Exit Molina Stage Left–What SHOULD Happen vs What WILL Happen
Let’s forget about Chris Ray for a moment– if he’s capable he’ll fill a hole in our BP. If he’s not we can ‘Garko’ him….
Obviously Posey now goes to catcher since Bochy isn’t insane and can’t be considering more Whiteside behind the plate. By the way, how’s that “personal catcher” thing going? He and Dirrrrty don’t seem to have the same magic, do they?
Anyway, to me this move is all about defense. As in, IMPROVING it. And if the Giants really want to max out on this Molina Move they will put Travis Ishikawa in as the everyday first baseman. Uribe and Renteria should be in almost a flat platoon at SS–both look tired right now and probably need the rest. Ishikawa would play lock down defense at first and I think would hit better than people think. With Posey behind the plate, Ishi at first, Franchez at 2nd, Uribe/Rent at SS and Panda at 3rd you’ve got yourself the best infield defense we can put out there.
What LIKELY will happen. Huff goes to first and we see more Rowand or Shierholtz in the OF. Again, our defense gets BETTER with that move since Huff isn’t the outfielder that Row/Nate are. But I don’t need to see the Nate Schierholtz Show anymore. No comment on Rowand. Travis Ishikawa has been consistently ignored by Sabean and Bochy for 2 years running. He should get his chance and if he can’t do it there are lots of secondary in house moves Bochy can make…….
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Hey Flav, this is unrelated to the Flap, so if you want to delete it, I’ll understand . . .
I am selling my Colorado mountain home, i.e., I want to “downsize” to a “turn-key” condo situation where I can be a snowbird in the Carribean. As most of you know, I retired early 4 years ago and I can’t travel for more than 1-3 weeks at a time without worrying about wildfire in the summer or blizzards in the winter. Plus, I am tired of moving snow from Point A to Point B and other BS home maintenance. The home is located about 25 minutes from Denver . . . If any of you interested in living in an affordable home away from traffic and concrete, then give me a shout (asking $375K . . . Home was appraised at $564K 2 years ago). Here is the Zillow page to look at it . . .
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/8745-S-Doubleheader-Ranch-Rd-Morrison-CO-80465/13837893_zpid/
Umm . . . Go Giants!
Morrison Blade? I was backpacking around Morrison in the late 70’s and it snowed on me, in AUGUST.
Seems like a nice location. :))
Is there anything but trees and frost there? J/K Glenwood springs looks like a weekend visit; always nice there.
Where do Caribbean snowbirds land?
Only problem with your proposal is….Ishi can’t hit on the road, and they are going on a long road trip. I’d rather see Nate than Rowand, and that should speak for itself.
The fact Molina was traded is nothing but good for the team regardless – if the pitchers need to be weaned off of leaning on him, now is a fine time for them to cop a pair and grow up. Regardless, not having him behind the dish and in the lineup is a vast improvement.
Hopefully the trade opens up room for another move for a big stick at 1B or OF. And though he’s not a ‘big stick’, now would be fine time to go after BJ Upton after the latest incident.
I’d like to see them make another move quickly.
as long as we are throwing out names:
Justin Upton
Kuiper all but guaranteed in his best “This is going to happen but I can’t speak for Bochy but I’ll tell you anyway” talk that Buster will catch ONLY three times out of the rotation with Whitey getting the other two, picking up Timmy in addition to Dirty.
This organization just unloaded Bengie to ensure that Whiteside gets an extra start per week.
I quit.
but doesn’t that say something about their between game chemistry?
Trust and understanding between team mates or
Botchy’s wishful thinking?
not being a doomeer and condemned to believe there is more known that unknown I say Timmy had the final out on that call.
I’m a big Travis fan but have to disagree with you that he has been forgotten by management for two years running. He was been the opening day first sacker last season and lasted well into the July trading period, which resulted in the Garko transaction. He had every chance in 2009 to lock down that spot but the OPS of .715 might not get you a shortstop position in the bigs.
Now if hitting 85 mph from 25 feet away has helped the batting stroke, that would be very cool. But I can’t fathom that the emphasis right now on the Giants roster is defense. Moving Molina to add another player is more about adding offense, not defense. Whoever else moves into the everyday lineup needs to lace up those hitting shoes or he will either ride pine or be the next to be moved.
