61 Games Left. Giants Well Positioned?

Posted in Uncategorized by dirtnrocksnomo on July 30, 2012

Something about a trade deadline looming

San Francisco Giants

BATTER	GAME													SEASON
	AB	R	H	RBI	2B	3B	HR	SB	CS	TB	BB	K	LOB	AVG	OBP	SLG
G Blanco RF	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	1	0	0	.247	.341	.366
R Theriot 2B	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	.268	.314	.317
M Cabrera LF	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	1	.353	.393	.520
B Posey C	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	1	.314	.377	.497
A Pagan CF	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	1	.277	.322	.395
M Scutaro 3B	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	.272	.324	.360
B Belt 1B	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	.237	.342	.375
B Crawford SS	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	.234	.288	.338
a-J Christian PH	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.176	.222	.206
S Casilla P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000
J Lopez P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	–	–	–
R Vogelsong P	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.056	.128	.056
C Hensley P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000
J Affeldt P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000
G Kontos P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	–	–	–
b-J Arias PH-SS	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.243	.284	.322
Totals	31	0	5	0	0	0	0	1	1	5	1	7	8	–	–	–

a-lined out for B.Crawford in 8th

b-flied out for Kontos in 8th

BATTING

RBI:

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: M Cabrera, B Crawford

GIDP: M Scutaro

Team LOB: 5

Scoring Opportunities: 0/3

BASERUNNING

SB: G Blanco (18)

CS: A Pagan (4)

FIELDING

E: M Scutaro (10)

DP:
Posey to B.Crawford
B.Crawford to Theriot to Belt

PITCHER	GAME										SEASON
	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	PIT	B-S	BFP	ERA	Opp AVG
R Vogelsong (L, 8-5)	6.0	6	2	1	3	5	0	104	45-59	27	2.22	.218
C Hensley	0.1	2	0	0	0	0	0	6	2-4	3	3.19	.228
J Affeldt	1.1	2	2	2	1	2	0	25	7-18	6	2.66	.238
G Kontos	0.1	1	0	0	0	0	0	7	1-6	2	2.21	.253
S Casilla	0.2	1	0	0	0	1	0	13	5-8	3	3.05	.226
J Lopez	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	3-2	1	3.43	.294

363 comments

363 Responses

Subscribe to comments with RSS.

demp28 said, on July 30, 2012 at 7:51 am

In the immortal words of Kevin Bacon from “Animal House”: “remain calm…all is well.” Apparantly, there is a deal in the works to bring Pence over according to KPIX. But Bobby Evans said not just yet; which means that he will come.
In a not so funny way of thinking, I had the feeling after Friday night the Giants were going to get swept. Time to re-rack and get ready for the Mets. Fuck the dumb shit, no more excuses. Get who we need, don’t worry what the Bums do. Time to put up or shut up.
zumiee said, on July 30, 2012 at 8:05 am

Pence would be a nice pick-up, as long as it doesn’t take too much in the way of prospects (no on Brown, yes on Josephs.) Looking at that boxscore, the thing that jumps out at me is that Belt’s OBP is one point higher than Blanco’s. If Pence becomes the rightfielder, who bats leadoff? Scutaro? Pagan, again? Hey, I’m all for giving Belt a try at lead-off. Why not?
- chipower9 said, on July 30, 2012 at 9:54 am
  
  That was exactly Demp28’s and my take on Pence earlier as we were exchanging emails. I have also seen talk of the Giants being interested in Morneau (along with the Bums and Jays). I could see us dealing a young catching prospect there, too. That would set them up to eventually move Mauer to 1st base.
zumiee said, on July 30, 2012 at 8:10 am

Are the Giants well positioned? Not so well. And even Pence isn’t all that great this season. But he would give them some power from the right side, and he could park some into those leftfield bleachers.
gianthead said, on July 30, 2012 at 8:12 am

Point #1 – Let’s Not Panic!

What a difference a few days make. After winning Tuesday, I think we were 9-2 coming off the all-star break. Now it looks like we cant find our own a-holes.

Even with an atrocious weekend and getting swept, we are still in first place. Without Panda, our lineup will have its struggles, but Friday’s game, the crowd seemed to be sedate and nervous until Belt tied the game. One bad pitch call cost us that game, but it was the game they needed this weekend. After that loss and Zito pitching Saturday, seemed like the team played lethargically for the rest of the weekend. But I did not get to watch much of Saturday’s game.

Point #2 – Apparently they are looking at League!

If Brandon Belt is really what the Mariners are after, there is no way that you make that trade straight up.

That then spells third team in the mix for a potential deal if the M’s want Belt. I made my trade proposal last week and I finally got to read your comments last night. I am too out of the injury loop to realize Surkamp and Capps were both on the DL…dumb me. But League now maybe becomes that piece instead of Capps and obviously the Giants need to put up more than Surkamp, but I think Hensley or Kontos are marrketable in a big three-team trade.

Point #3 – I realize theat Morneau is not what he was, but we dont need him to be a superstar!

Twin made the valid point that Morneau is not what he was pre-concussion. But he still has 13 home runs, which you all know would tie Buster for the team lead. If you can get that type of production down in the order hitting 7th, I think that is biggger production than what we will get out of Belt for the rest of this season. And the bigger prize in this deal would be Willingham and his massive 27 homers.

Point #4 – The reason that you make the deal involving Belt is that Posey will be moving to first!

If he is not spending more and more time at first next year, I think Buster will be the full time first basemen in 2014. So what would you do with Belt then? Play left. He could develop into a good contact hitter, but I am having a hard time seeing him being a consistent long-ball threat. If the Giants can make a big deal now, I think that puts them back into the title chase.

So to wrap up:

Belt goes to Seattle
M’s send Smoak to the Twins and Giants send C Tommy Joseph, Hensley or Kontos, Huff and Schierholtz to the Twins
Giants get League, Willingham and Morneau. I am willing to add another piece if needed from the Giants, an outfielder or other pitching prospect lower in the system.

Twins will get a starting first baseman for Morneau, a potential catching replacement for Mauer (who could move to first if Smoak does not develop) and maybe Nate can stick as an every day player. But most importantly, the Twins get salary relief…

People questioned why would the Twins take Huff and remaining $4 mill or so for his contract this year? They agree to it because the Giants are taking $22 mill off their books for next year and Twins do not have to pay Huff ater this year and the Twins will also save about an extra $5 mill this year by not having to keep paying Morneau and Willingham.

So the net addition to payroll for the 2012 Giants is the $5 million roughly for Willingham and Morneau minus Huff’s money and then League has about $2 mill left this year. SO add $7 mill to the payroll and you make that money back with the playoffs. As pointed out last week, the Giants should be ble to easily absorb the $22 mill that Morneau and Willingham will make next year and still sign Melky to a $15 mill a year type of contract.

