One Moment in Time
A couple of Winter’s ago, I did the Retro Giant of the Day thing. That was cool, especially as it morphed into me digging up the most random Giant I could find. It culminated with me crank calling Phil Nastu’s house one afternoon and his brother trying to score free beers from me at a common game we were both going to. Seems like a natural progression of a daily widget, right? LQTM……
The Culberson call up got me thinking again about just how close some of these ball players come to success. And I’m not just talking about making it *to* the big leagues, I’m talking about *makin’ it* in the big leagues. Yesterday, Charlie made it *to* The Show. His resourceful and well organized parents made it to the ball park in time to watch him play in what had to be his dad’s proudest moment as a parent. As Twin posted yesterday, his dad (a former Giants draft pick) never made it to the big leagues:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=culber001cha
Mr. “Baseball’s Starry Night”, Pawlie Kokonuts, posted a link about a guy named Rich Thompson who has had a single at bat in the major leagues in 13 seasons of minor league ball. He hit into a double play in his one at bat and has been trying to get back to the show ever since to avenge that failure. If you have the time, it’s an excellent read:
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/151273535.html
And then there’s guys like Coner Gillespe and Travis Blackley. Two guys who have had varying successes in the minor leagues were suddenly given the opportunity to play for San Francisco. Imagine how ecstatic they were to get *the call*. Probably as happy as Culberson was to get *the call*. Probably not quite as happy as Thompson will be if he ever gets *the call* again……
After some fairly miserable performances, both Gillespe and Blackley were sent back down (with Blackley being designated for assignment). Talk about your roller coaster of emotions. Neither has probably been able to sleep much this week, lamenting their few but failed opportunities.
I’m reminded of the beginning lyrics to Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” song:
“Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted in one moment
Would you capture it or just let it slip?”
And whatever you may think about Eminem, that line applies EXACTLY to a pro baseball player like Gillespe, Blackley and Culberson. These players put so much time into not just becoming a major league player but STAYING one, too. Burriss had to watch Culberson stroll into the clubhouse and probably just shook his head sideways and quietly. He’s in a different boat, he’s tasted success far more than the other guys—but his *success* has been on baseball’s periphery, barely hanging on somewhere in the shadows of the clubhouse. Still, those 3 are probably envious…….
Sometimes you only get one chance. The failure and frustration rate is so great for some………
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Who’s the real Slim Shady?
Great lead, Craig. Made me think of Archie “Moonlight” Graham, a Giant, no less.. NY Giants, 1905. One appearance, no at bats. Of course immortalized and somewhat fictionalized in Field of Dreams, maybe giving the real Archie’s soul some extra peace out there in that great cornfield beyond. And hey, I have an idea for Bochy that would result in Culberson getting at least one more game: put the exact same lineup out there next game. Don’t even look at “match ups”. This team needs to start winning again as a team. That one particular “team” out there scored 7 runs and won the game. Put ’em out there again. If they don’t repeat their success, ok, rethink again. Can’t be any worse than mediocrity, which is where the team is in the record and standings.
Admission: I’ve evolved from my original stance here that they needed a more set line-up to win more as a team; many insightful posts here have shown why that won’t work. Ok, I devolve… a couple of match-up changes a game, ok. But not 4 or 5, that’s gotta stop. Bit by bit, more players step up not just as individual players (Pagan’s night of on base 5 times without scoring) but more in combination with the others. Who expected that lineup to score 7 runs and win the game? They did, the team won, thrown ’em out there again. Blindfold dart throwing sometimes works even better or at least has surprising results…
Steward at the merc was saying that posey’s ankle is barking a little. give him another day? though he also said that his timing on the fastball is off after a ten month leave. so don’t give him another day? As Pill hit a home run, i expect he’ll be sitting. that’s just sort of automatic right now.
That’s actualy untrue, and also ridiculous. Pill has two big HRs this week-both off of LHers. He sat after the Kershaw one because Billingsley was going the next game. Tonight another left hander goes and it is EXTREMELY unlikely, given the way one *should* know that Bochy manages, that Brett will sit…I have a handsome and I hope ,tasty, hat ready to eat if I’m wrong.
