Retaining BOTH Lopez and Affeldt? S-T-U-P-I-D

Posted in Uncategorized by Flavor on October 31, 2011

Look, I like both of those guys and I recognize how important it is to have a solid bullpen. But both of them (especially Lopez) are basically just lefty specialists. I am assuming that Sabean is working within some framework of a budget. And with SO MANY slots to fill on offense (at LEAST one outfielder, a shortstop, and a decent back up catcher) I just don’t think that the Giants can afford the luxury of having two of the most expensive pitching specialists out there.

Put another way, the 9.5 million they are spending on two guys who MIGHT pitch to 3 or 4 batters combined during a game, is now money that is diverted away from signing a free agent hitter who plays potentially 1400-1500 innings a year. And I’m not talking about this diverted money now not available for pipe dreams like Fielder and Reyes. Did we just price ourselves out of the Coco Crisp *Sweepstakes*? Probably not, but it’s clear to me now that Sabean is going to think all will be resolved with the return of Franchez and Posey. And that is risky at best and idiotic at worst.

It is just not realistic to think that Franny makes it through a full season without misplacing a body part or two (and looking for them on the DL). And there is NO guarantee that Busty will be back at full strength. Those types of injuries are complicated. The stud first baseman for the Angels (I can’t remember his name right now–the guy who broke his leg in early 2010 in a home plate celebration) missed the rest of 2010 and ALL of 2011 even though they said he would be back for 2011. My idea would have been to sign another legitimate major league catcher and have Buster play first base against lefties (with new-dude catching). That would take some pressure off his legs, something he will probably need in 2012. But I digress, I accepted a long time ago that Sabean isn’t interested in my ideas 🙂

Anyway, welcome to your new starting shortstop: Brandon Crawford. Whatever shot we had at signing Rollins went out the window with the 9.5 million Sabean just handed over to a luxury we can’t afford……

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Giant Head said, on October 31, 2011 at 6:45 am

First mistake really was made two years when they extended Affeldt to a two year deal…they should have kept up his original deal that took him through 2010.

An expensive luxury is the right description. Leaves them only the likelihood of adding on free agent and that is going to be at the Coco Crisp level…see ya Cuddyer and Cody Ross. Then if we need an OF bat or a SS, J. Sanchez will be the the price of admission.

Don’t see a lot of SS trade material so welcome Brandon Crawford to the #8 spot in the lineup. I still think a Sanchez-Quentin deal makes a lot of sense for both teams or the other deal for Logan Morrison.

Legit OF bat and Crisp, Nate in right Torres backup for all 3 OF spots and I think Huff spends some time in left. Fontenot and Keppinger backups in the IF and one of our catcher dawgs as Buster’s backup…they need to nail down Cain this off-season for a long-term deal and maybe even Panda…
willieD said, on October 31, 2011 at 7:47 am

Flav, I think it was the right move on both counts. What I’m wondering is what their plans are for Runzler; full time reliever or potential starter? Affeldt can go a full inning if needed, and if I’m facing Philly or the Braves for a shot to get to the WS, I need the loogy. If they are sold on Runzler as a reliable (and not “long”) reliever, maybe Affeldt gets dealt eventually.
Pawlie, Zum’s right the Spahn/Marichal book is a good read.
Jamey Carroll, btw, killed SF last year, and had a pretty good year over all at the plate for a guy who wasn’t supposed to play much. Might be a better hitter than anyone currently on SF roster at that position and has the skill set to hit second . Depending on what Mets do with Reyes, the Tejada kid they have that backed him up might be another cheap option.
while I would be very disappointed if Sf doesn’t do much to improve offense, you can’t blame Sabes for trying to secure best pitching possible. Like a lot of us here, I think he figures he could have out pitched most of the teams that did get in, including the WS champs.
zumie said, on October 31, 2011 at 8:40 am

The Giants have a philosophy and an identity, and they’re sticking with it. I see nothing wrong with that. The pitching comes first. It makes for a lot of torturous low-scoring games, but it…just…might….work…again….
Nipper said, on October 31, 2011 at 8:42 am