If the Dodgers add a starter like Dempster to their new murderer’s row, they could walk away with the division, leaving us to scuffle with the other wild card winner.
- zumiee said, on July 30, 2012 at 8:23 am
  
  Well said, GH. Good food for thought there.
- chipower9 said, on July 30, 2012 at 9:58 am
  
  Sorry…I just don’t see the Giants having the bullets to go for Willingham, and all the trade rumors I hear…he isn’t even on the radar. The OFers who are constantly being discussed are Pence and Victorino. I just don’t see that deal happening between us and the Twins. Maybe Morneau, but not Willingham.
zumiee said, on July 30, 2012 at 8:18 am

As for Loo’s story about the M&M guys…..great story, and full of the poignancy of great players who happened to play before the millions of dollars poured into players’ salaries. That’s a tough thing for them, that they were all-universe players, but they made far less than scrub players today, even adjusted for inflation. And M&M, and other players of those previous eras didn’t make the kind of money that would set them up for life, and thus they ended up doing things like card shows. If Willie was grumpy doing the shows, I’m inclined not to be very judgmental. It doesn’t excuse a person being grumpy, but I just won’t be too judgmental about it.
willedav said, on July 30, 2012 at 8:47 am

GH, I don’t think it happens because the Twins are going to want pitching in the deal and not just more hitters. They can hit right now, but their pitching is awful. I like pence too, but he is very expensive at $13 mill, about what it’s going to cost to keep Melk, and imo not near the player Melk is. Absolute no on League, even for whitey. Giants got out pitched and out played at home, pretty rare. Time to make up for it vs. lesser lights.
I still don’t think Posey goes to 1b. Hector is not an everyday player, and if by chance the Giants give up Joseph then a new guy like a Susac would be even farther out. I don’t see how you can plan a kid that far down in minors is going to take someone’s mlb level job in a year.
I noticed the Mets sent down the kid Niewenhuis that had taken Andres job in CF and lead off at start of the season. Andres 2 for 3 scored two yesterday. They have been leading off R Tejada, the kid they were grooming as Reyes replacement who had been hurt earlier, and he’s doing well in small sample size.
Mets lately, not so much–after beating AZ yesterday they are 4 under .500 and 12 and a half back of the Nats. For all his pop Ike Davis is hitting .213, and Jason and his millions Bay is at .159. WTF happened to this guy?
- chipower9 said, on July 30, 2012 at 10:06 am
  
  I agree on Posey not moving to 1B anytime soon. I don’t think it is even in the cards for the foreseeable future. Keep Posey behind the dish, and deal with the 1B issue (Morneau, etc.)…
Salty said, on July 30, 2012 at 8:53 am

The Pence for Joseph swap has to be fantasy. Philly would probably want Joseph for Victorino and Brown as part of a larger package involving Pence.

The other day Baggs had this.

“It’s not a real good year for us to match up on a bigger piece,” Sabean said. “We found that out early, given the number of clubs involved, how our roster is situated, and how we’re constituted payroll-wise, too.”…and (Sabean) said on KNBR earlier in the week that he is not getting feedback from ownership that he’ll get a line of credit to answer the Dodgers by absorbing salary to take on a big-time hitter.”
- dirtnrocksnomo said, on July 30, 2012 at 9:12 am
  
  I agree on the Joseph for Pence. No way that is a straight up deal. If that is what Phillie wants then the deal would be done. If I remember right KPIX was early on the Huff and Bochy deals so maybe something is there. Pence would be a great fit for this LU.
  - twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 9:32 am
    
    KPIX has been a mixed bag- they had Sabathia actually signing if I recall. Most reports I’ve seen are that the Phils would have to be “blown away” with an offer for Pence, I don’t see Joseph as all that mind blowing.
  - dirtnrocksnomo said, on July 30, 2012 at 9:37 am
    
    Thanks Twin. I don’t follwo KPIX regularly so don’t know. That is what I am saying about Pence if all it takes is Joseph I would think the the deal would be done already.
- snarkk said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:57 pm
  
  …”line of credit” from ownership.
  Sabes should do stand-up at the Punchline…
willedav said, on July 30, 2012 at 8:55 am

I’m sure some things about the Giants OF will be different in a few days, but maybe not. I’m building up ideas around a thread about that for next post—who you like and where. Sabes basically put together the whole group except for Nate this season, with the idea Huff and Belt might be out there occasionally too. Plus you have Brown the heir apparent waiting in the wings and who we might see more of sooner rather than later.
Beginning of year the middle IF guys looked awful and decidely sub par to me, and I thought that was the area that was going to need most help. Now I think the bigger fix is coming to the OF, just not sure how or what–speed? power? youth or vet? how much needs to be spent? go now or wait for off season?
- Nipper said, on July 30, 2012 at 9:58 am
  
  I hope the Giants don’t succumb to getting more old vets again. They just picked up a 36 old and that’s enough.
twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 9:26 am

Nice essay, GH. I can tell that concocting huge deals is something you enjoy. There are a million reasons why a trade like you are discussing will never happen, but I commend you on a great job anyway…
Rumors are heating up fast, any deal with Belt to Seattle seems unlikely to me. We know it would take more than League, we would want immediate offensive help, and Smoak ain’t that. Just reading between the lines, I think the most likely pick ups are Broxton and Victorino. Not crazy in love with either but not against it. Depends a lot on what we’d give up. No blue chipper for either.
- Nipper said, on July 30, 2012 at 9:36 am
  
  BLEEP!
  - unca_chuck said, on July 30, 2012 at 9:55 am
    
    Reply
  - Nipper said, on July 30, 2012 at 10:01 am
    
    At least Chuck has a nice doggie.
  - unca_chuck said, on July 30, 2012 at 10:06 am
    
    Don’t you have some sort of life form that you can post a pic of, Nip?
- unca_chuck said, on July 30, 2012 at 10:06 am
  
  Reply.
  - Nipper said, on July 30, 2012 at 10:12 am
    
    Giants need a good hitting DH! Their offense is so bad that the NL should relax their rules just for the Giants. Pitchers taking their ABs are a luxury they can ill afford.
  - unca_chuck said, on July 30, 2012 at 10:40 am
    
    Damn. You were making sense for a while there.
  - Nipper said, on July 30, 2012 at 11:15 am
    
    That one was for you Chuck.
- gianthead said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:51 pm
  
  beats working..thanks Twin!
chipower9 said, on July 30, 2012 at 10:17 am

Well, if the Giants pull the trigger on anything I think it will be bullpen help (not necessarily a closer), and OF help. Victorino would not cost as much as Pence, but if the Giants could put together a package that included Joseph or Susack, and some other pieces (Brown is off-limits in my book), that would appease the Phillies, then that would be the way to go. Pence is that RH bat who can hit you 20-30 bombs a year. He is a bit off this year on average and other numbers, but his bat would look great in our LU. Again, do the Giants have enough (without dealing Brown) to appeal to the Phillies?

