As you may recall, Kris Bryant CF/3B homered in his second AB wearing a Giants uniform on Sunday, August 1 which started a 3-run rally in a game the Giants went on to win 5-3. Maybe the Giants don't win that game without Bryant's homer rattling the pitcher, but they also scored enough runs to win without it. Over the next three games in Arizona, Bryant was a non-factor with 2 hits in 9 AB's.
In yesterday's finale of the 4-game series, Bryant led the way to an epic come-from-behind win which clearly would not have happened had he not been in the lineup. After mustering just 3 hits in the first 8 innings against D'Backs SP Merrill Kelly RHP D'Backs manager Torey Lovullo went to his bullpen and Bryant led off the 9'th inning with a double, starting a 4-run rally to tie the game. He then led off the top of the 10'th inning with another double to drive in the designated runner from 2B which proved to be the winning run. Per Alex P of NBC Sports BA, this was the first time since 1941 the Giants were getting shut out by 4 or more runs in the 9'th inning and still won the game. It was also the first time the Giants overcame a 4-run deficit in the 9'th of any kind to win the game.
OK, there were several other essential contributors to this win: Lamonte Wade Jr RF/1B's two run single to drive in the last two runs of the 9'th inning, the bullpen pitching 6 hitless innings and Lovullo's pitching management. Maybe this game will determine the ultimate winner of the NL West or maybe it will be what gives the Giants the final Wild Card playoff spot, or maybe it won't make a difference in the end. The Giants don't win this game without Kris Bryant simple as that. Oh, and Bryant started this game in CF which is where I expect we'll see him most of the time after Evan Longoria 3B returns from the IL.
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Someone asked about re-signing priorities in a comment after a previous post. We'll get into that more in the days after the season ends, but Kris Bryant and the Giants seem like they're made for each other. I expect FZ and the Giants to make an all-out effort to re-sign him which will take a contract in the 10/300 range, but he would be a worthy cornerstone to build the next dynasty around.
As for other Giants on expiring contracts, barring something unforseen in the last two months, I expect the Giants to pick up Buster Posey C's option for the final season of his contract. I think they will try to re-sign Brandon Crawford SS to a 1-3 year deal but let him go if his market gets too expensive. It seems like Brandon Belt 1B's knee is a ticking time bomb and FZ wants no part of it. I'm thinking Kevin Gausman RHP will cost more than what FZ wants to pay for a pitcher. Whether they give Anthony DeSclafani RHP a QO depends on how he performs down the stretch. I seriously doubt they pick up Johnny Cueto RHP's option I'm guessing FZ will once again do his offseason pitcher shopping in the One Year Contract aisle.
Resigning Bryant will be a long, arduous process and can be be summed in 2 words: Scott Boras.
ReplyDeleteBryant turns 30 in January. As good as he is, his best years are behind him.
I don't believe that FZ will go anywhere near 10/300.
Doc, to your comments re off season signing.
ReplyDeleteI expect Crawford to retire a Giant.
Belt bromance long since past it's best before date.
Buster too retires a Giant.
Bryant I would be good for 10 yrs assuming the Nationa League goes designated hitter at some point!
As far as returning starting pitching I see Webb and Wood and agree with you on FZ pitching pursuits.
Richard in Winnipeg
As much as I love Buster, I hope that he does NOT retire a Giant if he's going to be in the league another 6 years. (WOW, Buster is already 34! Didn't see that one coming.) Catchers decline rapidly in their late years, and Buster would be a guaranteed QO to obtain some draft capital. The Giants have some of their best talent knocking at the door at Catcher, I believe in Bart big time, and Posey at First Base is not nearly the impact player that he is at C for the price tag. Additionally, I don't think he'd want to spend the rest of his career at 1B.
ReplyDeleteThis year Buster was healthy again, but let's all remember that he had some very typical Catcher injuries the prior 3 years and was not good at the plate - with a slugging % below .390 over the last 2 while constantly needing days off.
In this league, good memories get you nothing as you're building for the future. We spent a lot of money and opportunity cost to chase Brandon Belt (and almost Sandoval, which would have been a disaster here as it was with the Red Sox), Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum and Bumgarner down their declining years - simply because we had nothing else, and they were beloved here. That's not good baseball management, IMO.
Now Brandon Crawford? He looks incredible and there is nothing to portend his decline. I'm on board with re-upping Crawford, as the future with Luciano is still 2-3 years away.
I agree with re-signing Crawford 3 years max and with picking up Posey's option and see how 2022 goes with him. I don't see FZ signing anyone -even Bryant- up for 10/300 - he's just about to clear the books of any long contracts. His MO is to locate and sign underpriced talent and stockpile depth - add a quality rental if you're winning. 2022 starting pitching? Syndergard and Verlander are free agents coming off of Tommy John surgery - both ripe for the FZ 1-year special...
ReplyDeletePicking up Posey's option is a no brainer.
ReplyDeleteIs a "player" with Posey's skill set available for $19M? (Net cost: he's owed $3M not to play and $22M to play.)
Can the Giants turn the catcher position over to Bart and a backup?
Who will play 1B for the Giants in 2022? Wade (LHB)? Ruf (RHB)? There's no one close in the pipeline.
Why not Posey when he's not catching because Bart is? He doesn't have HR power, but all his offensive numbers are good.
Of ALL non-outfielders with 275 or more PAs he has the highest batting average and the 4th highest OPS.
And he can catch. Of all catchers with 275 or more PA, Posey is the best in all offensive categories.
Given the 40-man crunch, someone had to go, but Sanchez? The bosses didn't like his l0w 90's FB – that wasn't going to come back? How about Beede? Vosler? Tromp?
ReplyDeleteZaidi and Harris have put together quite a team and Kapler has the only 70+ win team in baseball, 10 wins more than the #2 NL WC team – pretty close to a post season guarantee – you cannot fault them!
On this road trip the Giants have learned to win late and ugly. Have they but 2016 to sleep?
Beede, Vosler, and Tromp have options, so could and can be moved between MLB and MiLB. Sanchez doesn’t, so the only way he can go to the minors—on the 40-man there or not—is to be DFAd and made a free agent. (None of these can be traded or waiver-claimed now that we’re past the Trade Deadline.) The inflexibility here, and perhaps Sanchez’s own desire to be a starter rather than a bullpen pitcher, I think explains the Giants’ decision.
ReplyDelete