ARF……. goes out a winner!
Flavor said, on October 31, 2011 at 8:43 am

LaRussa retired this morning. Everyone is like “Bill Walsh-esque” but not me. He knows Pujols is gonna sign with the Cubs and he doesn’t want to have to deal with a “Pu-holes-less” team next year….
By the way, anyone who thinks we are getting Beltran to come back can put the crack pipe down. Borass is gonna use us the way he always does as leverage to get the Yankees or someone else to pay top dollar…….
WillieD– If you could have Rollins and 2 middling lefty guys in the bullpen, who would you take? Not that thatis even on the table but the if there was ever an idea of taking a run at JR that plan is shot now. All the KNBR guys are cackling about how great this is. “Sabean spares no expense when it comes to signing pitching,” they crooned on today– no mention at all of a budget and how this might impact it.
- willieD said, on October 31, 2011 at 9:07 am
  
  I hear you, you’re probably right. Maybe at least since Beltran played here and hit well in the last month, he will feel SF has best shot in the NL among possible suitors. Unless he wants to DH and go to the dark side.
  And I think you have a very valid point, single most interesting one to me: how much is Sabes going to spend to improve the O and score more runs? Second part of that being, do you weaken your strength and main advantage (pitching) to improve your weakness?
  Rollins I’m just not wild about. I think his offensive numbers will continue to slide, and if he can’t hit well in Philly, I’m skeptical what he would do here. He isn’t an MVP type player any more and will wind up being over paid, esp by the time a contract runs out.
  I see Sox picked up option on Scutaro–same deal, over paid for what he can still do.
- PawlieKokonuts said, on October 31, 2011 at 12:56 pm
  
  I don’t know. Maybe your post is 100% correct. Who knows? I told you I’m a weakling on this roster speculation. But not on language. No more “impact” being used as a verb and I’ll be sunnier. Danke.
St said, on October 31, 2011 at 8:47 am

I like the signings. Keep the pen and starters and they will be right there again…barring injuries.
Big name FA’s? Which ones are realistically affordable anyway? An extra 5 million is nothing when considering what Reyes and Rollins will command. They will have to go trawling for the bargains, which is the way to go anyway, imo. Their record with the big ticket items is lamentable. A Crisp or Sizemore is still within their means, as is a backup C.
stixwiz said, on October 31, 2011 at 8:48 am

For want of a lefty the damage got hefty. That’s something Giants fans will not have to face next season. Yeah, it was a heavy price to pay for late-inning insurance, but this pair are two of the best around and as Willie points out, one might become trade-bait if Runzler develops. On the other hand, Runzler himself may become part of a trade package, now that the LH needs are firmly in place.

Noticed where both Ryan Doumit and Grady Sizemore are now free agents. Doumit might be a bit expensive, but i do think Sabean will pick up somebody for the backup catcher role. Several teams may kick the tires on Sizemore. One-year deal would be the thing. Giants would take this route only if the competition does not look too stiff AND if medical reports look promising.

Somewhere, somehow, i see the team getting the okay from ownership to cough up the cash for at least one upgrade beyond a backup for Buster. With the pitching firmed up, the addition of an outfield bat could be the key ingredient. My hope is that the Giants have the sense not to offer Beltran no more than a two year deal. So most likely some other team will take that plunge. Now that the Series is over and Free Agent signings are just around the corner, the new season is slowly starting to develop a heartbeat.
Flavor said, on October 31, 2011 at 8:58 am

Look, if you take that 9.5 mil, and you think Rollins is gonna get 3 years/45 mil or so, then these signing DO start to effect whether they could have picked JR up or not. And he’s not getting the 5 years he’s looking for, that’s idiotic to even consider in my opinion……
- Nipper said, on October 31, 2011 at 9:07 am
  
  Sabean probably has little interest in Rollins anyway or any other expensive 30 something FA.
Nipper said, on October 31, 2011 at 9:04 am

Boras will demand at least four years for Beltran. If he can’t get that he should quit.
Flavor said, on October 31, 2011 at 9:15 am

