Flag Day!
Who can forget the old axiom “if you’re at .500 or better on Flag Day, you got a chance.” Well, we are not .500 on Flag Day. But we have a chance to be if we handle the Angels tonight, a truly terrible team. Why not right? Let’s get to .500 on Flag Day!
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
angels dropped 2 of 3 to DBax including 11-1 L last night. Joc had a grand slam in late inning started by Strickland who failed to retire any of 3 batters he faced.
Reading through comments by Braves GM he says he hears from other organizations that offense is down all around. Yesterday in 11 games the team that scored 4 or less won 6 of them, and 4 of those were by team that scored only 3.
RCs won again in Reno 8-5. Matos (CF) had 2 more doubles, Villar (3b) another HR, McCray (RF) hit his first HR. No Luciano or Ahmed. Bishop 1-4 w double DH hitting .302 .870 OPS. Cats now 42-24 in PCL.
Tim Kawakami in TA on why Giants have best opportunity right now to get Trout and should do it. Here’s quote:
“This is when the Giants should press hard to get Trout to Oracle Park, wait for him to get healthy, plop him into the middle of their lineup either as the full time DH or part time DH/part time corner OF and hope for the best. This is important too: The Giants as currently set up, wouldn’t be destroyed if Trout never puts up another Trout season. They sure would want it, but half-a-Trout for the next four or five years wouldn’t be awful. And if they get the full Trout for a season or two? That’d be pretty special. “
To his credit, Moreno won’t do that. He loves Trout and he respects Angels fans. By 2027, there is a far greater chance that Zaidi is the Angels GM than Trout is a Giant.
Yeah, Moreno’s stunning success is awe inspiring.
He has been criticized for targeting mega-contracts that quickly became problematic — particularly those of Vernon Wells, Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton and Anthony Rendon, the latter three of which came with the loss of draft picks — and then declining to exceed the luxury tax threshold in an effort to make up for it. He has been criticized for not paying enough attention to the infrastructure that helps organizations develop talent through minor league systems, part of the reason the Angels’ farm system has ranked within the bottom eight in the industry by Baseball America seven out of the past 10 years. And he has been criticized for continually cutting costs in many of the behind-the-scenes aspects that would help maximize expensive rosters, from analytics to training resources to staffing hires — an approach one former pitcher described as “buying a McLaren and taking it to Jiffy Lube.— ESPN writer Alden Gonzlez
He’s running the Angels the way Flappers and callers to Sportsphone 680 want the Giants to be run.
At least he’s not a cynical bastard.
What? Yeah, we want MORE asinine contracts like Longo and Smargjerlkjghliglirfgsa and a front office that pays no attention to the farm system.
I quit quaaludes a long time ago. What’s your excuse?
“Fans of a .500 team overreact to every win and loss. A good team, you know you can’t win them all; a 100-loss team, you get used to it. A .500 team, emotionally you’re as good as the last 24 hours.” Bill James Tweet, 5/27/24True, but that’s why baseball’s regular season, especially this time of year is SO much better than the two “winter” sports that are wrapping up this week. That Flag Day axiom is no doubt from when the postseason was the World Series and winning the pennant was the reason for the season.
For me, it doesn’t get much better than Wednesday, wouldn’t trade it for a World Series win in early November. A splendid afternoon in the Bay Area, I’ve got six more hours of daylight left to jump in the pool, maybe have a cocktail with a friend, see if I can beat the current champ on Jeopardy, then eat dinner, watch a movie, read, argue with Bill James on twitter (he blocked my primary account for mocking his question about who would be a better president in 2024. “That’s like asking who would be a better Yankees first baseman in 1924, Hal Chase or Wally Pipp.), do Wordle.
After that game Wednesday, Kerry Crowley was anxious about the future. A man his age probably should be, but not about the Giants. Slater is a better leadoff hitter than Matos, they need someone who can take a base until LMWJr returns. Ramos is likely to get a few ROY votes, maybe make the All-Star team. Webb is webbing. Harrison is meeting lofty expectations. Wisely is sparking. Chapman is Brooksing. The bullpen is solid. With Cobb and Ray, there are a couple of mid-season “trade acquisitions” baked into the cake. The third wild card slot WOULD BE something to celebrate, and is definitely in play.
Hopefully you found time to take a nice dump…
IJNIPCOTD
The Angels’ starter, Tyler Anderson, is having a very good year, similar to his completely annoying run with the Dodgers. One of the RH bats needs to knock one out. A couple of bombs would be nice.
