Busted
Posey is retiring, something I suggested could happen earlier this year. So mentally I was prepared for this. I have mixed feelings about it. But I’m headed to Del Mar today and it’s no time for mixed feelings. We can chop this up all winter. For now let me leave you with probably the coolest thing you’ll see today. Dude does this for 10K in tuition money…..
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Something we haven’t mentioned yet is what does Posey riding off into sunset mean re: Belt. Increase chances they offer him a QO? Work something out for 2 years, or let him walk? Would Belt take the QO or take his chances as FA in order to get longer term deal? Even if he only plays 100 games he’s been very good hitter, with power last 2 seasons and fine defensively.
While I’m not a fan of platooney ball, you have to admit it worked pretty dang well last year and I think that’s how they plan to roll this year for 2b and OF at least. Flores and Ruf filled in admirably as Belt’s replacements at 1b. The OF rotation of Wade Duggar Slater Yaz was definitely productive. Ruf is solid DH guy and minus he and Dickerson OF defense is much improved.
FA market for OF is not very good beyond Marte and Bryant.
Posey and C is one thing but I can’t see SF making lot of changes to a team that won 107 games and battled Dodgers to the wire.
Keith Law ranked FAs on Athletic good article. Said something interesting about Bryant that he thought going forward he would add more as an IF at 1b/3b than OF.
That is bad ass. Good on that kid. 10K for tuition…fuck yeah.
I remember you saying something about a potential Buster retirement Flav, but I truly was shocked, and sad as fuck. I am very happy for Buster and his family as he can now focus on being a full-time dad to his four daughters.
RE: WillieD’s wondering if Buster’s retirement will impact what they do with Belt, I am unsure. Z had said a few weeks ago via an article in The Athletic that they were evaluating whether to go QO or a multi-year deal. He did say Belt was a definite priority. If they offer the QO and Belt walks, the Giants will get draft compensation.
I more wonder if this will have effect on their conversations with Bryant. Prior to the Posey news, Z had said they will engage Bor-ASS, but it was not like Bryant was a high priority. Again, wonder if that changes at all with Buster’s retirement.
Only 105 days until pitchers and catchers report *
* CBA could throw a wrench in this….
Belt with his long history of injuries will drive off a lot of suitors cause of that especially the NL with the DH not in place yet.Giants never seem to let that bother them with Longo,Posey,Mr.Ed,Barrels,Yaz,Ruf,etc missing significant time.Belt only knows the Giants and like Posey will just stay are retire a Giant. So yes I think the Giants offer him the QO and he would be a fool to pass on it,what’s it at 18? mil and then a 2nd year option at 15 to end up at 2/33..
I think they still go after Dodger Chris Taylor who can play everywhere and just the type of player Z/H covet for the lower price since it almost seems obvious he there kicking Bryant to the curb sadly in my book,Why not 2 versatile players in the outfield are infield scenario? U just saved an additional 22 mil off the Books with Gerald Dempsey “Buster” Posey retiring , money is not an issue anymore there better off then many teams are with only
LaStella,Crawford,Longoria,and McGee I believe all locked in at around 40 mil total right now.Work the Z/H magic on the SP staff first with your 60 pitchers coming into camp to pick and choose from, but if they see a F/A pitcher they fall in love with, don’t be hesitant to pounce same with another bat..
Well we don’t have many of these guys signed to anything so I think there will be a lot of changes.
Unless they bring them back, except for Solano and Dickerson…SPs might all return too except for Cueto.
Shit, I don’t want Gasman. I think he was a mirage/spider tack guy. He couldn’t get past the 5th inning after the break.
Go get em at Del Mar, Flavor!
Video up top is awesome.
And finally, happy 28th birthday to……
THE GRAVE DUGGAR!!!
Happy Birthday Take 3!!
Snarkk made excellent point last night about catchers rarely being counted on to lead the offense.
It’s about calling games, framing pitches, and blocking balls.
Fix the damn outfield!
