The Giants starting pitcher situation is good. In fact, maybe too good. Well, I guess you can never have too much pitching so it's never too good. If you look up spring training team stats, the Giants have the third worst Team ERA but there are two caveats to that: 1. It's not accident that 5 of the 6 worst Team ERA's are from teams in the Cactus League. 2. If you take out the performances of pitchers who never had a chance to make the Opening Day roster, the Team ERA would be a lot lower. The Giants 6 veteran SP candidates, Logan Webb RHP, Alex Cobb RHP, Sean Manaea LHP, Ross Stripling RHP, Anthony DeSclafani RHP and Alex Wood LHP have a combined K/BB of 74/12 in 66.1 IP. That's pretty fantastic and doesn't even count Sean Hjelle RHP who has an 18/2 K/BB in 15 IP. 1 of the 6 vets will end up starting the season joining Jake Junis RHP as"bulk innings" guys out of the bullpen although that may be a rotating role even if there are no injuries. That would seem to leave Hjelle headed to AAA Sacramento as deep depth since he has an option and all, but there seems to be one bullpen slot open with nobody really stepping up and grabbing it. Would the Giants carry 3 "bulk inings" guys in the pen?
Tristan Beck RHP has also had a strong spring and is probably next in the SP deph chart after Hjelle. Kyle Harrison LHP made three disappointing appearances and looks like he needs to iron out the wrinkles in AAA. Keaton Winn RHP who is wowing everybody with a mid-high 90's FB and a killer split and is on the 40-man roster may by ahead of Harrison on the depth chart.
Could the Giants trade from their surplus to upgrade their middle infield or CF depth?
so enjoy your posts, Dr. yes, it was spring training but Harrison's line may be a reminder to mind the gap between the minors and the majors. curious to see what becomes of B. Johnson.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your posts as well Doc. Harrison is an outstanding pitching prospect drafted out of high school, he's only 21 years old who just needs more reps pitching against experienced AAA hitters. Madbum was also drafted out of high school, made to AAA, made 14 starts with a 7 win 1 loss record ERA 3.00 before being called up for good. It'll be interesting to follow Harrison for sure in AAA
DeleteThanks to both etraintravels and LG for the kind words.
DeleteIt does seem like a roster bulge at this point -- given that all of the starting pitchers and swing men seem to be healthy and looking reasonably good. I really have no idea who to trade, though. Obviously not Webb. Probably not one of the two LH starters. So someone from Cobb, Stripling, or DeSclafani? Cobb probably has the most value, so of course I'd hate to give him up.
ReplyDeleteAnd, again, for whom? I suppose a RH-hitting utility sort who can play a plus CF. My guess is they'll identify someone we've never heard of on someone's roster bubble, perhaps from the Cardinals seemingly never-ending cavalcade of young OFs.
But dollars for doughnuts a couple of the starters will go down with injuries within a couple weeks of such a trade.
Not saying Webb should be traded but I also don't think he should be off the table. He has his first TJ in the rearview mirror and has missed games here and their with minor arm ailments. If the Giants could get a massive haul for him, why not?
DeleteBe strong up the middle!
ReplyDeleteIF the Giants could get a SS 29 yo (or younger) roughly comparable to Crawford (1.2 or better annual dWAR, career BA .250, OBP .325) they should trade from their surplus of SPs, excluding Webb (and Harrison).
OTOH, if Schmitt can play that kind of SS, and perhaps FZ thinks he can (MLB Pipeline does), with Luciano, the left side of the IF looks pretty good for the future.
Also, Johnson should be given every chance to be the regular CF, even if some supposed hitting advantage is compromised: a 1.2 dWAR will add to any positive oWAR and be as good as any CF the Giants have run out there lately.
LOL, since the Giants went to the wall to get Judge and/or Correa, they don't need my advice!
BTW it looks like Kevin Pillar has an opt out and may be available soon. He might find it attractive to get a couple months playing time while Slater and Haniger heal.
ReplyDeletePillar is not a Kap/FZ kind of player but probably an upgrade over the Giants current CF situation.
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