Hi all,
Back from out of town…. Giants save 2 mil, use it to get Adam Dunn in about 3 weeks…..Never happen, but how about Matt Kemp…
Molina was a great Giant….
Life after Molina will be different, but don’t expect 20 HRs and 80 plus RBIs from Posey just yet. He’s something like 7 for last 48 after the hot start, and probably deserves to hit 8th. I like the kid, but he’s not an all star, yet.
Ishi is a cool idea, I’m sure he’ll at least get a few starts. Nate and Rowand are OFs 3 and 4 behind Burrell and Torres, and sink lower if Huff is in OF. Unfortunately, SF doesn’t have anything better until Neal is ready, hopefully soon.
LA hammers SF pitching. They did it last year (5.00 ERA) and they are doing it again. As Twin has pointed out, if the SPs put the team behind all the time, things aren’t going to get any better even with another bat.
There isn’t any good time to go after a clueless player like Upton, imo.
And the idea of the big stick happening right away is a pipe dream, because it would cost Cain or Lincecum. Who else on the entire roster would bring in that kind of talent? FP talking up the likes of Fielder last night is just dumb.
Good post DaddyO . . . We do forget that he (Ishi) was given a chance llast year and muffed it like a grounder between his legs. Same thing with Bowker, Nate, et. al.
However, the cupboard is just about bare and I agree with Flav that he should be run out there at first again . . . until such time, that Sabes comes up with another idea (e.g., trade, promotion, etc.).
Yep Willied, Fielder is a dumb idea. Boras is just waiting for one of the “tool” GM’s to take his bait, so he can hose them.
season of lost hope
endless sandy dry wasteland
play ball? a mirage
Asso . . . Haiku come back to Flap.
yeah, my haiku (Ode to Doom) says it. We’ve reached the pinnacle, or my hopes have, for this year. I have no need to prove my credentials as a loyal fan, since 1955. Call this fatalism, call this reality, call it clinical depression, call it a spiritual awakening. I accept it. i am free.
Ted said it very well in his POTD. Sure, many of us referred to him as Big Titties, but I think almost all respected the dude. He was a good Giant, but this is a move that had to happen.
I hope the news that El Presidente will pick-up another start a week is wrong, but would not be surprised.
Sportdude – the Giants did not save 2 mil in the trade. They will be sending along 2 mil to make the trade work. From the “Merc/News”: “The Giants also would send roughly $2 million to the Rangers to offset the prorated salary difference between Ray and Molina.”
I too would like to see Ishi get more starts, but am not going to hold my breath, there. And I am not so sure that I want to see more Nate than Rowand of those are my choices. Sure, Nate has that arm, but as of late, the dude has flat sucked defensively…regularly missing cut-off men, etc.
Hope you got enough entrants for the ASG contest, Flav. If so, looking forward to seeing the picks.
We know the SP’s have talent, you can’t blame them for not keeping the team in games – that is the most ludicrous statement made. That’s all they’ve done for 2 years running and at some point the lineup needs to have some consistency.
By extension using this logic to not get a big stick is well, illogical.
If they want to have a shot this season, at this point, they need to 1) continue some more addition by subtraction (keep Rowand on the bench), and 2) add a productive MOTO hitter.
Not rocket science guys, the track record of this team over the last 6 years speaks for itself.
And if Posey is only getting 3 starts/week, I will chanting much louder for Bochy’s head.
sheeesh, just finding out about Bengie; he was a good soldier, loyal; warrior, but he just wasn’t working this year; all the best to him
MadBum being interviewed now on KNBR. Kid sure seems to have a good head on his shoulders.
warm weather returns
with it, more starts for catcher
thy name is Whitey
It was reported in the piece from the Merc “They also will look to upgrade at first base via trade.”
http://tinyurl.com/34wnpba
Dennis, as you can see, I’ve departed the lemming ledge lubriciously languidly leaping.
Thanks Pawlie, my tongue is still tied up in knots after that sentence. Which reminds me. Ever see a girl in a bar tie a maraschino cherry stem in a knot with their tongue? I don’t know how the hell they do that.
I’m off the ledge, too. Haven’t seen JBat this morning…let’s hope he didn’t make the leap. Flip-side is he could be in jail for kicking some Dodger fan’s ass…
Can anyone explain why the Giants are sending cash in the Bengi/Ray deal?
Ray – 1 year .9 mil, arbitration 3 next year, FA in 2012.
Bengie – 1 year 4.5 mil.
