Pffffftttt……
I really don’t understand why Florida is only one game over .500. They’ve got 2 legit aces (we get to face the 2010 NL Cy Young winner tonight), Annibel Sanchez is a legit 3, they’ve got star power (HanRam) and regular power (Ugggggggly and Cantu)….I dunno. No closer and nothing at the back end of the rotation, I guess that’s it…..
So it seems we are “aggressively scouting Jose Guillen”. Eh, whatever. If he didn’t cost too much I could dig that a teeny tiny bit. Burrell needs to pick it up ASAP or we need to seriously consider adding someone like Guillen. Though I would prefer Willingham I actually MOST prefer not paying too much at the deadline (enter, Guillen). I think we are pretty much good to go from a position player standpoint. I don’t want Sabean trading anything of major value this year…..
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
We are going to lose games like these but makes the task of winning the next three a tough assignment. Splitting a 4 game series with Florida is not going to be satisfying.
Guillen is a confounding pursuit. Prior to Guillen’s laughable 3-year deal in KC (“we’re going for it”), he’s been available for moderate deals several times and in the scrap heap. Giants had no interest, despite annual OF hole(s). Sabean wanted Rowand for a longer deal instead. After last night’s game, I’m sure KC would take Rowand back in a swap … Aaron is such great clubhouse guy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Guill%C3%A9n
As for the Marlins’ success and luck … LF Chris Coghlan is headed for the DL with a torn meniscus in his left knee and might need surgery. “The reigning NL Rookie of the Year’s injury was revealed in an MRI exam Monday. He was hurt Sunday while delivering a pie in the face to teammate Wes Helms following the pinch hitter’s bases-loaded single in the 11th inning of a 5-4 win over Atlanta.”
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5412671
Familiar with Coghlan, i.e., I had him on my Fantasy League team earlier this year and he was productive . . . Then I dropped him because he underperformed. Ironically, he was “heating up” again and I added him and then dropped his sorry ass in the space of 24 hours due to the reason (DL) Jed just gave.
Personally, I am down with the G-Men adding no one . . . Buster IS THAT HITTER WE WERE LOOKING FOR, SO IT MAKES ADDING ANOTHER ONE A MOOT POINT IN MY MIND. If we do, It will only mean the loss of:
a. A front line starting pitcher.
b. Prospect(s).
c. Both a. and b.
That is why I see Guillen is the bat they add because it wont take either a. or b. or c.
Okay, doomer alert, but with Johnson going tonight and Sanchez tomorrow, Florida is looking real good for three of four.
I sure hope they send down Martinez and bring up a lefty before the weekend. Wouldn’t have helped last night, but Ethier’s numbers really suffer vs. southpaws.
I don’t think Martinez has ever had a clean inning in the majors.
I sense a “dumbalaya” in my future.
I get the sense there will be an attempt to add a hitter and Guillen is the one that will cost little in term of prospects and certainly will not take a starting pitcher. Two mid-grade prospects and that will be it with KC probably picking up half the remaining salary.
It will be a Sabean no-brainer.
It was odd to read the MLB Trade Rumor comment about Podsednik being on the Giants radar. He was one of the names I threw out in the off-season because I feared we would not have a legit leadoff hitter at the start of the year. But that was before Torres became the man, now I am not sure why you would add Podsednik. Could just be rumor mill bs.
The only sensible thought would be that they are worried about the #2 hole. That has been a dark cloud all year. Franchez has been swinging better the last couple of days from the 8 spot and now Renteria has swung poorly the last couple of days from the 2-hole.
Could they be contemplating a Podsednik-Torres 1-2 at the top of the order?
Does not seem plausible to me…but as I had suggested in the off-season, Podsednik was capable of a good year, I think he is at .309 with 39 stolen bases, not too shabby!
I was big on Podsednik during the off season before he went to KC, I specifically like his winning attitude and clubhouse demeanour. Like many players he came with the age – performance questions and I doubt he would have turned out as good as Huff has.
Edd, Thank you for the Brit spelling on demeanour. We are a global entity here. (Paul in Asia, where you be?) We’re awaiting “fortnight” soon. But that’s getting old on my part, in’t, mate? I’m reading your boy Martin Amis, Kingsley’s son. “The Pregnant Widow.” During the Falklands War I was having lunch with some guys and somebody commented on the Queen’s remarks, with a remark about her posh accent. Then Bruce, now deceased, said one of the best off-the-cuff one-liners: “If you wake up the Queen in the middle of the night, she sounds just like you and me.”
If SF does something, I’d rather not have a rental. Guillen does nothing to make SF younger or more athletic…he’d probably be replaced by Nate late innings anyway, and he is a career headcase . Did you notice all the jackets and long sleeves last night, which we all know is really what summer in SF is like? Coming from a place like KC where it’s a fucking 100 is going to be an additional adjustment, because the ball is not sailing out of here like in warmer weather parks. Who is he an upgrade over?