Beltran’s body language looked, to me, like a guy who could barely tolerate being here. Of course Borass is SAYING he’ll consider an offer but the only thing I expect him to do with it is call up Cashman, lie by about 20 million what it actually is, and see if the Yankees will pony up.
I am really surprised that the Lopez didn’t wait to see what the Yankees would have offered him. They are desperate for a guy like him. I guess he just didn’t want to play in the Big Apple……
St said, on October 31, 2011 at 9:19 am

Who was going to replace Lopez and Affeldt? Wouldn’t you have to spend big bucks anyway for a top reliever? Runzler isn’t the answer. In fact, his up and down performance last yr probably figured in the decision to retain Affeldt.
- Flavor said, on October 31, 2011 at 9:29 am
  
  a lot of teams have “Runzler’s” doing that job. Shit, Texas had 42 year old Darren Oliver doing that job. Lefty specialists can hang on for a long time. We had a shit offense and we needed a stud bullpen to compete last year but the reason we didn’t make the post season is becuase of our shit offense. We HAVE to upgrade our offense and we have limited resources to do so. No one knows what the budget is but I have to assume with Bow-tie getting dumped the new Executive Board will be tightening the purse strings.
  - St said, on October 31, 2011 at 9:38 am
    
    And Oliver was making $3.2m!
    But he’s a proven commodity. Runzler?? Who knows?
Flavor said, on October 31, 2011 at 9:20 am

I would sign Ryan Doumit to be Posey’s backup. He will cost more to accept that role, but if you play him vs lefties (with Posey at first base) that would find him a decent number of at bats plus we have the position covered in case Posey goes down again, something that CANNOT happen again without a competent back up. Plus, he’s a switch hitter so he can PH in certain situations off the bench.
Of course, we COULD have signed this guy if we hadn’t just spent all this dough on Lopez and Affeldt. Signing Lopez and Affeldt is like a dude who buys a car that’s too expensive for him that he doesn’t need anyway…..
- Nipper said, on October 31, 2011 at 9:27 am
  
  That’s why I got rid of my Vette. It looked good in driveway though.
  - unca_chuck said, on October 31, 2011 at 9:40 am
    
    Did the pedals break?
unca_chuck said, on October 31, 2011 at 9:25 am

They are packaging up Affeldt and Drrrty in a trade for hitting . . . .
- Nipper said, on October 31, 2011 at 9:27 am
  
  Damage control! Chuck’s pondering……
- twinfan1 said, on October 31, 2011 at 9:48 am
  
  They can’t trade pitching unless they also acquire pitching. Following that? Who’s your fifth starter? Flav fave Surkamp? Or Zito? Or no biggie, whoever?
twinfan1 said, on October 31, 2011 at 9:37 am

As LH specialists go, both Affeldt and Lopez are paragons of consistency compared to most. Yes, even Affeldt. I haven’t seen the names of the free guys who will replace their production, BTW. 4 milion for a broken down OFer unlikely to even make the team (Sizemore) is “no biggie” and these signings are stupid? This was in their budget, I’m sure, and will affect nothing other than solidfy the relief staff…they are both guys who can not only get the strike out but rank among the best at inducing the DP ( they were 6th and 7th among all relievers in that crucial category). Unrelated to productiuon, they are also class individuals. Excellent signings, IMO.
- blade3colorado said, on October 31, 2011 at 10:41 am
  
  Ditto and exactly what I said last night.
  
  Anyone not thinking these were good signings should be condemned to the “Gulag” they call Coors Field . . . Most people think that the poor pitching only extends to the starters . . . Umm, try middle relief and the closer too. Even with the humidor equalizer, the front office has to have some competence in what they are doing insofar as signings and nurturing a farm system. Thank God I am a Giants fan and only chuckle at their ANNUAL dilemma. Without a good middle relief corps, you just extend innings and most important, the wear and tear on your pitching staff – which gets exponentially worse as the season goes on. Sabes knows this and made good decisions on both signings.
  - twinfan1 said, on October 31, 2011 at 10:50 am
    
    Stix corrected me: they were 6th and 7th at inducing ground balls..
stixwiz said, on October 31, 2011 at 9:51 am

Both Lopez and Affeldt are among the best in the game at inducing ground-balls. Their ratios are well over 50% ground-outs, including DP’s, of course. So there is no hit on the pitching staff. Pitching is the rock on which this team is grounded. All those potential ground balls underscore the importance of above average defense at SS. Crawford can fill that role IF the Giants obtain a capable backup for Posey and add an above average bat in the outfield.