And while the Giants have about 20 mil coming off the books after this year (Huff, Sanchez, and possibly Pagan), Lincecum and Cain’s salaries together increase about 10 mil between the two of them. You also have Posey, Santiago, and Romo who are arb. eligible, and Affeldt is a FA. So, there will be other salary needs to address.

With all that said, do the Giants have the payroll flexibiltiy to sign both Cabrerra and a guy like Pence (he will be arb. eligible next year too…and probably gets a raise).
Alleykat said, on July 30, 2012 at 10:26 am

Well if they do land Pence without giving up Gary Brown,that would awesome.
Next years OF could easily be MelkyLF,sign Michael Bourn FA CF,Pence RF.Brown AAA for more experience in the wings.Have your leadoff hitter with Speed(most SB last 5yrs in the Majors) Me likey!
- Nipper said, on July 30, 2012 at 10:28 am
  
  If Brown can skip AAA that would be nice.
- Salty said, on July 30, 2012 at 10:41 am
  
  Glad someone is getting high.
stixwiz said, on July 30, 2012 at 10:28 am

Trading Belt would be stupid. Seattle doesn’t have what his potential value would command. I’d rather trade Bochy and the ownership group and their fixation on Huff. Huff pretty much proved at both SJ and Fresno that his tire is pretty flat. If you can’t smash em in A-ball and splash em in AAA, then it’s not rocket science to indicate that The Show may be a bit of a challenge. Please note that in yesterday’s box that Dirt posted up top that BB9 had the third highest OBP but was still batting 7th, evidently to be batted in by Crawdaddy and Vogie.
Bochy simply does not have it to manage younger players and definitely does not have the capability of motivating them, however well he works with vets.

Neither Victorino nor Broxton impresses me much. MAYBE the Flying Hawaiian would get somewhat of a second lease on life by coming to SF. That has happened before. Broxton could take on Pablo in a Sumo wrestling match. Might be a good promotion: Attention Larry Baer.

A combination of Kickham, Crick, Otero and Nate might tempt the Twins on Willilngham. Twinkies have a couple of fair to partly middling relievers, so if the foursome isn’t quite enough for them, they add a reliever and the Giants add Susac. Long-term the Twins are desperate for young starters. Crick might be slow to move up their anti free-pass system, but i’m sure they love his power-pitcher upside. Kickham would probably be at least as good right now as a couple of their challenged starters who should still be in AAA or maybe even at New Britain.

Pence would be nice, but at what cost in prospects now and at what potential cost to the re-signing of MelkMAN. Main thing about the trading deadline over these next two days is for Sabean to be open to possibilities without going into panic mode and losing his cool. No more Wheeler for Beltran deals. Personally, my feeling about the ownership group after the coup d’etat which brought down Neukom is that that pack of billionaires is much more about returns on their investments than they are about winning baseball. I’d love to be proven wrong. We may find out soon.
- Nipper said, on July 30, 2012 at 10:29 am
  
  Beltran left everyone with negative feelings about short term older vets. BLEEP!
- chipower9 said, on July 30, 2012 at 10:38 am
  
  I like Pence, too, Stix…but as you mention (and I did the same earlier), do the Giants have the combination of prospects (that does not include Brown) and financial bandwidth to make it happen. And I think Melky has to be a priority in ALL considerations going forward…
dirtnrocksnomo said, on July 30, 2012 at 10:51 am

The Giants’ farm isn’t exactly brimming with MLB ready talent. Pence has a nother year of arbitration giving SF a somewhat controllable cost. If the Phillies will part with Pence, give them anything but Brown.
chipower9 said, on July 30, 2012 at 10:58 am

To the original question – are the Giants well positioned. I think without any additional changes, they can compete with anyone. But, for this to happen, Pablo (and everyone else) must be healthy, and Pagan, Blanco, and the others who have struggled lately, have to consistently contribute. They also will need somewhat consistent contributions from their starters…I think Tim and Zito have to contribute somewhere around .500 in wins/losses. So, there are a lot of “ifs” out there. If the stars align (as they did in 2010…this team can go far). Otherwise???

And the trade deadline creeps closer and closer…
Flavor said, on July 30, 2012 at 11:11 am

As I’ve consistently maintained, the Giants don’t match up well in a trade for players we would actually get excited about acquiring. I can’t believe Sabean is offering enough for Pence, nor should he. Pence is better than all of our outfielders except Melky but that doesn’t mean I want to trade for him. He’s been hitting in 2 hitter friendly parks for his entire career and he’s really not having a very good year. Plus, he has maybe the worst swing I’ve ever seen and though I don’t follow the Phillies or Pence much I am assuming that there are many, many holes in that swing for pitchers to target. No way to I want Sabes to give up any of our few valuable trade chips for Pence. I do not think he would like SF or our park. Kawakami actually wrote a good article on this today……
OK, off to Sun Valley. Long drive ahead from here in Reno. When I stop for lunch I’ll check to see if we got anybody. Two years ago, I found out we picked up Guillen in the middle of this same drive.
- Alleykat said, on July 30, 2012 at 11:19 am
  
  Man how quickly you forget “Constipation Stance and swing of Aaron Rowand” Flav.
Del Mar Dennis said, on July 30, 2012 at 11:14 am

Brace yourself for Melky signing with “My* Dodgers next year. Have I mentioned that they’re going to start throwing a shitload of money around like there’s no tomorrow? And if you’re a Mayan fan like myself, it’s close.
- snarkk said, on July 30, 2012 at 11:21 am
  
  Not at all outlandish thought. If I’m Melky, I’m thinking the same thing. Why not join the Blue — they’re going to be burning money down there like the Yanks West. Ethier, Melky, Kemp, Ramirez, that would be pretty studly. I’d like to at least get a lunch with Magic before I get back to Sabean on re-signing up here. A bunch of dudes and actress wannabees down there would be in MelkMan and MelkMaid uniforms in 5 minutes after he’d sign…
  - Nipper said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:33 pm
    
    Who can say no to Magic?
twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 11:15 am

I realize this will be an unpopular thought- but maybe we should just be thankful for the great year Melky is giving us and move on. 4-5 years at 15 or so per year is a big commitment to a guy who was, uh, pooch-like for two different teams. And he’s unlikely to sign here anyway. Forgetting about signng him will make puling the trigger on other transactions a bit easier.
- Nipper said, on July 30, 2012 at 11:17 am
  
