While the Giants have made several additions to the bullpen this Hot Stove season, Closer remains an obvious area of concern. It's been a few years since Jake McGee was a Closer but he's done it and he's coming off a vintage, if abbreviated, performance with the Dodgers in the shortened 2020 season. McGee was selected out of HS in the 5'th round of the 2004 draft by the Rays. Much to the frustration of many a fantasy baseball manager, the Rays kept him in the minors seemingly as long as they possibly could. He made his MLB debut in 2010 and did not fully "arrive" in the majors until 2012 when he put up a 1.95 ERA in 69 relief appearances. His peak season was 2014 with a 1.89 ERA and 19 Saves.
He was traded to the Rockies along with German Marquez for Corey Dickerson before the 2016 season then signed a 3 year free agent contract with the Rockies for 2017-2019. Well, let's face it. Nobody can pitch with sustained success in Coors Field. The Rockies declined his option for 2020 and he took a 1 year deal with the Dodgers. That deal paid off for both him and the Dodgers as he put up a 2.66 ERA in 24 appearances with a 14.61 K/9 and a 1.33 BB/9, 33 K's and just 3 BB's in 20.1 IP.
McGee has always relied heavily on his fastball, but threw it a crazy 97% of the time in 2020 with a average velocity of 95 mph, his highest since 2014. Let's see.....Drew Pomeranz, Caleb Baragar, Jake McGee. FZ may like pitchers who throw almost all sliders, but he also seems to like pitchers who throw almost all FB's. The philosophy is if you have a best pitch, use it!
The deal with the Giants is for 2 yr/$7 M, the first multi-year contract FZ has given pitcher. McGee immediately moves to the top of the Giants lefty reliever depth chart and a top contender for the Closer role. Doing a little rosterbating, assuming a 26 man roster with 13 pitchers and 5 SP's, the lefty reliever ranking would go 1. Jake McGee. 2. Jarlin Garcia. 3. Caleb Baragar. 4. Wandy Peralta. 5. Sam Selman. On the righty side we have 1. John Brebbia. 2. Tyler Rogers. 3. Matt Wisler. 4. Trevor Gott.
Reyes Moronta coming off injury would seem to be in the top 4 and possibly a Closer candidate if fully healthy. Rule 5 draftee Dedniel Nunez is in the mix with Camilo Doval, Kervin Castro and Gregory Santos getting more salt in the minors. I can see the Giants carrying 4 lefties and 4 righties in the bullpen with room for additional upgrades before the season starts. There may also be some trade opportunities to add prospects before FZ is done.
Very interesting signing. I think the Giants will be a real pain in the rear to play. They may only win 70 to 75 games, but they will compete. The Dodgers and Padres are just too darn good to think seriously about a playoff spot, unless the playoff field is expanded again.
ReplyDeleteSo, adding young talent to the organization almost has to be the number one goal. If Jake McGee gets off to a good start, he and his affordable contract could be a very valuable trade piece in July.
So much is happening!
ReplyDeleteThe "elites" are loading up.
Is there definitely a season? Looks lie it.
The Giants weren;t atarting from a base that could compete with SD, LA, Atl, Nats, Mets, Philly, even StL so to make long term commitments was foolish for them.
Be competitive and make the moves when there is a base team to compete.
St Louis will be interesting and probably win the Central although other than the Arenado splash they've been conservative but should win the Central.
Just hope we're not waiting for the kids who will never arrive...
"Never" is a strong word. The "kids" won't arrive in 2021 for the most part, but I believe the longterm future is bright.
DeleteNow all of them will arrive to meet expectations, but we have enough very promising prospects, such that we are sure some of them will live up to the expectations. Once we have better clarity, we can pay up to fill the holes. The future is bright.
DeleteGiants have #6 farm as per B/R:
ReplyDeletehttp://tiny.cc/3q4jtz
Speaking of closers, or at least relievers, I wonder about Tony Watson. He's still out there and bloggers seem to be describing him as a "cheap" option at this point, in the $1-$1.5 million range. (I wish I were that cheap.) I realize Farhan says that they are pretty much done, that Watson's on the downhill slide, and that they have quite a few relievers and LH ones a that. Still he seems like an awfully stabilizing influence both situationally and in the clubhouse. I think he's worth re-signing.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see FZ sign one more RH reliever with Closer potential.
DeleteDefinitely needs to sign another SP or even two. Doesn't have to be high cost or necessarily a MLB deal but they need a little more SP depth.
If they sign Watson, it will not be as a potential closer. His health does not allow him to pitch frequently. This will be a problem even as another reliever with fewer innings from starters and 3 at least 3 batters rules.
Delete4 RHP starter prospects coming to camp as non-roster invitees: Beck, Hjelle, Teng and Frisbee. Plus when is Beede ready? Also Tyler Cyr NRI is a potential closer.
ReplyDeleteTyler Beede is unlikely to be ready much before midseason. The other for SP prospects are extremely unlikely to be significant contributors this season. Tyler Cyr might be a Closer candidate in some future season but not this year.
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