Panda at 3B, Belt at first, Franchez manning second and Crawdaddy at SS would make for a fine defensive infield. Additions at C. and the outfield and this team will be good to go. The importance of an offensively gifted outfielder is underscored by the fact that no way could SF afford a light hitting shortstop AND a so-so in the OF. Teams with excellent pitching can do okay with an automatic out and one nearly so, but 2011 proved that three automatics results in the worst offense in the league.
Flavor said, on October 31, 2011 at 10:00 am

I didn’t stop to think about what Oliver made last year but still, signing BOTH seems like a bit of a frivolous spend. Sign one and go with Runzler as the other guy. Look, if we end up signing the bat or two that we need then I am all for these signings. I like those dudes–but not if it prevents us from signing Rollins or a guy like that….
twinfan1 said, on October 31, 2011 at 10:13 am

It helps your argument that whoever they don’t sign, it can be argued that paying Affeldt and/or Lopez was the reason. No Beltran? AFFELDT!!! No Rollins? That fucking NEWMAN!! Uh, I mean Affeldt..seriously, Sabean knows their priorities, he’s always said that locking up the pitching staff was first. He had to have the numbers in mind. At any rate, I’d give him more than three days to evaluate his winter…
twinfan1 said, on October 31, 2011 at 10:48 am

Well, you’ve all had enough of my opinions for a bit. Need to take a nap. In thinking it over, I’d go for a respectable back up SS like Santiago, Barajas, and splurge on Beltran.
- Nipper said, on October 31, 2011 at 11:16 am
  
  Back-ups can be critical to success. Not to be underestimated.
  - unca_chuck said, on October 31, 2011 at 11:31 am
    
    Thanks, Yoda.
unca_chuck said, on October 31, 2011 at 11:31 am

Boras is the tipping point for Beltran. No way he comes here unless it’s a Rowand-esque deal.

No thanks.
- Flavor said, on October 31, 2011 at 12:02 pm
  
  I don’t really want Beltran beyond 2013 and I don’t think he’d take a 2 year deal. I can’t believe Sabes would offer him 5 years and I bet the Yanks for 4 or 5 easy……
snarkk said, on October 31, 2011 at 11:58 am

Tired of the incessant “budget” stuff with the Giants. It is one of the top 5 revenue teams in all of MLB. It was a money machine in 2011. The partnership managing committee is comprised of billionaires. They may have overpaid a bit for 2 good relievers, that’s just SOP under Sabes. The dough to Gamer and Zito is spilt milk, old news, it’s there, deal with it as fixed operating expense. They need offense, especially in the OF. Go out and get some….
- St said, on October 31, 2011 at 12:28 pm
  
  They have been willing to spend the dough, but often the hitter wants to go to a more ‘hitter friendly’ park.
- unca_chuck said, on October 31, 2011 at 1:03 pm
  
  Sanrkk, it isn’t a ‘budget’ problem, it’s a length-of-deal problem.
  
  Beltran wants a 4+ deal. Rollins wants a 5 year deal. Pujols wants a 7 year deal.
  
  If they signed Beltran to a Rowand deal, you be the first to villify it.
  - snarkk said, on October 31, 2011 at 1:20 pm
    
    No doubt, Chuck, on Beltran. I’d go Beltran at 2 years, with a club option for 3 and a buy out. Rollins and Pujols, I might be tempted to get near the time they want, they are game changers. All I’m saying is for the Giants just to ratchet down the budget bullshit. This is a rich organization. I can understand the Royals yelling budget all the time. The Giants screaming budget anytime they make a move is just plain old and tired. A stoopid contract with a journeyman guy like Gamer is one thing. Making a Bondsian contract move with Pujols would be a total game changer for the franchise, and worth the risk…
- Nipper said, on October 31, 2011 at 1:28 pm
  