  Good points!
snarkk said, on July 30, 2012 at 11:16 am

They should not give up Brown for anybody like Pence. The kid might, MIGHT, be our CFer and leadoff guy for a decade, half of which he’d be under club control for cheap, which is key considering these billionaire owners’ “budget” concerns, as the turnstiles turn at about 5000 rpm. I want to wait to see him succeed or fail in an SF uniform. After him, there’s squat for position players in the Giants system except maybe the catcher position…
ewisco said, on July 30, 2012 at 11:17 am

there are two parts to this. can they get to the playoffs and what happens once there. to get there, the everyday players have to get you there. you should be able to get a couple of wins from bench guys but if you have to rely on them, it means your everyday players aren’t producing. once you get into the PS, it’s all about the guys in the bottom of the order and the guys on the bench. In 2010 we had ross, uribe, and of course renteria all hitting big. maybe belt, nate or crawford or even huff fills that role this year. but you got to get there first.
Del Mar Dennis said, on July 30, 2012 at 11:17 am

Jim Bowden thinks Cliff Lee would be a good fit in LA. No shit, Jim.
- chipower9 said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:52 pm
  
  And these fucking geniuses get paid to write that shit…WTF…
Del Mar Dennis said, on July 30, 2012 at 11:25 am

And as to Scutaro’s miss on the pop fly not being a positional thing, I disagree. There is such a thing as a “comfort zone” from playing a particular spot. And I know he’s not a fan favorite, but even Bip Roberts made mention on the postgame about it. He even cited different sun angles. I dunno about that, but at least he played the game. That’s more than we here on the Flap can say.
- twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 11:39 am
  
  Having played the game does not automatically make a guy more knowledgeable about it than one who hasn’t.
- unca_chuck said, on July 30, 2012 at 11:46 am
  
  Who gives a fuck, Dennis? Fuck me blind. Whine whine whine. They lost the game because they are hitting like 2-98 with RISP lately, not because of the one error. Scutaro was brought in because Pablo’s out for a spell, AND they needed somer IF depth? Do you like Scooter over Burriss? Well, I’m waaaaaaaaaiting. It’s obvious, skippy. Once Pablio’s back, Scooter moves to one of the middle IF positions.
  
  Do they need more hitters? Sure. Are they going to get any? Maybe so, maybe not. But the fucking whining about all this shit is getting SO FUCKING OLD.
  
  Sorry, back to your normally scheduled programming.
- snarkk said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:31 pm
  
  Scutaro was available. Brooks Robinson and Mike Schmidt weren’t…
twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 11:30 am

Pence has hit very well here and he has also just about the same on the road as at home throughout his career. I do agree that we’re unikely to offer what Phils would want. I would do Brown straight up but I think they’d want Brown+.
- Flavor said, on July 30, 2012 at 11:33 am
  
  I know what Pence’s splits are. He’s hit well at ATT in under 100 at bats. That doesn’t mean he’d hit well here if he were to play here regularly.
  And it would be beyond idiotic to give up Brown for him but I’m hardly surprised that you endorse that move.
  - twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 11:44 am
    
    If you know his splits, you also know that he hasn’t relied on his hitter friendly ballpatks to put up very good numbers. But there’s no need for you to be antagonistic again.
  - Flavor said, on July 30, 2012 at 11:53 am
    
    I don’t think he would hit well here if he were to play here regularly. Call it a feeling. Same feeling that I don’t think he’d like the West Coast or SF–it’s pretty far out of his comfort zone. Again, it’s just a feeling I have.
    But I’m not worried about it, Sabean isn’t trading Brown unless he’s lost his mind….
  - Berger said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:10 pm
    
    I can’t speak of splits, only of what I see. Pence is a line drive spray hitter. Small ballparks do not help him because he is not a HR hitter. I believe in a big ball park like ours he would have a BA 20 points higher because it would play to what he does naturally. My problem with Pence at ATT is I don’t remeber seeing an opponent play RF worse than him. That wall eats him up. IMO, if we got him, Melky would need to move to RF and Pence would need to play LF.
snarkk said, on July 30, 2012 at 11:51 am

Why would the Phils be willing to give up Pence one year after they traded a coupla very good prospects to get him? It’s not like he’s fading with age, he’s relatively young. The Giants desperately need a consistent leadoff guy, and Brown MIGHT be that guy. Nobody will give up a good leadoff guy in a trade, they’re rare. I wouldn’t give up that potential for a decent, but not great player like Pence…
unca_chuck said, on July 30, 2012 at 11:55 am

Considering the Giants reluctance to draft position players, I wouldn’t be too hasty to trade away the one guy who could be a long-term answer in CF for the team. IMO.
demp28 said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Last year, Brown was in the same outfield with Trout and Bryce Harper in the AFL. Makes you wonder why Brown is still in the minors while Trout and Harper are contributing in The Show.
- snarkk said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:05 pm
  
  Harper’s been basically in pro ball since he was 15. And, maybe they’re better? Anyway, recent history tells us to disbelieve any hype about Giant position farmhands until they get up here to face major league pitching. Nonetheless, if they trade Brown, they’ve got no real impact position prospects on the near horizon…
- unca_chuck said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:06 pm
  
  Maybe because he’s not as good as them.
  - unca_chuck said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:31 pm
    
    Hey. How’d you sneak that under my post?
  - snarkk said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:33 pm
    
    Quick on the draw. Maybe I should take on Baggs in a Jeopardy smack off…
Alleykat said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:02 pm

Well the Dodgers picked up a “Ferrari ” in Hanley.The Giants settled for a “Scooter.”
- unca_chuck said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:04 pm
  
  Ferarris break down a lot.
  - snarkk said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:20 pm
    
    But, they’re fun while they work (I’m guessing, having never driven one)…
  - unca_chuck said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:31 pm
    
    Ditto.
unca_chuck said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:03 pm

Apropos of nothing, but a bit scary nonetheless, Guy Adams, LA bureau chief of The Independent had his twitter account suspended because he’s been criticizing NBC’s ‘coverage’ of the Olympics.

http://tinyurl.com/crc4qwx

Some funny shit, but it brings into play what pisses me off about NBC and their coverage. They think they can dictate when and how to show events. Not let them happen in real-time. LIVE, you fucking clowns.
- Nipper said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:36 pm
  
  They paid the bucks they set the rules.
Berger said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:04 pm

I wouldn’t mind seeing less of Pagan for 2 or 3 games.
- unca_chuck said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:07 pm
  
  You prefer Christian?
  - snarkk said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:10 pm
    
    Blanco and Nate instead of Pagan and Blanco. Unless Nate goes to Philly as part of a Pence deal, which wouldn’t surprise me…
  - Berger said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:13 pm
    
    Either him or Blank Zero. I’m not demoting Pagan, I just think he needs a mental break for 2 or 3 games.
  - unca_chuck said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:33 pm
    
