Giants interested in Klesko?

by squirrel on Nov 30, 2006 11:13 AM PST Comment 24 comments

The scarriest thing I've read all day, from the SD Union-Trib:

Former Padres first baseman/left fielder Ryan Klesko, who is a free agent, is drawing interest from the Orioles and Giants.

I realize he fits a need for the Giants as a COF/CIF in a way, but is he really a better alternative than Hillenbrand or Feliz?

I'm hoping this is just another baseless rumor, some kind of evil Padres propaganda to break our spirits.

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Re: Giants interested in Klesko?

The difference between Klesko and Feliz/Hillenbrand is that once upon a time Klesko could hit, while the other guys never have.

Oh, and Klesko's worst year was better than either of their BEST years.

I was going to post that, rather than this making a case for Klesko, it shows how bad those guys are. But I dunno, it's not like he'd block anyone, and I bet we could get him for a Big Hurt 2006 contract (1 yr/1M+incentives).

by zenbitz on Nov 30, 2006 11:18 AM PST reply actions

Part of the Master Plan

Yes.

Get him cheap. Package him up. Sweeten the deal to Philly.

by Moggeee on Nov 30, 2006 1:37 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Part of the Master Plan

BANNED YOU RAT BASTARD!

by zenbitz on Nov 30, 2006 1:58 PM PST up reply actions

Only myself to blame

(Banned and Boned by that Cold BoneFinger.)

by Moggeee on Nov 30, 2006 2:16 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Giants interested in Klesko?

The Orioles are interested in him as well, and with the money Angelos throws around I would think they would give him a decent offer. I also wouldn't mind them signing Klesko, as long as they don't tell us he's our new cleanup hitter. As pinch hitter and occasional starter he could help the team.

by rxmeister on Nov 30, 2006 11:28 AM PST reply actions

Re: Giants interested in Klesko?

Given the alternatives at this point a cheap, one year incentive-laden deal to Klesko wouldn't be a terrible thing.

by keithr on Nov 30, 2006 11:35 AM PST reply actions

Re: Giants interested in Klesko?

he's been terrible over the last three years. His power is totally gone. It would be our worst signing of the offseason.

"Why you gotta be cardin' my hos?" - Charlie Hayes

by stevieg on Nov 30, 2006 11:39 AM PST reply actions

Re: Giants interested in Klesko?

at the same time, he'd also be the best signing.

"Baseball is life, the rest is just details."

by nick on Nov 30, 2006 12:00 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Giants interested in Klesko?

While I also agree that a 1 year, incentive laden contract is not a bad idea, it seems unlikely Klesko would take such a contract. I don't know his home vs road splits with the Padres, but didn't he actively complain that Petco was too much of a pitcher's park?

Considering Phonebooth Park is one of the premier pitcher parks (if I remember correctly), it'd be hard to see him agreeing to a contract where his pay depends on his performance in yet another pitcher's park.

by sfgfan on Nov 30, 2006 11:41 AM PST reply actions

Re: Giants interested in Klesko?

Klesterol? Dear God, please, no!

by ololo3 on Nov 30, 2006 12:13 PM PST reply actions

Re: Giants interested in Klesko?

If it's not Klesko, watch out for Nevin...

The Bochy connection is a double-edged sword.

Humm Baby!

by Kid Fresh on Nov 30, 2006 1:25 PM PST reply actions

Re: Giants interested in Klesko?

Klesko's power hasn't disappeared, his power hitting LHP has: in 2005, he hit .262/.373/.464/.837 with 18 HR in 343 AB vs. RHP, but only .200/.304/.260/.564 with 0 HR in 100 AB vs. LHP. I have to assume Klesko coming here would mean that he platoons with Niekro at 1B (or maybe even Aurilia), otherwise, it wouldn't make sense.

The lineup will change daily again, with Roberts and Klesko sitting vs. LHP and Bonds taking his days off.

Whew, can we dodge yet another bullet?

by obsessivegiantscompulsive on Nov 30, 2006 1:54 PM PST reply actions

lefties...NO!

For Gawd's sake, do not sign a mediocre lefty power hitter. ATT does not treat them well. I'll admit, the evidence is a bit spotty. A lot of the examples are of suspect lefties who may have lost it anyway.

JT is the prime example. He hit 11 homers at ATT in 2000. That matched his power at the Stick (30 HR over three years). As we all know, after 2000, his power disappeared.

Finley didn't lose power, but his HR total halved between 2005/2006. Interestingly enough, his triples went from 3 to 12 - hmmmm.

AJ experienced his lowest, full-season SLG in a SF uni. But it hasn't been much higher since. By the way, he's also an ass!

Michael Tucker hit 13HR in 2003 and 13HR in 2004, but he hit only four of those 13 at ATT and only ONE in 2005 at ATT.