I read that Kawakami article, too, and what bugged me about it is that he acknowledged that Trout hasn’t had a healthy season since 2019, and then he criticized the Angels management for frittering away the opportunity of pairing him with Ohtani. I haven’t followed the Angels’ maneuvering, but I do know Rendon flopped for them against all expectations. Anyway, even if the Angels did make a bunch of irrational moves, the seeming contradiction should have gotten at least a few words of explanation.
Also no mention anywhere of whom Giants might have to give up in order to complete such trade. I doubt Slater (or Conforto) Ahmed and Jackson or prospects like Fitz and Villar would quite do it. Sounds like something one of Marty Lurie’s callers would dream up.
If the Angels were owned by a corporation or were a cash strapped team like the A’s:
Soler, Estrada, Matos, Villar, Reggie Crawford
Oy Yogi, I think whatever Angels fans that do exist would cringe over return package like that. And for receiving team, after this season Trout is still owed $213 million.
Frittered away? The only reason they haven’t played together is because Trout has been hurt all the time.
Trout’s 32. He’s been hurt for 5 years.
Soler = Trout without the injuries. Might as well keep what we have.
Can’t find the Athletic article.
June 10.
The Giants aren’t getting Trout. People have to write shit cause there’s so much space to fill now…
“[Tyler] Rogers leads the major leagues with 35 appearances. He’s issued just one walk all season. And it was intentional.” Baggarly today.
35 consecutive appearances with no unintentional BBs is a mlb record.
That was so cool Baggs had clip with Rogers inducing soft contact from Yordan Alvarez that wound up being comebacker he turned into DP. Same guy who absolutely crushed 2 pitches off Logan Webb earlier in day. Another example of what Rogers does so often.
Perfect time to trade him?
or keep him for ten more years and launch the legend.
As long as he changes his first name to ‘Much-Maligned’.
Dude’s numbers are pretty damn solid.
His inherited runners scored number is still 3.
Ahmed back from IL, Schmitt to Sac. Luciano also off IL and sent to Sac.
I was looking forward to seeing Wisely at short tonight, but Ahmed is back and he has two bombs against Anderson.
4 out of the last 5 years Trout has gotten hurt and missed significant time. He’s 32, he’s not getting any more durable. In fact it’ll probably get worse for him for the rest of his career. Kawakami is a tool
lulz. Seemed to be general sentiment in comments section of TA. dunno why he decided to put this out there.
no one reads Kawakami until he publishes something absurd. The headlines are all I need. He’s terrible.
Does Mark Purdy still write for the Mercury? I disliked his takes almost always.
Purdy left the Merc back in June of 2017. No clue what he’s done or is doing since…
Tyler Rodgers stats shocked me considering every time he comes in a lot of us would grimace ,but Damm 100 holds now that’s some serious great work,and 1 walk for the season which was intentional I had no idea 🤷♂️ he was that effective?
Can’t believe he only makes 3.2 mil after only 1.6 mil last year,and as often as he pitches with that rubber arm it’s a real steal of a contract for the Giants! ( while his brother Taylor makes 11mil and should be buying all the Thanksgiving stuff and extra Christmas presents)last year as much as he pitches (and I believe leads the league in appearances with that rubber arm)
I’m bummed about Ahmed likely taking Wisely’s spot tonight, but I’m also one of about 3 fans in the world who likes platoons. A few weeks ago, Bill Laskey interviewed Roger McDowell, the one time Mets reliever (I was driving, too lazy to change the entertainment.) On the topic of the 86 Mets, who won 108 games, McDowell pointed out that they were a team that relied heavily on platoons, although it probably wasn’t a conscious front office strategy:
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYM/1986.shtml
Even though everyone wants to dismiss the 21 Giants, 5 to 10 years from now I wouldn’t bet against more teams looking like them and the 86 Mets. Had SF gone to the series and won like the Mets did, it would have hastened a trend.
well given the OFs they had platoons and constant PHs were inevitable. Duggar? Tauchman? Dickerson? Slater? Yaz? Wade? Ruf? But the IF was pretty stable
Platoons were more viable with 10-11 man pitching staffs.
@Paul
after some googling I found the name of the place where the Monk tribute trio used to play. Simple Pleasure’s Cafe 3434 Balboa looks like it’s btw 35th and 36th Avenue SF. My friend drove me by there one afternoon but we never visited. Still open.
