Considering a Wild Change
Woke up wondering about using *beginners* or whatever a bullpen game is called. Is that really where the game is going? Would Bochy be able to handle something like this? As it stands, our starting 5 is Bum, D-Rod, Suarez and then it gets dicey. Smarge? Stratton? Underwhelming is the most optimistic word I can think of to describe our *Five Fives*.
There are obviously serious question marks about our rotation. I, for one, definitely see the appeal of going with a bunch of *beginners* as the core of your “rotation”. I’m tired of hoping and praying that these bedraggled middling talent starters some how cobble together a wobbly 6 innings of work. Bochy always lets them go an inning too long anyway. Getting rid of them and going with nothing but stud relievers has some appeal.
Clearly switching to that approach would upend things as we know it and I do think Bochy’s head would explode trying to manage that every game.
Thoughts?
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
I actually think that if any manager could handle with that it would be Boch. He’s shown that he’s usually pretty good to great with managing the pen. Would he be interested tho in what is likely a lame duck season for him is the question.
So if D-Rod is cruising through 3 perfect innings he pulls him? I think that bullpen shit is pre-determined before the game, right?
Probably, but surely there has to be some leeway for the manager to make decisions on his own.
They’re being called “openers.”
I see. I like “beginners” better.
I don’t see why a beginner, or an opener, just can’t still be called a starter. They are starting the game just like every pitcher ever has before them.
It will change the build-up to games. How do you advertise a pitching match-up?
I mean, that would be the last thing I’d care about as a fan…..
It used to be a big deal to fans. One of the big issues MLB has is how to best market the sport.
Baseball is less interesting today because of how the game is played. Strikeout or homerun only tethers the imagination for so long–and that’s for fans who grew up loving the game. I can’t imagine how they’re going to lure in the new fans today. The game takes too long and just isn’t interesting enough for the newbies. They’d rather play video games or take selfies. It’s stupid and unfixable, IMO, and marketing pitching match ups is the last way to bring new fans in
I’m no stock market expert, but I’m guessing “worst month since the Great Depression” is not good.
Openers?
Are starters should just be called “can openers”
Gas Can Lighters
I’m fine with us dabbling with the opener strategy. I get a kick out of how it kind of screws up the traditional pitching statistics and you have some no-name reliever leading the league in games started with a total of like 45 innings pitched on the season.
They technically are the starting pitcher. I think the term “opener” just signifies that they aren’t in there for the long haul.
Let’s do it—bring it on.
this is every day for the rest of his life….
He’s in his mid-30s, happily married, and incredibly wealthy. Living the dream. 🙂
Call me negative, but I wonder about people who constantly seem to need to publicize how happy they are together…
Hey if Pence is content holding this chick’s hand all day and dressing up for girly photo shoots constantly than more power to him. That wouldn’t be how I’d choose to spend the rest of my days if I had 70mil in the bank. But, to each his own…..
I agree strongly with Snarkk & Flavor, but that doesn’t necessarily mean Zumee is wrong.
We don’t really know these people…
“beginners” is very funny, but things must be shifting if BF starts to sound cranky old-school. 😉
I just noticed that the Warriors are hosting the Lakers tomorrow night at Roaracle, after MNF goes on next door at the E Coli tonight. That ancient parking lot will never have holiday parties like these again.
Best of the season to you, flappers.
I’m really looking forward to that game and of COURSE I’m going over to dinner at someone’s house right when that game starts. How rude will I be if I ask the host to turn the game on the tv in the kitchen? Fuck it, I’m asking….
Interested to see what you guys think of this take. I think it’s complete bullshit. If Rivera has the same WAR as Ventura than that’s another dumb thing about that stat. And who gives a shit if he’s pitched 24% of the innings Maddux pitched? They had completely different jobs.
I prefer to remember this Hunter Pence…
Giants 2019 rotation:
Chi, Lurker John and a few others noticeably M.I.A. here.
Need some action to bring out the hibernators.
Merry Christmas, everybody…
Yeah, the hardcore group dwindles to just a few of us this time of year.
Thanks for the video DLoo. I will always remember Pence for this and the speech in the dugout saying he wanted to see Voggy pitch one more game. The last 2 seasons will fade from memory soon, these lasting images won’t…..