I actually meant that as more tongue in cheek. i think someone once mentioned the need for a sarcasm font. With a lefty going, i would be surprised as well, though i have no intention of muching a hat. now if was a beaver hat . . . 🙂
Ewisco, considering how often that has been offered up totally seriously, a sarcasm font is definitely needed. There really are people who think Bochy has a policy to bench the guy who got the game winner.
Weatherproof games: Rays-Blue Jays, Pirates-Marlins.
Yankees-Orioles, Padres-Nationals, Astros-Phillies and Brewers-Mets are all looking like possible rainouts Monday night. Heavy thunderstorms are expected to arrive in the Baltimore/DC area around 6 p.m. (and shortly thereafter in Philadelphia), and the rain isn’t expected to let up until 6 a.m. Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, showers are also expected in Flushing, NY, as well as a heavy fog. Mariners-Red Sox could take awhile to complete; rain showers are expected to pop up right around game time, and then again in the middle innings, but there should be enough of a dry-weather window to finish their game. Reds-Braves also is expected to encounter a powerful thunderstorm in the later innings of their game, but the wet weather should pass through pretty quickly. Giants and Rocks looks like a GO!
Think of all who have passed through and worn SF uni since birth of the blog, if only briefly. I thought I saw a jose castillo reference in merc blog recently. And we are all familiar with the famous “bat”.
In the summer of 68 book, there is a section on tigers hero willie horton, who ended his career playing in the minors after bouncing around and getting released by mlb clubs. Love of the game is a powerful thing I guess, and just to have that experience of blasting one out the yard, no matter where it is or how many are watching.
I loved Willie Horton. I may be from the east coast, but I was born in Detroit (not “from” there ’cause we moved east when I was 4) and was always a quasi-Tiger fan. Saw Horton hit a HR in a game they beat the Yankees that year of McClain’s 31 wins and World Series victors… he at least has that year…
seems like a pretty cool hometown guy too, who actually went into riot torn areas to try and cool things down after MLK assassination etc.
My favorite one game Giant: Nick Testa (1958?) It was quite a game, too. Still alive last time I checked.
Good to see Culberson get the call (I think Twin was the first one to kick the tires on that one). After a slow start in the minors…he has been playing pretty damned good ball in Fresno. I think I read somewhere that his dad never made it past A ball in the Giant org. Very cool that his partents were there to see his first big league knock.
Hoping they can keep their mojo going coming home. Giant starters for the home stand:
Vogey and Timmy against the Rox, then MadBum and Cainer against the Redbirds. Zito, Vogey and Timmy against the A’s this weekend.
5-2 would be sweet!
Yes it would. I’m actually even thinkin’ 6-1. Pitching will shine and hits will fall. Of course, it’s getting late now in the Saigon night…
Yes…a really good friend who is equally invested emotionally to the Orange and Black was saying he really wanted a 6-1 home stand. Hell, I would love a 7-0 home stand…but I also try to be a realist. You would think the Giants should be able to easily take two from the Rox…well, those are the series/games that usually bite ya in the ass. Cards had been playing really good ball, but have hit a rough spot (4-6 in their last 10 and lost 3 in a row). But still, they’re tough. The A’s…hell, they always play the Giants tough. So, again…I’d be happy with 5-2…anything better is gravy.
I keep track of all the prospects. Saturday I posted that he was likely to get the call soon. This was one my easier calls with Theriot on the DL and hitting .179 before he went on it, and Burriss not playing well.
one last horton tidbit….tigers noticed prior to the series that brock had a tendency when on 2b and the batter got a base hit, to slow down after rounding the bag at 3b and not go full speed to the plate. Horton, who was unhappy to be replaced by a D sub, was first leg of a relay that gunned down a surprised Brock who went in standing up only to be tagged out at the plate by freehan (great pic of that in the book). tigers thought that was big momentum changer.
I always thought Willie Horton was the convicted murderer that Michael Dukakis let go on a weekend furlough, where he raped and tortured a couple women . . .
No, that was Don Wert.
You’re right, chuck
Posted too quickly. I was going to say there was more than one WIllie Horton
Looking at the standings it looks like the West is going to be all about the Giants and da Bums. as it should be. Also MLB might have to come up with new award for Barry Zito, if he keeps up the pace he has been going the award would have to be Come Back Player of the Decade.