Speaking of the ’86 Mets, I read recently that for many years Charlie Sheen owned the ball that went under Buckner’s glove. But he eventually sold it. I guess he needed the money for some reason.
Nice job by the Rangers to win two from the Dodgers. The Rangers bullpen came up big in some big moments.
Thairo 2-23 since he homered in 9-3 W over DBax, 1-19. Last time he walked in a game–May 23 @Pit. Since then, 62 ABs 13 hits. Current OB .265, lowest in 4 years since he got into at least 50 games. Wonder if Wisely could give him a rest over there w Ahmed at SS.
Be interesting to see where Luciano Fitz and others (Sabol Matos McCray Villar) play w RCs.
If Luciano continues to work at 2B we’ll need some info about his D.
Looks like Luciano at SS tonight for sac.
Fun facts: Indy Fever home game attendance last night was about 16,000.
Taurasi and Griner’s Phoenix team was hosting the defending champs Las Vegas Aces, meaning half of the Olympic team roster was on the court. Attendance was about 9,000.
Nothing funny about it. No wonder the vets took their off season chances in Russia where the money was good.
The WNBA has an in-season tournament going on. Who cares? Who cared about the NBA in-season tournament? The Lakers won it. I’m sure it’s a big lasting memory for them.
Willie, thanks, I remember Simple Pleasures Cafe, was just up the street from me. Sometimes wandered up there to do laundry, have a good VNmese lunch, and catch an afternoon flick at the old Balboa. I’ll bet that neighborhood hasn’t changed.
If I remember right, Pillar had some good games at Pac Bell when he played for us. Hope Howard keeps his bat silent tonight.
I like this Apple TV widget that syncs in the local radio broadcast. Native American Heritage Night, so mesmerizing live indigenous drums preceded the anthem.
Heliot and Slater, two aggressive guys, seem to communicate pretty well out there.
Giants have to take at least 2 of 3 against the Angels. Nothing less.
Angels are absolute garbage…
Mets cool off Pads, 2-1.
No internet TV for me, so I’m watching Royals/Dodgers. Sal Perez just hit a 3-run HR way up in the leftfield bleachers.
We’ll always remember Bum getting Perez to pop up for the last out in the ’14 World Series.
With that runner on third base.
More bad D costs Gyros a run…
Slaterror.
Ahmed should’ve spent more time in Sac. And Moe Howard is pissing me off.
Who needs Trout when they have this sub-.200 guy.
There’s a lot of bore core in the Giants lineup tonight.
This would liven things up, like it has a chance…
Trade Proposal Sends Giants Pete Alonso & Gold Glove Outfielder in 3-Player Swap (msn.com)
Geez Howard knocked out 7 hits 4 runs,, walks&bad defense doomed him in.2 1/3 innings lots of bullpen use tonight..
The scrub pitcher was finally due for a stinker.
Nice job by Rodriguez coming in with baseloaded and not letting them score again.4-0 Halos still plenty of game left..
I didn’t watch any of the NBA game; the score doesn’t surprise me. The Celtics will likely win the series, but they’re not a great team.
Royals pitcher gives up HRs to Rojas and Taylor, two scrubinis in the lineup.
Click.
Touchdown…
Rotten apple…
Guess it’s a good night not to be able to see the game. Whoever is working with Flemming is fucking horrible. Almost sounds like that idiot FP Santangelo. Please say it ain’t so.
Yeah, not sure who that was
It’s fp. Everyone else took the Apple night off. Including the hitters. .
Ballgame this game got ugly fast 7-0!!
Halos ripping every pitch HARD!!! Make that 8-0
Think I’ll finish this drink and go to bed, this sucks in so many ways.
Yeah Loo, started hearing rumors about Alonso, was wondering what you thought of him. Without Wade’s bat and fielding, 1B looks pretty weak at the moment. I guess if they got Alonso, Wade could play OF (trade Conforto, etc.), whatever, nothing will probably happen but I wouldn’t mind seeing a good trade.
Hits 40 bombs in his sleep and much improved in the field. Could be feeling the pressure in his walk year. Bit of a goofball with a stupid haircut and could stand to be in better shape as he approaches 30. I’d take him…
Que bueno Heliot!
Just got home and game suddenly got interesting.
Ramos Fizz with 3 run HR dead center,Yaz earlier double off the wall as they put up a 5 spot to make it 8-6..