  Snarkk is ready to pay “full retail!”
  - blade3colorado said, on October 31, 2011 at 1:58 pm
    
    Actually Nip, the more appropriate term is MSRP . . . Have any female enter a car dealership and watch the sales team collectively salivate . . . and not because the woman is hot.
ewisco said, on October 31, 2011 at 12:37 pm

Not sure where i read it but someone wondered whether beltran’s “cool” was a quietly confident cool or an arrogant self absorbed cool. A critical question when considering re-signing. Also he would Need to move to left, something he was unwilling to consider earlier. Lastly I would only consider two years with an option tops. That all being said, doubtful he signs unless the boras overplays his hand.
PawlieKokonuts said, on October 31, 2011 at 12:58 pm

Is it possible both lefties were signed so they COULD therefore be traded later? Now I am taking a nap.
- unca_chuck said, on October 31, 2011 at 1:04 pm
  
  At least one (with Sanchez) is certainly a possibility. See 9:25 am . . .
- Nipper said, on October 31, 2011 at 1:29 pm
  
  I’m going for a walk. Enough of this nap stuff!
unca_chuck said, on October 31, 2011 at 1:07 pm

Snarkk, they aren’t getting anything more than a Coco Crisp type guy without trading pitching.

Otherwise, they have to sign Rollins for 5 years. Or Beltran for 4 years. Or Sizemore for 4.

All deals that would be crucified by most here. Why? because they are horrible deals. It ain’t about the money. It’s about the length-of-service . . .
- Nipper said, on October 31, 2011 at 1:25 pm
  
  Chuck ……your dog wants a chicken paddy! He’s tired of that cheap foreign dog food!
- snarkk said, on October 31, 2011 at 1:30 pm
  
  Well, if you won’t trade pitching (Sanchez and/or Voggy and a reliever?) there’s nobody visible in the minors that they can bring up that will be a real contributor in 2012. Brown is obviously not ready, if his AFL performance is any indication. The FAs available “are what they are”, every other team faces the same market, and almost all with less money to burn than SF. Inertia is not an option when you’re a franchise making money hand over fist, yet you are sitting on the worst offense in a generation, and Franchez and Buster are up in the air as to how they’ll improve it coming back from serious injury…
zumie said, on October 31, 2011 at 1:16 pm

Anyone want to explain why the NBA network is showing the movie “Teen Wolf”? Yeah, I know the movie has basketball in it, but still. And I realize that the ratings of the NBA network are probably lower than a local cable access channel showing how to check your dog for ticks. But come on, NBA network. Have some pride!
- Nipper said, on October 31, 2011 at 1:23 pm
  
  “Teen Wolf” is a ratings grabber. NBA lack of play is a downer.
- snarkk said, on October 31, 2011 at 1:33 pm
  
  Well, Halloween IS today. Teen Wolf is in season. LeBron is not…
  - zumie said, on October 31, 2011 at 1:43 pm
    
    Ah, Halloween. Good point. I didn’t think of that.
  - TedSpe said, on October 31, 2011 at 2:52 pm
    
    If they really wanted to celebrate basketball with horror, they should just show a rerun of Kim Kardashian’s wedding
unca_chuck said, on October 31, 2011 at 1:48 pm

Their options, Snarkk are limited if they don’t want to spend huge dough and lay out long-term deals.

Everyone knows this. It isn’t a budget issue. It’s a stupidity issue. They were burned to a crisp 50x over by the Rowand/Zito deals. They aren’t going down that path again. They have mid-level guys to look at, a possible trade with Drrrty/Affeldt, etc. and Posey/Sanchez coming back, plus the hope someone gets warm out of camp.

This is the reality of it all. They aren’t going to sign Pooholes to a $300 mill deal. Or Rollins to a 5 year/$100 mill deal. And it ISN’T the budget. Look at Werth. Or Crawford. Last YEAR is riddled with shitty long term contracts.

