Who Misses Who?

Posted in Uncategorized by Flavor on March 10, 2015

Snarkk’s 10:15 post from last night was a good way to end yesterday’s discussion of Sandoval. It’s important to note that The Panda didn’t say anything bad about the SF fans, he just didn’t say he missed us. And really, who cares if he didn’t say he missed us? First of all, this is his job, we are far more emotionally involved in the players than they are with us. Secondly, he just left, if he’s ever going to miss SF fans he has to have time to know what he’s missing.

Regarding his comments about missing Bochy and maybe Pence, that’s just too weird to even take seriously. Literally EVERY SINGLE dugout video shot that I ever saw of Sandoval was of him yucking it up with fellow players. It’s not like he sat exclusively next to Bochy (and occasionally Pence). The dude was routinely the life of the clubhouse. He had very strong ties to his fellow players. I don’t care what he says now.

Anyway, I’m not gonna get caught up anymore in all this “who did he miss? who didn’t he miss?” This non-story is starting to read like a really bad romance novel. I’m going to focus on who are 3rd baseman is now, not the guy who’s gone……

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Nipper said, on March 10, 2015 at 6:02 am

Being positive is better for the heart. It sure beats recriminations and bitterness. At least I have my coffee brewing.
blade3colorado said, on March 10, 2015 at 6:07 am

Well, Sandoval still isn’t getting a Christmas card from me. So, how many Flappers bought the Apple watch? lqtm . . .
- chipower9 said, on March 10, 2015 at 9:30 am
  
  When the watch goes on sale, I will not be buying one…
  
  Nor will I be buying one for Pablo. LMAO…
blade3colorado said, on March 10, 2015 at 6:17 am

Two more cents on Sandoval . . . I’ve said this before – Giants broke my heart when they traded Mays in 1972 and Speier (less so) in 1977. Last time. All of these players are daily fantasy league choices for me to win money, including Sandoval. Love the Giants, the players less so – insofar as idolizing them. Similar to Santa Claus, all of these “KIDS” are not heroes, Gods, etc. Better yet, the “Round of Mound of Rebound” said it better . . .

“I’m not a role model… Just because I dunk a basketball doesn’t mean I should raise your kids.”

Charles Barkley
blade3colorado said, on March 10, 2015 at 6:55 am

By the by, Pawlie, Loo, and maybe MacDog know this, but Willie Mays was actually more Mays then not after he was traded to the Mets. Specifically, the image of him falling down in the outfield is often used as shorthand for a player hanging on too long these days.

Mays may have fallen down in the Mets outfield in 1973, but he still gave the Mets 2 WAR (OPS+ 145) in only 69 games in 1972. Quite good for someone 42 years old or any age for that matter.
willedav said, on March 10, 2015 at 7:38 am

I don’t think it’s at all far fetched to think Giants best option at 3b is Panik.
He came up as a SS, so he likely has the arm and is used to playing that side of IF.
3b is tough spot to fill and has been for a long time.

Contract year for Lincecum. F/G had a column couple days ago about potential FAs next year and the competition compared to TL. A lot of these guys are gonna be expensive but of proven quality, and might include Greinke who can exercise an opt out option.
Giants were fully prepared to drop big money offers on a couple FAs this year, so we’ll see how it plays out for back end of rotation going forward.
- chipower9 said, on March 10, 2015 at 9:33 am
  
  I don’t think Panik will even sniff 3rd base. I think they have him locked-and-loaded at 2nd. I will be VERY surprised if he gets any action at 3rd either during ST or the regular season.
- Hargesheimer said, on March 11, 2015 at 4:05 am
  
  Especially since Hicks is clearly the guy for 2B.
Alleykat said, on March 10, 2015 at 8:52 am

Where are you gonna put McGehee WillieD on the bench?
They didn’t sign him to ride the pine, he’s their starting 3B period.
No reason to breakup a good DP combo of Panik&Crawford.
And I would disagree of Panik’s arm strength to play 3rd, he’s much suited for 2nd, if anyone Duffy would be a better option, or possibly Duvall who they are trying out over their right now.
- chipower9 said, on March 10, 2015 at 9:37 am
  
  I agree, Kat. The other guy who may get some time there eventually is Arroyo. But for now, I agree that the position is McGehee’s
- willedav said, on March 10, 2015 at 9:41 am
  
  AK, I don’t think Mac is gonna work out too well. Projections I’ve seen don’t think he can repeat last year’s BA, tho he might have more pop. Considering last year that won’t take much.
  If it turns out he’s a .250 singles hitter his value goes down quite a bit. Giants right now have other bench guys better suited to 2b than 3b, and maybe that’s where Duffy winds up. Duvall is a real longshot imo.
  