I realize there is a PTBLN, but I don’t get the salary piece of it…
Hey, if Blade can hump his house, let me hump this:
http://www.sayyessyracuse2010.com
If you’ve ever been to the Syracuse area or think you were, even if during a psychotic fugue [I love that term] pls leave a comment at this site I co-created. No money involved, no nothing; it’s just lonely for traffic.
Speaking of humps, why do some people say speed humps and others say speed bumps?
As a former Ithacan, I’ve been to Syracuse a few times. Oddly, I’ve only been to the dome for a concert (The Who) and football but never hoops, though I did see the Orange play in Cornell. I’ll say “Yes” to speed humps in the afternoon.
I literally COLed (chuckled out loud), Dawg.
The only reason I can see that the Giants are sending cash is if it was a part of an agreement where the Giants are picking-up the brundt of Benji’s salary. This from one of Bagg’s pieces on the trade:
“The deal still needs to be approved by the Commissioner’s office, which is no rubber stamp if the Rangers will be responsible for paying the roughly $2.5 million still owed Molina this season. That’s because the Rangers are for sale and in dire financial shape.”
I went to the Black Crowes show at the Mt. Winery last night in an attempt to revive my spirits after that horrid homestand. I woke up this morning to hear of Molina’s trade on KNBR. There is a god.
With Rowand starting to swing the bat better, I see more playing time for him with Huff back at first and Uribe playing most of the time at SS, but being moved around to give Panda and Sanchez days off.
Never heard “speed humps” Pawlie. Is that an East Coast thing?
Speed humps elicits visions of me and the girlfriend getting…uh, never mind…there may be women and children present.
must be East Coast or sheshe –however you spell effete. Then again, look at all the comments it got
How was the show, 3bag? The Mountain Winery is a nice venue. I have been to a number of shows there. Great place for live music, and Saratoga is a cool and funky little town to kick around through.
Rangers are being sold because of financial reasons. There is no budget there to take on more salary. Neither team, in this deal, adds or subtracts payroll.
“yeah, my haiku (Ode to Doom) says it. We’ve reached the pinnacle, or my hopes have, for this year. I have no need to prove my credentials as a loyal fan, since 1955. Call this fatalism, call this reality, call it clinical depression, call it a spiritual awakening. I accept it. i am free.”
No one should question anyone’s credentials as a Giants fan . . . Guess, that’s why the saying goes, “I AM A DIE-HARD GIANTS FAN.”
The show was great. It was my first time at Mt. Winery. A beautiful venue, but defintely for the wine and cheese crowd and the Crowes catered to it. They basically played their greatest hits, with a couple more obscure tracks thrown in for real fans. I saw them at the Fillmore in December. Totally different type of crowd and a much better playlist by my standards, but I think that was to be expected when you see a show at a winery.
Giants management needs to commit one way or the other, either make Posey the “every day” catcher or not. If I am Posey and I see they just traded Molina, I am thinking I am the everyday catcher. Not platooning with someone. IMO Huff or Ishi needs to be at first, I am fine with either one. Will they go with Nate or Burrel? or platoon there also? Tomorrow will be an interesting day!!
Why won’t today be interesting? I know this man, he’s most interesting every damn day.
Bengie turned out to be the best FA signing of the 2007 train wreck. I’m surprised that Sabean hasn’t claim Magowan’s ghost forced him to re-sign Bengie, forced him to sit Posey (can’t call games?), and now forced him to eat $2M in a trade for Vinnie Chulk, Jr. Maybe he’ll blurt that out to Ralph this afternoon …
Did everyone (who wants to participate) remember to send their ASG selections to Flav?
At our current rate of play, I think our lone rep will be “Rusty,” the mechanical man.
as in Rusty Knob, Rusty Staub’s long-lost cousin? I once rode an elevator at Shea w/ Le Grande Orange. no further comment.
Ahhh…good ol’ Rusty. Poor sap didn’t last long. I don’t know…I think Wilson is a solid bet to represent.
And yes…got my ASC predictions into Flav.
Sorry I’m late on the Bengie trade here, and just want to wish him well in Texas. Unfortunately, like Winn, he had his best years when the Giants were lousy. It would’ve been nice to see all his good work with the Giants — 2-time Willie Mac winner says it all — rewarded by being part of a playoff team, but the time has come to move on and let Buster be the full-time catcher. And Bengie may indeed end up in the playoffs with the Rangers.