Schulman tweet: Again, I’ll give the Dodgers their due. The best record in baseball (23-11) is nothing to sneeze at. BUT, look at their schedule. They are in the midst of a stretch of 18 of 23 games at home, with the five road games in the Pacific time zone (San Diego, Arizona). Next month they pay the piper. They play only nine games at Dodger Stadium in June. This is significant if you look at their home-road splits. They are 15-3 at home and a very ordinary 8-8 on the road.
Good post (point) St.
On May 15 of 2010, Zito was 6-1 with a 2.15 ERA. He was 3 and 13 the rest of the way.
1..2..3..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEllHMWkXEU
Yeah, that is what I keep reminding my self, at one point Zito was 5-0!! So they ride Zito till the wheels fall off. That has been his SOP anyway.
Or …? 😉
Thought it was a interesting piece from Baggs today: Pill poses a threat…Writes about Pill evolving into a power hitter and what Belt needs to do.
http://www.csnbayarea.com/baseball-san-francisco-giants
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=pill–001bre
Just because he’s a big guy doesn’t mean he’s going to automatically start hitting bombs all over the yard. J. Heywerth gets some of the same assumptions applied to him. Interesting to me that both underperform to expectations.
Why not continue to give him a shot in the 2 slot as Bochy tried on Saturday?
If Belt contiues to get the majority of starts at first base, he will get his HRs and extra base hits. A positive sign is that the coaching staff has stopped fucking with his swing. Pill appears that he could be a good role player ( yes, there is such a thing and other teams have them, too), unlike Belt he is not going to be a MLB regular…
Did Bam-Bam tell you that over breakfast?
“As the Giants wait for the power to come, they haven’t tried to alter Belt’s approach. Both he and Bochy dismissed rumors that Belt and the team’s coaches continue to disagree over swing changes.
“We’re all pretty much on the same page,” Belt said. “In the past we might have focused too much on pulling the ball or hitting that inside pitch. Now, I’ve just gone back to trying to make solid contact.
“Whatever happens after that happens.”
Loo-igi, one of the few good things in having a lot of time on one’s hands, is having the time to read,learn, pay attention, etc. Maybe you have such a rich and wonderful life that you don’t have the time to do that- so it’s probably a good idea to trust me, since I actually have the time to learn and know what I’m talking about..
I know the history is limited, but the history with Belt is that he is typically a slow-starter (those doubles and HRs seem to come later in the season).
Twin, I agree with the assessment of Pill v Belt. I hadn’t seen that they decided to stop f-ing with Betl’s swing. he (Belt) would do well in the 2 spot I think. Especially when Sandoval comes back.
Arias/Pagan. Prefer Arias here but that remains to be seen.
Belt
Cabrera
Sandoval
Posey
That would be a good 1-5. Sorry if this has already been touched on. Haven’t seen it if it has.
I prefer more opportunites for Blanco in the lead-off spot. He didn’t do too shabby there, yesterday.
I think that’s gonna happen, Bochy is just being sensitive to Nate by not saying Blanco is going to get more starts. He’s our only leadoff hitter, he should be in there everyday.
I read the same thing Flav said . . . We have all these “sensitive souls” on the Giants and yes, Bochy is a manager first, but a psychiatrist second. 🙂
Sorry meant Blanco.
GO GIANTS!
Most intelligent thing I’ve read here all day. Thank God for Nip.
“There really are people who think Bochy has a policy to bench the guy who got the game winner.”
Not true. No one thinks it’s a “policy.” They just get frustrated when he does it, and disagree with it.
And they are wrong. I think has been explained to you. Getting the game winner or big hit one night doesn’t mean the player is therefore suited for the match up the next game. We all have some players we would like to play more and favorite line ups,but the idea that getting a big hit one day should beget an automatic start the next day is just simply not an intelligent position to take.
Eric Byrnes, who as a former player has more credibility than certainly anyone here, feels that when you have a young team it’s a good move to give young players starts the next day after they win a game or have a big game. He has also discussed how it improves their confidence. According to him, this would happen often in Oakland when he was there….
As I point out below, having played the game does NOT mean he’s up to commenting intelligently on it. And his cred to question Bopchy is zero. He’s an idiot. I’d trust 10 guys here to make an inteligent observation before I would Byrnes. Trusting Byrnes’ take over that of Bochy’s is beyond hilarious.