  Zobrist will be an FA and you know Beane won’t re-sign him. So slide Panik to 3b and get Z for 2b.
  - Alleykat said, on March 10, 2015 at 1:49 pm
    
    That I will agree with you WillieD.
    Getting Zobrist should have been a top priority for Sabean in the off-season!
    His versatility for the infield along with BEING A LEFT-FIELDER are now a RightFielder( yeah I know you can’t anticipate injuries, but that’s why you get a guy like him for depth)would have been huge along with a great OBP!!
gianthead said, on March 10, 2015 at 9:13 am

Chris Russo is of course leading off his High Heat Show with Panda discussion. I think one thing being overlooked (but I think Flav is spot on) is that Panda’s command of English was not all that great. So I honestly don’t think he is trying to disrespect his former teammates but simply expressing that the two guys he misses is Boch and Pence. C’est lavie. Time to move to the next era of Giant baseball.

In regard to my comment about Jeff Kent, I think Zumiee did realize that his motorcycle incident was in 2002. I think that incident did cause dissension with management because they decided not to bring him back at the end of the season even though the Giants had just gone to a Game 7 in a World Series with Kent being a dominant piece of that team and that run, I think Kent was a difficult person and the motorcycle incident just sealed management’s decision to move on. IMO, Kent should have been brought back and hopefully retired as a Giants, which I did not want with Panda. Can you all believe that Kent made just $6 million in 2002. That is now Scutaro throw away money in these days,
- Bozo said, on March 10, 2015 at 9:32 am
  
  The Giants offered Kent arbitration but he signed with Houston because he lived in Texas. I thought that he also said he didn’t want to re-sign with the Giants because he didn’t know who the manager would be.
  - gianthead said, on March 10, 2015 at 9:45 am
    
    Bozo, isn’t just offering arbitration instead of a legit contract offer after his tremendous run as a Giant not a slap in his face??? If that is al they offered Panda, we would all agree that would be a slap of disrespect…
  - Bozo said, on March 10, 2015 at 10:33 am
    
    Perhaps GH, or maybe Kent just didn’t want to stay, still the Giants did make an offer and Kent decided to move on.
blade3colorado said, on March 10, 2015 at 9:37 am

Disagree GH . . . He knows how to speak and comprehend English really well. See this recent interview:

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:12380417

This is what I will give him credit for – he is young and like many of us (especially myself), he has made some mistakes. Consequently, if down the road in weeks, months or even years, he makes amends (admits he was wrong and apologizes) for those imbecilic remarks, then all is forgiven in my opinion.

By the way, there is a difference between saying you’re “sorry” and saying “I was wrong.” The latter has no equivocation, while the former leaves a lot unsaid or said (with the person having a “yeah but” or excuse thrown in). Again, just my opinion.
- gianthead said, on March 10, 2015 at 9:53 am
  
  Blade, I don’t think that interview backs up your statement. Panda is a smart guy and is obviously very conversant in Spanish, But his responses typically in interviews like here are usually just generalities. The Bleacher Report story did not have an audio attachment correct? So I think speaking about complicated, detailed issues for a non-native English speaker may not be in Panda’s wheelhouse. He has always been the lovable laid back Panda. Do we really think he was trying to take shots at the Giant fans or other players because he did not mention them in a perfectly constructed interview response?
  
  My guess is that he will be interviewed later this week raving about how much he loved playing in SF and loved the fans, yada yada…
  - blade3colorado said, on March 10, 2015 at 9:59 am
    
    Just have to disagree on that then. However, as I said in the 2nd part of my message (and I think you said much the same thing just now), Pablo is young and he made a mistake. In time, I think he will apologize. Everyone makes mistakes and deserve a 2nd chance. However, he will have to recognize this particular mistake and apologize without the “yeah, buts,” etc.
    