Castellano
opted out of Reds contract. Was signed at 4 yes $64 mil. Power hitter/terrible fielder wherever you play him. 34/100 rbis last season.
Next year’s Dick.
Always have liked Castellano he can flat out rake. Doubles and Bombs machine.Fielding meh, but the bat would more then makeup his defense.The good thing the Giants success story this last year will bring more players into play imo, that would of not happened in past years when they couldn’t compete..
With Buster gone, the need for increased and more consistent/dependable OF production becomes even more acute than had he stayed. Duggar/Slater/Dickerson continuing as major OF cogs from an offensive POV is unacceptable…
That’s why i think we should go in on Marte. He’s worlds better than anything we currently have. Yaz man, it looks like the book is out on him. I don’t see him being nearly as successful as this year.
Yep, Yaz just couldn’t lay off the steady diet of high stuff for the last half of the season.
High in the zone is his kryptonite.
Mistakes down low, he handled…
Next years Dick?
Put down the crack pipe Unca they’re no comparison between Castellanos and Dickless.
He’s a proven durable player unlike a washed up Dickerson.Just compare the stats of a real player to a bench only player that’s older and slower by 3 years and a total liability in the field..
Oh, he’ll break down once he gets here.
Giants last season scored 2nd most runs in NL, hit most HRs and led in slugging and OPS. Slater and Duggar combined for 20 HRs and 26 doubles while playing above average CF, another spot where teams will sacrifice offense for D.
Yaz was second on team for doubles and bombs , 28 and 25 respectively. His OPS was about same as Wilmet but in 80 more ABs he had 20 more XBHs.
I’m with Kat a guy like Castellanos will add a lot to OF and he’s 3 years younger than Marte who I think had contract year one off 2021. Giants OF last season btw according to B/R was good for 4th overall in NL, so I don’t understand why you’d replace everyone.. Replace Dick with one good stick (and I’d take Bryant who is also 3 years younger than Marte) and a full season of Wade, and they can run that success back.
Yeah Flav, I also thought there was a chance Posey would just opt out. I know walking away from $20+ mil to be with the fam is his main consideration, but I gotta think that to continue being able to walk, was also a huge part of that equation. I imagine he feels every one of those twelve years when he gets up in the morning.
Castellano is one of the top hitter in the NL, he’s gonna get paid. Dickerson was just always some shitty dumpster dive who caught lightening in the bottle for a while. You cannot compare the two.
Why offer Belt a QO??? They should offer him a one year deal for $10 mill. No one in baseball is offering him a multi-year deal. If they give him a QO that would discourage anyone else signing him them not wanting to give up draft picks just to sign an often-hurt field first bat second typically first baseman.
Staying pat one more year also rids us of Longoria’s contract and then we go big 2024 and see if another pitcher in our system can emerge with Webb. Add in Ramos who should start next year and maybe Luciano ready in 2024.
I actually going to offer a hot take that I think Farhan may zig when we all thought he would zag after the Posey announcement. With Joey Bart getting put into the hot seat, Farhan’s cold water on the idea of signing Bryant, my nerves about Gausman long term and him likely getting a multi-year deal for at least $80 mill, not a deep OF free agency, us giving Crawford a two-year deal likely staying out of the market for all these SS free agents, I think Farhan is going to stay pat and avoid signing any more than one year free agent. I will agree with Fav’s usual description of dumpster diving and see is getting 2-3 potential one year pitching prospects and fill in with platoons at 1b and every OF position.
Andrew Chafin is now a F/A after declining the A’s option.
Solid LHP who just doesn’t give up hits in his career.Last year lefties hit a ridiculous.170avg RHP not much better at .190 I was hoping the Giants would of made a play on him at the deadline, but settled for Watson.
If nothing else he’s the Lefthand version of Rod Beck with a killer walrus mustache!
The guys Giants currently have in OF not counting Bryant are very inexpensive and were part of their success. Castellanos Marte (and Bryant) are $20mil per year guys and Chris Taylor only slightly less expensive. I don’t see how Giants could sign more than one “fix” the OF FA, dump the low cost guys they have (beside Dickerson), and still have $$ to spend on SPs, who are more important priority.