Imo, Loney is a more dangerous hitter than Ethier. Less pop, sure, but better rbi guy who will use the whole field. I don’t want to see some AAA guy pitching to him with game on the line, no matter what arm he uses.
I dont disagree with questioning Guillen as an acquisition, but I sense it is the move they make…you dont want to keep him, that is what will make the deal because we will not have to give up much…
I’m trying to think of what adding Guillen really does for the Giants. He’s had good years in the past, but now?
We added three bats with Pat, Ishi and Posey. I agree with a point Flav made (I think it was you BF) on letting Pat play everyday, if he cranks it up, we’re good to go. If not go for an OF, BUT without giving up any of our starting five.
One last Splash comment. I think if SFGate would create at least two topics a day it might control the trolls a bit as they scramble to keep up.
He would probably be better than Burrell. Probably.
Anyone see the need for a good defensive shortstop who can hit a little? Maybe someone they can hang onto even after this year?
Yeah, this position is going to fuck with SF. But if you keep FS, who is basically the same type as what you describe, how many can SF afford? I love Uribe, but he is not a good defensive SS, and his SF numbers 2010 are starting to slide back to those final days in Chi-town that prompted them to allow him to leave. Any ideas on the type of guy you mention? Would have loved Escobar, but Braves need pop too, like us.
I think you have to upgrade one spot or the other on mid IF, probably not doable until off season. But keeping more than one of Uribe Rent FS, after what I have seen so far, is not good idea.
I’d consider Jose Reyes, wouldn’t you? Lots of Mets fans would happily put him on the 7 train.
Good morning, dumbalaya. You’re not the only one who would like to see a lefty. Not so sure about the “bring up” as how I want to see them. Geno Espineli and Joe Paterson don’t put any lead in my pencil. Getting the sneaky suspicion will be seeing the D-Train sooner rather than later.
If what you said warrants a “dumbalaya” in response, I wonder what this will garner me.
We’re five back (loss column all that matters) of the goddamn San Diego Padres. Go Dodgers!
I’d be OK with Jeff Keppinger at SS batting second a few days a week.
Brignac probably cannot be had now as he may have been in the off-season, but Jason Bartlett may now be obtainable from the Rays…but that may be a more of an off-season deal…
Bartlett may also take a significant or a plus prospect to land…
The other Ray SS in the minors Beckham actually may be the one that is the most available now…he was highly rated at one time, a first round pick if I recall…
Agree GH in regard to both Brignac and Bartlett (I think Stix also liked Brignac) . . . Since the All-Star break, Brignac has racked up ten RBI and has raised his batting average to .278 . . . I don’t think TB will entertain offers for either (unless of course, ya want to overpay).
Outta here . . . Enjoy yer day Flappers 🙂
I think that is right Blade, I think that is why I read Beckham’s name being available..
GH: Also checked out that MLBTR info on Guillen and Podsednik. Both about the same age, but Guillen’s best year was ’03, when he was racking em. Though still somewhat of a power threat, his production is down to somewhere around ML average for an OF. Podsednik, on the other hand, would come very cheap, is a good defender and has that slew of SBs and an OBP close to the Willingham level. The Nat is both younger and brings some pop, but could be expensive.
If Josh is available without a starter being part of a deal, or any farmboy not named Belt or Neal, i’d pile on the prospects for him as he’s a long-term keeper. Otherwise, the OFer of choice and 2-hole hitter would have to be Podsednik as a pairing of him and Torres would constitute a top of the order from hell, a nightmare for the opposing battery.
Amazing how the Rays can have three quality SSs, with the Giants needing a defensive upgrade there and long-term possibility. Agreed that Brignac has become very expensive as of now. Some kinda deal should be workable for either of the other two.
That late-inning reliever, preferably a lefty like Downs, is still high on my list. Somebody like Ohman might sneak us through this season if the price were right. This close to the deadline, i’d not be counting on Tidrow working miracles with D-Train just yet.
Guiillen is better than any RF they have now-Randy Winn is in fact a mothertfucking upgrade. The third OF position has not worked out well for them.
By what standard or metric is Winn an upgrade over Pat Burrell?
Cain will have to be Matt the Horse tonight and bring his A+ game. This guy Johnson is another long, tall Minnesota Scandihoovian in the mold of the Big Unit, who, though born in Livermore, has Swedish roots from Duluth. One of the reasons Rodriguez was so liberal with his bullpen last night was that he expects close to a complete game from tonight’s starter. A Johnson-Cain game could easily turn on a freak play or an error. Let’s hope the breaks go the Giants way tonight.