PS..Whoever the hell Michael Needhan is I can conclude his is an idiot! Anyone who says Rivera is NOT a first ballot HOF is someone who doesn’t understand baseball and what it means to dominate / be the best at what you do…
His issue is with RIvera possibly becoming the first unanimous Hall of Famer.
Does Rivera deserve an honor that Babe Ruth and Willie Mays did not receive?
I don’t think so. I think this Needham guy makes a decent point.
Who is Michael Needham, and why would we give an S what he thinks about Rivera?
Comparing Rivera’s WAR to Robin Ventura’s WAR makes absolutely no sense to me.
I reject using WAR anyway, in a HOF vote analysis.
There is one way to know whether a guy should be in the HOF.
Say his name, and if you are a baseball fan, you will know immediately whether he belongs, or he doesn’t.
Rivera belongs…
Speaking of the HOF, it was way past due that Lee Smith got in.
But, this Veterans Committee or whatever the Phuck it is, is totally flawed.
Harold Baines? In the HOF? And, Bonds is not? Clemens is not?
Reports say he never finished higher than NINTH in an MVP vote, and never was among the top five AL hitters in the yearly batting race.
I hear the name Harold Baines, and I think, good player. But, come on, he’s not even close to a HOFer.
If Baines is in, then Will Clark should be in.
No accusation here, but how do they know Baines NEVER did any PEDs in his long career? And, I mean NEVER.
The HOF is more and more a joke…
I just looked at the 16 members of this committee.
“The 16-member Hall of Fame Board-appointed electorate charged with the review of the Today’s Game Era features Hall of Fame members Roberto Alomar, Bert Blyleven, Pat Gillick, Tony La Russa, Greg Maddux, Joe Morgan, John Schuerholz, Ozzie Smith and Joe Torre; major league executives Al Avila (Tigers), Paul Beeston (Blue Jays), Andy MacPhail (Phillies) and Jerry Reinsdorf (White Sox); and veteran media members/historians Steve Hirdt, Tim Kurkjian and Claire Smith.”
Well, Reinsdorf is the key guy. WhiteSox owner. And, Baines played a coupla years when LaRussa managed the ‘roidin’ A’s. No wonder Baines got in. Total inside job…
Thoughts? OK, here are some of mine.
Last year we had a pitching staff that had problems going 5 innings, so if they start those guys in the 1st inning or the 3rd, I don’t care. Because of their stats, the Starting staff might care, but I don’t.
Until Zaidi proves he can win, he is just Ned Colletti to me. I hope Zaidi proves me wrong, and I hope he proves it this year.
Could Zaidi’s lack of moves this winter be because he doesn’t think we need as many parts to be competitive as others think? I’m leaning that way. I keep thinking that moves for an OFer, SP and Catcher will go a long way for a winning season.
As usual, before the start of every season, I think we will be in it all the way. Can’t help it, that’s just how I’m wired.
Have a safe and sane holiday y’all.
Same to you, Clown. I suspect it’s because Zaidi is experienced enough such that he doesn’t want to make a foolish or rash move just to show he DID SOMETHING. As an analyticalist, he’s more calculating than that. But, boy, is this team lackluster as it now stands.
I’m for using openers. It’s worth a try. And it’s potentially revolutionary. MLB.com (AtBat) had a terrific piece on it, going back to the 1904 (I think) World Series and other previous uses of it. (Hasn’t Brian Kenny called for it for a couple years?) Plus, we get to hear Sergio Romo as a verb! In the AtBat app article, I recall something like: “…and they’re going to Sergio Romo it …” Merry Nativity Anniversary (MNA), girls.
I’m hardly a traditionalist in most senses, but I don’t like the opener thing. I think any team that goes for the opener concept is a team that couldn’t find 5 good starters. Unfortunately, right now, our SF Giants certainly seem to fit the bill. As for the Mighty Z and no major moves yet, I’m thinkin’ he has a plan. Did I say that before? Yes I did. It’s my mantra this off-season. Z has a plan. “Z plan! Z plan!” …. If so, his moves are more likely to be made in clumps rather than solo moves here or there, as he gets the pieces to fit together as he wants. But I’m almost never right about these things. Hey it’s Christmas morning in Vietnam, happy times to all Flappers around the world…
I’m still diggin’ your POTD, thanks for that.
To Flappers everywhere.