Oh yeah, congrats to the Panda for getting his 4th ring.
According to Baggs in Athletic, Z says it’s all about Bart as #1 C and Giants will extend contract offer to Casali. as primary back up similar to last year I guess. Also they will look to add depth, sign that minor league guys still ways away.
Z said pitchers (see how many of SPs return) loved throwing to Casali and by all reports he and Posey worked great together. Giants record with Casali behind plate as backup was really good iirc.
Bart must be ready, that is good news. Posey’s retirement conference was great. I hope he does stay connected with the organization and hopefully after some time away he comes back as a coach/ hitting instructor.
Maybe an ambassador for the team since he probably doesn’t want to stay away from Georgia for any real length of time.
mm just a class act all the way and played the game right way. Once he got health back had fine season. No bat flip celebration nonsense, other than Buster hugs.
Dat dere sums it up nicely.
Nice.
Willie, I don’t see the OF F-Troop platoon doing near as good as this year. Yaz is already on a downward trajectory, and Slater/Duggar/Ruf/aren’t anything to build on. Hunter Bishop is getting rave reviews in the AFL. His brother? Who knows? One of them needs to show up and do more than be a part-timer.
Even still though,he is at best a 2023 guy. This looks to be another stop-gap year. At least for the position players. I think they stock up on pitching this offseason and let the chips fall where they may with Jaylin, Wade, and Yaz.
Fuck. They prolly will bring back the GraveSlaterDuggar OF. *sigh*
Fair enough, though I do think they grab 1 more bat, even if he’s not much of a fielder. To use horse racing analogy, lot of the OF guys faded in stretch, including Wade. Maybe that’s just due to shortened season 2020 and if there is normal ST they can be better prepared.
Like to see Ramos get real look; Braden Bishop (older bro I think) had good season at Sac too. Really hope Belt comes back but if he doesn’t another guy that hit well at Sac was 1b McCarthy. Like Vosler he didn’t do much in brief looks at MLB, but maybe there’s something there beyond AAAA hitter.
Posey surely was the definition of class even from the very beginning of his career he earned the respect of veteran players with just his calm demeanor and take charge approach but handling every pitcher differently since each one is a different head case.
He talked about his 3 biggest things in life..Faith,Family&Friends which was quite inspiring and always deflected credit and honors to others instead of himself, just saying I was blessed first by being drafted by the Giants with a 1st rate Org,from management to Coaches and of course Bochy who my long journey began with.Also telling was his shout out to the trainers/ rehabs personnel, who said, without their tireless work I’ve might of truly been threw 5 years ago with my physical ailments.Yes definitely his pain from his ankle,hip,injuries along playing the most demanding position in baseball took its toll, but after taking last years covid season off and being around his wife and 4 kids for the 9 months Feb-Oct he normally wouldn’t see them was the deciding factor, that and going out and proving to himself the past few years were hard and I’m going to lay it all on the line and go out on top!
Next stop HOF in Canton even if some don’t think his stats’s are longevity are long enough,I believe they are and the most important vote is the writers who all thinks he’s 1st class and will easily vote him in!
Although the HOF voting now is a joke, in 5 years a little perspective IMO will go to push up Buster’s chances. His offensive stats aren’t overwhelming, even in the face of other HOF catchers, not just regular players. But, he’s got the trophys, team and individual. Plus, if you ask who are the catcher standouts during the 2010-2020 period? It’s Molina and Buster, seems to me. Those two are at top of the list. They define the position in that period. So, both should go in. I think Molina will get the thumbs up in his first year eligible due to his durability, long vintage and offensive stats. Buster — my guess is the writers will force him to wait a year or two, because of his lower level offensive stats. But, eventually they’ll vote him in after a couple of years. That’s how they roll…
Of course the reason he dropped to 5th in the draft was he demanded a $6 million guaranteed signing bonus.
Still doesn’t make sense Kent is not in HOF.
