Signing a Utility Infielder and we Kick Off the 1979 Season at The Flap
Brandon Crawford’s vice-like grip on the SS job looks like more and more of a reality every day. Let’s look at The Flap Up to the Minute SS Free Agent Tracker:
Barmes: Off the table!
Santiago: Gone!
Adam Kennedy: Adios!
Willie Boomquist: Arrivederchi!
Alex Gonzalez: Ominously available……
Listening to Bochy on Ralph and Tom’s Show the other day, he did not sound too optimistic about Keppy coming back. His Spetember was ugly. It was *Rowand-like*, hitting .177. But the rest of his season he was right around .300. On a team that hits so poorly, I would think that .300 hitters would be welcomed back with open arms. He’s basically a healthier version of Freddy Sanchez. Anyway, Bochy’s interview was actually uncharacteristically revealing except for when he slipped back into auto-pilot on Keppinger with his usual array of cliche’s and generalities. That told me he’s not in their plans for 2012. Just a guess, though………
The available options are slim pickins’ unless you fancy *Slim* Gonzalez. I’m starting to think (hope) that Sabes pulls a rabbit out of his hat at the Winter Meetings–maybe tap into our bounty of relief pitching and pick up a utility guy that’s better than any of the 2011 FA utility players? It’s possible that Sabes deftly assessed the market for relief pitching, locked up all of his, and now he intends on trading Affeldt or Lopez for Jed Lowrie (his 2010 had me drooling on him in 2011 until more injuries hit him). Hey, it could happen……….
And now, Retro-Action Time
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Let’s *fast forward* to 1979….It’s April 10th, the Home Opener. The season starts full of promise as the Giants win 3 of 4 from the Reds in Cincinnati to start the season. Vida Blue takes the hill against the iconic Gaylord Perry. 56,196 maniacs took the day off work for this ice-cold, windy (I’m just guessing here) Tuesday afternoon game. It was 2-2 going to the 9th, both hall of famers (well, Vida is in the BAHOF) were locked in an epic pitching battle, but Perry was the first to blink and he gave way to John D’Acquisto in the bottom of the 9th. Hot dog wrappers and other general debris swirl around home plate as he takes over for Perry. He gets 2 quick outs by striking out Ivie and getting Hill to ground out to 3rd. The crowd noise starts to swell as they see their hero, Willie McCovey, slowly emerge from the dugout and into the on deck circle to pinch hit for the light-hitting Metzger. Fifty-six thousand fans dream of the perfect ending, a walk off HR by a man who’s delivered the gift so many times before. But baseball’s a funny game, the unexpected is far more usual than the expected. Stretch doesn’t end it with a bomb but he does manage to muscle a single into right field. The inning stays alive and Altobelli turns to the little used and barely known “John Tamargo” to pinch hit for Vida. A now-grumbling crowd exhales and prepares for the likely inevitability of extra innings.Venable pinch runs for the aged McCovey…..
He lets the first pitch sail past and it’s called a ball. D-Acquisto winds and delivers. Tamargo swings…..And that’s hit deep!!!! This one has a channnnccce……. Gone!!!!!!! It’s Gone!!!!! John Tamargo has WON IT for the Giants!!!!!!!!!!!
Walk off. Giants win 4-2. An epic baseball moment unfolds. Tamargo went on to hit one other HR for the Giants that season. He hit 4 total in his 5 year major league career that ended the next season in 1980 in Montreal. But what a *moment* he delivered that day. I doubt that any of the 56,196 ever forgot the day that John Tamargo sent them home happy on that glorious Tuesday afternoon…..