    Shit, he needs a looooong mental break. The guy is a mess out there. If Nate could do his part, no problem. The problem is all 3 of them are scuffling.
twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:05 pm

I understand the reluctance to trade Brown- I’ve had that reluctance myself. But I’ll remind all again- they are extremely unlikely to have Melky or Pagan back next year- and the FA market ain’t great. Brown-Pence isn’t my preferred deal- but it’s one I’d make if the others fell through.I’ve ouitlined several already. As to why the Phils would give him up- according to almost all sources,they are shopping him. Snarkk. I didn’t make it up.
- snarkk said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:09 pm
  
  I’m not saying they’re not shopping him. You can shop anybody to see what you can get in return. Hell they traded Mays. It just seems to me strange to dump a relatively young guy only a year after giving up a lot to get him. In a vacuum, Pence would surely fit the bill for the needed poppish RH bat. But, IMO Brown in the package is too much for him…
  - twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:23 pm
    
    If I did it, it wouldn’t be in a package. As far Pence being “decent”, offensively, he’s decent in the same way Buster is decent…I’d still rather get Hart, and as Salty says, it might just be a bench bat like Wigginton..
Salty said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:07 pm

Giants will probably have to settle for someone like Ty Wiggy
unca_chuck said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:09 pm

They could have settled for him before the season started. Now, he’ll cost.
- twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:11 pm
  
  I think you are thinking of Willingham, Chuck. Ty Wigginton would be a good pick up for a bench bat and he wouldn’t cost much at all.
  - unca_chuck said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:28 pm
    
    Right. Willy, Wiggy, Wango Tango
  - Nipper said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:39 pm
    
    Chuck must be talking to fido.
snarkk said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:17 pm

Give the Twins half the farm system for Willingham. After sifting, there might be two players in there that might make it to Twinkieland. There better not be a problem with a guy like Willingham because of his contract. $7 million/year is chump change now, and he’s got two years left. Sabes was again blowing the “ownership” and “budget” buzz words on the radio the other day after his meeting with the billionaires. With two consecutive seasons of sellouts, post-WS licensing shit flying off the shelves (the ATT Dugout store last week was craaaazy busy with people buying shit) and nearly $30 million coming off the books next season, I’ve had it with the playing the poor card….
- dirtnrocksnomo said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:34 pm
  
  Agree with you on the po’house bullshit from SF ownership. With Cain, Lincecum, Vogglesong and despite their struggles Zito and Lincecum locked up through this year and next now is the time for this club. Gotta be in it to win it.
- chipower9 said, on July 30, 2012 at 2:49 pm
  
  I’m not trying to make excuses for the bazionaires…but as I mentioned earlier. They have money coming off the books, but are also adding in those mentioned contracts. Between Cain and Tim, their salaries increase 10 mil. Buster is arb. eligible…he’ll get a raise. Santiago and Romo are arb. eligible, too, and you either have to re-sign Affeldt or replace him…all those things cost coin and chew up some of that 20-30 mil coming off the books. And regardless of whether or not folks think the G-men will sign Melky next year…they have to figure enough coin in their budget to entertain signing him.
  - snarkk said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:57 pm
    
    Giants have at minimum, near $30M off the books next year. Rohand 12M, Huff 11M, Freddy 6M…
Irish Kevin said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:18 pm

I see from reading the posts, everyone has an opinion on what the Giants need to do. I like Unca’s 11:46 posting. Friday nights game was winnable and so was yesterdays, if the Giants could have scored some runs. I don’t think we need to sell off what few prospects the Giants have in the farm system for a CHANCE to make it to the WS. Lest not forget trading, buying, selling, does not gaurantee a trip to and a win of the WS. The Giants were hitting pretty well prior to this series. A bump in the road IMO. Kruk on KNBR this morning pointed out the Dodgers handled the Giants in the first couple of series, then the Giants handle them the next couple and the Dodgers came right back this series. You all didn’t really expect the Dodgers to lay down and die after the 3 shutouts did you? Kruk also pointed out that if the Giants do get a hitter like everyone and their mother want them to, does that mean that all the other players are going to start hitting again?? Just a thought.
Berger said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:19 pm

I’m thinking future here. We could probably get Stephen Drew super cheap right now. He could be a possible good SS for next year. He’s had some serious interruptions to his rythm. If he could get it back we could have a steal. He could probably be had for a player like Kieshnick. I know this would not help for this year, but neither would Kieschnick (or similar player).
- twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:30 pm
  
  I doubt we’d get Drew for a guy who has been on the 7 day disabled list since late May…
  - Berger said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:35 pm
    
    I keep forgetting Kieschnick is hurt again. Insert similar player. You know, fairly young, major league potential, just proven yet.
Alleykat said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:26 pm

Well we better not hope Hanley keeps tearing the cover off the ball or it could be 93 all over again when the Braves picked up Fred McGriff and he was a one man wrecking Crime Dog that cost us the playoffs.
DJLoo said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:32 pm

Twin: Your 11:39 AM post is highly debatable. Do you apply that to all experiences?
- unca_chuck said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:35 pm
  
  Shit, look at the clowns on Comcast Sports Net the past couple years.
  - Nipper said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:42 pm
    
    Where’s Bozo…..speaking of clowns?
  - Bozo said, on July 30, 2012 at 1:06 pm
    
    Nipper, my mother called me a clown once. ONCE.
- twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:45 pm
  
  I can think of one that I wouldn’t.
snarkk said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:42 pm

With this new playoff system in place, who knows what will happen. But, here’s a question. Would an NLCS between Giants and Dodgers be bigger, more important, to Giants fans, than actually playing in the World Series, say against anybody but the Yankees? And, I include the A’s in that. I think it would be…
- chipower9 said, on July 30, 2012 at 2:54 pm
  
  Not in my book. I’d take playing in the WS against anyone over an NLCS between us and the Bums.
Nipper said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:44 pm

Wishing isn’t getting…..
gianthead said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:50 pm

Thanks for those thoughts…Willingham’s name seems to have dropped and Morneau a bot more. Pence is projected at $14 mill next year. Hasn’t his defense been lacking this eyar let alone his bat?

I agree that Morneau without Willingham would be an ineffectual move. I dont see Pence delivering either. Victorino probably headed to the Dodgers…
gianthead said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:58 pm

Interesting to see some comments that disagree that Posey would end up at first. Look, when Hector Sanchez was healthy, he was catching Zito and Lincecum every start up to when he got hurt. So 40% of the starts, Posey was sitting or at first. So the team seems pretty happy with that arrangement when Sanchez is healthy.

