaspie almost assured of spots
He might have been the 6th option to close game 4 đ
Good solid player that can help the Giants on the field and with depth if they can keep him in the system somehow.
YAY!
So Chapman is a Yankee again. http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/12/07/aroldis-chapman-yankees-agree-record-deal/95110682/
You got your telegraph working again?
I make it a habit to not go more than one page back upthread. I’d just read it in USA-T. It struck that was a lot of money for 2 mph. đ
Interesting interview with Sandoval.
https://twitter.com/hankschulman/status/806933193957904384
So what did you think about it?
Ballers come and go. Giants team remains. Pablo who?
Sandoval.
Sandoval who? Kung fu Panda? Unlnown here. MIA.
He was a good Giant, sir…sure, he could be frustrating, but he wears rings because of himself and his teammates
To each his own.
Unicuique sui. More classical.
Cannot forget the things he accomplished. Wotus and Flannery were very close to him and thus very disappointed. His doubling home of Crawford and almost Posey + the “Oh Wow” from Verlander are etched in lore.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQ5xfO1nYMU
The thing with Pablo – he could have played HERE heavy or fat but he became OBESE and his brother and him went south on loyalty.
And it’s just because of his “loyalty”that I can’t stand him anymore. He fled to Boston like a burglar in the night. Pfui. What a manly behaviour…
So why the bitterness? You should be happy.
But I am happy not to see that con in orange and black uni anymore.
Unrequited amore.
LMAO
I think I agree with dgg: I’ve heard it all before. For his sake, I hope he “gets it” this time, but I’m also glad he’s not our problem anymore.
Well, like I said, I take a more generous view. I see things that he has never said before and I believe that he is sincere in wanting to reboot, so to speak. That’s not to say that he will follow through, we’ll see about that. But if he does succeed in reviving his career , the bitterness here will be even worse than when he left. That’s a given.
He is so Eddie Haskell that its maddening. You so want to love this big kid…and he loves baseball, attention, success. He just seems too immature at times to understand what it takes at the highest level
I thought that it was a good piece. Sometimes kids do grow up, you know.
…and I hope this proves that he has.
Until he proves otherwise, I prefer to think that he has taken stock of himself and wants to start anew. That’s pretty much the way generous people look at these things.
Bingo.
And sometimes don’t, unfortunately. And I don’t care about anything he will do elsewhere in non Giants uni.
I do. You don’t. Who gives a shit?
Well, I agree with you about your last sentence. Who gives a shit about Panda’s future? Not me for sure.
Good for you, ‘Pal-o-mino”
Maybe I will need a therapist in the future. Who knows? Proximo in mente Dei. Luckily not now.
He’s not a big kid. He’s a grown man who is fine with taking millions of dollars from his employer without making his best effort in return. He’s a guy who bashed his teammates on his way out of town and who, based on his actions and not his words, cares only about himself. I don’t love him and have no desire to do so. He’s a con man.
Finally we found something we both agree. Kudos.
Who says that you have to love him? And who cares if you don’t?
I was responding to Matthew’s “You so want to love this big kid…”
He’s an insecure, immature narcissist, IMO. That’s a personality type I’m becoming familiar with.
I’m glad to hear the therapy is helping.
What therapy?
We all are.
Pablo says all the same clichĂ©d, eye-rolling things he’s said before. Except for this statement, which made me laugh out loud: He doesn’t hold grudges for the Red Sox fans’ skepticism and bears the fans no ill will.
“I certainly get it. I understand all the frustration [fans] must have felt, and I can’t hold any grudges. I have no ill will about anything.”
Well, that’s mighty big of him. Very generous. He doesn’t get it. He never will.
“…mighty big…” No pun intended, I am sure.
None whatsoever. đ
I don’t see where the problem is with his comments.
My take, down yonder “Until he proves otherwise, I prefer to think that he has taken stock of himself and wants to start anew. That’s pretty much the way generous people look at these things.”
Unrelated to the “discussion” here, I find it admirable that he has worked so hard at mastering the English language. A long way from when Papa mocked his grasp of the language.
Anyway, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see him in October. Fun times, for sure.
Just a few to honor Andres and his wife
http://m.mlb.com/video/v484846583/?query=Andres%2Btorres
http://m.mlb.com/video/v28983007/?query=Andres%2Btorres
http://m.mlb.com/video/v28319451/?query=Andres%2Btorres
http://m.mlb.com/video/v29872917/?query=Andres%2Btorres
http://m.mlb.com/video/v27866427/?query=Andres%2Btorres
it sucks when really bad things happen to really good people, and it happens over, and over, and over. RIP mrs torres, and prayers with andres, and his family.
