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Sabean Is Due...

by milesntrane on Dec 4, 2007 5:14 PM PST

It seems to me that there may not be a GM in baseball that is better at keeping his dealings secret than one, Brain Sabean. I can think of a few examples of when the Giants were not even mentioned in obtaining a player on the block or on the market, and then the Giants nail him. Joe Carter, Moises Alou, Mike Matheny... These were all good moves, in my opinion. And more importantly, I didn't know they were coming.

This winter has been extremely calm. It could be because other GMs are jacking Sabean off with Cabrera/Rios type Lincecum-Fantasy trades, or because Sabean is up to his usual tricks of pulling off a major deal or two under the radar.

Sabes has had to put up with some pretty nasty hate mail from the McCoven in the past year or more (mostly warranted), but I have always liked the guy. I think he may be a little behind the times, but for awhile, I don't think anyone was better at putting decent talent and chemistry* together to make contenders.
(*I mean really... the last time I saw a franchise with more over-the-hill black guys was the Globe Trotters)

If Sabean can put together a trade, or free-agent deal that is under the radar, and mixes well with a rebuilding mentality maybe he can secure his spot for another few years. Or maybe he'll do the same, out-dated BS he's done for the last 4. I don't know... but from the calm on the waters we're feeling as a Giants nation, I think Sabean is due to make some viscious waves.

p.s.: How did you guys like my attempt at Passan's high-school-like use of metaphors there?

This FanPost is reader-generated, and it does not necessarily reflect the views of McCovey Chronicles. If the author uses filler to achieve the minimum word requirement, a moderator may edit the FanPost for his or her own amusement.

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Comments

Re: Sabean Is Due...

Meh I'm still ignoring the fact that Passan has a job in the hopes he'll vanish into the ether

by DaStick on Dec 4, 2007 5:09 PM PST reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

You and me both, Brutha'

If Brad Hennesy had Steve Kline's attitude you'd get Rob Nen... without the triple digit heat.

by milesntrane on Dec 4, 2007 5:24 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

I also choose to ignore the friend who told me it was a shame Passan was stuck in sportswriting, because he felt Passan was an intelligent, gifted writer.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Dec 4, 2007 7:47 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

Obviously, your friend has pretty low standards for intelligence and gifts.

Dave Righetti: You Know You Want It. / Also, my blog. For writers.

by howtheyscored on Dec 4, 2007 7:52 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

Passan could break a heart with his villanelles. Makes me weep every time. Same as his sportswriting does, if by "weep" I mean "claw my eyes out."

"When Jackson Williams thinks of how many times Madison Bumgarner has tried to kill Tyler Walker..."

by multiphasic on Dec 5, 2007 6:48 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

I would like to think of my self as a very good Giants fan and I do not remember Joe Carter every playing for The Giants. I actually had to look it up to confirm this. He played for them in 98 which explains a lot because I smoked a ton of weed back then and now I only smoke 3/4 of a ton of weed. Baby steps.

Sagundase....DAJAUNEE QUEEPEY!!!! (proud adopter of Mr. Kruk and Sir Kuip)

by iNOeverything on Dec 4, 2007 5:17 PM PST reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

Most people would agree with you that Sabean is due...for a firing.

But, in all seriousness, I actually wouldn't be surprised with very little going on this off-season. 3rd base must be addressed. And I think at least one other corner spot must be upgraded. But besides those things, there's absolutely nothing that absolutely has to be addressed this off-season.

Only 972 games until the end of Zito's contract.

by thehavenot on Dec 4, 2007 6:12 PM PST reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

I think this IS it for Sabean (as in this offseason). He does have to address this teams as it stands and in a fairly major way. I can see him going with the staff as it's built, but if he and the ownership thinks this team will win let alone draw they are seriously kidding themselves and endangering the fanbase...of course worse things could happen than to see this team sold off to someone/group that is dedicated to winning. This team needs some real hitting prospects to field and they, probably more importantly, need a face or two. If that's Jones and Rolen, so be it...it's not like they'll be in the way of someone promising.

This is your big day dude...it's the post-Bonds era..no more excuses! prods him with a stick

by DaStick on Dec 4, 2007 6:33 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

If the Giants only do a couple moves this season, they do not win. But then, if the Giants do five or six moves this season, they do not win. Next season is not what it is about.