I could see Posey continuing to catch just 3 of the 5 starters next year and playing most of the rest of the time at first. Sanchez may be too valuable then with his bat by 2014 to not have in the lineup, so Posey then has to go to first and I think he will be the every day starter by 2014 to protect his legs and bat. I dont think it is sensible having him stay at catcher for the next few years…
- chipower9 said, on July 30, 2012 at 2:57 pm
  
  Sanchez has NOT consistently performed the way Posey has. I like the flashes he presents with the bat, but he also strikes out alot. I see absolutely no guarantee that he is starter material. I notice you say he “may” be too valuable…blah blah blah. The operative words are “may be.” I like keeping Posey behind the dish and finding a bona-fide 1st baseman who has some pop as a better option.
twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 12:59 pm

Snarkk has often mentioned the small window we have and almost all agree that the farm has deteriorated again. As soon as Panda hit the DL with total uncertainty when he’d return, the game changed. We could be looking at 2012 and 2013 as our last years to compete in the playoffs before rebuilding. And whether it’s Pence or a similar bat I prefer having our chances to win another series rather than have Gary Brown as the best durn leadoff hitter on a 4th place team for the next few years. I want to keep Belt and Brown, but I’m not above moving them or anybody else if the return is right.
- Nipper said, on July 30, 2012 at 1:14 pm
  
  Of course the other teams know this. Price goes way up.
- Wilcojoe said, on July 30, 2012 at 3:06 pm
  
  Agree 100%
  - Wilcojoe said, on July 30, 2012 at 3:07 pm
    
    That was for Twin, not Nip.
- snarkk said, on July 30, 2012 at 3:57 pm
  
  In theory I agree with that. But, the way the pitching looks now, I’m not sure the Giants have the pitching to get through the window now to the WS, even if they get a good RH bat. Cain, Vogy and Bum are solid, but over the course of a coupla playoff series, they’d have to shut down the oppo essentially. The offense will bounce back from being putrid in the Dodger series, but IMO we’re more than 1 RH bat away, even including Panda, from getting through, lets say, the Reds and Nats who look very formidable. Plus, our Pen is trending towards mediocre. I’d rather keep the only prospect position players that are improving, Belt and Brown, and use that salary savings to buy FA pitching over the next half decade…
Bozo said, on July 30, 2012 at 1:21 pm

So I’m Sabean just sitting around in my underwear drinking some beers and watching the Olympics on the tube. During commercials I’ll just log onto the Flap and see what the boys are cooking up. Hey, that’s not a bad idea, whoa hadn’t thought of that one. Too many players involved in that one, don’t know if I can handle all those calls. Maybe if I just trade old Whitewalls these Flappers won’t care what else I’ll do. DH? What the hell is that guy on? Gotta take the trash out, trash? Maybe I can package Huff, Christian and Whiteside for a big bat, a couple guys from Fresno to sweeten the deal. That’s it. I wonder if ladies volleyball is on?
- Nipper said, on July 30, 2012 at 1:25 pm
  
  Bozo is into fantasy of course these trade ideas are pure fantasy. The DH thing was a joke. Some of you NL guys get steamed.
- Irish Kevin said, on July 30, 2012 at 1:47 pm
  
  Lets be more specific here, due to the fact that there is team womens volleyball and womens beach volleyball.
  
  I wonder if womens beach volleyball is on??
- Flavor said, on July 30, 2012 at 1:57 pm
  
  This is epic. If I wasn’t on the road I’d “POTD” this beatch…
- chipower9 said, on July 30, 2012 at 2:58 pm
  
  LMAO John…
twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 1:35 pm

He’d probably get the same kind of input here as he gets from his underlings- then he throws up his hands and gets “Inky” Cabrera..
- twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 2:54 pm
  
  Actually, from all reports Sabean is trying hard for an OFer and bullpen arm.
twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 2:56 pm

Scutaro 3B, Theriot 2B, Cabrera LF, Posey C, Pagan CF, Schierholtz RF, Belt 1B, Crawford SS, Bumgarner LHP
- chipower9 said, on July 30, 2012 at 2:59 pm
  
  Pagan in the 5 hole. OUCH. That alone shows you how much of an impact it is having Pablo on the DL.
  - chipower9 said, on July 30, 2012 at 3:01 pm
    
    And how thin the fucking bench is, too…I know Sabes is “trying hard” to get an OFer and a bullpen arm or two. Hope he can surprise us all with a good deal (we all know the results from his recent attempts at scoring some offense, and it ain’t pretty)….
  - twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 3:08 pm
    
    Chi, Pagan has most of his ABs here in the 5. It’s where most of his success has been.
  - chipower9 said, on July 30, 2012 at 3:29 pm
    
    I know Twin, I get it. He is hitting .319 in the 5 hole, and most of his ABs are there…it was more about how he has scuffled so badly of late. I just hate seeing him there when he has struggled so lately. But, there really are not many options.
    
    And that is why I mentioned earlier that regardless of what the team does (or doesn’t do in trades), they need Pagan and Blanco to come back around and perform as they have when they had it going good.
  - twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 3:57 pm
    
    There was no logical reason for Pagan to hit poorly in the 1 and well in the 5. If they’re not going to put Blanco in the 1 reguarly, that’s where Pagan should hit. IMO.
unca_chuck said, on July 30, 2012 at 3:31 pm

Pagan certainly sucked leadoff. Better the 5 hole.
unca_chuck said, on July 30, 2012 at 3:35 pm

Blanco/leadoff is the bigger issue lately. Scooter hitting first is more the anomaly. He’s batting worse than Pagan this year as lead off. If you can believe that . . . If Blanco could get his shit together, the team would be in much better shape.
- snarkk said, on July 30, 2012 at 4:03 pm
  
  Tru dat. Bochy is flailing with this roster, he’s putting everybody but Murph into leadoff. I say give Blanco a week straight again to see if he can rekindle. The one and done is ridiculous. If Scutaro craps out tonite, it’s “Hey Murph, drop that bucket! Grab some spikes, you’re starting. And, grab a beer!”…
DJLoo said, on July 30, 2012 at 4:07 pm

For shakeup purposes, I’d try Melky at leadoff and Pagan in the 3 hole to try to get him going…
- twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 4:30 pm
  
  He had the base running blunder, but Blanco was on twice yesterday. He should be out there tonight. Unless he’s been traded…he’s had a crappy year but Vungo is getting on base, BTW. .348.
  He’s in the line up tonight and I hope he has a great night- in a losing cause.
unca_chuck said, on July 30, 2012 at 4:22 pm

Yeah, he’s got 3/4s of a lineup that is cold. Might as well set it in sand. For a week anyway.
Salty said, on July 30, 2012 at 4:25 pm

I thought the 2 hole was reserved for getting guys going? Thought they would try Belt there. Agree about Pagan in the 1. He’s a career .293 hitter leading off.
- twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 4:44 pm
  
  The Two Hole ( from “The Book”)
  “The old-school book says to put a bat-control guy here. Not a great hitter, but someone who can move the lead-off hitter over for one of the next two hitters to drive in.
  The Book says the #2 hitter comes to bat in situations about as important as the #3 hitter, but more often. That means the #2 hitter should be better than the #3 guy, and one of the best three hitters overall. And since he bats with the bases empty more often than the hitters behind him, he should be a high-OBP player. Doesn’t sound like someone who should be sacrificing, does it?”
  
  http://tinyurl.com/c9whem
unca_chuck said, on July 30, 2012 at 4:39 pm

Belt’s barely getting into the lineup, let alone batting 2nd. My point was to set the lineup for a few days, not to jerk eveyone around all willy nilly.
unca_chuck said, on July 30, 2012 at 4:48 pm

Not a great hitter, but better than the 3 guy? Then your 3 guy should be batting 2nd.
- unca_chuck said, on July 30, 2012 at 4:52 pm
  
  I misread that. Didn’t get the distinction between the Old Book and the New Book.
  