I tend to agree with what Zumie said, that there is no policy. Per St’s link above, Baggs said, “But there are not many Cabrera-like players on the Giants’ active roster. Angel Pagan is one. Pablo Sandoval would fall into that “set it and forget it” category . . .”
He continues to say, “Bochy went with Brett Pill instead of Belt against Arizona left-hander Joe Saunders for one reason, and it had nothing to do with righty-lefty matchups: Pill drives the ball.”
This isn’t to say that Pill is the better player, but as Baggs points out, “They want Belt to make the transition that Pill did as a minor leaguer.”
Bottom line for me (and I did say me – you guys debate 24/7 to your hearts content)?
All this line up gnashing of the teeth is a waste of breath in my opinion. I trust Bochy with the 2010 ring.
I trust Bochy, too, and if you think they will ever reach the point of a “set line-up” this year…you are fooling yourself and will be severly disappointed.
“Set it and forget it” players? Pablo. Buster. Melky.
Pagan? I think that is what the Giants hoped/thought they were getting, but IMHO he has not proved that he is a guy you automatically plug-in everyday, and forget about it.
Chi, this is why Baggs didn’t include Posey, “Buster Posey doesn’t count because he’s a catcher, and they’ll always take at least 30 games off. Plus it’s become pretty clear during this road trip (when Posey went 2 for 20) what happens when the Giants try to run him out there every day. (By the way, Bochy said Posey should be good to go on Monday.)” Makes sense to me, since just about every catcher in MLB takes off Sunday (and coupled with frequent off days due to travel on Thursday, that gives them 2 days to recover most weeks.
With regard to Pagan, take it up with Baggs my man. 🙂
I’m glad you trust Bochy because Belt will continue to get the bulk of the starts at first. Book that, or better yet, help me pad my pocket book and make a wager…
Of COURSE it’s not a policy to sit the guy who got a big hit- it’s hilarious that anyone would think it really was. And the notion that having played ball makes a player intelligent about it is a joke. Byrnes is an idiot. Not only am I smarter about the game, there might be ten more here who are.
Byrnes wasn’t making the call, it was the manager in Oakland. And it happens all the time, everywhere. It’s hardly a new concept to reward a young player with a start based off a nice game they have.
A better issue to get bent about is why the three main problems we have defensively are not addressed- Pagan, Crawford, and Posey playing first base. Just going into the OF situation- Melky, Angel, and Blanco are all not playing where they would be best utilized. If Pagan is to play at all, he should be in left where he would do the least damage. Blanco should be in CF, and Melky should be in RF…
Crawford? The alternatives are so poor until Panda gets back, that I do understand that one
Posey: all four infield positions are worse defensively when Buster pays first. He should catch 4 of 5 games and sit the other..the other factor there is I think we are bound to see more of Pill (or Belt) in LF if they keep playing Buster at first. Ideally any starts Belt doesn’t get at first should be Pill’s.
Nate? Give the poor fucker a shot to start for a bottom feeder. It’s not good enough to rtart for contender ( yes, we are a contender). Time for a changing of the RF suspects- Kieschnick gets a chance..
When Paznda is back maybe it will start to dawn on some people how much his absence caused the revolving LUs. Nearly everyday we’ll see Posey, Belt, Culberson, Arias or Crawford, Panda, Blanco, Pagan, Melky.
Pill, Hector, etc, will settle into their roles.. the sun will shine.
Flavor, for some reason the lead made me think of the W/L bet you made with your A’s fan buddy a year or so ago. Is that still going?
Also, I’m not real big on awards shows or hip hop but that grammy’s that Eminem did when Slim Shady was popular was great. He had all these guys dye their hair blonde and dress just like him and they stormed the theatre, eventually lining the walls and stage as he came out and did that song live. It was pretty cool.
I’ll check with him. About an hour ago he texted me this: “What do you think Darvish is going to do to the A’s this week?” so he’s obviously not feeling to hot about his team right now….
Ahhh…I forgot about that bet. I was in on the action…what exactly was the bet?
It’s in a thread at the old blog somewhere I think. Not sure if that one is still active
lol A’s fans…..
Dirt – do you remember the specifics of the bet?
I do Chi and I think you owe everyone $50 dollars . . . oh wait, $100 total because Flav’s friend is involved too. You can send $25 to me for remembering this shit.
