McCovey Chronicles: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:

Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: The USA TODAY/Bloody Elbow Top 50 MMA Fights Ever, I

Travis Denker gone...

174246766_ea2fd78204_tiny by Grant on Comment 390 comments

...according to some know-nothing blogger posting from his mom's basem...

Wait, the blogger was Paul DePodesta? Dang.  And Denker is off the 40-man-roster on the Giants' site.

Genius roster move by Sabean. Second basemen with patience and power grow on trees, while no-defense, no-offense, PED-lovin' catchers are rare, special treasures that should be protected by any means necessary before free agents like Omar Vizquel file for free agency. (Edit: Eliezer Alfonzo was removed from the 40-man too, so this point is bunk....)

Maybe there's an explanation. Maybe these were "revocable" waivers. Maybe Travis Denker intentionally killed an osprey with a baseball. Maybe.

But the "Sergio Romo-Accidentally-DFA'd-OMG-WUT"-thread was just so much fun that I had to put this on the front page.

(Edit II: Something we're not thinking about is that the organization will need to protect folks from the Rule 5 draft. I'll try and work up a list of who would be eligible. Thanks to  Andrew Baggarly for pointing that out. Still, the outrage is both amusing and nourishing.)

2 recs | Comment 390 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

I’m very unhappy with this.

There amass been plenty of articles written this spring about the stud shortstop Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum , as well as the fluid young outfielders and thirteen basemen Kevin Frandsen.
comics | cartoons | Nattowear | McFAQ

by Natto on Oct 10, 2008 4:40 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I guess patience and power aren’t part of “The Giant Way.”

by jc2125 on Oct 10, 2008 4:47 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Doesn’t someone have to answer for this like Sabean or someone?!

I'm young but i didn't fall off the truck yesterday!

by jbowl on Oct 10, 2008 4:47 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Crapola

I wanted Denker to succeed here for no other reason than the Dodgers essentially gave him to us.

Anagram of "Giants pitcher Matt Cain" = TRAGIC MAN, ISN'T PATHETIC

by Stuttering John Tamargo on Oct 10, 2008 4:47 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Terrible move

Denker was very excited to be here and was an awesome guy. One of those gritty type players who gave everything, including playing on the Cal League Championship series a day or two after bruising his ribs trying to run over the catcher.

He’ll be missed for sure, and the Padres got a steal.

by henwo on Oct 10, 2008 4:48 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I might be alone in this sentiment but...

whatever

Brad Hennessey: the next Kevin Correia
Kevin Correia: the next Brad Hennessey

by stealth snail on Oct 10, 2008 4:49 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Son of Whatever

checking in

Charlie Hayes ate my homework

by glenallen hill's waterpipe on Oct 10, 2008 5:20 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You guys probably aren’t alone, but you shouldn’t be apathetic about this because it is a stupid fucking move by the Giants. It makes no sense, even if you don’t like Denker. There were much less talented players the Giants could have exposed.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Oct 10, 2008 5:32 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Guess What? - They Did!

Correia, Hennessey, Esponilli, and McClain all made it thru waivers and we outrighted to Fresno.

I would have prefered that the Giants had keep Denker and exposed Alfonzo instead but it is a move that really doesn’t matter either way and therefore fully warrents a

WHATEVER!

by giantsrainman on Oct 10, 2008 5:38 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It is a move that matters, Denker is probably the best 2B prospect in our system.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Oct 10, 2008 5:41 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

wow, quite a vote of confidence for Nick Noonan there

by FluLikeSymptoms on Oct 10, 2008 5:43 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I’ll take the guy who can hit in AAA over the guy who can’t hit in A. I’m honestly not a believer in Noonan, but I hope I’m wrong on that.

Noonan probably has a higher upside, but Denker seems like a pretty sure bet to be at least a solid 2B in the majors.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Oct 10, 2008 5:47 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I know this is late , but...

…please to be explaining how Hennessey – ESPECIALLY the Hennessey 2.0 which arrived late in the season – can be considered “much less talented”.