Posey is catching BP sessions. He looks to be fine. Yes, they need to address a backup catcher, SS, more OF pop, and a leadoff guy. Don’t expect Sizemore, Rollins, or Beltran. Coco looks like a go. No talk around here about A Gon. If he signs for a couple years? Compared to the black hole of production they got last year, a big upgrade. And he still picks it pretty good.
Sierra Nevada said, on October 31, 2011 at 1:55 pm

I still think you are full of it, Flavor. The free agent signing window is just opening, and here you are whining about what the Giants haven’t yet done. Locking down two good lefties, who have proven they can get it done in the postseason, is a damned good move. I will say it again, the money spent on those two will help make money spent on hitting more valuable by giving Bochy the tools he needs to protect leads.

In the past I have heard you whine about Sabean being too eager on FAs and getting fleeced. Now you seem to be saying that he’s got to put everything off (the signing windows for Affeldt and Lopez were short) and get a deal done for Rollins/Cuddyer/Whothefuckever and worry about the pen later. Jeebus Flav, the market is just now getting open and you are whining already.
- Nipper said, on October 31, 2011 at 3:08 pm
  
  “whining?” Those are fight’in words! A forceful response is expected.
twinfan1 said, on October 31, 2011 at 3:00 pm

I think it’s a stretch to say Rollins is a “game changer” anymore. He hasn’t been that since 2007. He’s an upgrade over anybody they’ve had in some time but 5 years? If he’s really insistent, it probably means he has about 2 years left, he’s looking for the retirement contract. After Rollins and Reyes, it’s huge drop off, which is wht I’ve talked about Santiago. Otherwise there’s Barmes and Furcal and absolute trash. Maybe Adrianza wil steal the job…
- Nipper said, on October 31, 2011 at 3:10 pm
  
  Lets hope a young guy steals the job.
unca_chuck said, on October 31, 2011 at 3:24 pm

A Gon from Atl is doable. He won’t break the bank, he’s got a little pop, and he’s solid defensively.
- twinfan1 said, on October 31, 2011 at 3:27 pm
  
  .241/.270/.372… please.
  - unca_chuck said, on October 31, 2011 at 3:46 pm
    
    Compared to .204 .288 .296?
  - twinfan1 said, on October 31, 2011 at 3:50 pm
    
    I think the idear is a significant improvement, Chuckles. Otherwise, no problem for any of this. We just need a CFer to hit .220, a catcher to hit .210…
- twinfan1 said, on October 31, 2011 at 3:33 pm
  
  BTW- who are you planning on getting for Dirty and Affeldt? And then who is the 5 starter?
  - Nipper said, on October 31, 2011 at 3:44 pm
    
    The answer will make my brain hurt like eating very cold ice cream!
  - unca_chuck said, on October 31, 2011 at 3:57 pm
    
    I don’t fucking know. That’s Sabean’s job. There are a lot of teams desperate for pitching.
    
    Surkamp can hold down the 5th spot. They can rotate guys from AAA. They can do whatever the fuck they want. Christ, what has Zits done his entire time here? Not very much. They’ve got 4 starters that are great. The ones moving into the 5th spot seem to move up the ladder. Bummy and Vogie being the last 2. Zito finally gets his rightful spot at the bottom of the order? Why not? Either that, or get him the fuck off the team and hope Surkamp gets into some kind of decent shape out there.
    
    The point being, theyve got to get a backup C, a SS, and OF help. They aren’t going to fill all the holes via a watered-down mid-level FA class. Unless A Gon and Coco is your ide of retooling for the 2012 season.
blade3colorado said, on October 31, 2011 at 3:39 pm

I understand that Pablo is in the running for a Gold Glove. I hope he wins, but I think Polanco will win. I also read in the Denver Post that Beltran is in the running for an outfield Gold Glove????? Anyone else hear this? Unbelievable, if true.
- snarkk said, on October 31, 2011 at 3:49 pm
  
  If Beltran wins a GG, you know the voting is beyond compromised. Nate’s D as a RF is at another level compared to Beltran…
  - blade3colorado said, on October 31, 2011 at 3:51 pm
    
