Random Notes

 Hey team!  Just letting you know I will be away from the blog for several days starting Saturday, Sept 28 and returning Friday, Oct 4.  That means I likely won't be able to post a comment on FZ's fate when it is announced which will likely be within 48 hours of end of the final game.  As I have already said in another post, there are reasons for moving on from FZ.  He's had 6 seasons to build a perennial postseason team which really was/is the minimal expectation for an organization with resources like the Giants.  While he has had his share of bad luck in attempts to sign superstar level free agents, his results from second and third tier free agent signings is mixed at best and has been nearly disastrous the last two seasons.  The Churn has produced a few unexpected every day players but has also resulted in a lot of wasted PA and IP from players who didn't pan out and churned on.  While there have been conflicting reports, it seems a bit concerning that Baggs wrote that Buster Posey's involvement in the Chapman negotiations was at least partly due to frustration over how FZ was handling it.  If that is true and if signing a superstar level free agent is part of their business plan, ownership may want someone else to be the lead negotiator.  

On the other hand, despite several spectacular failures by first round draft picks, the farm system is finally producing MLB quality graduates and more appear to be on the way.  The Giants international presence in particular seems to be in much better shape and producing promising players on a yearly basis.  MLB Pipeline's #1 international prospect for the 2025 signing cycle, Josuar Gonzalez, is expected to sign with the Giants on Jan 1.  In many ways the organization seems like it is in a similar position as in 2008 and 2009 when the vast majority of the fanbase was yelling "Fire Sabes" and I was saying, "wait a minute, this team is as well positioned for the future as any team in baseball."  We know how that turned out. 

The other part we don't know about is what is the state of FZ's health and how might that impact his ability to manage the Hot Stove League?  His health was apparently an issue in the Chapman negotiations.  Might he consider stepping down or moving into a less stressful role due to health concerns?

Given those conflicting assessments, if I was making the decision I would retain FZ.  I have always believed the most important job a POBO has is to develop and maintain a productive farm system able to provide low-cost young star talent on at least a semi-regular basis.  It appears FZ has finally achieved that and I would give him at least another year to build on it.  But I will understand if ownership has seen enough and wants someone else building the rosters from year to year.

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As I said in a response yesterday, I retired from my real career two weeks ago.  So far it's been a whirlwind but I hope to have more time to pursue things I want to do in life.  At least for now that will include maintaining the blog, except when on out of town trips.  I hope to have more time to give more thought and research to the posts to produce a better product.  

When I get back next week we will dive into the offseason which will include the standard positional depth charts which illuminates offseason needs, Hot Stove League updates as they unfold and around the first of the year we will unveil DrB's 2025 Giants Top 50 Prospects list.

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Speaking of first round draft picks, Reggie Crawford posted on X that he underwent surgery on his left shoulder. Word is it was a labrum repair and recovery time is about 12 months.  So that's 3 of 6 first round draft picks in FZ's tenure that seem unlikely to have significant MLB level careers for the Giants.

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The Giants contingent to the Arizona Fall League, led by Bryce Eldridge, seems a bit more compelling than in recent years.  We will profile the players when we return next week.

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My nomination for the Willie Mac Award is Matt Chapman.  

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I may post a Game Wrap tonight but it might be an relatively short entry.