It all evens out in the end
What a swell way to comment on Mrs. Torres’ passing.
No sheet.
God rest her soul. Be well, Andres.
To those who may read my comment above, I can see as Michael did, that it can be interpreted not as I had intended. To those who took exception, as Michael did, to it, my sincerest apologies.
Bueno, it was just an email mis-read.
Sorry you took it that way. Wasn’t meant to be about her.
I’m sorry that I misunderstood your comment.
Pls see below. Thank you, Michael.
The Animals wrote a song about that. Our fault.
Great song, by the way.
Empathy is painful for some.
Charming https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7f3b6ba21f5c44298d8f709e016d2803c9a8a9c41b54254b79a79ee3ae620a73.jpg
The way back machine from NY Times Blog
Dave LaRoche Eephus pitches Gorman Thomas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikLlRT2j7EQ
Opies version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3W8I4JLECQ
Darvish’s version http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/6479266/v33371377
Eephus pitch in Japan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx0vA9dHOZo
Rip Sewell and Ted Williams – the Blooper ball
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7V6a6VfPrM
The Eephus pitch, popularized in the 1930s and 40s by Rip Sewell is basically just a high arcing lob or a âjunk ball.â It seems that everyone who throws the pitch (or some version of it) has their own name for it. Dave LaRoche called his âLaLobâ. Dave Steib called his the âDead Fishâ. Bill Lee called his the âSpaceballâ or âLeephusâ. Yankee fans will of course remember Steve Hamiltonâs âFolly Floaterâ. Orlando Hernandez and Tim Wakefield had some version of the Eephus.
1970 All-Star game, Sewell threw one to Ted Williams, who missed it and asked for another. Sewell obliged and Williams hit it out of the park. In another game Hamilton threw one to Clevelandâs Tony Horton who fouled it back behind home plate. Horton asked for another and got it only to pop it up to catcher Thurman Munson. Steeped in shame, Horton crawled back to the dugout.
Also as Lee found out in the 1975 World Series, you canât get too cute with the pitch. In game 7 of that series, Lee twice retired Cincinnati slugger Tony Perez with his space ball, but went to the well one too many times and in his third at bat Perez hit one out of the park for a 2-run home run to bring the Reds to within a run. That was the beginning of Cincinnatiâs comeback and the Reds went on to win the game and the series.
Awesome!!
“Wanna Have a Catch”? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy6sSp6IY7c
For those former Extra Giants and Giants Extra fans that are still AWOL there has been a siting
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ba03d3f12fcf37a441009ac5400c6fd033014ded9c87fc24593e1f59d956cf81.gif “I got nothin”
I think I am going to offer to wash KIR’s car and buy him the Jaymee Sire sandwich at IKES place if Oakland can beat KC tonight. http://www.eisforeat.com/2011/11/i-is-for-ikes-place.html
Good luck KIR! (and BaldSlikk also)
Mackenzie and The River have brought serious swagger and confidence to this team. I’m all-in on da Rayyyyderzzz
Chiefs win tonight.
Literacy is a worthy goal.
https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/183/472732410_9f74acf54f_b.jpg
I have to say I don’t quite get this, CC.
“Chefs”
KC would strip the ball away from a dear old Grandma.
Chiefs by 3.
I won’t have to wash car or buy Sammie
Many of you will recognize some familiar names on these two links aka Flavor and Stickman or Stix
https://oneflapdown77.com/
https://oneflapdown77.com/2016/07/13/dark-day-3/
I’d say Brisbee has a Jones for J.D.
http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2016/12/8/13884912/sf-giants-offseason-rumors-no-really-jd-martinez-is-coming-right
Yeah, and dgg is most certainly right: no subterfuge, no shenanigans, no profligate spending.
Very interesting Winter Meetings wrap-up notes by Alex Pavlovic.
“— At the risk of wiping out a bunch of future “The Player to be Named Later has not been named” tweets, here’s how it works: The Giants gave the Mariners a small list of prospects they’ll watch in spring training, and they’ll scout them and choose one player as the return for Chris Heston. It will not be a significant prospect.”
http://www.csnbayarea.com/giants/notes-ex-giants-not-getting-much-traction-not-expected-return
There’s a lot of good news in there! The Pagan and Gordon Beckham stuff, especially.
