Going with the Clean Shaven Look….
Our loyal Flap friend *AlleyKat* reported on the last thread that Flemming said on KNBR this evening that Wilson isn’t expected to be ready to start the season. That’s an obvious concern. I’ll tell you, this entire Wilson situation has been handled in bizarre fashion. This guy was basically shut down in the middle of August, though he wasn’t ever really *shut down*. They *half way* shut him down, rested him and evolved his plan into the *we’re out of it* approach and THAT turned into the NEW reason of why he wasn’t pitching. Then he randomly pitched twice in September, getting one save. There was also an ominous, unreported (at the time he went) overnight visit to Dr. Andrews. He checked out but that was clearly a red flag (or was it a white flag?). Anyway, he checked out with “Dr. A”(OK) so if he had nothing more than a strain I thought AT THE TIME that it was a good idea to get the dude back on the horse to get at least some work in before ST ’12. Otherwise, he would have spent the Winter wondering about the *game condition* of his arm. If that’s the situation, I’m glad he threw an inning or two before the end of the 2011 season. But that was under the condition that there was nothing more than a strain going on in his arm. Now I’m not so sure what’s going on…..
The off season started and Wilson followed his *don’t touch a ball till Jan 1* plan. According to Sabean, this was the cautious approach that they decided to take. And, I’m still semi-fine with that, though now a little nervous. But I’m going with what the doctors are recommending….
Now, at least according to Flem on KNBR today, it sounds like Wilson won’t be ready for Opening Day. Again, TOTALLY FINE WITH THIS (nervousness growing)—-as long as it’s just him missing the season by a couple of weeks as it relates to his conservative rehab plan outlined by the team doctors at the end of the season….
But let me say this and I will be crystal fucking clear about it: If Wilson can’t go by late April or if it turns out some *missed injury* is found or if he comes back and his arm snaps clean off the first pitch he throws….I will be infuriated with how the team and their doctors handled this problem. Disgustedly infuriated. *Heads Must Roll Infuriated*. We knew he had a possibly serious arm injury last August—He took a midnight trip across the country to confirm it. He gets news that isn’t *the worst* so they let him pitch twice in September. Huge, MAJOR fuck up if it turns out they were wrong about this being *just a strain*. Ask yourself, how many “just a strains” end up shutting you down for 6 months? Actually, Josh Johnson (Marlins ace) dealt with a similar *strain* last year, though I think it was in his shoulder. He was finally shut down too, sans surgery. But I digress. Again, if it was *just a strain* and they went conservative with the rehab, and he comes back this season maybe a couple weeks late, this is no big deal at all…..
But if it’s more than that, and if the rehab could have been handled differently or if they should have done surgery…..I am going to be pissed off to no end at the team (medical and otherwise) with how they handled this……
Now, having ranted about all this, it’s time to focus on the Bee-Weezy alternatives. We actually have 3 viable, short term alternatives.
They are:
1) Sergio Romo: *Wanna-be-Beardo* has entered “Eck like” territory, at least in terms of numbers. He had a 31/1 K/bb ratio over his last 32 innings. That’s sickeningly absurd. He’s throwing his slider 54% of the time now and I say, throw it 84% of the time. Or more. It’s un-hittable. His late season arm problems bear watching as does the fact, according to him, that he doesn’t have the make up to be a closer (stresses out too much, holds on to losses to long, etc). Yes, that’s a big deal. But if those two things are straight he’s ready to save 40+ games TODAY.
2) Affeldt: the best thing you can say about him is that he’s a ground ball pitcher who is tough on lefties. I don’t know if that’s enough to close for us for an extended period of time, but he COULD do it and he might be a perfect *closer match* for…..
……3) Santiago Casillia. He throws hard, he’s a GB pitcher, he’s death to righties (they batted .155 against him last year) and he was a total stud in the 2nd half of 2011. But his control problems are obvious and can crop up at any time. That along makes him sketchy at best to use as a closer and unusable at worst….
Heath Hembree is waiting in the wings but I just can’t see the Giants using him in the early part of 2012. Not with these other 3 options available, at least for the short term…..
Night time Thread? Hey, when I can’t be certain that I can get my usual 6am thread up tomorrow and I have to go *Night time Thread* tonight it must mean I’ve got an extreme amount of sh!t to do tomorrow, right? Hmmmmm. I should still be able to work in some BB of the Day Action…..
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
I think romo could handle it too, once he did it a few times. Casila is a beast, great heat and killer breaking ball too, just less idea where it’s actually going. I think you’d see more wilson-like innings, with walks and falling behind the count. Might be tough to watch. Just realize, without Ramirez there is also one less RHP down there, so match ups might shake out a little differently too sans wilson.