And if you think that Sabean must turn this team into a contender next year or else he's gone, well, the guy got a two year extension in the middle of his third straight losing season.

Only 972 games until the end of Zito's contract.

by thehavenot on Dec 4, 2007 6:46 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

DaStick is not saying Sabean has to turn the Giants from losers to winners in one year. What he is saying is that he does have to add and improve to keep butts in the seats. He is right and if you can not see this you are blind!

by giantsrainman on Dec 4, 2007 7:07 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

But it's winning that will draw fans. Nothing else.

Only 972 games until the end of Zito's contract.

by thehavenot on Dec 4, 2007 7:10 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

Then how do you expain the 3M+ in attendance over the last 3 years? The Giants do not need to start winning right away they just need to provide hope for the future by improving and demonstrating a plan. They also need to provide entertainment while waiting for this hope to materialize and it is stars that provide this entertainment.

by giantsrainman on Dec 4, 2007 7:22 PM PST up reply actions

Barry Bonds is the explanation you seek.

Were you not paying attention the last several years?

Only 972 games until the end of Zito's contract.

by thehavenot on Dec 4, 2007 7:57 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Barry Bonds is the explanation you seek.

No kidding. This is my point. Something new to entertain the fans must be found. The team needs a new face and star and I am not talking about a pitcher (or even a pair of pitchers) that only plays once (or twice) every five games.

by giantsrainman on Dec 4, 2007 8:43 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Barry Bonds is the explanation you seek.

You do realize how tall an order it is to replace Barry Bonds, right?

Only 972 games until the end of Zito's contract.

by thehavenot on Dec 4, 2007 8:53 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Barry Bonds is the explanation you seek.

Regardless if the new "lead actor" is a match for the old "lead actor" or not you still need a new "lead actor".

by giantsrainman on Dec 4, 2007 9:13 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Barry Bonds is the explanation you seek.

Do you? I would not necessarily agree.

I don't think the fans are going to come out to see a bad team that happens to have, say, Miguel Cabrera on it. He's phenomenal. He's young. He's got a good chance to be a hall of famer. He's not Barry Bonds.

Barry Bonds was one of the top 3 players in the game. Perhaps the greatest ever. His 2001-2004 seasons are probably the greatest stretch of seasons ever by a single player. He was chasing, and passed, the all-time home-run record. This is why people came out to watch bad teams. There is absolutely nobody that would replace that, with the possible exception of Arod. And even he couldn't completely replace Bonds.

Only 972 games until the end of Zito's contract.

by thehavenot on Dec 4, 2007 11:18 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Barry Bonds is the explanation you seek.

I don't think the star power of the acquisition(s) is as important as the general feeling that the team is moving in the right direction (even if it's a mistaken belief). From a butts in the seats standpoint, I don't think there's any worse move for a last place team than standing pat.

Fool me seven times, shame on you. Fool me eight or more times, shame on me.

by Bhaakon on Dec 4, 2007 11:54 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Barry Bonds is the explanation you seek.

Well, I didn't say they should stand pat. I specifically said they needed to address at least 3rd base and another corner. Preferrably 1st base, 3rd base and LF. At least.

But if the right deals aren't there, then they just need to address 3rd base and one other corner. This would be progress.

Only 972 games until the end of Zito's contract.

by thehavenot on Dec 5, 2007 12:00 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Barry Bonds is the explanation you seek.

Address with what? By "stand pat" I don't necessarily mean returning the same players, but players who aren't appreciably better. If the Giants get a batless wonder 3B and a Klesko-tastic veteran 1st baseman, that's essentially standing pat.

Fool me seven times, shame on you. Fool me eight or more times, shame on me.

by Bhaakon on Dec 5, 2007 12:21 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Barry Bonds is the explanation you seek.

Nah, that is more like running in place. Stand pat would be having the same bums show up once again.

by wilriv21 on Dec 5, 2007 12:24 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Barry Bonds is the explanation you seek.

+1

by giantsrainman on Dec 5, 2007 12:26 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Barry Bonds is the explanation you seek.

