Wild Card or Bust
Four in a row. Six more to get us into contention. Come on, why not? We all know Zaidi doesn’t have the first clue how to trade with the big boys. Let’s just roll with our guys and see what happens.
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A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Seeing Arozarena go for mid-level guys was yet another drag. Is Farhan’s phone charged?
he’s a 1 trick pony. He’s great at moving pieces around that don’t matter.
WTF goes on down there???
https://nypost.com/2024/07/29/sports/former-mlb-pitcher-reyes-moronta-dead-at-31/
And another former Giant pitcher, Doug Creek just died of cancer at 55…
Yeah, that’s really sad
We got Oaktown, Cincy, Washington, and Deetroit these next 12 games. After 4 with Atlanta, we got Oak and the White Sox for 5 more.
If there was a time to get back into it, it is now.
Pavlovic says Snell will opt out for sure, unless he gets hurt. When he opts out, the Giants get no compensation whatever. The chances WITH him on the team of Giants going post season now are very long, a minor miracle. IMO it is insane to NOT trade him …
Farhan. The king of cash consideration trades. He isn’t going to do a thing
The Tampa Bay Rays are running a clinic on how to sell. And bless their money-saving, prospect-loving hearts, they aren’t done yet. The scoreboard through Tampa Bay’s latest stunner, the Issac Paredes trade to the Chicago Cubs on Sunday:
Six deals (Paredes, Jason Adam and Zach Eflin; Randy Arozarena, Phil Maton and Aaron Civale).
Savings of approximately $12 million in 2024, additional millions in seven future years of arbitration and Eflin’s $18 million salary for 2025.
Fourteen prospects added, including two players to be named. Nine of those players entered the team’s top 30 according to MLBPipeline.com, between Nos. 5 and 29. Meanwhile, Zaidi twiddles his fingers . . . pfffttt!
The Phills paid through the nose to get a new closer, Estevez who is 31 and on an expiring contract, from the Angels. For the 2 1/2 month rental + playoffs, it cost them their #5 and #7 rated prospects on the farm…
By the way, this is how inept the Rockies are . . . When the Giants visited Coors a week or so ago, Kyle Harrison was the first visiting pitcher ever to have 2 scoreless starts of 5.0+ innings at Coors in the same season. Remember, the Rockies first started playing in this stadium in 1995 when they were added as an expansion team, so it took almost 30 years for a pitcher to accomplish what Harrison just did.
My point is don’t make too much hay about what the Giants accomplished against them at home. This is one of the worst, if not worst team the Colorado Rockies have ever fielded.
Exactly, blade.
The Rocks are 14-40 on the road. Yes, THAT bad. A horrendously bad .259 road winning percentage. It’s fools gold to think sweeping them at Oracle is some sort of watershed turnaround generating a playoff run…
Fitzgerald’s rise as a player is probably overblown, he’s not going to hit like Babe Ruth or Bonds forever. But, is it a coincidence that he’s hitting and fielding like a real potential long-term answer at shortstop after the Giants dumped Ahmed and stopped jacking Fitz around as a multi-position utility player? No, it’s not a coincidence. For 100+ years of pro ball, Players have done better when they know where and when they are playing, and play and practice that position consistently. What a concept…
Agree about Fitz. Even if he doesn’t stick at shortstop, he is a quality outfielder (particularly center, albeit, Lee probably has that position when he returns). He bopped 24 home runs across three levels last year, and stole 34 bases in just 37 attempts. And he had the sixth-fastest sprint speed in all of the Majors in 2023, trailing only Elly De La Cruz, Bobby Witt Jr., Bubba Thompson, Dairon Blanco, and Trea Turner. Nice!
If I recall correctly, Zaidi once said, “. . . Fitzgerald could be our team’s Chris Taylor.” That being said, again, I agree with snarrk – saying that he shouldn’t be jacked around multiple positions, particularly next season. Melvin and Zaidi need to tell him in the off season, you are our shortstop.
His speed alone is worth something on this snail slow team.
Meanwhile, they are reporting Brock Purdy threw 3 interceptions in practice this morning. Is there any less useful information on the Niners than that?…
So much hand-wringing was about the possibility of trading Slater. Then, he was gone.
He’s 2 for 18 for the Reds in 8 games, with OPS of .302. Is he hurt? I can’t find anything on him.