Buster better be out there for four out of the five rotation spots. Not too keen on having Ishi playing every day, but he should get a chance to start maybe once a week, instead of, like, once a month, if that.
I don’t wanna get too wigged out over this road trip, but anything less than 5-6 and we’re in deep doo-doo.
Buster Posey? No sir, I barely even know the girl.
Best of luck to Bengie and even better luck to Buster.
Bozo, come on, you were talking about her all last week on the street.
You know she loves those shoes.
*grins*
OK, so siyonara Bengielena. It had to happen. But, it’s just another Sabean wrong turn finally righted. Bengie shouldn’t have been re-signed, certainly not at that kind of coin, nobody else wanted the dude. So you delay Posey maturing at the ML level by 3 months, he arguably gets better at catrching in Fresno in exchange for about 3 weeks of good offensive production out of Molina until he cratered. Add that the Giants still have to pay all his contract while he’s in Arlington, so it doesn’t even give them any budget clearing to help get some other piece. And now they’re talking about Posey getting only 60% of the C starts? Sweet…
As for BF’s take on starting Ishi at 1B, that ship already sailed for management. He started last year for almost 1/2 a season, and we saw what happened on the road. That’s why they got Huff. He PHs well, he’s done that so far. But, that’s a far cry from 4 everyday ABs. Go ahead, trot him out there for a week straight. As soon as he goes 0-9 with 2 or three called strikeouts with men on base, the leather loses. Bochy will bench his ass, and we’re on to the next deck chair re-arrangement…
Another omen that is not good for Ishi is the line from the article in the Merc that I posted early this morn: “They also will look to upgrade at first base via trade.”
So, does that mean that Huff predominantly plays the OF? If so, you have Burrell, Huff, Rowand, Torres, and Nate vying for time in three spots. Until they upgrade (or if they upgrade), who gets the most time at 1st?
As I said earlier, I expect to continue to see folks move around to try and keep guys fresh. Someone mentioned earlier about Uribe getting more time at SS. Well, two things. He has started in 70 games, played in 74 (Giants have played 76). Of his playing time, he has started at SS 48 times, 2B – 18 times, and 3B – 7 times. I don’t know how much more SS you want him to play. I actually think it important to get Rent into the mix, so some of these guys can get an occasional day off, and hopefully stay fresh. We’re not even to the mid-point of the season…there’s still a long road ahead.
I think the road trip important, but feel it is most critical to take two from the Rox (a split), at a minimum.
Late to the discussion, but I did like Bengie and thought I would re-post this:
Nothing like his contributions from 2007 to 2009, when he hit .278, averaged 18 homers and 85 RBIs, caught a two-time Cy Young Award winner (Lincecum) and twice won the Willie Mac Award as the Giants’ most inspirational player.
Bye, Bye, Bengie, you da man.
It’s totally fucking absurd to flat out say “he can’t hit on the road” based on one year. BUT if you are gong in that direction you absolutely HAVE to say that Ishikawa MUST start at home-else you’re exposed( again) as lying hypocritcal hankie snot. The guy hit over .340 with a plus 900 OPS at home so you’d BETTER be clamoring for him to start every home game from here on out..
But anyway, we know you aren’t going to do that. Fact is,Ishikawa was a rookie and his overall numbers for a rooike power hitter were certainly comparable or better to many other first year numbers for guys who have gone on to have good careers. Including Huff, BTW.
Huff 1st full year hit .248 with a .660 OPS 8 HR 45 RBI in 411 AB , considerably worse than Travis. I can list MANY others but I already have previously. I imagine Travis WILL get some more starts, though. I don’t expect him to be the full time guy again right away but unless there is another trade, the opportunity will be there.
Yippee! June is over and, yes, the team is almost lick for lick where it was last year. (stats by several posters here and ESPN), but those year’s teams cannot be compared.
This year we have a club capable of a legitimate run at October.
Had we sustained what we did in the first of June during the last of June it very easily could have been a 17-10 month. I say we get gritty and become stone cold killers in July.
Focus, FUNTION, SF baseball.
Is Botchy doing his job? hell yes
Does the team need rest to play their best? seems so
Winning is a wave that carries players along; stay hungry my team.
Take a chapter from the LA Lakers: no matter who is ahead in the third period, we can win this thing.