His offensive stats kick butt on all but a few of existing HOF 2bmen
He’s got 457 and 343 more RBIs than Sandberg and Biggio, respectively. That’s no typo.
The only two 2bmen HOFers with more RBIs than Kent are Nap Lajoie and Rogers Hornsby.
Kent has more HRs than any 2bman in the HOF…
I still think it’s a major plus if a catcher can hit, look how Posey fired the whole team up in ’10’. It was fun watching the highlights of Posey’s career yesterday. I especially liked Cain’s PG, I get shivers every time I see that.
Have fun Flav. Nice to see best of East Coast riders here, even for some of the early races on card, plus local Cal guys. Dang, Baffert goes 1-2 in opener…hope that’s not a trend.
Article about Aaron Rogers.
I’m embarrassed now he went to Cal.
What an absolute lying, self-deluded moron…
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/11/05/aaron-rodgers-coronavirus-vaccines/
QAaron.
saw story on yahoo. First words out of his mouth are “woke” and “cancel culture” so you know where this is going. It’s so sad politics get in the way of public safety.
Procedure he underwent is not a vaccine, which apparently he hid from team and teammates in locker room all along. yikes it’s a condition of his job and workplace so he can take his body and his choice and work somewhere else.
I hope the Packers act on this stuff but I doubt they do. Maybe he’s just happy making commercials with Jake from State Farm.
Buster is a shoo-in to the HoF. Maybe not first ballot as the writers are fucking idiots that have some sort of arcane hidden formula to vote people in (see Mays, Aaron, McCovey, etc).
Harold fucking Baines? Come on, man.
They’re retiring Thrill’s #22 next season.
Not Jack’s #22.
Wonder who’s next?
Giants are a little peculiar about that.
They haven’t given out Tim’s 55 or Bum’s 40 yet.
Last guy to wear 28 before Buster?
Don’t even try.
Travis Denker…
Mike Smith gets another W in Breeders Cup from outside post position #12 in 9th.
At age 56. impressive
I wonder how good the Kings’ rookie Davion Mitchell can get. He’s very intriguing. He’s smallish for the NBA, at 6 feet tall, but he’s incredibly tough. He has Draymond Green type of competitive fire. He and Holmes bring ferocious desire to win to the Kings.
Kings are currently 4-4. The Western Conference is tough.
Halliburton continues to progress. Fox is a good NBA point guard.
Bagley has completely fallen off the planet. I guess the Kings are declaring him a bust. He’s a free agent at the end of this season.
Kings get 41 in the 1st. Quarter!
The Hornets play pretty awful defense.
The 3 point shot has become almost too easy.
Everyone takes em and makes em now.
I “blame” Curry, who I consider the most influential player since Dr. J as far as changing how the game is played.
It went from normal to above the rim to 30 feet from the rim…
agreed. suburban 6th grade kids are all over it. First thing they do when they walk in the gym–grab ball out of backpack and start launching 3s. They can’t make free throws consistently from 15, but not interested in that shot. It’s all about the handle and the 3.
Loo, per your earlier post… I don’t know anything about this, do the Giants have a *policy* for retiring players’ numbers? I mean… why retire someone’s number when they’re dead or haven’t been playing for 20 or 30 years? Why did Will need to wait this long? Do they think that a long wait makes it more legitimate? IMO, might as well retire the numbers for Buster, MadBum, and Timmy now. Let their contemporary fans revel in that. Did they even retire Bonds’ number yet? What are they waiting for, confirmation that he never used steroids? Just don’t really understand the thinking.
No policy that I know of Paul, but they seem a little more devoted to their history since leaving the Stick.
Many of the retired numbers were given out to just anybody before they were eventually retired.
This is good for a few chuckles:
https://www.baseball-almanac.com/teams/baseball_uniform_numbers.php?t=SFN
At least they don’t over-do it like the Yankees.
Conservatively, half a dozen are very debatable…
https://www.yankeenumbers.com/retired.asp
No many hockey fans here, but this Connor McDavid is playing in a different universe than everyone else…