Is any SF fan missing Slater? Slater who? …
What happens to Luciano?
Seattle is really bulkying up. They just got Turner from (who else) the Yard Sale Rays.
Ooops/ BJs, not the Rays
yeah, well our dumpster dives rarely prosper for anyone else. Nick Ahmed’s HR against us notwithstanding. Pillar has been OK I guess.
Well, when the schedule gives you lemons, we’d better be making Vodka Tonics.
If we could only get Vladdy Jr. . . .
I really enjoy reading this blog, wish I had something original to say but I don’t.
You just did…
Flav, I agree with you, when a team has a chance, I say you have to go for it. And yeah Unca, Vlad Jr would fill the bill nicely.
We will make a few fringe trades. They are not getting value for Snell so keep him. Fans are showing up again. Stay competitive and see what happens.
That’s the damn rub. With Webb, Ray, and Snell, and even Birdsong/Harry (Cobb???), this team could go far in the playoffs.
Soler heating up a bit, making more contact.
It would be nice if he would go up the middle or sit back and hit some to the opposite field. He hits the ball hard, he’d get some hits that way instead of pulling everything — lots of his rockets get gobbled up by the left side of the infield. Saw him hit a single to RF the other day — he should do more of it…
Interesting Poll of fans at McCovey Chronicles . . .
PollForget what you think the Giants will do. What do you *want* them to do at the trade deadline?
334 votes total
Getting MLB updates on my phone and all these deals there’s never “Giants acquire . . . .”
SEVEN deals crossed my phone. None Giants.
I guess do nothing is the ticket.
Scutaro only happens once…
Luciano sunday was 2-4 homered drove in 2. Playing 2b. per MCC over last 18 games 20-71 with 6 HRs, equal amount of walks and Ks (18).
Soler and Jackson to Braves? Haven’t seen who G’s get in return. Wondering if maybe they’re thinking of letting Luciano DH for a bit…
Talk about 2 disappointments…really surprised to see this. (smiley face goes here)
think you are right Paul if nothing else Luciano could DH. Makes it so much easier to slide any hitter in there.
Two disappointments, but Soler’s career long patterns are what Atlanta is looking at. They certainly benefited in 2021. Jackson hit 97 the other day to go with the big breaking pitches. Zaidi has cleared all the big contracts for any potential successor.
And to be fair, Soler has had couple decent months, and great weekend vs. Rox.
.845 OPS in June, .877 in July. Only 3 HRs in each but high OB (.360+) and near .500 slugging.
Braves apparently plan to play him as corner OF as they already have M Ozuna.
Odds are pretty good this is bullshit. Passan is reporting Soler and Luke Jackson got traded to the Braves.
Even if true, it doesn’t mean the Giants are selling. Luciano might be the bat they’re looking for, he could take over at DH. Luke Jackson opens the slot for Birdsong when his 15 day timeout is over.
With 54 games left, I can’t understand why fans would want to trade Snell for prospects, or the callers and hosts who insist the Giants wouldn’t get far even if they do make the playoffs. They were always playing for a WC slot and this iteration of the ‘24 Giants is the best yet.
Confirmed yogi. Return is Tyler Matzek LH pen guy who has been hurt and High A IF Sabin Ceballos from PR who will be 22 next month.
Ceballos #14 in Braves system per F/G, 3rd round pick 2023.
Sounds like a cash dump.
Wonder how much money the Giants had to kick in, if any. That’s about $37 million net
None. Braves taking on both remaining years of Soler’s contract at $13 mil each.
His salary is $16 mil per year in ‘25 and “26, plus a third of $10 mil this year. Maybe there’s a signing bonus that factors in.
Salary dump. I’m happy to be rid of Jackson, and Soler, who is a risk if he doesn’t hit better. A little bummed because I have liked Soler, and thought he would be our 1st 30+ homer guy since Barry! At least it will save me the embarrassment of predicting a walk off hit for him that never came, as I did at least twice if not 3x this season:)
I like the trade Giants gave up no money( same with the Melonface contract awhile back and they get Jackson back thank god! Win Win
Soler just wasn’t cut until the last month and he’s not a leadoff hitter with 2 many wasted K’s when he wasn’t hitting the infrequent bomb..