"Ain't got a hope in Hell - that's my belief." - Bon Scott

by victor frankenstein on Oct 14, 2008 8:41 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I assume this was meant as a reply to someone else, but I’ll field it.

Hennessey’s September numbers:

24.1 IP, 25 H, 9 K, 8 BB, 6 HR

That’s awful.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Oct 14, 2008 10:19 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

well, Noonan’s probably better. and Frandsen’s probably got 2B on lockdown for next season.

Adopted Giant: Aaron King

Wearing the crown by 2011. Or at least the LOOGY hat

by baetown415 on Oct 10, 2008 5:43 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Frandsen should certainly start the year at 2B, but there would have been no reason for him to block Denker.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Oct 10, 2008 5:48 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If so

That’s really sad.

Proud father of Eric Surcamp!

by The Thrill on Oct 10, 2008 10:14 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh I Fogot Ochoa Too

And my appologies to Espineli for mispelling his name with Esponilli.

by giantsrainman on Oct 10, 2008 5:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Esponilli?

That sounds like a yummy Italian dish. Nah
Esponolli sounds better, YUM!

Pac Bell, SBC, AT&T, 2010=???

by jt_7241 on Oct 11, 2008 1:00 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It matters because we probably wouldn’t have lost Alfonzo through waivers

Adopted Son: Brad Hennessey. Beloved for a stolen base much like Dave Roberts

by AndYourBirdCanSing on Oct 10, 2008 5:43 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

More Details
The Giants began the anticipated revamping of their pitching staff Friday, all but officially severing ties with right-handers Tyler Walker, Kevin Correia and Brad Hennessey. The trio was outrighted to Triple-A Fresno, along with catcher Eliezer Alfonzo, left-hander Geno Espineli and infielders Scott McClain and Ivan Ochoa. The Giants also activated left-hander Noah Lowry and right-hander Merkin Valdez from the 60-day disabled list and lost second baseman Travis Denker, who was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres.


http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081010&content_id=3609965&vkey=news_sf&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf

So the Giants didn’t keep anyone you all might think they shouldn’t have they just didn’t (for whatever reason) think Denker fit into their plans. I at least am fine with this.

by giantsrainman on Oct 10, 2008 6:49 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, and you ignored a pretty important fucking point:

The moves left the Giants’ 40-man roster at 33 players.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Oct 10, 2008 6:52 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Which Just Says As I Said
They just didn’t (for whatever reason) think Denker fit into their plans. I at least am fine with this.

by giantsrainman on Oct 10, 2008 6:55 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Your blind faith severely discredits anything you say. The fact that they didn’t need to expose him makes this all the more stupid.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Oct 10, 2008 6:57 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

/obligatory joke about CC and/or Benji and/or Sandoval requiring more than one space on the 40-man

by DividedByZero on Oct 10, 2008 6:58 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wow, weird. So they really are just dumping the guy for no apparent reason.

by Evan on Oct 10, 2008 6:58 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Especially considering a couple more 40-man spots will clear up shortly with folks filing for free agency.

What man? Which man? Who’s the man? When’s a man a man? What makes a man a man? Am I a man? Yes. Technically I am. - FotC

by jcb9 on Oct 10, 2008 7:01 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That’s why players get traded, not released.

The Examined Life
"I been waitin' a long time for this! I been waitin' since the f**kin' amateurs!" --WILL "THE THRILL" CLARK

by Josh from Hollywood on Oct 10, 2008 7:04 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

What Would Be The Point Of This?

All we could most likely get is the likes of Mark Sweeney.

by giantsrainman on Oct 10, 2008 7:10 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Even an A-ball pitcher with a torn rotator cuff is more likely to help you out down the road then nothing at all.