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Tamargo’s other claim to fame: wasn’t he posting on the Splash some years ago? Or certainly someone that claimed to be him (humbly so, so it was believable, just a Giants fan now. Seemed like a nice guy). Or maybe even the Splash’s precursor, early 2000s. Man, my memory bank is losing file space…
Oh, and sorry, but Keppinger might be healthier than Franchez, but a much lesser version. The team obviously missed Posey but also hugely missed Freddy, despite the jokes and some hatin’ here about him. That was the killer last year, losing “up the middle” in the injuries to Posey at C and Sanchez at 2B, as well as Torres’ down year in CF and the Tejada disaster at short. I’d like to see Kepp stay, in some role, but, once again, as it’s been several times since he arrived here, Freddy being healthy and himself again (think games 1 and 4 of the World Series) will be key.
Paul–what I meant by that is that he’s a no power,no speed guy who can hit .300. That’s Franchez, too. Plus, he’s not a M*A*S*H extra the way Freddy is……
I chose the Opener because it was an epic game and Twin had mentioned Tamargo the other day. There was a blogger by the same name on the Splash 3 or 4 years ago. he was excellent though I don’t remember anything to suggest that he was THE John Tamargo…….
Market for quality SS is worse than back up C. I think there is something behind scene with Kepp—either he doesn’t want to play SS, SF doesn’t think he can handle it, or there is an undisclosed ailment that prevented it.
Had to laugh at Hargrove’s name in the LU–I didn’t remember him being in the NL. Had one of the most elaborate routines in the box, before and after every pitch, known as the Human Rain Delay.
My godson, who lives in Diego now and has gone from a lifelong Giants fans to the Padres, has a brown/yellow Pads retro uni top from these late 70s days. I saw him over Thx holiday, and he’ll be up here to see his parents over Xmas, and he said he’d bring it. He likes it (most people thought those were butt ugly, hat included)…says too many teams now look like they are in Dodger blue.
Yeah, I got ya, Craig. I guess I also value Freddy’s defense very highly. In the stats, his assists just appear as a number, yet some of the plays and extra effort he gives to get some of those assists are intangible. Kepp was solid but not at Freddy’s level. Oh, and we can stop calling him Franchez… unless Hector makes it as back up catcher, Freddy’s the only Sanchez now…. Tamargo on the Splash: seemed genuine, he only rather quietly acknowledged who he was when someone eventually asked. I thought it was kinda cool, a former Giant talking Giants baseball. Of course, Santa Claus was cool too for awhile there.
Free agent shortstops
Name Age 2011 team 2011 stats 2012 team Contract
Clint Barmes 33 Astros .244, 12 HR, 39 RBI Pirates 2 yrs, $10.5M
Yuniesky Betancourt 30 Brewers .252, 13 HR, 58 RBI not signed
Ronny Cedeno 28 Pirates .249, 2 HR, 32 RBI not signed
Adam Everett 34 Indians .217, 0 HR, 1 RBI not signed
Rafael Furcal 34 Cardinals .231, 8 HR, 28 RBI not signed
Alex Gonzalez 34 Braves .241, 15 HR, 56 RBI not signed
Cesar Izturis 32 Orioles .200, 0 HR, 1 RBI not signed
John McDonald 37 Diamondbacks .229, 2 HR, 22 RBI Diamondbacks 2 yr, $3M
Jose Reyes 28 Mets .337, 7 HR, 44 RBI not signed
Edgar Renteria 35 Reds .251, 5 HR, 36 RBI not signed
Jimmy Rollins 33 Phillies .268, 16 HR, 63 RBI not signed
Marco Scutaro 36 Red Sox .299, 7 HR, 54 RBI Red Sox Option, $6M
Jack Wilson 34 Braves .243, 0 HR, 11 RBI not signed
“The free agent shortstops this season are essentially a party of one, and then a few guys who used to be among the best at their position. Jose Reyes could make more than the rest of the them combined when the total deals are factored in, considering that the soon-to-be former Mets shortstop had a great bounce-back season. The second-best player on the list is crystal clear as well, and it’s former NL MVP Jimmy Rollins. His best days are behind him, however. The same could be said for Rafael Furcal, who won a title in St. Louis after escaping Los Angeles. After the top three, there’s a couple off-the-bench guys/ marginal starters, but it slides like a cliff after that. Heck, John McDonald is probably in the top 10.”