Between the A’s and Giants, right? If that is the case…I think he owes us.
Really, Steve? You sure I don’t owe you $100? What’s your address and I will get that in the mail right away…
NOT!
Actually, I think you owe me. 😉
That’s right . . . Check’s in the mail Chi. 🙂
Chi, I think it was straight up W/L record over 3 years.
Okay…I do remember it being a multi-year bet, and I think you are right…A’s – Giants.
If so, and it was 2010-2012, here is where we’re at:
A’s – 155-169. Giants 178-146.
Giants with a 23 game lead on the A’s to date. Good luck with that shit, A’s fans.
To be fair, despite the similarity in records,if it weren’t for the last 2 games in Phoenix it was looking as if the A’s had the momentum going into the weekend series. Now it’s 50-50
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again- I hate the so-called “geographic rivalry” nonsense. It may have cost the Giants the division in 2001, and it certainly isn’t fair to the Mets that they have to play the Yankees 6 times every season. It’s an abritrary and unfair system.
Pretty much what was expected
Blanco RF, Arias 3B, Cabrera LF, Posey C, Pagan CF, Pill 1B, Culberson 2B, Crawford SS, (Vogelsong P)
Love Blanco in the lead-off!
Correct me if I am wrong, but is there anybody besides me (not certain, but I think Twin may have said/hinted as much) that want Nate dealt? Similarly, I am all for getting rid of Huff when the official start of trading begins on June 16th. I agree with what Steward wrote on Giants Extra:
“It could be that the Giants have come to the conclusion that what we’ve already seen from Schierholtz is as good as it’s ever going to get — a player of euphoric peaks but also galling valleys, a player with all the tools to be an all-around everyday stud but somehow mysteriously missing something. I wish the best for Nate, a good man and a true pro who could be complaining loudly about his role now but has remained silent and subservient, waiting for his next chance.”
Nate has been a good trooper, but I think he needs to go . . . to benefit not only the Giants, but for a fresh start for himself.
The problem is, he is a fantastic defensive RFer for ATT, the best since the park opened, which has substantial value for the Giants, especially since they play so many close games. That unique value won’t translate equally for another team in another park, so SF won’t get, in reality, much in return for him…
That was absolutely true in the past snarkk, but Steward points out correctly, “On the other side of the coin, we have Nate “The Late” Schierholtz. Where’d he go? He didn’t play an inning in this series, didn’t get a single at-bat. And he’s healthy. Cabrera started in his spot Friday night when Brett Pill played left, and Gregor Blanco was in right the last two days.”
He also adds later in his column, “So what of Nate? Good question. He’ll surely get more opportunities, particularly at home where he is such a valuable asset in right field, but a full three days with nary an appearance, even as a defensive sub? That’s not a good sign for him.”
With Blanco playing well, Nate may have become the proverbial “5th wheel” on a couples date. Grin.
Blade, Nate hasn’t lost his D skills. Bochy just isn’t playing him, apparently due to the slump. I agree with the article that is not a good sign for him staying around. I think Blanco should play every day until he shows why he should not, he’s the only thing they have that is close to a leadoff guy. I guess Bochy is playing Blanco now because he’s finally waking up out of his coma to the good havoc that Blanco causes the other team, so Nate is naturally the odd man out. If they traded Nate, though, they have Belt and Huff and Burriss as backup OFers? Scary. The first two can’t field OF well, and the third guy can’t hit the ball out of the infield…
blade, I would agree with you there but I don’t think there will be much net on the return for either of them.
and they can both provide more than what would come up from the farm.
I had suggested trading him, even earlier today, but I forgot about Melky’s situation. If Melky goes somewhere else in free agency, Nate could still be needed here.
Sabean should have Melky’s agent on speed dial . . . Sign him to an extension. FAST! Another suggestion that the Mercury’s Steward suggests.
Both you and snarkk make good points about his intrinsic trade value. Perhaps the “Perfect Storm” has to occur where this happens:
1. Nate goes on a tear.
2. Another team has a hole in their outfield and they are playoff contenders.
3. That same team has something we need.
This is what Steward concludes about Nate, “It’s never been more evident than this weekend that that chance might have to come with another team, especially if Blanco keeps it rolling. If the Giants need to shore up another area as the season progresses, he could be the bait. We’ll see. Just when he’s written off, Nate seems to have a knack for hitting his way back into the mix again.”