I mentioned this obliquely in the previous coupla threads. You know BF, I am right with you on this one. I don’t trust the Giants and their medicos as far as I can throw ’em, and that ain’t far. Everybody on this blog late last year was apprehensive about Wilson, and the cone of silence around his elbow issue. Now, we hear from Flemming indirectly that he might not be ready for the Opener. This confirms the suspicions about why Sabean was anxious to pay through the nose to re-sign the two lefties in the Pen. He knew Wilson was a risk for 2012, he knows. None of the three you mentioned is a good LT replacement for Wilson, if need be. Casilla? No freekin’ way. If Wilson is out for any length of serious time, Hembree better be ready, otherwise we got squat for that spot…
Well, Sabean already said they were worried about Wilson being ready and that concern was one reason they brought back Affeldt and Lopez. There was no code of silence or suspicions being confirmed here. They told Wilson back in Oct not to throw until Jan, so they knew he might miss some time.
As for the treatment, the specialist Andrews confirmed it was a sprain.
I’m no expert, but I’ve had a few strains and know the only way to know for sure if it’s healed is to test it. Then you wait and see.
I recall them being very cautious even though they were in a pennant race. But after 4-5 bullpen sessions, Wilson himself declared he felt good to go. So they finally let him pitch on Sept 18th. He looked stong in 1 inning, striking out 2 and allowing no hits. He was then allowed to pitch again 3 days later. Apparently the pain returned then, so they shut him down. I guess you could argue with the benefit of hindsight they should have shut him down in Sept.
Who knows why sometimes there is plenty of news on injured players (extent thereof, prognosis, etc.) and then confusing information about others. Wilson’s case does seem confusing… at least to us, the fans and followers. Maybe the team knows very well what’s up, which Sabean has indeed cited as a reason for keeping its bullpen intact (except for trading Ramirez). Just read on Baggs’ blog (although I don’t see it anywhere else yet, not on Giants’ page, not in the Chron) that the team signed Ramon Ortiz. Possible 5th starter? Insurance for the pen? Not sure. It sure helps being sure and solid about your closer; that sets up the pen all the way through the game. Closer by committee rarely seems to work. Hope it’s nothing serious to Wilson, but looks like the team is planning for that contingency. I like Romo and Casilla but not as confident with either of them as I am with Wilson. Guess we’ll find out… And if it’s really bad, wouldn’t be surprised to see Sabean go out and get another one…
Mmm, imo, what happens before the 9th is going to be a lot more important. Most teams win a pretty high pct of the time they are ahead after 7 or 8. The Giants score enough runs, a lot of shit will get swept under the carpet.
ST, tho, I just can’t get worked up about. Sure there are stories like the one Baggs told about the new kid who rocks Hoffman’s world and gets crowded by media for a day, but most of the time once regular season (in other words real baseball) starts, these guys wind up like D Ford, unable to hit Double A pitching.
Where’s Jeremy Lin when you need him? Or a baseball equivalent.
I’ve been worried about Wilson all offseason. It doesn’t surprise me that there could be problems. How it got to this point is baffling in the extreme.
Romo scares the shit out of me in that role. And if he throws sliders all the time, he;’ll be joining Wilson on the shelf. I’d stick with Santiago.
Worry? Not me. Giants have other options.
That’s right. Too much worrying going on. It’s spring for chrissakes!
I feel the championship season was the start of Wilson’s elbow decline.He threw alot of pitches,over 50 i remember in a game in NY.Boch had him out their alot getting 4,5,6 outs that year.Yeah he was awesome and probably kept telling Boch I,m good to go being the warrior he is,but it’s catching up to him now.And if he needs a second TJ surgery he’s threw.This whole thing stinks like a Rob Nen scenario.
Sabes spent big on the bull pen this year. Maybe as insurance for BW and/or as a trading chip as needed as the season progresses. I’m sure Romo could close if needed but I’m one of those guys that loves heat from the closer.
It probably doesn’t mean a thing, but didn’t the bearded one do an interview this last week or so saying he felt good and might be working on a new pitch during ST?
How about Carmelo Anthony. Knick fans are dreading his return, and the possibility he’ll mess up the team chemistry. It’s kind of funny.
Justin Christian is back! Giants filling out their AAA roster with him, Travis Blackley and Ramon Ortiz.
Another guy who could make the team if Wilson is out, is Hensley. He can start or relieve. He had a strong 2010 in relief and won 11 games starting for Bochy in 2006. If Zito implodes, he’s a possible replacement.
Wilson was subpar to open to season- I said so then and his fast ball numbers back it up. As I posted and Flavor has reiiterated, his replacement(s) would initially come from those already on the the staff, NOT Hembree, who will open in Fresno. One can never rule out a kid forcing their hand, but the Giants are well stocked in veteran pitchers who can do the job.
The obvious choice is Romo, and if he can’t get his head around it, he’s got two months to do that.