Here’s the take from Dave Cameron at FanGraphs:
“While it’s a bit unusual, the Giants kicked off their legitimate run at the NL West last night by trading away their starting catcher. By moving Bengie Molina to the Rangers, they can now re-arrange their line-up in such a way that will let them become buyers for what they really need.
Buy or Sell?
This is an easy buy, and the sooner the better. The NL West is wide open and the Giants have a shot at this thing, but they’ll need to be willing to make a move for an outfielder who can hit if they want to run down the three teams in front of them. The Molina trade lets them put Buster Posey behind the plate and move Aubrey Huff back to first base, creating a spot in the outfield for the one guy on the market who fits their needs perfectly – David DeJesus.
Besides being able to play any of the three outfield positions, DeJesus can do one thing the Giants badly need – hit the baseball with regularity. A career .290/.361/.429 hitter, he’s in the midst of the best year of his career, putting up a .331/.398/.478 mark for the Royals. He would be a monstrous upgrade over Aaron Rowand, and he fits everything that Brian Sabean has said he’s looking for.
He’s not a rental player, as he’s under contract for 2011 at a bargain rate of $6 million. He’s a good defender who can run down balls in the spacious park, and putting him next to Andres Torres will somewhat offset having Pat Burrell out there as well. He can hit anywhere in the line-up as well, as he’s one of the rare high quality players who also offers a lot of flexibility in how he is used. “
I’ll preface this by saying, I don’t know the credibility of Bleacher Report writers . . .
One scribe there is saying . . .
“. . . The Giants have had slick-fielding Travis Ishikawa on the bench all year. The first baseman’s presence is inexplicable, save that he’s done well as a pinch-hitter.
Ishikawa’s chance to follow John Bowker, Nate Schierholtz, Eugenio Velez and others into oblivion, or to prove he can be a big-league contributor, has arrived. He’s hit well enough off of the bench to fill part of the hole left at first base. He’s still young and he’s flashed power. Barring an accompanying trade for a first baseman, which is unlikely, Ishikawa will be in the lineup now.
The Giants aren’t prepared to send Ishikawa out there against left-hand pitchers, though. That means they’re likely ready to call on slugging, right-hand hitting first baseman Brett Pill. He has 10 home runs, 50 RBIs and a .298 batting average at Triple-A Fresno. And, remember, the Giants were anxious to give Pill a shot at winning a big league job this spring before other holes in the roster became more pressing.
Pill is 25 years old and he’s hit for more power the last few years in the Giants organization. He’s a good enough defensive first baseman to platoon with Ishikawa.
The front office likes Pill and, at 25, they can’t wait forever to give him a shot.
Look for Ishikawa and Pill to become the everyday first baseman with Burrell, Torres, Huff and Rowand sharing the outfield slot . . .”
Much more to this article, but what does everyone think about Pill being called up to the big club?
but doesn’t that say something about their between game chemistry? Trust and understanding between team mates or Botchy’s wishful thinking?
damn, can’t delete, meant for another place and time (see delmardennis said, on July 1, 2010 at 7:52 am)
Blade, Obviously we;’ve all learned to take these AAA numbers with a grain of salt. This has to be on the manager and hitting coach at Fresno more than just numbers: how is Pill swinging?? What holes does his swing have? Keep in mind, of ALL the guys who have come up here off of big Fresno numbers- Posey, Bowker, Nate, Linden, Guzman, ALL OF ‘EM, Ishikawa’s numbers were the biggest. Pill’s are extremely pedestrian going only by numbers. So again, we need more than that…
With all that said: sure, why the fuck not? Love to see the guy and the risk is about zero…
Actually Twin, I am intrigued by what you wrote in regard to DeJesus . . . I know this isn’t the same thing as the Giants making a move (grin), but I added David Dejesus to my Fantasy League team a few days ago for the same reasons, i.e., “he hits the ball with regularity.” DeJesus has been red-hot since the middle of last month, hitting .401 with 22 RBIs over his last 37 games. DeJesus does a lot of things well, but not one thing particularly outstanding (albeit, his defense is very good). I would love the Giants to add him to our team. We could do much worse.
God, I love a good grammar lesson:
In this case it is e.g not i.e.,
don’t take this too seriously, I am bored and need to post.
remember e.g means example given; which you did.
i.e. means in essence so your i.e. would have been: botchy needs to pay attention.
Blogging for English majors: never avoid using the words you really mean.