    In fact, today in an ESPN interview he was silent about what he said in Bleacher Report. In other words, I think he already regrets it.
  - gianthead said, on March 10, 2015 at 11:22 am
    
    we are in agreement there…
Bozo said, on March 10, 2015 at 9:42 am

So I just checked out the ST stats. I’m not worried that Mcgehee doesn’t have any extra base hits yet, but I am worried about Ehire “Out of Options” Adrianza, who is hitting a buck eighty two, ending up on our bench.
gianthead said, on March 10, 2015 at 9:42 am

this got me to looking at Kent’s stats and being by far the greatest home run hitting second baseman of all time, why does Kent not get more serious consideration for the Hall of Fame. Now that Biggio got in, I think the argument belongs simply on his stats make him a Hall of Famer. Every stat of his outpaces Ryne Sandberg besides stolen bases and triples. So WTF. Let’s push in the off-season for his consideration…who is with me????

I think Kent probably has a long enemies list among sportswriters and that shows exactly what is wrong with the process…
- blade3colorado said, on March 10, 2015 at 9:52 am
  
  Agree with you GH that Kent belongs in the HOF . . . or Hall of Farce as I call it.
  - gianthead said, on March 10, 2015 at 9:54 am
    
    let’s start the campaign in the offseason…
  - snarkk said, on March 11, 2015 at 12:00 am
    
    Of course Kent belongs in the Hall of Farce. He’s got better stats than lots of guys in there, regardless of position, let alone 2nd base. You should be in the first year of eligibility, or not. Period. Having these writers percolate players over a period of years to gain momentum votes is just silly, and appropriate for the Hall of Farce…
twinfan1 said, on March 10, 2015 at 9:51 am

*You asked, I’m here to answer: no DFAS after yesterday’s game, but 4 guys disappeared . ST competition is getting nasty. No arrests yet..

*Tomko has finally broken his silence- he’s been disrespected by the Reds, Seattle, the Cards, Giants, Dodgers, Padres, Royals, Yankees, and A’s..

*Arroyo, Delfino, Parker, Williamson, Brown, Duffy, Cordier, Crick, Gregorio, Crick, Mejia are all making names for themselves this Spring. Arroyo has chosen ” Yves Montand”

*Blach has given up 11 hits and 10 runs in 4 innings. He was said to be the closest of the kid pitchers to make the big squad. Can you spell “trouble”? If not you better try for your GED again.
.
* Merna and Mickey are still in bed. I was up at 6. I thought the game was on at 7.

* Perez had 6 stints with the Giants last year. He now has just one option left. He can’t decide between the Apple iPad Air 2 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5.

*Adam Duvall made a diving stop yesterday and didn’t even get his clothes wet.

*I did a “selfie” this morning. For only $1.99 each I won’t ruin your breakfast and post it.
- gianthead said, on March 10, 2015 at 9:55 am
  
  now that Tomko riff is f’n funny,,,
- gianthead said, on March 10, 2015 at 9:56 am
  
  and there goes my Ty Blach and other prospects to the Phillies for Cole Hamels idea:(
  - stickman said, on March 10, 2015 at 10:41 am
    
    GH: Don’t be too hasty. Baseball in the desert is not necessarily real baseball ~ at least for pitchers. That dry air can do weird things to breaking stuff. Let’s not write off Blach just yet. Give him some time at Sacville and see what he does in the PCL before consigning him as being down the big swirly. Granted, his first shot down there was horrific.
  - gianthead said, on March 10, 2015 at 11:21 am
    
    fair, I am not saying I am giving up on him but just it devalues his potential trade worth for the time being…
  - vogelsheiner said, on March 10, 2015 at 11:43 am
    
    fantasy bullshit. phils would need CRICK as the main guy
stickman said, on March 10, 2015 at 10:38 am

Surprised that nobody mentioned that Cain had a great two inning outing vs the LaBumbos six A-list starters yesterday. It has been my feeling all along that the SF brass were pretty sure that Matt the Horse would revert to form after that pair of operations ~ particularly the removal of debris from his elbow. Looking more and more like the Giants will have a premium L-R one-two combo going for them this season. If Peavey comes around by the Opener, the Rotation should sport three face-cards including an Ace who sets the pace.
willedav said, on March 10, 2015 at 10:49 am

Interesting story in Chron today about Moises Alou, who is now working for the Pads in same category as his dad Felipe is in with Giants–spec asst for player development.
Apparently Giants had offered him job for years but he wasn’t into it, then he got multiple offers once he changed his mind and picked the Pads. He had been successful GM in DR league. Turned out both of them were on a flight to check out an int’l player and Felipe realized what was up.
He said, “There’s not much I can do now but just wish him well. Him (in italics in column), not the Padres.”

Didn’t Felipe have a bunch of kids over course of 2 marriages?
Always surprised there aren’t more of Alous in Giants system somewhere.