    Agree Snarkk.
snarkk said, on October 31, 2011 at 3:46 pm

Maybe game changer is a bit much for Rollins now at this point in his career. But, he’d be a big upgrade for what has passed as SS, yes. Give him a 3 year offer, with an option. Just because a guy wants 5 years, doesn’t mean somebody has to give it to him. As for Pujols, he would be the only guy worth overpaying, or as Chuck argues, overextending. When McGowan signed Bonds in ’93 for that outlandish $43million or whatever, everybody thought he was nuts. Then, Bonds defined the franchise for over a decade, mostly for better. Pujols would be the same, tho for half a decade, and is not near the prick as Barry, at least as I gather from reading. He’d be a game changer, a far better addition than Beltran. I’m not convinced anybody will get close to offering $300 million for him, so maybe he’s not that unaffordable, and maybe he would be attracted by the Giants top pitching. Imagine a Posey, Pujols, Panda set in the lineup. The 3Ps…
- Nipper said, on October 31, 2011 at 3:51 pm
  
  Snarkk is daydreaming today!
- twinfan1 said, on October 31, 2011 at 3:53 pm
  
  They won’t be bidding on Pujols and Fielder, IMHO. But we don’t need that. According to Chuckles, they only need to get the SECOND worst offensive first baseman..
  - unca_chuck said, on October 31, 2011 at 4:03 pm
    
    I’m talking Alex Gionzalez at short, Mikey. Don’t know who you are thinking of.
  - twinfan1 said, on October 31, 2011 at 4:12 pm
    
    It’s his numbers I quoted. Why would they want a guy who is only a marginal upgrade and has zero upside?
  - unca_chuck said, on October 31, 2011 at 4:13 pm
    
    Because Crawford is going nowhere fast.
blade3colorado said, on October 31, 2011 at 3:50 pm

I’ll preface this by saying I don’t really care for La Russa, but you also have to tip your hat to him insofar as acknowledging some of the innovations he was responsible for (partially or totally), such as the “one, two and three out save” and bringing in an outfielder for a “shift” defense. Couple that with his won/loss record, multiple World Series wins and going out on top, he will easily be a lock in five years for the Hall of Fame . . . even with his multiple “brain farts” in game six of this World Series.
- unca_chuck said, on October 31, 2011 at 4:00 pm
  
  I still hate the prick. He and Whitey Herzog can glad hand each other in the self-satified jerk-off managers of the century hall of fame.
  - Nipper said, on October 31, 2011 at 6:37 pm
    
    BLEEP!
- snarkk said, on October 31, 2011 at 4:17 pm
  
  To me, LaRussa was a good manager that stuck around long enough to win a ton of games. Manage for over 30 years, you’re going to win a ton of games. And, he usually had good player talent, and a good pitching guru in Duncan that followed him everywhere. Stability like that breeds some success. As for his innovations, whatever. Meh. Nothing really that changed the way others approach the game. To me, those things were interesting and provocative, but no big deal. And, he was dead smack in the middle of ground zero of steroid use in the Bash Bros. A’s and McGwire/Sosa era, yet professed to not know jack about it anywhere, anytime. For being a good manager over three decades and 3 WS wins, I’ll give him kudos and a ticket to the HOF. For thinking that we’re simpletons and believe his “see no evil” prevarication on McGwire and steroids until Mac finally admitted being a ‘roider, LaRussa gets a huge demerit….
  - TedSpe said, on October 31, 2011 at 4:20 pm
    
    You beat me to it, snarkk.
  - blade3colorado said, on October 31, 2011 at 4:24 pm
    
    He’s a fucking baseball player that scratches himself in inappropriate places, spits, swears in polite company, etc., not a saint (just like 99.9 % of all ball players) . . . That being said, I absolutely agree with everything you wrote. Grin.
  - Nipper said, on October 31, 2011 at 6:38 pm
    
    Wait for his book.
twinfan1 said, on October 31, 2011 at 4:27 pm

I don’t say this with disrespect at at all- but Tony may have realized he could not do the job any longer. See “Phone Gate”. The most logical explanation is that he became confused- even LaRussa had never used relievers as he had in this post season. He probably got the guys he asked for…
zumie said, on October 31, 2011 at 4:51 pm

Alex Gonzalez has a little pop (15 HRs), but this could be a total Tejada-type situation. A guy who’s fading, and completely evaporates when the Giants sign in. The one thing the Giants probably thought for sure about Tejada was that he’d pop an HR occasionally.
- zumie said, on October 31, 2011 at 4:52 pm
  
  15 HRs in 2011, I meant to say.
- willieD said, on November 1, 2011 at 6:55 am
  
  Agreed…I’d rather do nothing than pick this guy up. Disaster (ala johnny lee) waiting to happen.
blade3colorado said, on October 31, 2011 at 5:02 pm

“I’m committed to this marriage and everything this covenant represents,” he said, “and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make it work.”