Fuck, did I say that?
EddinthefuckinUK, I have to ride you hard on this (speaking of bustering poseys). That is unarguably NOT literally what those feckin abbreviations stand for. Not literally. It’s e.g. = exempli gratia, or for example, and id est, or that is, for feck’s sake. AGE QUOD AGIS, another Latin phrase. This is a fuckin er-u-fuckin-dite blog, ferfecksake.
“sure, why the fuck not?”
You forgot to add, “it can’t fucking hurt.” Slacker.
I would LOVE to see a platoon of Ishi / Pill. The way this team is playing against the NL West, they might as well either hang it up or give a shot to more youth. I really hope that the talk of trading for a 1B is false. I just don’t think Sabean’s looking at his own team objectively if he thinks he needs a 1B.
Man, I was absolutely down after yesterday’s game but two things happened to bring me right back to reality. First, the Molina trade has got to be energizing to the team. Second, driving to work this morning and realizing that Bumgarner is pitching tonight and then hearing him interviewed on KNBR completely lifted my spirits. Yeah, the Giants suck. Yeah, they’re folding against the Dodgers and Padres. BUT – the rotation is still something special and the addition of Bumgarner gives me hope that it could be otherworldly. Go Giants.
11 MORE DAYS TO THE HALFWAY POINT OF ROWAND’S AND ZITO’S CONTRACTS!!!
Game-wise, the halfway point is in four days.
Intriguing stuff…DeJesus and Pill. Where would they fit, who goes? Well, if you look at DeJesus first, that one is pretty easy. The Giants currently have four officially listed as OFers on their 25 (Burrell, Rowand, Torres, and Shierholtz). Huff is listed as one of the 7 IFers the team currently lists (Posey is too, but once the trade is finalized, he will be listed as one of two catchers). So, who goes if the team traded for DeJesus? Nate has to be the guy (either via trade or designated for assisgnment).
More perplexing is who goes to make room for Pill? The team is currently carrying 12 pitchers. Does a pitcher go? If not, who of Huff, Ishikawa, Posey, Renteria, Sanchez, Sandoval, Uribe, Burrell, Rowand, Schierholtz, Torres?
In the scenario of Ishi/Pill platooning, I assume Huff then becomes a fulltime OFer, and again, it appears that Nate is the short-man out (again, unless they decide to go with 11 pitchers).
Since the Giants are eating $2M of Bengie’s contract (total is only $4.5M) and Chris Ray isn’t going to work 7th, 8th, or 9th, Bengie’s trade to Texas has nothing to do with a DeJesus deal (or any other moves) and “re-arranging” the line-up.
SF could have just benched Molina and dumped Eli (replaceable in 2011), while still making whatever DeJesus move is possible. Dave Cameron must be spinning for this shitty GM. The primary obstacle to any Sabean deal is his own pride, or pure sloth (as Buster Olney writes):
“Without a doubt, however, the GM who got hammered in a way I never expected was the Giants’ Brian Sabean, for one simple reason — rival executives say they cannot get him on the phone. They cannot get him to return messages. In a couple of cases, some GMs say they don’t even bother calling Sabean, they just go straight to assistant Bobby Evans.”
Wow, I love the chat about Fielder: we soften him up
“you’ll be the only hitter (in this park) like Bonds ever”
We ignore it is the same agent that signed Zito.
We have some pitcher nail him on the bum every batting practice.
and we tell him how artsy that bowling pin homer move is.
and how much we will pay him to do it here.
This period before the ASG tips the Malcolm Gladwell needle one way “tother” — we are either losers or winners. It is the fulcrum of the season. Having gone abject decadent doomer on y’all, we know where my needle dips.
I knew you would come through Pawlie:
latin is as latin does
Edddddd, I was hoping you’d throw in a “fortnight” or two. A “correspondent” friend (right) in the UK (she teaches pole dancing, no lie) just taught me the phrase, “I could give a stuff.” Then again, I’m an eager-beaver student.
I was providing the take from Dave Cameron( one of the founders of Baseball Prospectus and now FanGraphs) on DeJesus. Personally, I prefer the Bleacher Report suggestion of an Ishikawa/Pill platoon at first, with Burrell/Torres/Huff in the OF. I’d like to look at Neal rather than Nate now as the 5th OFer, with Neal then being the 2011 LFer going into camp. Contrary to popular opininion, looking at younger guys and competing for the post season are not conflicting practices.