  Praise be to Lord Jesus Harold (Baines) Christ . . .
Salty said, on July 30, 2012 at 4:49 pm

On second thought, Ty Wiggy has looked downright Huffesque the past couple of months. Don’t know they can afford another 34 yr old on his way out.
Flavor said, on July 30, 2012 at 4:51 pm

The Giants need to worry less about who’s hitting first and more about just getting guys on base. In the last 7 days, their team OBP is .266. Not surprisingly, Pablo went down a week ago. .266 is 14th out of 16 NL teams. Pittsburgh is last at .254 but they’ve hit 12 bombs to our 3….
I could care less who’s batting first, second, eighth, whatever. If you don’t put players on base and you aren’t a home run hitting team, you’re not going to score many runs……
Del Mar Dennis said, on July 30, 2012 at 5:01 pm

So not only are they going to play Scutaro at third, but they’re going to bat him lead off, too?
I can already see the Dom Pérignon truck pulling into Dodger Stadium to unload their NL West Champs bubbly.
twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 5:03 pm

Well, actually, you’re right in that the best 5 hitters should hit in the first five spots. There is an optimal way to configure that but it’s less important which of those 5 guys bats where than that they’re in the first five spots.
unca_chuck said, on July 30, 2012 at 5:08 pm

For what this is worth, Phillies are asking for Brown and Panik from us for Pence.

Uh, no.
- Flavor said, on July 30, 2012 at 5:12 pm
  
  Fuck that 50 times over. Skull fuck that. That’s what I love about all these rumors. They’re all bullshit. So what if a team says “we’re making so and so available and looking at offers.” Well isn’t EVERYONE available? For the right price?
  We don’t need Pence and we aren’t getting Pence……
- twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 5:13 pm
  
  That’s one of the rumors.(Brown and Panik). To be clear, I never said we were getting Pence.
  - Del Mar Dennis said, on July 30, 2012 at 5:21 pm
    
    So would *you* pull the trigger on that deal?
  - twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 5:25 pm
    
    No.
  - snarkk said, on July 30, 2012 at 7:03 pm
    
    Nothing wrong with that as a starting point, as long as it doesn’t end there…
twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 5:21 pm

Well, the more often a name is out there, the more likely he is to be moved, IMO. The rumors at deadline time don’t all get done, obviously, but there’s usually some substance to them.
Flavor said, on July 30, 2012 at 5:24 pm

Dennis, I forgot to tell you how amused I’ve been with your most recent obsessive topic: Scutaro. It’s been a nice break from *the case* you’ve presented to us about *closers pitching in a non-save situation.”
It’s gotta take a lot of effort to rail away on Scutaro when your option is Arias. Do you like Arias that much or do you dislike Scutaro, for an as yet undetermined reason, more than you like Arias? And the fact that you went off on him about losing a ball in the sun is some of your best work yet……
By the way, have you been reading the recent reports about Manning? Can’t throw the ball long. Hmmm. That could be a problem for him this year. And we are going to have to modify our bet a little since I can’t have one of my esteemed Stable Boys banned from the blog for 100 days so let’s come up with something else, dig?
- Del Mar Dennis said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:07 pm
  
  We did come up with something else, don’t you remember? A bottle of booze. Actually I believe we have two bets. One for most TDs, and one for the best TD/INT ratio + or – And it was all stipulated on my part that Manning would be healthy enough to start Week 1. Which at this moment, looks like he is.
  
  Bet on.
  - Del Mar Dennis said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:12 pm
    
    Ant, BTW, if you’re truly not amused with my new Scutaro schtick, I can always go back to my back to my closer in a NON-save situation schtick. Or if that’s not your cup of tea either, pick your poison of schticks. As Jimmy Durante used to say, “I got a million of ’em.”
  - Flavor said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:18 pm
    
    I don’t recall *most td’s*. I’m not denying it, just that I don’t recall it. As I remember it, we take the # of td’s and subtract the number of INT’s. The output is the bet. And I do recall that Manning had to start the season. Whatever, let’s just get it straight before the start of the season.
Berger said, on July 30, 2012 at 5:42 pm

I have a feeling UNR product, Lyle Overbay will be wearing black and orange by the week-end. The Snakes just DFA’d him.
twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 5:49 pm

I saw that- but he’s a lefty.
Berger said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:07 pm

A lefty hitting .292.
- twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:33 pm
  
  They’re not signing him while they have Huff and Belt, no matter what he’s hittiing.IMO. Lose Belt and I’m fine with it.
  - Berger said, on July 30, 2012 at 7:02 pm
    
    Don’t get me all excited. I love it when you talk about getting rid of Huff!
pawliekokonuts said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:08 pm

Loo’s Willie & Willie memory is gold without dross. It’s consistent with my tiny realm of experience. I want to steal it and make it part of a chapter of my book, albeit a non-fiction rendering of *my* experience.
Flavor said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:09 pm

Something that I’ve been pissed about for a while (and the deadline is re-igniting my anger): Since The Neuk got shit canned, we’ve been told that any substantial move needs to get approved by the *ownership group*. Of course, we’ve never been told how the group makes decisions or even who the group is (that’s *voting*). It’s all quite unnecessarily secretive. I suppose if we knew the truth about how all these decisions get made it would negatively impact our view of *the group*, ultimately affecting the money they’re pocketing……….
- Del Mar Dennis said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:16 pm
  
  I already told Charles Johnson to take his $4.4 BILLION and stick it up his ass. If you know his address, I’ll go piss on his lawn.
  - Nipper said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:45 pm
    
    Dennis pissed off! ….again…
pawliekokonuts said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:18 pm