As I mentioned, the players in these examples are suspect. But I also fell on this little nugget:

2004 ATT Stats
92HR by LHB (24 by LHBNBB)
90HR by RHB

I wish I had more stadium stats to check it out, but I'm not, NOT, NOT interested in testing this theorem further on Ryan Klesko!

On the flip side, we have plenty of evidence of RHB coming to ATT and doing just fine:
Kent
Burks
Alou
Santiago
Galarraga (briefly)
Bell
Grissom

Of course, the exception to the RHBs is none other than EDGARDO!

Finally, I don't mention Durham or Wynn because they are SH. I cannot find the stats on their ATT L/R splits.

Ayway, don't sign Klesko...please!

-- Born Yesterday

by thatdog on Nov 30, 2006 2:10 PM PST reply actions

Re: lefties...NO!

This is a good question -- anybody know how to find split splits, showing how a batter did vs. RHPs at home and on the road, etc.?

I'm not convinced that the lefty-killing effect at Mays Field is all it's cracked up to be, but if it is, the Giants are going to have to figure out what kind of left-handers do well there, since there aren't that many Bondses to go around. I suspect the reference point would be Ray Durham: someone who doesn't strike out much but rather puts the ball in play, increasing the chance that it will get into the gap; someone speedy enough to get take extra bases when it does get into the gap; and, ideally, someone able to turn around to the other side of the plate when a left-hander is on the mound.

by Evan on Nov 30, 2006 3:39 PM PST up reply actions

Re: lefties...NO!

I always thought the perfect prototypical lefty for the Giants would Nick Johnson. He'd do a good job of working gap to gap. Doesn't need to hit HRs to be an effective player. And he could get on base for the big RH bats. Or the next Will Clark would do, too.

by orangeandblackattack on Nov 30, 2006 11:16 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Giants interested in Klesko?

I'd be all for a Klesko/Niekro platoon. None of the leftys you mentioned were legitamate power hitters to begin with. AJ's problems could have been bc it was his first year in a new leage (happens to a lot of people) and his teammates didnt' like him. I do agree he is an ass. If Niekro has showed the giants anything, it is that he can hit left-handed pitching. His offensive explosion after being demoted to triple AAA raises my eyebrows a little, but i still think for the most part he is a AAAA hitter at best. If he only faced lefties I think he can be productive, not to mention stray away from those nagging injuries that follow him since he won't be playing every day. Have Aurilia or sign Huff play third base, and our infield isn't half bad (praying we keep Durham).

Bonds Roberts Winn doesn't excited me too much, but I like the fact that Linden will get a lot of playing time to prove what he has. Assuming we get some help in the bullpen (I like our starting pitching as it is) This team could compete in the NL Worst.

Felix Rodriguez will never be forgiven.

by April3rdLifeBegins on Nov 30, 2006 2:33 PM PST reply actions

Re: Giants interested in Klesko?

I think it's really unlikely that Klesko has a comeback in him. But I do like the sound of "Kleskro."

by Evan on Nov 30, 2006 3:41 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Giants interested in Klesko?

I once caught a hr ball from Klesko off Russ Ortiz and I didn't throw it back. If Klesko joins the Giants does mean everyone has to take back all the boos they gave me?

by keithr on Nov 30, 2006 2:57 PM PST reply actions

Re: Giants interested in Klesko?

So these are the kind of players this team has to pick from? Ugh.

by BarryR on Nov 30, 2006 3:38 PM PST reply actions

Re: Giants interested in Klesko?

That's what I was thinking. How depressing it has come to this.

by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on Nov 30, 2006 5:28 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Giants interested in Klesko?

Sabean is down on his hands and knees picking through the lettuce leaves, skim-milk cartons, oatmeal scrapings and a few partially eaten apple cores trying to find an answer to THE question:

BUT CAN HE PLAY FIRST BASE??

Don't worry, nothing will be allright.

by rcrusoe on Nov 30, 2006 5:28 PM PST reply actions

Re: Giants interested in Klesko?

Please, Cervenak before Klesko at this stage.

by NearestNorwich on Nov 30, 2006 6:20 PM PST reply actions

Re: Giants interested in Klesko?

The Mayor is no more.

Orioles signed infielders Cesar Crespo, Mike Cervenak and Elder Torres to minor league contracts.

by sfgreg on Nov 30, 2006 8:29 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Giants interested in Klesko?

May the Mayor be fruitful in the Orioles system. Klesko would not be the worst signing as long as it is only for a year and not too much money. This year is a toss away anyway, so don't commit to long term with lots of money like many other teams are foolishly doing.

by APGiantsFan on Dec 1, 2006 6:01 AM PST reply actions