Of course, getting crap for 3rd base and 1st base would not be addressing those needs. I would think this goes without saying.

I'm not sure this conversation is progressing....

Only 972 games until the end of Zito's contract.

by thehavenot on Dec 5, 2007 12:34 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Barry Bonds is the explanation you seek.

I think it's progressing like this: there are no free agent 3B or 1B available who would qualify as anything but standing pat/running in place, and it seems like every trade rumor for anyone that would qualify as addressing those positions somehow involves Lincecum or Cain.

Fool me seven times, shame on you. Fool me eight or more times, shame on me.

by Bhaakon on Dec 5, 2007 12:42 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Barry Bonds is the explanation you seek.

I think there must be a distinction made here. Are we talking about addressing the needs as seen by the casual fan? Or are we talking about actually addressing the needs?

Only 972 games until the end of Zito's contract.

by thehavenot on Dec 5, 2007 1:25 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Barry Bonds is the explanation you seek.

I assume the casual fan, since they put the most butts in the seats.

Realistically, the Giants need to swallow their giant tablespoon of cod liver oil if they want to build a winner. Equally realistically, they can't expect the casual fan (and his money) to take the medicine with them.

Fool me seven times, shame on you. Fool me eight or more times, shame on me.

by Bhaakon on Dec 5, 2007 8:46 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Barry Bonds is the explanation you seek.

Yes, this is true. The casual won't be along for the ride. And they better be prepared for this.

Only 972 games until the end of Zito's contract.

by thehavenot on Dec 5, 2007 9:14 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

Thanks Rainman,
I'm not saying that face can't be a young bat..in fact I'd prefer it, of course. Winning would be a pleasant side effect. I'd just hate to see ABs wasted on prospects who won't make the cut and players soon headed to pasture. We do have some decent SP prospects in Misch,Threets, etc. that could battle Corriea for an open slot and be tested should it take one of out rotation to reel in said young quaility bat. Not to mention the odd SP reclaimation project..

If we were able to ideally deal Roberts, Winn and Ray and Rich...I could see Frandsen, Velez, Schierholtz, Lewis, and Ort getting their fair shots. 3B and 1B still seems to be the obvious holes, with and OF easily fit in with Velez and Ort getting ABs in the IF.

by DaStick on Dec 5, 2007 1:43 AM PST up reply actions

Forgot Davis...

Even more reason to find pop for the corner slots...

....Is Villonueva 18 yet?

by DaStick on Dec 5, 2007 1:50 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Forgot Davis...

Villalona

Dave Righetti: You Know You Want It. / Also, my blog. For writers.

by howtheyscored on Dec 5, 2007 10:57 AM PST up reply actions

ty

Damn, I wish I could quit you Carlos...

by DaStick on Dec 5, 2007 3:24 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

Sabean did Rajai for Morris and Messenger for Armando last year, so he's not the idiot we're all fond of saying that he is. Then again, if some of the stuff I've heard today is true, maybe he still is. (Shawn Green, Broussard, Mahay, Kuroda etc.) I doubt most of what we hear is true though. Alot of the FA stuff is the agents trying to make their player look more desirable than he is.

SIGN ANDRUW JONES!!

by rxmeister on Dec 4, 2007 7:14 PM PST reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

please...my dead grandma can do salary dumps too

so the former bucs gm is more retarded than sabean...aint saying much

by bacci40 on Dec 5, 2007 3:09 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

I didn't even know he was expecting!

Dave Righetti: You Know You Want It. / Also, my blog. For writers.

by howtheyscored on Dec 4, 2007 7:47 PM PST reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

Who's the father then?

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Dec 4, 2007 7:48 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

I shudder to think.

Dave Righetti: You Know You Want It. / Also, my blog. For writers.

by howtheyscored on Dec 4, 2007 7:55 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

Lohan.

"When Jackson Williams thinks of how many times Madison Bumgarner has tried to kill Tyler Walker..."

by multiphasic on Dec 5, 2007 6:49 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

I was going to make this joke, except I would've written, "Is it a boy or a girl?"

Nattowear | comics | Durham? I hardly know 'im!

by Natto on Dec 4, 2007 10:29 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

I think many of the Globetrotters have several good years left.