The Examined Life
"I been waitin' a long time for this! I been waitin' since the f**kin' amateurs!" --WILL "THE THRILL" CLARK

by Josh from Hollywood on Oct 10, 2008 7:17 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Why do you have so much faith in the wisdom of this organization’s decisions?

by Evan on Oct 10, 2008 7:05 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Because I Like The Direction Since The MaGowan Is Leaving Announcement

and therefore Sabean has regained the benifit of the doubt from me that he had previously until just after the 2002 WS.

by giantsrainman on Oct 10, 2008 7:09 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The only direction I’ve noticed is the near-random shuffling of prospects from one level to another, which looks more like flailing than a coherent plan. And they had a great draft, but again that doesn’t indicate “direction.” What else have you seen that you like?

by Evan on Oct 10, 2008 7:14 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

What You See As "Near-Random"

I see as a very necessary seperating of the wheat from the shaft.

by giantsrainman on Oct 10, 2008 7:17 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bottom Line

The Giants see Denker as Shaft (not wheat) and I have no problem with this.

by giantsrainman on Oct 10, 2008 7:18 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Chaff, and explain to us, other than using, “Sabean said so” as a reason, why they should do this.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Oct 10, 2008 7:20 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You’d know if you ever got wheat in your shaft.

The Examined Life
"I been waitin' a long time for this! I been waitin' since the f**kin' amateurs!" --WILL "THE THRILL" CLARK

by Josh from Hollywood on Oct 10, 2008 7:21 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

There’s a “sounds” joke in there somewhere…

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Oct 10, 2008 7:29 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You see this cat Shaft is a bad mother—
(Shut your mouth)
But I’m talkin’ about Shaft
(Then we can dig it)

Zooperstars, they quack me up!

by Goofus on Oct 12, 2008 8:08 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You got wheat in my shaft. You got shaft in my wheat.

What man? Which man? Who’s the man? When’s a man a man? What makes a man a man? Am I a man? Yes. Technically I am. - FotC

by jcb9 on Oct 10, 2008 7:18 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Shaft?
Wheat just got a whole lot sexier.

by chilibean_3 on Oct 10, 2008 9:10 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

"wheat from the shaft"

Best eggcorn ever!

FYI: It’s “wheat from the chaff” for future reference.

The Examined Life
"I been waitin' a long time for this! I been waitin' since the f**kin' amateurs!" --WILL "THE THRILL" CLARK

by Josh from Hollywood on Oct 10, 2008 7:20 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

There’s a farmer’s daughter joke in there somewhere…

by Evan on Oct 10, 2008 7:20 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

But as far as separating wheat from chaff … Ryan Rohlinger wasn’t ready for the majors but they promoted him anyway. Pablo Sandoval wasn’t ready for the majors but they promoted him anyway—and he had a hot streak, so now he’s penciled in as the starting first baseman. Denker wasn’t ready for the majors but hit well anyway—and now he’s gone. Velez, Bowker, Bocock … they’re giving players opportunities that they haven’t earned, and then making decisions about them based on microscopic sample sizes.

I know you have faith in their scouting prowess, but come on — this is amateur hour. Healthy franchises just don’t operate this way.

by Evan on Oct 10, 2008 7:32 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not to mention he’s trusting the Giants scouting in regards to hitting. Yeah, they’ve been money at that and deserve our blind trust.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Oct 10, 2008 7:41 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Somewhere this year, Baggerly mentioned that people in the organization were upset with Denker for not hustling or some kind of bad attitude they perceived in his time with the big club. Apparently that explained his lack of playing time, demotion, and ultimate banishment. In it’s own way it strikes me as the same ol’ knee-jerk Sabean kind of personal judgement. Make a face at being removed from a game or drop a ball at the wrong time and next thing you know you’re out of town.

Get the hell out the way Bengie, Pablito's hit the show!

by Roger on Oct 10, 2008 8:53 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

By the way, Joe Nathan says ‘hey’.

Why couldn't McCovey have hit the ball just three feet higher??

by tobias on Oct 10, 2008 10:12 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

/sarcasm sensor in the shop…

So, not sure if you are referring to the idea of comparing Travis Denker’s upside to Nathan’s (which is not a great comparison), or if you are referring to the idea of Sabean writing someone off in a fit of pique (which was more the comparison I was going for).

I actually liked Denker’s upside a little bit. I don’t know that I had hopes of him becoming the next Jeff Kent, but to my eyes he looked like the better hitter, in comparison to Velez, Ochoa and even Frandsen. Defensively, he seemed more in Velez’ category. Still, I thought he deserved a longer look. I was looking forward to seeing him again next spring.