“Contrary to popular opininion, looking at younger guys and competing for the post season are not conflicting practices.”
Hey now, I’m taking that as a shot at me since I said something that resembles that earlier. But that’s not what I was trying to imply. I was just saying that if you’re going to suck and not make the playoffs while playing vets, you might as well give the youth a shot and see where that gets you. I don’t think youth and the playoffs are mutually exclusive by any means.
Jed, if you can get a lackey to screen phone calls, you always go for it.. man, this is basic shit.
I dunno, Twin, I was thoroughly unimpressed by the double A guys when I saw them play. True, true, baseball more than any sport on the planet is impossible to judge by just one game, but still …
From MLB Trade Rumors:
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 1, 2010 at 3:15pm CST]
THURSDAY, 3:15pm: Baseball America’s Jim Callis hears from a source that Michael Main will be the player to be named later going to San Francisco (Twitter link). Main was the 24th overall selection in the 2007 draft, and was ranked as the 21st best prospect in the Rangers’ system by Callis’ publication before the season.
In a second tweet, Callis notes that the deal is similar to the Casey Blake-Carlos Santana trade in that Rangers had to give up a quality prospect to get the Giants to kick in money to pay Molina’s salary.
Main is currently pitching at High A Bakersfiled in the CA League. His stats this year:
15 starts, 5-3, 3.45 ERA/1.182 WHIP, 91.1 IP, 14 HRs, 21 BB, 72 Ks.
14 HRs given up??
That’s what’s listed…translates to him giving up a HR every 6.5 innings of work.
Yeah, I had to do a double take on that one. Amazing that he’s given up 14 HRs but only a total of 35 ER. He’s gonna need to work on that shit.
Yeah, the HR totals raise an eyebrow, but his WHIP is good.
It is the easiest way for Americans to remember the differences for me.
does that make me pedantic?
LOL, as in any culture there are many cool sayings: brit-ese
happy – over the moon or chuffed
non plussed: I could give a toss/stuff
eager beaver: keen as mustard
bored; trying to find a reason to care
Californians: nutjobs
Neal is obviously hitting a bit more now than early this year. They’ll watch him very closely as the trade deadline approaches. Over the last 10 games he’s at .340, 12 RBI, 4 Hr, 1.107 OPS. He’s going in the direction you kinda hope for..
Clown and Edd – Yeah, it can snow in Morrison in August . . . and EVERYWHERE else in the State. Colorado is peculiar that way. That being said, the snow melts much faster at one mile high (Denver) vs. where I am (8300 feet). Consequently, most city slickers down on the plateau might try living in the mountains for 1-2 years before crying “uncle.” Ha.
Pawlie and Edd, I lived in England for two years, so imagine my surprise when I saw this lady and her boyfriend arguing and when he turned his back, she made a gesture with with her index finger and middle finger raised . . . Only much later did I find out that’s their gesture for “fuck you.”
Post script . . . An hour later, he threw his mug of beer at her, she ducked, and I got hit in the face. That’s when it got really interesting . . .
Blade, Edd, etc. – Never lived in the UK, but spent a fair amount of time there with the Air Force and during business trips. During one two-week trip, I had an English gent who worked for the company we had just acquired showing me the sites (he was a walking history book). Said that the “V sign” used in England comes from the days of war when the Brits were exceptional with the long bow (and it was one of their primary weapons of war). Story goes that the French would commonly cut the two fingers off of the bowman’s hand that was used to pull the bow string (thereby rendering them useless in their primary task at war). Subsequently, the “V sign” was to tell the French “fuck you…I still have my fingers and me and my longbow are coming after you, you frog bitch” (I paraphrase here). I have no idea as to the accuracy of the story…but it is a good yarn nontheless.
Chi, the Brits are quite friendly, but their cousins to the north, the Scots, will literally give the shirt off their back to you. The first time I visited there, was during New Year’s Eve 1977 and a few buddies of mine and I stayed in a B&B . . . Well, after 5 days of partying, we attempted to return to England, but our car wouldn’t start. Owner of the B&B took us to the train station and indicated that the car would be repaired within 3 days. My friend returned to Edinburgh and the car was fixed . . . the B&B owner refused to take any money for payment. The other time was when I visited in 2000 (again in Edinburgh) and I was supposed to meet a friend at a Castle that was converted to a Marriot (I understand that they have the Scottish Open there every year). Anywho, unbeknownst to me, the hotel is on the outskirts of the city and this Scottish women is giving me directions on how to get there. Of course I can’t follow her Scottish brogue/accent and indicate so . . . Without hesitation she takes my bags and says, “Come with me . . . ” I follow her to where her car is parked and she takes me to the hotel. Understand, this isn’t a short drive, so I offer her payment, but she refuses and just says, “My pleasure . . . ”
Again, I like the Brits, but the Scots are far more personable, helpful and friendly.