Gordo is my guy. Not much of a fit, but maybe he gets a minor league invite to camp deal if he doesn’t get a guaranteed or better deal elsewhere. Good guy for sure.
I think the front office does pay attention to the players’ comments, and bringing Beckham back into camp seems like a good idea. They have made dumber ‘dumpster dives’ than that!
He’ll have to fight off Law for the lunatic in the dugout spot.
Except (as Craws would say), for ‘the hitting part.’
Maybe the list looks similar to the list of C prospect names that I pasted below this link. Most likely the list will feature guys that the Mariners just drafted in later rounds of the recent June draft.
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2016/3/13/11214576/seattle-mariners-top-20-prospects-for-2016
Greifer Andrade, SS; Jonathan Aro, RHP; Rayder Ascanio, INF; Jacob Brentz, LHP; Mayckol Guaipe, RHP; Guillermo Heredia, OF; Brayan Hernandez, OF; Tyler Marlette, C; Gareth Morgan, OF; Tyler Pike, LHP; Dario Pizzano, OF; Tyler Smith, SS; Christopher Torres, SS
Nothing to do with baseball, but John Glenn has passed at age 95. Wally Pipp has to meet him over at heaven’s rocket pad, rather than the pearly gates, I guess.
Mr. Glenn had certainly been closer to heaven than the vast majority of mortals. He had the right stuff.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/741a07e18b2ef4c9bb9e902e517a9053bdaa8cf3301269536105e0768102e7aa.jpg
A pretty good remembrance. https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/12/john-glenn-astronaut-obituary/510068/
thx CC. I was 7.25 years old when John Glenn took his ride, that and the two earlier suborbital flights were both scary (in case of the rocket blowing up) and exhilarating (i wanna be an astronaut when I grow up).
The man, for all his human failings, just dripped real courage.
Are the Giants going to be a big platooning team this year? Remember that by the end of the season and playoffs, Tomlinson and Hernandez were starting against lefties. How about Gillaspie and Nunez at 3rd? How about Parker and Williamson in LF? Could be a way to try to get around the big problem hitting LHPs last year.
The idea of platooning Parker and Williamson in LF is hardly a new one.As to the Gillaspie and Nunez platoon, Nunez will be the everyday 3rd baseman unless he goes toes up. I can see Gillaspie getting some starts at 1st now and then and a few at 3rd, and of course being the main guy off the bench. The problem with your platoon idea is that there is no way that Nunez would get enough playing time if he was in a platoon at 3rd. Crawford and Panik aren’t going to sit much.
This is all in my incredibly insightful opinion.
I don’t see much generally quality difference between Nunez and Gillaspie but I think I’ve already had this argument with you. And Kelby needs to get into the lineup more vs. lefties, hitting lefties was a serious problem for the Giants last year and Kelby is a career .336 hitter vs. lefties.
No argument-I’m giving you the reality of it- Nunez will be the everyday third baseman until/if he shows that he can’t handle it. As to KT, where are you proposing that he play? He won’t platoon with Crawford. So are you suggesting that he platoon with Conor, leaving Nunez out ? I think that you should make a distinction between what you want and what is likely to actually happen.
KT was platooning with Panik at the end of last season and in the playoffs, so that may be a possibility. When Crawford has days off, KT can play SS (and I would say that Crawford should have more days off, considering how he gets affected by not getting enough days off), or maybe 3B, with Nunez playing SS. He might also play 3B with Nunez playing LF. And he can be DH vs. LHPs in AL parks. The important thing is to get him into the lineup against LHPs, this was a really serious problem for the Giants last year.
Well, it’s possible that they’ll try a couple of your 63 suggestions đ
I think Gorkys should platoon with Span some this year. I liked what I saw from Gorkys last year…he can help this club. As much as I like Blanco, i think he is redundant with Span and Gorkys offers more at this point. They should move on and go with Gorkys and platoon Mac and Parker and Span and Gorkys
Possibly to the Michael Morse/Gregor Blanco platoon with a defensive sub after the 3rd AB.
Footskie – Am sending you some equipment for the Farm. Out by the south 40
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-every-professional-organization-needs-complete-batting-minor
New Post: http://fe0.84e.myftpupload.com/giants-offseason-news/does-bud-selig-belong-in-the-hall-of-fame/
The Yankees lost a catcher and 3 pitchers in that rule 5 draft.