Furthermore, I don’t really see anything that Sabean has personally done to earn our new found undying trust. He got rid of Jack Hiatt and Matt Nerland (at long last, and I suspect under orders). He hired John Barr (at least I think it was Sabes who hired him). He cut some checks and got all the draft picks signed. Beefed up the international scouting and signing regimen.

He gets a polite golf clap from me for all of those things. And I haven’t seen any kind of brilliant, imaginative trades or scrap-heap signings this year. That’s more the type of thing I’m looking for that would give me hope that Sabean is back on the beam he fell off some six years ago.

Why couldn't McCovey have hit the ball just three feet higher??

by tobias on Oct 10, 2008 10:49 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

WEEEEEE, A FEW GOOD MONTHS. UNQUESTIONED LOYALTY!!!

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Oct 10, 2008 7:17 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Magowan. Magowan. Magowan. Magowan.

HOW HARD IS IT!?

What man? Which man? Who’s the man? When’s a man a man? What makes a man a man? Am I a man? Yes. Technically I am. - FotC

by jcb9 on Oct 10, 2008 7:17 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I bet Magowan pressured Sabean into doing this!!

Wait…

by rotorueter on Oct 10, 2008 4:50 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Did you say Velez Gone....

uhhh, damnit. They let the wrong guy go.

My adopted son Matt Downs. Lost in the wilderness of mediocrity.

by nvsfg on Oct 10, 2008 4:51 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

um...WHAT?

STEVE HOLM! refuses to be the odd man out.

by UnleashTheGore on Oct 10, 2008 4:51 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This is one of those times were you just have to go man these executives have to know something I don’t…they have to be smarter than me…don’t they?

by HitorMisch on Oct 10, 2008 5:05 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No, they don't.

"he walked 18; new league record! Struck out 18, another new league record! He also hit the sportswriter, the PA announcer, the bull mascot twice..."

by i did my job on Oct 10, 2008 6:34 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

at least the Dodgers are losing.

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on Oct 10, 2008 5:08 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

oh man...

just when i was starting to think sabes was making some decent moves. I guess I don’t have to look too far to remember why I don’t like him though. If Denker (and ellison for that matter – hey, he still has time to develop!) turns out good like I think he will, I will personally haunt the crap out of sabean for at least like a year. At least.

by theghostofjasonellison on Oct 10, 2008 5:10 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well shit...

thats bad roster move #1 of the off-season in my book. I will try to keep a running total going.

Giants! Giants! HELP US GOD!

by j14 on Oct 10, 2008 5:12 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

weak

proud father of the newly acquired Brandon Crawford..

by Azmanz on Oct 10, 2008 5:18 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

unforgivable

Rafael Rodriguez: More tools than Home Depot.

by BrianBokake on Oct 10, 2008 5:21 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

saddening.... really saddening

Adopted Giant: Aaron King

Wearing the crown by 2011. Or at least the LOOGY hat

by baetown415 on Oct 10, 2008 5:21 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Does he have to be on their 25 man

next year? like was this a rule V draftee or what?

proud father of the newly acquired Brandon Crawford..

by Azmanz on Oct 10, 2008 5:29 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No, he doesn’t. This was just a waiver pick-up, so he gets put on the 40-man. And I’m also pretty sure there’s no more Rule V either.

by cornball on Oct 10, 2008 5:51 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

There is no Rule V at all

The Rule 5 draft, however, is very much still in existence…

It will happen at the winter meetings in December.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Oct 10, 2008 11:47 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

V = 5

There amass been plenty of articles written this spring about the stud shortstop Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum , as well as the fluid young outfielders and thirteen basemen Kevin Frandsen.
comics | cartoons | Nattowear | McFAQ

by Natto on Oct 11, 2008 2:01 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Perhaps, but most of the baseball media (BaseballProspectus, BaseballReference, Baseball America) uses them interchangeably.