Steve Kline: How okay is he, really? I would say he is pretty okay.

by groug on Dec 4, 2007 10:21 PM PST reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

Maybe Sabean's been trying to tank the team in order to get the draft picks. I think that would make sense if he hadn't traded away a bunch of prospects in doing so.

"Just another ahahahaha... laugher."

by capnk on Dec 4, 2007 10:33 PM PST reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

Also, I believe you missed an opportunity to use the term "Passanian"

As in: This terribly written article was filled with self-righteous. It's downright Passanian.

Steve Kline: How okay is he, really? I would say he is pretty okay.

by groug on Dec 4, 2007 10:42 PM PST reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

self-righteousness

Steve Kline: How okay is he, really? I would say he is pretty okay.

by groug on Dec 4, 2007 10:43 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

I like it the first way.

Dave Righetti: You Know You Want It. / Also, my blog. For writers.

by howtheyscored on Dec 4, 2007 10:47 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

alou was a good deal???? in wha fucking universe???

or maybe i missed it when he never got injured and led the team to the ws

sabean is due for only one thing...an ass whupping...for even allowing an idiotic rumor like tim for rios

by bacci40 on Dec 5, 2007 3:07 AM PST reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

I mean, you're not going to know when guys get hurt like Benitez, Alou (He played over 120 games every year since '96), and Matheny. You can't blame a GM for that one. And the Alou signing was relatively cheap. It probably had a lot to do with his dad, but still... an above-average outfielder for an average salary. And short-term, too. Hell, he even took a pay-cut from 9 mil to 7 mil.

If Brad Hennesy had Steve Kline's attitude you'd get Rob Nen... without the triple digit heat.

by milesntrane on Dec 5, 2007 8:51 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

If I remember, Alou had a history of leg injuries that continued after joining the Giants. Nonetheless, I agree that he was a good signing. The unfortunate thing was how seldom Alou and Bonds actually were in the lineup together, which was more because of Bonds' absence.

"Hillary has that nomination sewn up." - rxmeister 11/9/07

by Goofus on Dec 5, 2007 10:21 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

Moises Alou was an OK deal. Not horrible, not great.

Matheny I think was a stupid deal, BS got quite lucky that he had a good year (for him) with the bat.

Joe Carter? Please. Guy was the poster boy for overrated when he was in his prime. Had 100 nice ABs for us and hit 7 dingers in a pennant race. More of a Christmas miracle than a nice little move.

by zenbitz on Dec 5, 2007 9:42 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

Carter: Career: .259 .306 .464
.247 .297 .424 with Baltimore that year

His 295 .322 .562 the rest of the year was not really forseeable, the move was simple luck and probably due to platoon advantage. They had Charlie Hayes, and probaly should have just stuck with him. [not that they gave up anything for Carter. Or that Hayes was anything special]

Alou - not a bad deal, but you just shouldn't expect 37 year old players with a significant injury history AND who get moved to a more demanding defensive position to stay healthy. You are quite correct that the money was right - but with an outfield consisting of Grissom, Bonds, and Alou, you had darn well have a very good backup [or two].

What could they have gotten for the ~ 15 million they spent on Alou and Benitez?

At the time, any Mets fan would have told you [at great length] why the Benitez move was awful. Don't have a Mets fan handy? Well, then you could notice that he was an very overweight player who had come off a career best walk rate and pitched in a very, very good pitchers park. Those might have been red flags as well.

Matheny - nice guy apparently, but not worth the $. Not even close.

Pedro Feliz would look great in Dodger Blue.

by irwin on Dec 5, 2007 9:51 AM PST reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

...DILIGENCE

Man, can't believe it took me 48 comments and 24 hours to think of that one.

by zenbitz on Dec 5, 2007 8:40 PM PST reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

...DUE

Ha-Ha... potty humor and a pun.

Fool me seven times, shame on you. Fool me eight or more times, shame on me.

by Bhaakon on Dec 5, 2007 8:43 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Sabean Is Due...

At the end of the day, Brian Sabean does his due diligence by kicking the tires and hoping to catch lightning in a bottle.

by sharksrog on Dec 7, 2007 2:57 PM PST up reply actions

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