Old Dogs and New Tricks

by zenbitz on Dec 12, 2007 1:53 PM PST

Anyone still think Sabean has "turned the corner" as a GM?

I posted this on BTF... and I thought it was good enough to repeat here:

Sabean is the GM equivalent of Scottish food. It's like all his moves are based on a dare.

At least it's not Juan Pierre!

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Re: Old Dogs and New Tricks

It hasn't been horrible so far, just a lot of rumors of horrible. I don't like the Rowand move, but in reality you can't expect a losing team that just lost the biggest draw ever to not attempt to get a big name in some context. Rowand isn't really a big name, but it's one of the biggest ones available this year without having to give up Lincecain.

As much as I'd like a team of

Lewis/Davis
Frandsen
Balentien
Sexson
Clement
Ensberg
Schierholtz
Omar

it would hurt attendance greatly. You can't renew many season tickets with that lineup (although it would get some in 2010). The Giants don't want to risk alienating their season ticket base, which will already dwindle due to Bonds absence. As much as the McCoven crowd would like the lineup listed above backed up by a good draft, but the majority of season ticket holders would laugh.

The question now is, where do we go from here?

Frandsen for 3B (til July 08)

by NeifiChicken on Dec 12, 2007 2:08 PM PST reply actions

Re: Old Dogs and New Tricks

I didn't say it's horrible (although dumping 2 draft picks with this team approaches horrible pretty damned fast).

But that's not the point. It's a totally understandable move, from a BS point of view. He's just the same old draft-pick puntin', CF-signin' battin' average lovin', park effect ignorin', player peak at 33 belivin' Brian Sabean.

As for the dare:

I DARE you to construct a roster with 6 CFs.

I DARE you start a 41 y.o. coming off a "death rattle" year with the bat at Shortstop.

by zenbitz on Dec 12, 2007 2:21 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Old Dogs and New Tricks

Isn't it the case that, under the current rules, the Giants only punt a single pick (their 2nd rounder)? Phillies may also get a sandwich pick, but that doesn't come out of the Giants' picket.

All your signature are belong to us.

by EliminateMe on Dec 12, 2007 4:32 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Old Dogs and New Tricks

I believe this is correct.

So, Rowand 5/90, losing 2 picks is a outstandingly horrific move.

Actual deal of Rowand 5/60, losing 2nd round pick is merely typical Sabean uselessness.

by zenbitz on Dec 13, 2007 11:06 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Old Dogs and New Tricks

Is it really plausible that signing a player like Aaron Rowand has a significant effect on season-ticket sales and such? Hard to believe. If so, wouldn't you get much more bang for your buck by signing a higher-profile player like Fukudome or Andruw Jones?

I suspect the need for marketable vets is driven more by fear than by any significant market research.

by Evan on Dec 12, 2007 2:35 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Old Dogs and New Tricks

Aaron Rowand isn't going to put butts in the seats, but for the people who have season tickets (numbers that are getting smaller) an off-season of inactivity acquiring relative unknowns would be seen as a major negative (even though the reality would be different).

You need to give the sharks some fish, and Rowand isn't enough entirely, but it's something. He isn't a star like Jones, or have the draw of Fukudome, but he is a known name that has web-gem and blue-collar appeal. A guy known for giving 110% coming off an all-star year is at least worth something for someone thinking about getting rid of their seats.

Most of us see a guy coming off a career year following two mediocre years and will likely be around 100 points shy of 2007 in terms of OPS, but not everyone thinks that way.

Rowand is a guy with plenty of positive connotations to his name, and while he isn't a draw himself, he'll at least make some people feel Sabean is moving in a positive direction. As bad as 5 years might be, I think we all know Rowand shirts will sell well and he'll become a fan favorite with his defensive plays and attitude.

Frandsen for 3B (til July 08)

by NeifiChicken on Dec 12, 2007 3:00 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Old Dogs and New Tricks

The bottom line is, we needed (fiscally, not on the field) to bring in at least one proven everyday player with a name that can create some buzz. Some good offensive options that could do that via trade would've cost us Cain or Lincecum.

The FA options were Hunter (whose deal I like less than Rowand's), Andruw (who apparently wanted to sign with a contender if it was to be for 2 years), A-Rod (who was never on the market at all really), Fukudome and Rowand.

Fukudome would've been interesting, but I guess they felt he was a bigger risk than Rowand and preferred going the proven MLB player route (as they did last year with Zito over Daisuke)

Frandsen for 3B (til July 08)

by NeifiChicken on Dec 12, 2007 3:06 PM PST reply actions