I found this article written by a someone with ESPN who was similarly senstive to semantics, though::http://espn.go.com/mlb/s/transanctionsprimer.html

Perhaps it’s baseball’s version of Nu-cu-lur.

by rotorueter on Oct 11, 2008 11:17 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

dude.... FTW?

didn’t even give him a chance in September….

Adopted Giant: Aaron King

Wearing the crown by 2011. Or at least the LOOGY hat

by baetown415 on Oct 10, 2008 5:39 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't get it

but I don’t think it’s gonna come back to bite us.

"Forget it Donny, you're out of your element"-Walter Sobchak

by icanplaythird on Oct 10, 2008 5:49 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This guy did something to piss management off. Wonder what it was?

It probably won’t turn out to be a big deal. But (a) there were other players who should have been cut first, and (b) the Giants wouldn’t have needed the roster space anyway if they hadn’t kept promoting players who obviously weren’t ready.

by Evan on Oct 10, 2008 5:50 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Didn’t the Giants send him down abruptly after a he made a mental mistake in a game or something? That’s all I can remember.

by Dan from NM on Oct 10, 2008 6:12 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I repeat my "whatever" sentiment

There is just no way they got rid of him for the sole reason they thought he wasn’t good enough. He’s younger than our other second basemen in his league of talent, and its not like we’re exactly crunching for space on the 40 man. There is something else afoot, and none of us know what it is.

Brad Hennessey: the next Kevin Correia
Kevin Correia: the next Brad Hennessey

by stealth snail on Oct 10, 2008 5:55 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If that’s the case, huzzah for making decisions based on things other than talent. Anyways, there hasn’t even been a whisper of anything, so I think you’re really reaching here. To suggest that something exists, when you have no clue, seems fucked up.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Oct 10, 2008 6:00 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I know what you're sayin...

But IMO it’s even more fucked up if they are releasing him based on talent.

Brad Hennessey: the next Kevin Correia
Kevin Correia: the next Brad Hennessey

by stealth snail on Oct 10, 2008 6:17 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If something comes out, and it’s a legit reason, I’ll accept it. But it better be the level of Brett Myers or Elijah Dukes and not some Lastings Milledge shit.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Oct 10, 2008 6:19 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

whats getting lost in this...

Their GM has a freaking blog in which he rationally explains things to the fans. WTF?!! That is one of the best things I’ve seen. Can new ownership demand that Sabean does this?

Now you see that evil shall always triumph over good, because good is dumb!

by TrojanCBB on Oct 10, 2008 5:59 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

…use a computer?

Brian Sabean figures that if he buys enough bottles, one of them is bound to have lightning in it.

by jasomack on Oct 10, 2008 6:21 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sorry: New management does BOOKS not Blogs

It’s “The Giant Way”!

Charlie Hayes ate my homework

by glenallen hill's waterpipe on Oct 10, 2008 6:36 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

DePodesta isn’t their GM, actually. That would be Kevin Towers.

What man? Which man? Who’s the man? When’s a man a man? What makes a man a man? Am I a man? Yes. Technically I am. - FotC

by jcb9 on Oct 10, 2008 6:55 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It’s also sort of a reverse-psychology tool. He sometimes pumps up trade-bait guys by talking about how clutch they are, when he actually doesn’t believe in that stuff.

by rotorueter on Oct 10, 2008 6:58 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Payoff...

…..for all the dumb roster moves that the Giants made during 08.

Seriously – Alfonzo needed to be kept on the 40-man? He could easily be repalced by a younger career minor-leaguer [with better defense] if needed down the line.

Also surprised that both Correia and Hennessey were jettisoned. I figured it’d be one or the other, not both.

Not sure what this means for the 5th starter next year…..

by aGIANTfan on Oct 10, 2008 6:03 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Please stop saying that. It’s silly.

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Oct 10, 2008 6:10 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Like whatever

Adopted Son: Brad Hennessey. Beloved for a stolen base much like Dave Roberts

by AndYourBirdCanSing on Oct 10, 2008 6:16 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

you have the vocabulary of a 15-year-old girl, and your writing is worser.