Melky is doing a fine job, obviously he’s pouring it on this season to jack up his FA price. I doubt he’ll extend with the Giants during the year, that would be financially dumb. If he gets 185+ hits or some such with a dozen bombs, he’ll be catnip in the FA market, and there’s no guarantee whatever that he’d re-sign with SF. I’d bet Burriss gets jettisoned before Nate, when Panda comes back. Theriot is crap, but he gets a clutch hit once in a while, and Bochy likes him some vets…
Probably a pipe dream, but the Merc says, “The man is hitting .348. He just went 9-for-14 in Arizona. If he continues on his season pace, he’ll finish with 233 hits for the year.”
He got 201 hits w/the Royals last year. So, with 81 games at “spacious” ATT, as long as he’s not injured for any substantial time, he looks like he should get around 200 again. 233? If he got near that, back up the Brinks truck in the offseason…
I am going on record that the Giants will try to sign him to an extension waaaaaaaaaaay before the season ends. As you all have pointed out, to not do so, means the Giants need to contact Brinks and back up it up to Melk’s driveway (or lose him). Hopefully, they are not that stupid. Regarding Melk’s agent “being stupid,” I can only say, that for a lot of these ballplayers, security is way more important, than breaking the bank. I can cite numerous examples, but am not going to waste my time doing so . . . someone else can look it up. 🙂
There is the ring factor, Snarkk. But that’ll be after the season anyway. I don’t see an extension either, unless he gets something off the charts. Which the G’s usually don’t do.
Any proof that contract year guys do better than non-contract year guys? Or is this another ‘clutch hit’ mirage type thing . ,. .
Well, how about Pujols so far as a starter for supporting the theory…
Do a search on that, Chuck. The contract year theory is another myth.
Nate isn’t going to raise or lower his trade value based on going on a tear or taking a dump. The league knows what he is. He certainly has value and they have need for an infielder of like value- think Scutaro level before he graduated. That would be worth looking into.
That does make sense now with the mid infielder situation being up for grabs. Problem is who?
DJLoo said, on May 11, 2012 at 9:24 am
Two predictions:
Huge weekend for Melky
Nate will be traded by July 31
Ditto.
Go ahead and trade Nate. You won’t get squat for him.
Now who becomes the 4th OFer?…
I agree, if Loo trades him, he wouldn’t get much. I think Chuck could probably get more.
Huff, Belt, or somebody they don’t have yet…
So, they trade Nate who is arguably the best defensive OFer we have, for an unknown shitty infielder or mid level pitching prospect, and we replace his D with Huff and/or Belt in the OF? Why does that make us better?…
I think they were hoping for a known shitty infielder, Snarkk.
My buddy Michael Bourne is tearing it up for the Braves.
.335/.398/.432 with 11 steals,16 walks, 25 runs scored. Dude may be an all star this season, and is a FA after this year.
Pagan: .277/.308/.445 with 6 steals, 6 walks, 15 runs scored.
Melky, Bourne and Blanco would not be a bad threesome out there in ATT…
I did not see this coming from Bourn. I’d be happy to see him fall off from those numbers, significantly, and still think he will. My *guy* Desmond Jennings was holding his own (20 runs, 8 steals, 3 bombs) until her went down with a sprained knee last week and finally hit the DL today. I was hoping to see Kemp hit the DL today too, but it wasn’t meant to be, I guess……..
I have Jennings too . . . Glad they got off the shitter and made a decision finally. Going on more than a week that he hasn’t played (except for a pinch hit appearance). This fucks up my outfield a lot.
Here’s a stat few people know about Bourne: It’s “Bourn”……
Don’t tell Jason that . . . umm, he may decide to terminate you.
hmm….How much are we spending to net Melk and Bourne?
Snarkk was a big proponent of trading for him last Summer.
He’s not having a career year, it’s, uh.. what’s about 5 times better than a career year? Huge red flag if you consider how those things go for Sabean. We’d probably get Charlie Culberson, Sr..
Lotsa dough off the books next season. They’ll have the scratch, just a matter of what to do with it…
Start with minimum 12 million per on Melky .
Good call on Melky this weekend, Loo.
Was it Soph who used to say “I intuited that……..”?