*Also: Orlando Cabrera is listed as a second baseman, but could be a shortstop as well. Same goes for Ramon Santiago (off the list as Flav noted), Nick Punto and Jerry Hairston Jr.
Read this list and cry . . . sigh
Thanks for the flashbacks Craig,
I wasn’t at the game, but reading the stories still brings back some great memories..
Any thoughts on Furcal? Lesser version of Rollins, but a 1 or 2 year deal? When healthy ( I know When is he healthy?) better than all those other guys…
Sportdude, most (so called) experts rate Furcal the number 3 ranked shortstop available this year . . . Not really saying much when you consider the other candidates.
Flav isn’t off base about Lowrie. Why? The Red Sox exercised Marco Scutaro’s option for 2012 and have Jose Iglesias, a defensive whiz, waiting in the wings in Triple-A Pawtucket. Consequently, Lowrie just might be available in a trade.
Another reason Lowrie is available for a trade – The fact that the Red Sox have a similar player in Mike Aviles, which could make them more willing to deal Lowrie than in years past.
For some reason I’m not that worried about Mudbug being the SS. By the most part he did seem to have a good approach at the plate. Now if that translates to him actually hitting? I don’t know.
Right now I’m more worried about the questions in the OF. I’m still not convinced that Nate is an everyday player. Melky in CF and leadoff? OK, I guess, but I’m not really sold on that idea either. Will Andres figure out what went wrong last year? Belt or Huff in LF? I wonder if the Giants are totally sold on the Baby Giraffe? If they are going in this year with a win it now attitude, Belt may be a damn good trade chip to a team that doesn’t want to pay an OF starter salary.
Totally agree with Paul about Freddy. I thought the guy was a huge spark plug from the two hole, but I’d love for them to resign Kepp as insurance at both SS and 2B. I’m just not sold on Font being the utility guy and would love Kepp or someone else off the bench (not sure why, but I haven’t been a fan of Font from the get go).
Bozo, speaking of the outfield . . .
Highest WAR in 2011 — Impending Free Agent Outfielders
Player WAR
Carlos Beltran 4.7
Nick Swisher 3.8<>Club option for 2012
Highest WAR in 2011 — Impending Free Agent Outfielders
Player WAR
Carlos Beltran 4.7
Nick Swisher 3.8<>Club option for 2012
(try this again)
Player WAR
Carlos Beltran 4.7
Nick Swisher 3.8*
Michael Cuddyer 3.1
Coco Crisp 2.2
David DeJesus 2.2
Josh Willingham 2.1
*Club Option 2012
Blade, that was tough.
I’d love to have Beltran back but the rest of the list doesn’t excite me at all. That’s why I’m thinking a trade for what we need in the OF makes more sense than a SS to me anyway.
Bozo, as others have intimated here recently, it’s quite possible that securing the two lefties (Lopez and Affeldt) in October, is part of a plan to use one of them as trade bait for a position player. Personally, I think they are just about done in the outfield and the infield will be addressed by Sabean.
Font has merit if Bozo is down on the guy. Kepp less so. Nate is a role player that can play a lot.
Highest WAR in 2011 — Impending Free Agent Shortstops
Player WAR
Jose Reyes 6.2
Jimmy Rollins 3.8
Clint Barmes 3.1 (off the board)
Marco Scutaro 2.9 (off the board)
Jamey Carroll 2.2 (I didn’t list him as SS in my available FA list because he plays so many other positions)
Much to my shame, I have to admit I still don’t understand what WAR actually measures. I remember a funny conversation on the KNBR postgame wrap when Jon Miller made a half-hearted attempt to explain WAR, and K&K got real quiet, and finally Krukow said something like: “I used to play a card game called War.”
LOL Zumie . . . I remember bugging my Mom to play War when I was 7 years old and not knowing why her eyes would glaze over. I thought it was the greatest card game ever invented. Fast forward today – I know my Mom was bored shitless playing that dumb ass game.
