The Giants extended their winning streak to 6 games. They are playing well in all facets of the game, bringing back memories of what many of us thought this team could be back in spring training. Key Lines:
Cody Ross- 2 for 4, HR(14). BA= .240. Is this the real Cody Ross or is the real Cody Ross they guy who stunk it up in July and August? That's a decision Brian Sabean will have to make this offseason. The truth is that the real Cody Ross is both guys. He runs hot and cold as much as anybody in baseball. He's hitting .302 over his last 10 games and .357 over his last 6. Unfortunately, and this has also been a problem for him over the years, he pulled a hammy in this one and is likely out for at least a week.
Aubrey Huff- 3 for 4, 2B. BA= .248. Huff is another guy who runs hot and cold, but sometimes for a whole year at a time either way. He's hitting .375 over his last 10 games. He's under contract for next year. The Giants probably need to plan on starting him at first to begin next season and hope the sawtooth pattern to his career continues. Is it possible his .750 OPS post-All-Star break would interest another team in a trade?
Brandon Belt- 1 for 5, HR(7). BA= .217. Belt hits his second dinger in as many days, but does not raise his Mendoza-Iike BA. Do the Giants dare pencil him in as their starting LF for next season? Here's the argument for: His Iso's are good and his BA can't get much worse and will likely get much better. His HR rate projects to 26-28 over a full season of AB's.
Brandon Crawford- 1 for 4, BB. BA= .194. Baby steps for Crawford, but this is his second game in a row getting on base more than once. I like his approach at the plate. I think a lot of his problem is mechanical and can be fixed. With his D, I wouldn't throw myself down the stairs if an austerity budget forced him to be the starting SS next year. I guess Sabes said something on KNBR that sounded like he is thinking of something else?
Chris Stewart- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(2), HBP. BA= .207. Love the way CStew plays the game, especially behind the plate. I wish he would have a few more games like this. I still think I would prefer him to Whiteside as next year's backup.
Madison Bumgarner- 2 for 4, 2B. BA= .127. The Giants pitcher helps himself at the plate for the second game in a row.
Madison Bumgarner- 7 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K's, GO/AO= 11/5. ERA= 3.21. Bum is the #3 starter, but what a heckuva #3!
Waldis Joaquin- 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 0.00. I could see Waldis being the last guy in the bullpen next year if some of the veteran relievers are getting too expensive.
Barry Zito- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. ERA= 5.51. I didn't see it, so can't comment. Good to see he made it through an inning without allowing a run.
With the Win, the Giants gained a game on the D'Backs who were shut out by the Pesky Padres 2-0. The Giants are now 6 games back and the D'Backs magic number remains at 6. The Braves were crushed by the Mets 12-2, while the Cards topped the Phillies 4-2 in extra innings. The Giants now trail the Braves by 5 games for the Wild Card and the Cards by 1.5 games.
Eric Surkamp takes the mound this evening against highly touted rookie LHP Drew Pomeranz.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
If we are to make one smaller signing I think it should be Jimmy Rollins. The guy can still hit and probably won't break the bank. Even with Posey and Sanchez coming back I don't think it will be enough. We need more offense. If Baer doesn't want to increase the budget then we definitely cannot afford anyone else even Beltran. I am just hoping that they see it as I do which 2011 was just bad luck with injuries and go all for 2012. I don't think anyone could have predicted so many would be on the DL or IR. Supposedly we are releasing more season tickets in 2012 because of the demand. Lets get that big bat we need to get us enough to help out of pitching. At least Berkman on 1-2 year deal or Beltran on 2-3 year deal. I would actually prefer Berkman because he can play 1B and OF, he is a switch hitter like Beltran, and he isn't a Boras client as far as I know. Please Baer don't hold out on us when we got a taste of the good life.
ReplyDeleteThe FA pool is so thin, a guy like Rollins is likely to get a lot more than he is worth. I agree that SS is the place to invest any FA $$$ though. It's by far the hardest position to fill. There just aren't very many players who can both field the position and hit worth a darn.