As Twin pointed out, “He certainly has value and they have need for an infielder of like value.” Moreover, we are more stable in the outfield than the infield, so don’t tell me there isn’t an infielder out there that can minimally field his position. Right now, we have a disaster at 2nd and SS. Mike’s point is that the “like value” is for a utility infield player that is good field and yes, perhaps, mediocre as a hitter. Isn’t that what Nate is, but he plays the outfield????
We don’t make the playoffs with what we are putting out there at 2nd and SS. Don’t look to the minors, because there is no one (also, something Mike has pointed out on more than one occasion). We have to go outside the organization because John Wayne and the calvalry. isn’t coming from within this organization.
I don’t think Melky signs with us. Maybe if we totally overpay in # of years, because I think Twin is right, 12 mil sounds about right. I think he’s here just to do his time, put his stats up and move on to a city he’s got more of a connection to. San Francisco? This ain’t it. By all accounts he is quiet, keeps to himself, even with the Latin guys. That could also be seen as a guy who doesn’t really want to be here (actually, Beltran struck me as that type of guy in 2011, another reason I never for a second thought he’d re-sign with us).
Take a look at this interview that Cabrera does with Cano– he’s never seemed this loose and happy in any interview or tv shot that I’ve ever seen here in SF.
I didn’t realize that Culberson had as good of a power/speed combo as he has. He’s only 23, he could easily become an Aaron hill type guy (with more speed). Bad defense will probably be his greatest challenge to overcome
The biggest challenge Charles Sr. had was clearly his choice of a brunette instead of a blonde.
More Freddie Sanchez probs: “It wasn’t a surprise that Freddy Sanchez encountered another setback in his rehab from right shoulder surgery. The unexpected part is that it didn’t involve his shoulder.
“Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Sanchez had an MRI exam on his lower back, which locked up and prevented the former All-Star from resuming his rehab work…
“I just saw him in Arizona and his back was bothering him a little bit,” Bochy said. “It got worse. He’s at the point where he can’t do anything because of his back.”
http://www.csnbayarea.com/baseball-san-francisco-giants/giants-talk/Another-setback-for-Freddy-Sanchez?blockID=707874&feedID=2539
Nice throw.. . . out by a mile.
Sorry Mr. Bill squared – meant to post something to you, but just saw that great throw by Posey. Ha. Anywho, my comment to you was that they better contact a vet, because we are rapidly approaching a scenario with Glass similar to what they do at the race track for lame horses.
We’re selling Freddy to the Amish?
Just knew. that hustle triple by Belt the other day would be his down fall.With a clueless Flannery not helping him, Flannery probably whined to Boch and he hasn’t. started since.
In the event of a Pill HR tonight,Bochy will fire a.22 caliber soft lead slug at low velocity into each of Belt’s kneecaps,have him roped in barb wire, bundled out on to the Embarcadero muni track,and then left there to be crushed by the public transportation.of a city,that he (Belt) had only wanted to please.
Quite a long way to say Belt was thrown under the bus. At leasy Huff isn’t getting any starts at 1st. They keep it between Pill and Belt, at least until or if someone goes balistic, then it’s fine.
Alley just needs to add Elvis Costello’s “Watching The Detectives” for the soundtrack.
It was due to wanting Pill to get ABs against lefties, that’s the only way Pill stays here. With all the blah blah, Belt will start against almost all RHers and some LHers.
We approached hitting in that inning like we have no scouting report whatsoever. Get to this fucking guy early or we’ll give him unnecessary hubris going forward….
A Christian committing hubris? Never.
I’ve asked this sort of question before, and I’m embarrassed to say that I can’t remember the answer, but if anyone has the quick answer….Blackley was optioned, and Gillaspie was DFAed. What’s the difference? Anyone?
I agree Zumie…..what’s the fuckin’ difference?
Gillaspie was optioned, Blackley was DFA’ed. Blackely goes on waivers for 10 days and *can be* picked up by another team. If he clears, the G’s will have had some time to decide other moves (or release) for him. Gillaspie is still protected on the reserve list.
Ah, thanks! I vow to remember this!
Can’t remember the details but I think the DFA for one of them was necessary to clear a spot on the 40 for Cluberson; w/ Blackely being odd man out; more expendable.