TF: Guillen might be a mild upgrade but i still think Podsednik would fit the team’s needs better: i.e, a two-hole hitter with a high on base percentage.
The best OF WO a trade is Huff/Rowand/Torres with Burrell getting the starts in LF against lefties. Nate should now be strictly PH and ate defense. He’s blown his shot to start…
Jason Bartlett is a WORSE defensive SS than Rent and a far worse hitter. So he’s younger. Very good-he can suck longer. Get clues at my website, pay thru Paypal…
Posednik is Freddy in the OF.
Jack Tatum dead at the age of 61.
I guess we can cross him off the list as a potential OF candidate.
Sabean signing humor. Just never gets old
Of course, they can still send in their crack medical team to see if he’s at least available to PH
“Stick’em” in the ground….
A big thanks, but no thanks to Jose Guillen. I’m sure you guys are well aware of Willingham’s numbers at AT&T, but it bears repeating:
58 PAs: .354. 448 .750 1.198
Willingham or bust.
I do prefer Willingham, and yes Dennis I know his numbers here, mainly because I fucking provided them about a dozen times.. Posednik, sure. The POINT is that they are hopefully finally looking to get an OFer, not the 33rd first baseman since last spring. Any of the OF names mentioned are an upgrade. For once, I say: get anybody.
Twin, I agree on the first baseman. How many 1B and catchers did we need in the first half? Not the 50 we carried.
Kinda glad to see no one has mentioned Jermaine Dye lately.
Posednik wouldn’t be a bad pick up. He adds sorely needed speed I am not sure about his D.
I would rather not see Cantu.
Screw Jose Guillen he’s a total head case that would ruin the team chemistry.Any player that’s been on 10 teams in 13 years is enough reason to send him to Room B and freak out in the padded room with his play mate Milton Bradley.Willingham,Shin Choo,Delmon Young,Bj Upton,these are the guys you target.
If Guillen is even average ML power, that is an upgrade over Nate. I think we can’t expect Burrell to be an every day starter either. And Guillen certainly has more pop than Rowand.
Willingham does fit better than any other option, but if the Nats move Dunn, they won’t move Willingham. If they keep Dunn, the price for Willingham will be significant.
Kat, big names like Choo and Young are not on the block or the off-season is when they could be moved.
Guillen will be playing for another contract, players often over-perform in those situations, worth the risk if you ask me if we are not giving up much in the deal.
Delmon Young is a PISSER. Might have got him for Fred last year, now he’s a fucking monster. Kat, you need to understand the difference between a shopping list and a bucket list..
you are right there Twin…what a deal that would have been…
Henry Sosa, Jorge Bucardo, Ryan Rohlinger, Alex Hinshaw and Nate might represent the kind of package which would intrigue the Nats. Sosa could probably be the #4 or 5 starter for Washington right now. Bucardo should be at least a MOR starter within a couple years. Rohlinger gets the opportunities and he may be a serviceable IFer. Though still a wildman, Hinshaw does have some electric stuff. Nate could fill the depth gap in Washington’s outfield created by Willingham’s departure.
This scenario is hardly etched in granite. Main point is that SF has a lot of middling to pretty damned good minor league prospects not named Belt or Neal. Except for that pair, i’d say they all should be available in a trade for Willingham. It would be up to Sabean to propose and to tempt and up to the Nats GM to counter and to dispose. I don’t care if its six or seven prospects for one high OBP outfielder with a moderate bit of pop as well. Giants pipeline is so jammed that not only dead wood needs to be cleared. There has got to be a combination sufficient to tempt the Nats.
The only one of those that I prefer to keep is Sosa. If we could add Pucetas instead, I would certianly be up for that but after hearing the Rays asked for Matt Garza for Dunn, I am not sure these type of prospects land Willingham…but I agree they shoudl put something on the table and begin the process.
No question he has more upside than Guillen..
Guillen’s numbers since the break: .211 .273 .368 .641 The only thing he’s pushing for is a tee time.
No thanks.
Zumie, you should check the band Lost in the Trees on NPR’s Exclusive First Listen site. Excellent album.
Rowand’s gonna see plenty of action before it’s all over. I think he just might be up for it.
In my most expensive fantasy league I drafted D Young in the 26th round (out of 30). He didn’t seem like he was getting much of a shot to play everyday during the first few weeks so I waived him and picked up….someone I can’t even remember. Now the dude is like one of the most productive players in the league. EASILY my dumbest decision as manager this year…..
Flav, I did the same in my money league, but I got him on the waiver and probably waived him for either Rowand (real smart) or Huff, who I also let go…
Does anyone see the Giants making a package deal for Luke Scott and Will Ohman?
Flav, how did the tournament go? Bring home the Pot O Gold?
Kat, I would say more doubtful now. The price will be steep and I read where Runzler will be back now in about 10 days and the word on Willis is he’ll be used earlier than planned. If Affeldt is back in 2 wks, they should be good from the left side.