Brian Sabean figures that if he buys enough bottles, one of them is bound to have lightning in it.

by jasomack on Oct 10, 2008 6:20 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Silly comments

He’s been on fire, I’d just let him keep going.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Oct 10, 2008 6:11 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

cc

Proud father of Eric Surcamp!

by The Thrill on Oct 10, 2008 10:22 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

To whom?

There amass been plenty of articles written this spring about the stud shortstop Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum , as well as the fluid young outfielders and thirteen basemen Kevin Frandsen.
comics | cartoons | Nattowear | McFAQ

by Natto on Oct 11, 2008 2:11 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think exposing Denker before Alfonzo is criminally stupid. Also, I’m not sure how roster stuff works with guys whose contracts are up, but what about Yabu and Vizquel?

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Oct 10, 2008 6:09 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yabu Is Not Even Arbitration Eligable Let Alone Free Agent Eligable

Both Aurilia and Vizquel stay on the 40 Man Roster until they file for Free Agency sometime with two weeks of the end of the World Series.

by giantsrainman on Oct 10, 2008 6:14 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don’t get it all. Denker might never amount to anything, but he looked like he could be a strong offensive performer for a second baseman.

Stupid start to the offseason.

by Dan from NM on Oct 10, 2008 6:11 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I liked all the stupid trade Matt Cain threads better than this. Grass is always greener my ass.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Oct 10, 2008 6:13 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Exactly

He reminds me a bit of a young Jeff Kent when he first came up with the Blue Jays. He’s probably a tweener — right now, he doesn’t have the glove to play 2B, or the bat to play 1B — but if he ever improves (and he’s at an age where that wouldn’t surprise me), he could be very good. But just because odds are he won’t reach that level doesn’t excuse waiving a player with that potential.

That being said, they obviously saw something they didn’t like in him. I believe it happened in Colorado, and there was something mentioned in the paper — he didn’t run out a groundball or pop-up, or something like that. After that, he didn’t play, and there was even a comment dropped in the paper about how his play had gone downhill due to inactivity, and he was never seen again.

The Examined Life
"I been waitin' a long time for this! I been waitin' since the f**kin' amateurs!" --WILL "THE THRILL" CLARK

by Josh from Hollywood on Oct 10, 2008 7:01 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Obviously Sabean And Company Didn't See Jeff Kent In Him

and I will take their scouting expertise over yours every day of every week.

by giantsrainman on Oct 10, 2008 7:06 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You don’t need my scouting expertise, you have statistics. Good ones, too.

The Examined Life
"I been waitin' a long time for this! I been waitin' since the f**kin' amateurs!" --WILL "THE THRILL" CLARK

by Josh from Hollywood on Oct 10, 2008 7:07 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Minor League Stats Don't Always Translate Into MLB Sucess

It takes scouting to know who likely will and who likely won’t.

by giantsrainman on Oct 10, 2008 7:12 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Neither do scouting reports.

..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.

by Cookyman on Oct 11, 2008 9:32 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Or maybe they did see Jeff Kent in him, and now they can’t look at him anymore without remembering that disgusting night.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Oct 11, 2008 9:29 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

C'mon, we are talking Travis Denker

The way McCoven talks about this fella we should be seeing him in the Mid-Summer Classic for the next ten years

by wilriv21 on Oct 10, 2008 7:37 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yes, this is the sort of decision where you look silly when you bitch about it, because the odds are good that Denker will never amount to anything. It’s still a stupid decision. We’re talking about a player who just turned 23, can hit a little, and isn’t hapless in the field. In their current state, the Giants should be thrilled to have a player like that.

by Evan on Oct 10, 2008 7:44 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yes

He can hit some, and we aren’t exactly overflowing with exciting options for 2b. The dodgers gave him to us for basically nothing. He’s still young. How could this happen? Alfonzo stays but no Denker?