1. Do not, repeat do not, use *impact* as a verb. (That’s as ornery as I get, pretty much.) 2. I miss Mr. Neukom, Mr. Bow Tie, Mr. Bring SF a Fuckn World Series. He is treated like one of The Disappeared from Argentina. Awful. Can’t he even come to the ballpark? Disappeared.
- Flavor said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:23 pm
  
  totally agree. It’s disgraceful. And it’s always made me wonder about the secretive *ownership group* now represented publicly by their stooge Larry Baer……..
  - Bozo said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:42 pm
    
    I read at some point that Magowan had been buying up shares and almost had the majority. My understanding is he stepped down as Managing General Partner (took the management fall for the steroid thing is how I’ve always looked at it) but never gave up ownership shares. Which really makes sense when you consider Larry was his guy. Baer has also been given shares of the team for his various roles.
    I guess I’ll know this is all true if we go out and get Tim Hudson and sign him to a five year deal.
- Alleykat said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:45 pm
  
  He’s to busy Pawlie.Mass producing his Orville Redenbacher’s latest popcorn line..Sea Salt & Vinegar and White Cheddar.While of course finding that extra special time of reading your Classic Baseball Book!:-)
pawliekokonuts said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:20 pm

The Mets make me nervous. Pesky team for us. Remember Rod Barajas? Killed us. Remember Aubrey Huff’s breakdown? I was there. BTW, would you take Ike Davis and his 20 or so bombs? What will they do with David Wright?
- Flavor said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:25 pm
  
  I like Ike Davis but if there’s a guy who got *jazzier* hands in his swing, I haven’t seen it. I own him in two leagues where my batting average will allow him to be carried for his one skill: the bomb…..
pawliekokonuts said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:34 pm

I’m puzzled. Who is our leadoff batter? I’m a Bochy guy, but I have to ask: is there a more fickle team than ours when it comes to leadoff? FICKLE. Rowand? Oh. Gone. Nate? Sometime. Blanco? I liked him there. He in the doghouse? Scutaro now? Whitey tomorrow? Maybe Arias? Pagan? Crawdad? Theriot? How about Cabrera? Step right up, one and all. I’m confused.
- Macdog said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:40 pm
  
  Don’t forget Justin Christian.
- Alleykat said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:53 pm
  
  In a Bochy world ,Theriot bats #2 cause he plays 2B.
  That’ is as far as his logic take’s him.
- Berger said, on July 30, 2012 at 7:00 pm
  
  Bring back Marc Hill to lead off!
Nipper said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:43 pm

Pablo playing catch!
- pawliekokonuts said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:44 pm
  
  Throw him in as leadoff.
- Del Mar Dennis said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:46 pm
  
  Dennis drinking vodka!
  - Nipper said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:47 pm
    
    What kind?
Del Mar Dennis said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:44 pm

I know we only have 16 HRs at home this year. Does anyone know the breakdown between left/right-handed? Thanks.
- Nipper said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:47 pm
  
  Twin knows.
- DJLoo said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:49 pm
  
  Does it really matter?
  - twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:57 pm
    
    It doesn’t.
  - Del Mar Dennis said, on July 30, 2012 at 7:01 pm
    
    What will Matter by Michael Josephson
    
    Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end.
    There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days.
    All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else.
    Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.
    It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed.
    Your grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear.
    So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans and to-do lists will expire.
    The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.
    It won’t matter where you came from or what side of the tracks you lived on at the end.
    It won’t matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant.
    Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.
    
    So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured?
    
    What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you got, but what you gave.
    What will matter is not your success, but your significance.
    What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught.
    What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.
    
    What will matter is not your competence, but your character.
    What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you’re gone.
    What will matter is not your memories, but the memories that live in those who loved you.
    What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what.
    
    Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident.
    It’s not a matter of circumstance but of choice.
    Choose to live a life that matters.
    
    This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
  - Berger said, on July 30, 2012 at 7:10 pm
    
    Two observations:
    1, You’ve been talking to the Mayans again.
    2, It could be time to get drunk on Friday and blog! O/U for Berger deletions, 3 without Unca contributing, 8 with Unca’s help!
  - DJLoo said, on July 30, 2012 at 7:24 pm
    
    Platitudinous palaver…
twinfan1 said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:49 pm

Uh-Oh. Denny, Bip just endorsed Scutaro as the lead off guy..
- Del Mar Dennis said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:54 pm
  
  So I guess not only will he drop another fly pop (lights), but he’ll also swing at the first pitch he sees and pop out.
  - Bozo said, on July 30, 2012 at 7:02 pm
    
    Look at the bright side Dennis, he can’t bunt with the pitcher up next.
DJLoo said, on July 30, 2012 at 6:51 pm

Pawlie: Thanks for the 6:08 comment…
snarkk said, on July 30, 2012 at 7:10 pm

Boy, some of the posts within the past hour have been impressive. Bashing ownership has been my drum beater the past couple seasons. The Giants are as bad as the A’s. Fisher owns the team, but Wolff takes all the public shit, nobody ever bad mouths Fisher. With the Giants, Sabes takes the shit, with Baer second. Nobody in ownership gets blamed for a damn thing, because nobody knows who the fuck they are. Unless you dig a little. And, nobody in local media, except a recent exception on C. Johnson, ever does an in depth article on the billionaires in the management group that makes decisions for all 32. 32 owners is a joke. Neukom got canned because he got iPads for everybody or some such without getting the other owners OK? The fact that that cock and bull story even has any legs means our ownership situation sucks…
- Berger said, on July 30, 2012 at 7:20 pm
  
  An article I recently read is that it had more to do with the Beltran trade and Rowan’s release.
DJLoo said, on July 30, 2012 at 7:19 pm

Nice reception for Andres, but In NY he would’ve gotten a 2 minute standing O. Ichiro’s greeting as a Yankee in Seattle last week was also underwhelming…
DJLoo said, on July 30, 2012 at 7:28 pm

Keith Hernandez says Bum reminds him of Bob Knepper…
snarkk said, on July 30, 2012 at 7:35 pm

Early each day to the steps of ATT
The little old SF fan plays
In her own special way to the others she sees
“Come, buy my bags full of trades”

Come feed the team, don’t let that Dauber down
And you’ll be glad if you do.
Your young ones should fly
Specially Panik and Brown
All it takes is ToPence to you.

Feed the team, ToPence a trade,
ToPence, ToPence, ToPence a trade.
“Feed the team,” that’s what she cries,
While overhead, Sabes only sighs.

All ’round the Park the fans
Look down as she hawks all her wares.
Although you can’t see it, you know they are smiling
Each time Sabes shows that he cares.

Though her words are simple and few,
Listen, listen, she’s calling to you:
“Feed the team, ToPence a trade,
ToPence, ToPence, ToPence a trade”…
Salty said, on July 30, 2012 at 7:46 pm

I have to admit, I’m with a few others here feeling nervous when Sabean goes looking for a bat, especially a pricey one.