Kris Humphries after his wife, Kim Kardashian filed for divorce after 72 days of marriage. Anyone else see this coming?

LQTM
- snarkk said, on October 31, 2011 at 5:27 pm
  
  I watched her show once for 5 minutes, maybe less. When the T&A factor gets boring after one minute, it’s lame beyond recognition. Same for the other crap like Orange County Housewives, or whatever. Divorce is part of the story arc of “reality” TV. Nobody will tune into this garbage if the cute couple is at home holding hands in front of the wide screen watching “Wheel of Fortune” — they need to be screaming at each other or whining about the other one to their lame friends and relatives…
St said, on October 31, 2011 at 5:27 pm

I’m relieved Sabathia no longer has to worry about feeding his family with a paltry $122 m.
- blade3colorado said, on October 31, 2011 at 5:38 pm
  
  Yeah St, inflation is a bitch . . . The “99 percenters” must think we’re in the late 1990s or something . . . Just ask Latrell Sprewell, who was due to make $14.6 million, and described the Timberwolve’s counteroffer, worth between $27 million and $30 million over three years, as ”insulting.” He also said, ”Why would I want to help them win a title? They’re not doing anything for me. I’m at risk. I have a lot of risk here. I got my family to feed.”
twinfan1 said, on October 31, 2011 at 5:35 pm

Real Housewives of Pope Valley
- snarkk said, on October 31, 2011 at 5:41 pm
  
  Now, that’s way TOO MUCH reality…
  - Nipper said, on October 31, 2011 at 6:39 pm
    
    Snarkk is NOT impressed!
twinfan1 said, on October 31, 2011 at 5:50 pm

Link to the right for thread on LaRussa..
twinfan1 said, on October 31, 2011 at 6:57 pm

I’ll work on a thread for tomorrow, but has anyone seen the news on Charger guard Kris Dielman? It’s a disgrace. He had a grand mal seizure on the plane after suffering a concussion during the game but continuing to play- they were out of offensive linemen due to other injuries, it’s said. Even the refs share in the shame- they watched him stagger and fall more than once but never did anything to see that he was attended to properly.
- twinfan1 said, on October 31, 2011 at 7:21 pm
  
  BTW, there was a video of him struggling on the field but now I can’t find one
  - unca_chuck said, on October 31, 2011 at 8:59 pm
    
    Just saw the replay. They showed in on MNF. Unreal. Didn’t hear what they were saying about it though.
PawlieKokonuts said, on October 31, 2011 at 7:14 pm

Mets to revise dimensions of Citi Field to make it allegedly more hitter-friendly. It ranks behind SD and SF for homers. I find this questionable at best. I cannot articulate why, but it rests on many iffy premises [pun intended] and will not of itself improve performance. Why does it bother me? I guess because it attempts some kind of physical shortcut as a replacement for talent. Can’t quite put my finger on it, but it’s lame. (Their whole Dodger-past obsession as if the Giants were not part of the same lineage bothers the heck out of me too, as I’ve stated here.)
snarkk said, on October 31, 2011 at 8:09 pm

Trick or Treat….
http://tinyurl.com/ydxjx4x
- snarkk said, on October 31, 2011 at 8:45 pm
  
  Tricks AND Treats…
  http://tinyurl.com/3t9agq2
twinfan1 said, on October 31, 2011 at 8:13 pm

According to somebody or the other there are now 110 days, 8 hours, 47 minutes and 17, 16, 15… seconds until pitchers and catchers report..
twinfan1 said, on October 31, 2011 at 8:59 pm

Well, Zeke has my pillow, which means he thinks it’s bedtime. Night all.