Btw, always thought the story of 3 Alous that played for Giants and their career paths would make a great book (hint hint PK).
twinfan1 said, on March 10, 2015 at 12:13 pm

Today:
RF Aoki, 2B Panik, 3B McGehee, 1B Ishi, C Sanchez, DH Crawford, CF Blanco, LF
zumiee said, on March 10, 2015 at 12:50 pm

Yesterday’s Giants/Dodgers game was broadcast early this morning on the MLB Network, with two excruciatingly bad broadcasters: Charley Steiner, and I think the other guy was Rick Monday.
Typical moment:
(after Quiroz took a foul ball off his catcher’s mask)
Steiner: “Quiroz is re-thinking his career choice right at this moment.”
Monday: “The catcher is the only fielder allowed to set up in foul territory.”
(awkward silence)
zumiee said, on March 10, 2015 at 12:55 pm

After going 0 for 3 today, Sandoval is hitting a robust .125 in Spring Training so far.
- twinfan1 said, on March 10, 2015 at 2:05 pm
  
  8 ABs? Spring Training? That’s relevant?
  - zumiee said, on March 10, 2015 at 3:26 pm
    
    Probably not.
- Flavor said, on March 10, 2015 at 4:50 pm
  
  i think we’ll all be paying attention to what Pablo does, relevant sample size or not. I’m going to be glued to what he does in Boston, at least this first year
unca_chuck said, on March 10, 2015 at 1:30 pm

Pablo, Schmablo. Good luck and good bye. Yeah. I’ll miss him, but I certainly think we got the best out of him.

Much like Frank Gore, he’s good but not at the price he wants.

BTW, WTF is up with the NFL? There haven’t been this many trades today as there have been in the past 15 years.
- blade3colorado said, on March 10, 2015 at 4:19 pm
  
  Agree Chuck. I have never seen so many NFL trades in my entire life.
zumiee said, on March 10, 2015 at 3:21 pm

The good news for Panik is he hit an HR today. The bad news is his ST batting average of .077.
It’s hard to be actually lower than Aoki’s .083. And those are the two penciled in as the top of the batting order on opening day. Well, good thing there’s still time to turn that around. 🙂
- Alleykat said, on March 10, 2015 at 3:52 pm
  
  Look at the bright side Zum, with that bomb today,Panik even at .077 has a higher Slg pct then Aoki…
- Flavor said, on March 10, 2015 at 4:49 pm
  
  I wonder if Diggity’s spawn caught it? Imagine the odds….lqtm
zumiee said, on March 10, 2015 at 3:57 pm

Great price on a Kindle book: “Crazy ’08,” by Cait Murphy, about the ’08 season, the great Pennant race between the Cubs and the Giants, Merkle’s Boner and all that, and the last time the Cubs won the World Series, is going for 99 cents at the moment. It was published in 2007.
Flavor said, on March 10, 2015 at 4:51 pm

shouldn’t Pawlie be churning out another book by now? Kokonuts?
- pawliekokonuts said, on March 10, 2015 at 9:02 pm
  
  draft completed; agent shopping it to a dozen or so mainstream publishers; fingers crossed. New title: CHASING WILLIE MAYS: CHRONICLES OF A FAN LEFT BEHIND.
  - zumiee said, on March 10, 2015 at 9:06 pm
    
    Cool!!
blade3colorado said, on March 10, 2015 at 7:50 pm

I just read this . . . “Cain’s first game since July 9 could not have gone better. He had a pitch limit of 30 yet needed only 20 to retire Jimmy Rollins, Carl Crawford, Yasiel Puig, Adrian Gonzalez, Howie Kendrick and Yasmani Grandal.”

Nice. Hopefully, a preview of things to come. 🙂
Nipper said, on March 10, 2015 at 7:51 pm

ST batting averages…..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
- vogelsheiner said, on March 10, 2015 at 8:49 pm
  
  yeah hanging on every pitch and ab.
Macdog said, on March 10, 2015 at 10:33 pm

I’m sure the Pads are jizzin’ over three of their big pickups — Middlebrooks, Kemp and Upton — hitting home runs off Giants pitching today, although last I checked there are no Giants-Pads games scheduled for Chase Field when the real games start.
Macdog said, on March 10, 2015 at 10:37 pm

I’m sure the Pads are jizzin’ over three of their big pickups — Middlebrooks, Kemp and Upton — hitting home runs off Giants pitching today, although last I checked the Giants and Pads aren’t scheduled to meet at Chase Field when the real games start.