You all know the story of the battle between France and England, in 1044, it was all bows and arrows. England won. Their bows were all made of Yew wood. Thus the phrase: pluck yew
with two fingers instead of the american one.
Although it may seem like the Dodgers are always beating up on the Giants, historically that isn’t true. The other day, before the start of this latest series, the Chronicle pointed out that the two teams have played something like a couple of thousand games against each other over the years, and one of the teams had only a 12 game edge.
In the book “1921” it points out that in the first half of the 20th century the rivalry meant more to the Dodger fans because Brooklyn felt that it was playing second fiddle to NY in so many ways. In a similar way, I would say that happens in the opposite these days. SF has an inferiority complex about LA in regards to baseball. The Giants fans get more worked up about these Giants/Dodgers games these days than Dodger fans.
While I am aware of the overall numbers, the thing that I believe sticks in the craw of Giants fans (and is almost always brought up by Bum fans) is the fact that the Giants have yet to win a WS since coming west. Typical Dodger fan banger: “And EXACTLY HOW MANY WS have the Giants won since moving West?” Fuck ‘Em.
Amen, Chi. Fuck ’em.
It’s just a freaky fluke. The mirror opposite of the 49er domination of the Rams, in regards to Super Bowls. The Rams never won the big one in LA, with all those good teams they had over the years.
Giants vs Aaron Cook
Ishi 5 for 6
Nate 3 for 4
Pat 12 for 19
Rent 8 for 16
Runt 3 for 7
If Ishi doesn’t pull a starting gig tonight, he never will.
Molina trade official; Sabean addresses it
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/giants/detail?blogid=22&entry_id=67042
Better luck next time, Travis. Jesus H. Christ
Rowand-CF
Rent-SS
Huff-1B
Pat-LF
Panda-3B
Uribe-2B
Buster-C
Nate-RF
Bum-P
Stay hot Aaron Rowand! 😀
This is extremely funny:
“Sabean addressed an ESPN poll of general managers criticizing him as the hardest GM to reach, a GM who won’t return phone calls. He said the story was unfair because reporter Buster Olney sought input from 12 GMs and only seven responded.”
Torres has been out of the LU for a few days. Is he hurt? Seems I remember something about him having a leg injury and being day to day, but cannot recall and can find nothing.
The question of Ishi becoming 1b starter got answered tonite. No start, tho he’s got a good record against Cook. Rohand has one good game, so now how long willl Torres be gone from leadoff ?…
This was on SFGiants.com
San Francisco leads the league in games decided by three runs or fewer with 57, and 12 of their last 14 games fit that bill. They went just 4-10 in that period. … The Giants’ pinch-hitters are batting .311 on the season (28-for-90).
This is why I am not worried about the pitching, the offense on the other hand…Giants can’t score 3 runs! WTF
Scoring is down overall in the National League.
—-
Btw- the Cubs got screwed at the end of their game. The ump was all “that’s close enough for an out. I’m outta here. Got a restaurant to get to.”
I guess this is as good as it gets with the umps. They ain’t that good.
Does anyone think Prado is creeping up into MVP consideration? If the Braves win their division, and Prado wins the batting title…..nah, it’s going to be Pujols again, probably.
I got an email back from chronicle live I’ll post it when I get home. Wondering if everyone who complained got the same email, lemme know.
No questions are answered by one night’s LU, good try though. Looking at some numbers against Cook, hard to get eveybody in. Dennis left out that Rowand is 6 for 17, as well. He’s 4.99 ERA lifetime against us 1.6 WHIP…
Seems that Sabean has said that Nate and Travis will both see more time and based on what they’ve done off the bench, hard to argue that they shouldn’t…
Those were the top 5 as provided by the official game notes.
Also: Huff 2-5, Panda 3-9 and Uribe 1-10 vs Cook.