Ahhh, yer killin’ me, Blade. When my son was 4 to about 7, he would always bug my mom to play war. She gladly would play, and it was the highlight (for him) of the times we would get together. She’s been gone 3 years now, and my son still talks about all the time they spent together talking and playing war . . .
it’s a complicated formula that measures the number of wins a team would lose if that player went down and was replaced by someone on the bench or from the minor leagues. Fangraphs and baseball-reference use different formula’s and come up with different numbers, further confusing the WAR tool….
BLEEP WAR!
If they didn’t re-sign Keppinger, wouldn’t the reserve infielders as of now be Fontenot and Gillaspie ? (Burriss is not expected to be tendered). I have a difficult time believing they go that way with a kid who hasn’t shown he can hit AA ball at short and injury riddled Fruckie at second…
As far this alleged hating on the Fruckster, no doubt it worked out far better than it appeared it would after Bochy had to order him to report in the spring of 2010…
For shortstops, WAR is Wins Above Rohlinger..the bad news, Crawford is -3 WAR
A lot of folks don’t go for WAR because it includes defense. For instance, Torres was the second most valuable Giant in 2011 by WAR even though his batting was minus 5.4, below some pitchers. But his defensive WAR was 9.4. After the other factors, his total was 2.1, second only to Pablo. Now if you’re sure you don’t buy that, the lowest were Cabrera, Hall, Burriss, and Huff. These are from Fangraphs. Top 5 from Fangraphs: Pablo, Torres, Posey, Nate, Beltran. Top five from Baseball Reference: Pablo, tie Ross and Nate, Posey, Torres…
Excluding defense BR has it Pablo,Nate, Cody, Fruckie, Beltran. I don’t see that stat from Fangaphs.
Twin, recently you mentioned someone in the Giants organization that will probably setup Wilson or will replace Wilson in 2013 . . . who is that player?
Heath Hembree . . .
Thanks Chuck . . . Question – is there any possibility that Hembree can upseat Romo for the setup position this year?
Method to my madness is this – Numerous sources have said that the Red Sox are willing to trade Jed Lowrie (whom was a number one draft pick) and is relatively young, albeit, he hasn’t dispelled the “prone to injury” label since his MLB career started. He would be the first under 30 year old the Giants have had since Aurilia played in 2001. The reason this trade is compelling to me is that Lowrie is expendable for three reasons – Scutaro is staying with the Sox; they have a very similar player to Lowrie in Mike Aviles; and the phenom I mentioned in my earlier post today, Jose Iglesias, is waiting in the wings in Triple-A Pawtucket. Couple that with Papelbon signing with the Phils – the Red Sox need to bolster their bull pen.
Well, I don’t think the Sox will be trading for Ramirez. But Affeldt is a possibility.
Trade Romo? That would be a pretty ballsy move. You never know. . . .
I don’t really know (Twin has a better grasp) if Hembree is ready to step into an 8th inning role this year. He (and Gary Brown) were in A ball last season, although Hembree pitched a couple months in AA He’s ony 22.
They look to have at least one more year in the minors before breaking in with the big club. If he lights up ST, wopuld they keep him? I doubt it. Brown’s the same deal (23 though), although they may keep him up if he’s hitting . . .
I agree with Bozo and am fine going into the season with Crawford as the guy—even without someone waiting in the wings. I also agree with Willie that Kepp is not viewed by the Giants as a viable SS option. If he was, they would have stuck him there at some point last year. I’m fine with bringing Kepp back–but only on the cheap. I’d feel better about the guy if he mixed in a walk once a month or so. I’d be curious to see what his walk percentage was compared to the rest of our hackers.
Great retro game and mad props to Flav for building some drama in the narrative. I remember hearing Vin Scully amuse himself one time by saying “here today, John Tamargo” when he came to bat during a game back in the day.
Kepp probably isn’t viewed as a viable shortstop option. But sooner or later, someone other than Crawford is going to be the shortshop. You like Fontenot or Gillaspie?
As to Hembree, I see exactly zero chance he’s the set up guy this year..