ReplyDeleteRollins will get 3/36 from the Phils with an option, no way they let a lifer go with drunken sailor Amaro there, he will outbid anybody who tries (so lets try). I love the idea - his D is sweet and his bat is still OK.
ReplyDeleteI'm resigned to the pursuit of Cuddyer. He is DeRosa 2.0, can play multiple positions and is sort of a white whale for Sabean. Don't really like the idea, as he can't play center or short, and he'll cost the first round draft pick.
Would like to the Giants sign Furcal next year as a stop-gap. He had .750 OPS with the Cards. His $12 mil option won't be picked up. He can be had for a 1-year contract, I believe. (I wanted him from the Dodgers this year instead of OCab and his .494 OPS with Giants.)
ReplyDeleteAnd the idea of picking up Coco Crisp would be a nice, fairly inexpensive way to give the Giants a little speed.
Crisp and Furcal have both had problems staying healthy in recent years, but those two at the top of the lineup would be a nice table setting for Pablo and Buster.
ReplyDeleteya
ReplyDeletelets spend more money on aging if's who cant stay healthy
same old, same old
no
has anyone been paying attention during this win streak???? ITS ALL ABOUT THE KIDS
WAKE UP
Bacci,
ReplyDeleteYes, the kids have made some contributions during this win streak, but most of the load has been carried by Ross, Beltran, Sandoval(I guess he's sort of a kid), and Huff plus the pitching. I'm all for bringing the kids along, but it's also unrealistic to think you can just throw a bunch of kids out there and expect to win.
I would like to see Belt starting next year, probably in LF. Crawford I'm not so sure about. If the Giants were to sign Crisp and Furcal as stopgaps while Crawford and Brown get more seasoning in the minors, I'd be OK with that.
Shortstops and their 2011 pay/age in 2012: Furcal: 12MM/34 Rollins: 8.5MM/33 Reyes: 11MM/29
ReplyDeleteOFs: Crisp: 5.75MM/32 Ross: 6.3MM/31 Cuddyer 10.5MM/33 Dejesus 6MM/32
Rooting hard for Craw but it might be a stretch. I think all the above are priced out of the Giants current plans. Would love to see a plan B at short unlike this year with the panic signing of Tejada. Tough position to fill, tough position to be in. I didn't realize Cuddyer was paid that much - maybe less of a signing risk than I thought.
Doubt Furcal gets $12 M. The Cards have an option for $12 M and will likely turn it down. Rollins will get paid north of $11 M and I agree, he's not coming here. Doubt Ross or DeJesus get more than $6 M. Crisp might get about $10 M.
ReplyDeleteSabean has said his #1 priority is to pay the pitchers then he'll see what he as left to work with. His secondary priorities are CF and SS. It will be interesting to see what he comes up with.
Leadoff is the other priority for Sabes along with SS and CF, obviously not mutually exclusive for either position.
ReplyDeleteBecause of the dodger connection mainly, I have a very active dislike of Furcal. I live in LA currently, I've seen a fair amount of the games when he hasn't been injured. To my eyes, he's lost 2 steps, and without speed, he is a severely diminished player. I agree he won't get 12MM, but 3/4 of that most likely.
ReplyDeleteIn the bargain bin, here are a couple more stopgap suggestions: Jamey Carroll, another guy I can't stand but is a singles hitting pest and if Boston drops the option, Marco Scutaro. Both are older vets who you might be able to dip under 5MM for a one year deal and platoon with Crawford.
Very interested to see the Arizona Fall league with Crawford Brown AND Panik. Maybe Panik doesn't slide to 2nd, maybe HE is the future at short. Brown is the complete wild card for next year, but if Posey, MadBum, Timmy, Cain and Sando can all make the jump quick, maybe that is the move. Sure solves the leadoff/CF problem if he can do it.
Dude plays with a chip on his shoulder, I really like him, but I don't want to see him get treated like Belt. But if the future is now, that eliminates a lot of mediocre OF alternatives. Thats a lot to hang on a rook though.