Good job getting out of that one Vogs.
Walking Tulo both times has worked out so far…..barely. (grin)
Vogelsong snaked his way out of that one, pitch count is going to get him at this rate.
The words striking fear in the hearts of all Giants’ fans: “Fly ball, centerfield, Pagan”…
Vogelsong always looks like he just got smacked by the school bully and is trying not to cry in front of the other kids…
Man Vogy is having a Jonathan Sanchez start without the K’s ,freakin 5 walks and 60 or so pitches in 3., yikes.
Thunder by 29 mid third…how long til Magic starts the Mike Brown watch again?
I’m rooting for the Thunder in these playoffs. The Central Valley connection- coach Scott Brooks went to high school in Manteca.
really? I like that guy, he has them playing really well, and I like how he uses d first unselfish hustle guys like Ibaka and Sefalosha as regulars; I love guys like that.
Yeah, Brooks’ story is one of those amazing sports stories. A star point-guard at East Union High in Manteca. Played college ball at some obscure small division school. Didn’t get drafted by the NBA, but got a job playing in the CBA. And then….his team wins the CBA championship! And then….the biggest break of all- his CBA coach gets an NBA headcoach job! And then….that headcoach ends up needing a back-up point-guard, and gives Brooks the call! Brooks ends up playing 10 years or so in the NBA as a back-up point-guard, and then went into coaching.
Tough to defend that one.
Alan Embree…
Julian Tavarez
Anybody going to the Thu game, Cards (Wainwright/Cain)?
I’m going to Saturday’s game vs. the A’s.
Nate is fine right where he is…he’s a valuable back up in case someone gets hurt. He had a couple pinch base hits and had a hit and a walk before he caught off 2b by Kemp. I think he’d do fine for any of the NL central teams, where he could reach the seats in RF, unlike here, and spray hits around the field. He will never get on base much.
since he seems to enjoy Colo, would it be worthwhile to get EY Jr., as back up IF/OF? If nothing else, Nate can be the d sub for cuddyer.
I love Blanco’s speed. Dude can fly.
Double steal time.
Anybody asked Byrnes yet how his mgr. treated him when he went 9 for 90?
How did Blade’s weatherproof games thang start, and why? [DJLoo, I’m ready for a blazing one-liner. You must be excited for your Rangers.]
Pawlie …Blade’s weather reports started when he was struck by lighting ssssshhhh ssssixty six times like the guy in “Great Outdoors”.
Nice catch. He seems to make the more difficult catch easier then a fly ball in the gap where he’s got a second to think. Not sure what that means.
Blanco popular!
Blanco!
Blanco the Bomber!!!
That may be the fastest HR trot I’ve ever seen
No doubt on that one Blanco hit.
BLANCO MUSCLES UP 451 FT BIG FLY!!!!
If he can do that once in a while, then he’s in for good. I just hope he can keep getting on base…even if it’s only one or two at a time. too bad pagan hit that one too hard for Posey to score. This guy is starting to come back to earth (the SP).
Guess Blanco was due for one.Only his 3rd “Bomb” in 756 career plate appearances.
Kat, that bomb sure looked like he had been there before, huh?
Agree Blade…Shades of that little hydrant we use to have who popped them in the MC Covey’s cove once in awhile,,think his name was Crespo?
You just wait- Bochy never rewards the guy who had the big strike out…
I’m surprised there weren’t complaints that Cain wasn’t in the lineup yesterday after going 2-for-3 with 2 RBI Saturday.
He’ll pinch hit tonight.
Really nice work by Voglesong after his horrible. start.Gutted it out all night throwing 117 pitches.
Pill in that last AB showed why he should be played sparingly. He has increasingly shown less plate discipline, especially with RISP. After homering against Kershaw and then in AZ, he’s not going to see a fastball near the strike zone until further notice unless he shows he can layoff the slop….
In fairness to Pill, this pitcher has 10 strikeouts.
Yeah, but that was still a weak-assed AB…
Nice work by the pen to get outta that jam! Score some runs and put this baby away!
Nice to see Romo back in the K groove.
Said it before–willsay it again
Gotsta luv the Romo
Romo is “Nails” just been pitching fantastic ball especially the last 2 years.
Blanco Tiburone…let’s go!
Pablo about blew his dip out on that Blanco hit.