If it’s not a package, I’m not seeing that we get enough for Affeldt. He’s worth a bit more than Javier because he’s not just a loogie, but I don’t see it as that much more. We gave up Ironhead and Bow-Bow for Javier, two prospects past their due date.
eeeeeee. Just minutes ago on MLBTR Mark Polishuck reported that the Giants are in talks with Alex Gonzalez. Another mid-30’s SS with declining defensive skills and whose bit of pop might be questionable in PhoneBill Stadium, A.G. seems to fit a certain metric which has existed for some years now. Comments on the board are, as expected, mostly negative on the part of Giants fans. Only upside seems to be the thought that he would make for a good R-L combo with Crawford and could serve as a mentor for him.
Meanwhile, the Seibu Lions of Japan have noted their willingness to post their star SS Hiroyoki Nakajima for a possible move to MLB. I read the other day that this guy is considered the second best hitter in that country. What with the posting fee and then his salary, he might be a bit expensive, but probably not on a long-term basis as Reyes or Rollins would prefer. If the ownership group would be willing to spring for the cash and if they have done some scouting on the dude; it could be a good move.
Needles to say I’m a bit leery on Gonzalez, as he’s a hard swinger with a lamentable walk ratio.
Stix, good “thinking outside the box” post regarding Nakajima. However, everything I’ve read is that the $130 million payroll is etched in stone. In fairness to Gonzales, he would be a defensive upgrade to Tejada . . . That being said, he stinks (as most everyone here has pointed out).
I am holding out for a possible trade in lieu of the available FA shortstops all being ready for reservations at Sunnyside Acres.
Blade, yes, in practical terms a trade for someone like Lowrie might be more likely to happen than the signing of Nakajima. What got me spouting off is the ‘i’ve seen this movie before’ feelings re Gonzalez. I spose neither Bochy nor Sabean has the clout with Baer and the ownership circle to get those fat cats to part with a bit more lucre than that $130M, all too much of which is owed to contractual mistakes. Giants are not a po-boy franchise. They are among the ten most lucrative in MLB. With a world-class pitching staff, it would be just a bit tragic if the team once again came up just a bit short.
Well it gets worse Stix – coupled with your report about Gonzales, I just read, “Jerry Hairston, Jr., who is rumored to have interest from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers and San Francisco Giants, according to Fox Sports.”
Dollars to donuts, we are going to have another geriatric short stop signed by the weekend, if not sooner.
Well, everyone but me. I brought him up 3 months ago (amidst laughter and general derision) . . .
Chuckles, you did not post just that they might sign him, you recommended him-you derserved the laughter and derision just as Sabean will deserve it if he’s stupid enough to follow through..
I’d take Hairston over A-Gony in a heartbeat..
they need to look at the signing money as something other than payroll. it’s a one time cost for dealing with the japanese league.
Yahoo’s Passan has written an article giving “quick and dirty” analysis on all the FAs available this year, as well as his rankings, one through one hundred and eighty two (1-182). Good guide for keeping track of what is what. Also, it’s interesting that he has these 4 guys ranked 72, 73, 74, and 75. Again, I’m betting one of these guys will be signed to the G-men if Sabean has been given instructions to adhere to the $130 million payroll directive.
*72. Ronny Cedeno, SS: Hasn’t figured out how to hit and may never, but his glove should keep him employed, if not starting, for a while.
73. Alex Gonzalez, SS: Outlasted the other Alex Gonzalez. Now trying to outlast his .291 lifetime on-base percentage, which is a significantly more difficult fight.
74. Rafael Furcal, SS: It’s a sheer delight to watch him throw. Other than that, there’s only a drop or two left in the tank.
75. Jerry Hairston Jr., UT: Plays everywhere and at a solid defensive level, posts a respectable on-base percentage and is beloved in the clubhouse. He’ll have his pick of teams.
*By the by, Cedeno is the highest rated SS available (per Passan) not named Reyes or Rollins.