I’m chiming in on the Romo bandwagon as well
Romo was great last year in setup. I wouldn’t throw him as closer. You can’t have a closer that throws the more than occasional mistake “hit me” slider in the 9th. Keep him where he is. Hembree should see a lot of action in ST to test his nerve…
As I said, barring something like a hitless spriring, Hembee isn’t in the equation. Bochy knows what he’s doing on running a pen. I think he’s proved that.
As I said, they’ll give him lots of opportunities in ST to show his nerve. If they don’t, they’re crazy…
Santiago. Romo scares the crap out of me as a closer.
Casilla under pressure is a walk or wild pitch waiting to happen. No way he’s closing for more than a spot here and there…
Hilarious that Romo scares you and Casilla doesn’t.
I’m as concerned as all about the Wilson scenarios; but I won’t start the sleepless nights worrying until we hear and see more once spring training starts… But if that chess piece needs to be changed, my view is Affeldt is the only one who should be considered. He is the only one that can take that daily pressure situation for a full season. I think I heard here and agree that Romo is only in a setup comfort role and I think Santiago would not be consistent enough…. fingers crossed.
The only worry about Romo is the arm problems from last year. Given that he relies on the slider, that’s not the smallest of concerns, especially if Wilson is out. Whether he hangs pitches in the 8th or 9th makes little difference. A 2 run bomb in the 8th is just as likely to sink you as a solo shot in the 9th.
If that’s true, then he should have been the closer last year, he was great in set up…
Well, he was a better pitcher than Wilson last year, and I highly doubt the Giants record would have suffered if they had reversed roles.
Probably the best temperment for the job is Mota but his stuff is very inconsistent. Obviously, we won’t see just one so a lot of this is foolishness. Affeldt and Lopez will both be used, as well as all the RHers mentioned. This is Bochy heaven.
In other words-everybody’s right..
Gary Carter died, very sad. A former Giant, too. Saw him make the last out in Terry Mulholland’s no-hitter vs. the Giants at the Vet in ’90, a bullet line drive that went right to Charlie Hayes. And I’m pretty sure he started the Mets’ miracle Game 6 rally. The Kid always battled to the end.
Yeah I just read that. Not shocking I suppose but sad news nevertheless
Bret Tomko Bombshell Factoid of the Day (Maybe we need a page for a BTBFOTD?)
He just signed a deal with the Reds the team he broke in with. He’s played for 10 different teams. As bad as I remember him to be, his ERA with the Giants was the 2nd lowest of his career (at least in terms of teams played for). 4.26 for his career with us. So, I guess you could say that the Giants got just about the best years of Brett Tomko. Frightening thought: what did the other teams get?
Lets cheer ineptness and receiving a good paycheck for being so. Rah!
Picking wives, he’s not inept. His wife is a hella hot blond ex playmate worthy of the BB page…
http://tinyurl.com/7xalgrb
And the reason he soldiers on…
I don’t know who gets the credit but it was said that he and A.J. hated each other..
Zumie, have you noticed the screen name that BarfyForever is using on the Splash?
Yeah, I seem to remember something about AJ jawing off at Tomko because he was playing cards in the clubhouse when AJ thought he should’ve been studying film and charts for his start. Guessing they had problems before that and after… Some teams win without getting along very well (early ’70s A’s comes to mind) but it seems helpful to have a harmonious clubhouse. 2010 Giants were a great example.
Michael’s absolutely right about the bullpen situation, it’s Bochy Heaven, what he does best. Curious about how it will go but not worried. Offense obviously is still the main issue with this team. The two new-comers (Pagan and Melky) will undoubtedly add a lot, looking forward to seeing what they do in spring training, even though it doesn’t count… it will give a preview, anyway. (Speaking of AJ, I remember being at an early ST game in Scottsdale in March ’01 I think it was, AJ’s first appearance with the team. I saw two of his at-bats… both dribblers back to the mound. Only spring, but I remember thinking hoping it wasn’t a preview)……… but alas….
I need to go back and look at AJ’s career. How has he managed to not piss off everyone else? His numbers aren’t that good. Wouldn’t you ditch an ass wipe if he didn’t give you something more? That’s how Manny did it.
Well, at 10 teams in 14 years, maybe he *has* pissed everybody off.
He’s just been a little better than average. 14 bombs a year (ok, more than a little better) 66 runs, 71 rbi’s, .284 average….Hey, if you’re a fucking asshole, which this guy clearly is, how does he keep finding work with marginally better than average stats? Right now, in mock drafts at mockdraftcentral.com (one of my favorite fantasy sites), he’s the 22nd catcher drafted. Good. He’s tailing away into obscurity. I wouldn’t draft this fuck if he was the last fuck in Fucksville………..
I need to learn to read, I was talking about Tomko. GNight.
I’ll take Santiago and Affeldt as the closing tag team if needed. But I don’t like worrying about stuff this early. Notice how Magnus was sort of doing a spring training of blog posting? Man, he’s in midseason form!
Pawlie– got your message– super busy and won’t hit the mall for a few days, but I’ll check when I’m there.