Saturday, March 14, 2015

Spring Training Game Wrap 3/14/2015: A's 5 Giants 2

The Giants jumped on top 2-0 in the first inning, but the bats then fell silent for the rest of the game while Matt Cain got roughed up for 4 runs in under 2 innings of work.  Key Lines:

Gregor Blanco(CF)- 1 for 2, 2 BB.  BA= .313.  Blanco led off the game with a hit and scored the first run on McGehee's double.

Matt Duffy(SS)- 2 for 4.  BA= .348.  Just…..Matt Duffy!

Casey McGehee(3B)- 2 for 3, 2 2B.  BA= .500.  Let's hope he still has some hits left in that bat after the season starts!

Matt Cain(RHP)- 1.2 IP, 6 H,  4 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 9.82.  A letdown start after a strong spring debut last outing.

Ryan Vogelsong faces the D'Backs in the nightcap.

9 comments:

  1. Blanco-Steady as always.
    Duffy-He's the back up SS.
    McGhee-Showing nice all fields approach.
    Cain-Stay healthy.

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    1. I would not be so sure about Matt Duffy as the Giants would have to find somewhere to send either Arias or Adrianza to make room for him. In this case, the option is not Duffy's friend.

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    2. Wouldn't he just replace one of them on the roster.Not a tough decision.

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    3. See, there you go again, David. You are looking at things through your eyes and not the Giants eyes. Arias has a contract worth a couple $M and he has been an important contributor to 2 championship teams. They are not going to just dump him. Adrianza is a far better defensive shortstop than Duffy. The Giants need him in case Crawford goes down for any length of time. It is well known that the Giants believe Adrianza would not clear waivers and they are not willing to let him go to another team while getting nothing in return. Duffy has options. Barring an unforeseen trade, The Duffman will start the season in AAA.

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    4. I have to disagree with your sweeping statement that Adrianza is "a far better shortstop than Duffy". Scouts opinions of Duffy from last season would show it to be quite an exaggeration. Adrianza is a 'flashier' type of defender (like many Latin middle IF'rs), but that doesn't automatically translate to 'better', as it pertains to overall defensive value. While I realize that defensive skills are difficult to quantify, you can't argue that numbers mean nothing. A comparison of both players' minor league fielding stats in no way back up your opinion. If EA is actually 'better', my gut says that it's only by a shade.

      Additionally, Duffy hadn't been moved from SS at any time during his past three minors seasons, which tells me the Giants believe he can get it done at the top as well. If you factor in Duffy's more polished hitting skills, I'd say he's got a better chance than you keep saying that he could make the 25-man after all.

      Like I said last fall, this is baseball- "On a dime, baby."



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    5. David, maybe you could provide some links to these scouts who were raving about Duffy's defense? I've seen both Duffy and Adrianza play SS. Duffy is adequate there while Adrianza is a superior defender there. Duffy moves around well, but has a relatively weak arm. I don't think he could make the throw from deep in the hole the way Crawford and Adrianza can. I also think Adrianza has better range than The Duffman. Now, maybe Duffy's bat trumps the defensive deficit, but I don't think the Giants see hit that way. They seem to be looking at Duffy as more of a multi-position utility guy rather than somebody who could come in and play the SS position longterm.

      I stand by my "sweeping statement."

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  2. Duffy can earn it in AAA. No need to rush it.
    Cain's outing was disappointing BUT it's just the second time he threw in a game since July. I'm gonna hope he was just missing location. OTOH, the A's are not our friend! I'm going to be a believer in him (and Peavy and Lincecum and Hudson) for another week.
    Or two.
    Casilla didn't impress the A's either.
    At least the ball stayed in the park.

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    1. Since I couldn't see it, my comment is actually uninformed, but:
      At this point in time, I'm only concerned if Cain is throwing free and comfortable. I won't start worrying about location until late in ST. Healthy is first, and everything else will follow.
      Duffy starts the year in AAA. I'm certain we'll need him before the season is over, so start him out where he can play every day.

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    2. Yeah, too early to start worrying about Cain. He's a couple of weeks behind. He's not yet going full bore and the hitters have started to get their timing down.

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