Blade; might we suppose that any of the four you cited would be a significant upgrade over Crawford? As a young player Brandon probably still has some offensive upside as compared with this past season’s ‘effort’. I could see taking on one of them as a back-up with possible offensive value off the bench and with maybe two games per week starting. But none of them strikes me as a regular on an otherwise championship grade team.
Yes. If I had no other choices (a trade), I would take Cedeno 1st, Hairston, then Gonzales, and Furcal last.
Well, when you hit 2fuckingoh4, you better have SOME upside.. like .210..
Yahoo’s Passan also had these two stalwarts on his 182 FA list:
88. Yuniesky Betancourt, SS: And we’re not even halfway through the list.
148. Omar Vizquel, UT: Methuselah (44).
Almost forgot . . . Who is NUMBER 182? TA DA . . .
182. Pat Burrell, OF: He is more likely to crash another World Series than play in one.
We extend Sabean and his first (potential) move is to sign another Over the Hill SS in Alex Gonzalez? He of the lifetime .690 OPS. He’d fit right in. Why’d we give Sabes only two more years. Give ’em four more years just like O. Oh me, oh my…
The Braves didn’t offer arbitration to Gonzalez (a Type B free agent), so Atlanta wouldn’t receive a compensation pick if Gonzalez signed elsewhere, thus this is the probable reason that the GMen are interested.
I would amend that to say “…the only probable reason…”
This guy sucks, and would leave here at about same popularity level as Armando Benitez.
Ask the Twins how their Japanese SS worked out. If you really have $130 million to drop, might as well sign Reyes.
This is what’s left at catcher . . . sigh.
160. Jason Varitek, C: Veteran catcher acquainted with rugged AL East play, pitchers who drink beer and eat fried chicken during games.
162. Josh Bard, C: The Bard: “To be or not to be; that is the question.” Josh Bard: “To hit or not to hit; not to hit.”
173. Jake Fox, C/DH: And “catcher” in only the loosest interpretation possible.
174. Chris Snyder, C: Last we heard, Snyder couldn’t protect his wife in a road-rage attack because of back surgery. Hopefully, he’s well enough to at least block the plate.
175. J.R. Towles, C: What shot J.R.’s career? A .184/.267/.315 slash line, that’s what.
179. Jason Kendall, C: A no-hit catcher with a bum shoulder and an ex-wife slated to appear on the reality show “Baseball Wives.” Even Scott Boras couldn’t get him signed.
Someone had posted a link to Thursday night football VIP.BOX May a million locusts descend upon you and your family.
May the fleas of 1,000 camels infest your armpits . . .
Since when have your responses been kept in a #2 mayonnaise jar on Funk and Wagnall’s porch since noon today?
WillieD– the Japanese ss isn’t costing 130 mil– that’s the expected Giants payroll. No one knows what the cost will be to negotiate with him (the posting fee) or what his ultimate salary would be. After the Nishikowa debacle in Minnesota (I think that was his name) I doubt too many future japanese ss’s are going to be getting paid bank. But for the right price I’d definitely take a swing at him.
Blade: boy, that C list is bleak. As I thought at the end of the year, we might have to put up with Whitey one more year. Depressing but possibly happening, I guess.
Well, Hector is destroying the Venuzuelan Winter League, leading the league in hitting, slugging, and OPS. I’m sure he’s opened some eyes. God, I’d hate you be right about such a depressing call as MoreWhitey, Craig..
Dennis has the “more-whitey” thing covered. And Bochy love Whitey like a warm winter coat.
Catcher shortstop mkt always seems thin. And teams aren’t trading the young promising ones, as Sabean knows. I’m sure he’s beaten the bushes and the demands are ridiculous.
for future reference:
http://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Gravatar
Interesting financial info on the Giants. This is 2010 season nfo.
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2011/33/baseball-valuations-11_San-Francisco-Giants_339175.html
No doubt 2011 Total Revenue and Op Income was much higher, probably putting SF into the top 5 in MLB in those categories…