Matzek actually has pretty good stats low hit total for innings pitched good solid ERA .I could see the Giants trading Taylor Rogers( salary maneuver )and replace him with Matzek.
Definitely opens up a door at DH for Luciano..
Great move dumping that stupid contract. Now send Mr. Ed and Taylor to the Mets and Snell to either NY team…
This trade looks like an exchange of unsuccessful pen arms and exchange of a big salary for a middle of the road infield farmhand. Upshot to me: mainly a salary dump of Soler. OK, he’s been hot lately, but essentially a bust signing for Farhan at that price. He’s fixed that by jettisoning the guy. No clue about a prospect 17th in the Braves system. If this means Luciano comes up to DH, sounds fine to me. Hope Snell is next…
Could be but there has to be more coming back than someone’s #14th best prospect in A ball and pen guy coming off TJS. Snell is top market addition to any pitching staff, including Giants.
If Z doesn’t like offers, then piss on them. I’m fine watching rotation at its fullest strength for next 2 months. whatever else happens, happens.
And also just like 2019, no one knows what offers are except those on inside.
At least they admitted their mistake with Soler and cut the cord. Jackson can’t go fast enough.
Trade Soler, get the Braves to take on the rest of his contract, and get rid of Jackson? Z scores a hat trick with that one.
Yes!
I give Farhan credit, he got rid of two of his latest major mistakes and the $ that went with them. But other than the payroll save, does the trade make the team on the field better today, or next year? Not really. Jackson, useless, goes in exchange for an unknown — a guy coming off TJ likely not available until ST next season, with all the normal questions about a guy coming off TJ. Then, the Braves 14th or 17th prospect, a pitcher — that’s as good as air, a throw in. It does open up roster spots now for a position player or DH (Luciano is the speculation), and hopefully a more serviceable pen arm. Those are unknowns, too. He needs to do more before the deadline today…
Guess it gives him the flexibility to make more questionable signings…
I get that part of it, but I did like the Soler signing, as did a few others here? It didn’t work out — I’ve never seen a worse batter with RISP — so move on from what was, yes, a bad Z contract. As for Jackson, getting the proverbial bag of balls would’ve sufficed in return.
Is Luciano that hopeless at SS? I know about the errors earlier in the year, but the DH was supposed to keep old guys who could still hit in the game – not 21 yos who can still move. Fitzgenius can play other positions…
He mostly played 2b once he went back to Sac.
Thanks, Willie…
The answer appears to be “yes”, Loo. If Luciano were still in the mix for future SS, he’d be playing there in Sac. I find it weird it took them 5 years to figure that out. He looks like a hitter, so maybe being DH is the thing. Best result — he could be the Giants version of Edgar Martinez for the next dozen years…
Sad to hear ex Giant reliever Reyes Moronta has died in a motorcycle crash over the weekend in DR at the age of 31..RIP Reyes Forever Giant 🙏
Good start in “selling” for Zaidi . . . However, if this is it between now and the trade deadline, he has fucked the pooch. Specifically, this does help the team next season insofar as clearing some payroll, but how does getting rid of Soler help the team for the playoff push this season? Remember, Soler was finally playing well the last couple of weeks . . . ergo, that’s part of the reason why the team is playing well. Please explain if you know the answer.
“Equivocation” accomplishes nothing.
Fair enough. But moving him gives others a chance to do what he could not–be functional 4-5-6 middle order bat that can drive in runs. I saw stat somewhere noting large difference btw his OPS with bases empty vs. with RISP. He was brought here to do that and hit HRs, it didn’t work out.
Just not having to watch 2 more years of that makes things more enjoyable for me.
The “credit” we’re giving Farhan for dumping Soler/Jackson salaries is something of a pyrrhic credit. Like giving my financial advisor a ton of thanks for having sold off at deep losses a couple of dogmeat stocks he chose …
I think the whole Soler insistence of being a leadoff hitter only in his mind got under Melvin’s skin ( and yes he should of taken charge of that matter)cause the Giants expected him to be a cleanup hitter are 5-6 at worst in the LU.
They have plenty of leadoff hitter candidates in Wade,Fitz,Yaz,Wisely,Estrada etc not a guy that thinks he feels comfortable leading off.
Melvin wanted to move him back in the LU, he didn’t feel that was best for him? Well guess what u were signed for to add thump in the middle of the order, it just turned out to be a frustrating sign imo..