I still think the Giants might wait until after the deadline to trade. Might be a few more bargains and a few more teams that are sellers.
I think we would have heard that by now, Reno . . .
I replied to your email . . .
Giants should benefit from Runzler’s batting tips.
Well, in the Flapper league, he (D. Young) was available as recently as last month . . . Fortunately, I picked him up on waivers (hehehe). As Twin pointed out, he is a “Monster.” For example, Young went 4-for-6 with two doubles on Monday night, driving his batting average up to .328. The four hits for Young tied a career high, set six times . . . Speaking of which, on Sunday, Young matched had another 4 hit game, including his 12th homer of the season, in Minnesota’s 7-2 win at Baltimore. Young is 21-for-45 (.467) with two homers and 15 RBI in his past 11 games, and he is 33-for-77 (.429) with four homers and 22 RBI in 20 games during July.
Chuck, yeah you’re probably right about that.
All this trade talk. Sabean will do something…
DIRT– poker didn’t go well–but the track did. Saved it from being a blood bath….
Sounds like were on our way to a 15 man pitching staff.
Lineup: Torres RF, Sanchez 2B, Huff 1B, Posey C, Uribe 3B, Ishikawa 1B, Rowand CF, Renteria SS, Cain P.
Oh that’s right. I forgot Sandoval’s got jet lag
I copied & pasted that from Henry, I’m sure Huff is LF.
Not Ishi?????
Tonight’s Lineup vs. FLA: Torres rf, Sanchez 2b, Huff lf, Posey c, Uribe 3b, Ishikawa 1b, Rowand cf, Renteria ss, Cain p
Huff has had a modicum of success vs Johnson. The others, not so much. Yet to face Andres or Buster, so some hope lies there. Two starts at AT&T haven’t been all that great; 0-1 (4.15) Other than that, not many chinks in the armor. Maybe Matty plunks him first AB and we get to their pen early. I like the sound of that.
That picture of Rowand kills me.
Gold Chain? Check.
Ray Bans? Check.
Mullet? Well not anymore.
Does he drive a 280Z?
“Zumie, you should check the band Lost in the Trees on NPR’s Exclusive First Listen site. Excellent album.”
Thanks, Swick, I’ll check it out.
—-
In other music news, longtime musician for Neil Young, Ben Keith, passed away today. That was Keith’s pedal steel guitar heard all over the “Harvest” album.
Couple interesting things already tonite. Huston Street was hit in the right pelvic area
by a line drive in batting practice and taken off the field in an ambulance. Also, Strasburg was scratched from his scheduled start against the Braves because he was having trouble getting loose in the bullpen. Nats taking no chances there.
Just flipped on the jays to catch what romero is doing and the first thing I see is lewis clanging an extremely catchable ball off his lead glove they panned to romero and he yelled out swear word…
Freddles just bein’ Freddles…
According to sources the giants had already agreed on prospects for dejesus before he got hurt. Take one out and just pick up posednik. That’s probably the guy we get
Big Flavor getting the inside scoop from one of his main sources:
http://tinyurl.com/2fvl3oz
Swick, Stan is back as “sonofstann”. How bizarre to use a riff on a serial killer’s name.
I got a text from someone at fanball, I haven’t checked any of those sites…
It’s pretty funny really. There is a fiction out there that YOU GUYS are my goons, sort of like Sgt. Bilko’s underlings… frankly, I sort of like the vision.
What about McHale’s Navy?
How ’bout Hogan’s Heroes? TF starring as Col. Hogan with the entire Splash cast as Sgt. Schultz.
“I know Nothing!”
Toss-up between what is funnier . . .
DJLoo’s –
Big Flavor getting the inside scoop from one of his main sources:
http://tinyurl.com/2fvl3oz
or
Twin’s –
It’s pretty funny really. There is a fiction out there that YOU GUYS are my goons, sort of like Sgt. Bilko’s underlings… frankly, I sort of like the vision.
Who wants to be Doberman?
aw, Sarge [tilt of head]
Pfffffft.The table was set, but someone forgot to make reservations.
I flipped over to the LA/SD game for a moment, and their telecast is glitchy tonight. It’s the SD broadcast. The screen keeps going herky jerky. Throw in Dick Enberg doing play by play, and that’s a rough broadcast.
Twin, I see it more like Ocean’s 13. Or 40. Or whatever.
The Usual Suspects???
Who is Kaiser Sosa?
(I am Kaiser Sosa)
. . . . .
Wow, so far a pitchers delight. Had a couple opportunities.
Someone pop that fucking innertube around his neck . . .
Chuck, Singletary about to speak if ya interested…
There’s no better feeling than getting your divorce finalized.
Radio?
No, lawn mower.