Less arm, more talk. Raisingcain is a GAMER.
Adopted Giant: Henry Sosa

by raisingcain on Oct 10, 2008 7:46 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Others outrighted: infielders Scott McClain and Ivan Ochoa, left-hander Geno Espineli and catcher Eliezer Alfonzo.

by wilriv21 on Oct 10, 2008 7:51 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think there is a reason the dodgers gave him to us for nothing. If they thought he had even a remote chance of being good they would have never traded him to us.

Proud father of Eric Surcamp!

by The Thrill on Oct 10, 2008 10:25 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Two words: Agent Ned.

by rotorueter on Oct 10, 2008 10:26 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, that’s why we threw in Francisco Liriano.

by kingofthacove on Oct 11, 2008 12:32 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Have read many sites where his upside/ceiling is utility player. Those players are a dime a dozen and replaceable.

by wilriv21 on Oct 10, 2008 7:54 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wait, are you serious? Because some sites say that?
What about stats or watching him play yourself? The Giants system, while much improved from a few years ago, does not have Travis Denkers a dime a dozen. Maybe some systems do, but not us.

Less arm, more talk. Raisingcain is a GAMER.
Adopted Giant: Henry Sosa

by raisingcain on Oct 10, 2008 8:31 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Denker is a player who three peated Hi A ball, was horrible at AA and finally show a little at AAA. Third at best on the organizational chart – that would be without including Nooner and Burriss at 2b. He was expendable.

by wilriv21 on Oct 11, 2008 7:52 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Denker is a player who three peated Hi A ball, was horrible at AA and finally show a little at AAA.

Denker’s career path:

17 y-o, Rk: .270/.373/.426. Nice line, but the Dodgers kept him in Rk league for another year.

18 y-o, Rk: .311/.378/.556(!).

19 y-o, A/A+: .281/.390/.489. Again a nice line, but for some reason the Dodgers kept him in A/A+ for another year

20 y-o, A/A+: .247/.375/.399 – not great, but still OK for a 2B. The dodgers kept him for another year in A ball:

21 y-o, A+: .300/.379/.461.

This year he split his time between A+, AA, AAA, and the majors. He was horrible in AA – in 76 AB’s! He went on to hit .282/.373/.468 in 220 AB’s in AAA.

Career line: .276/.376/.454./.841.

He “three peated” Hi A ball, but it’s not like it was his fault – he’s never had an OPS under .769. He’s a good, young hitter who plays a pretty hard position. There’s no reason to throw these kind of players away.

Third at best on the organizational chart – that would be without including Nooner and Burriss at 2b. He was expendable.

Huh? I’ll give you Frandsen, though the differnce between them isn’t that big. Who’s the other guy – Velez? Denker is better and younger. Burriss is a SS, and Noonan was in A ball this year, and didn’t really hit well.

And it’s not like we needed more room on the roster – right now we have 33 players on the 40 man, and that includes Vizquel, Aurilia, and Yabu. This was a stupid move, no matter how you slice it.

..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.

by Cookyman on Oct 11, 2008 9:07 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Thank you

I didn’t think Wil was the type to spout "statistical lies" — that is, facts which are technically true, but have all context and nuance purposely stripped away — but you did a great job of exposing them. I only have one more I’d like to add — let’s compare that Denker career line to Wil’s prefered Travis:

Travis Denker (age 23) — Minors career: .276/.376/.454/.830
Travis Ishikawa (age 25) — Minors career: .260/.355/.454/.809

Travis Ishikawa — AB’s in A/A+ ball: 1235
Travis Denker — AB’s in A/A+ ball: 1350

So Wil, if all Denker’s time in A-ball fails to off-set his success in AAA/MLB, and means he’s not worth keeping, how come you were pimping TI (who’s 2 years older, plays a less demanding position, and spent just about as much time in A-ball) this year, even before he ever appeared in AAA?

The Examined Life
"I been waitin' a long time for this! I been waitin' since the f**kin' amateurs!" --WILL "THE THRILL" CLARK

by Josh from Hollywood on Oct 11, 2008 2:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

To be fair, Ishikawa also has 808 career PA’s in Norwich, where XBH go to die.

..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.

by Cookyman on Oct 11, 2008 2:51 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

To be clear

I’m not trying to say Denker is better than Ishikawa, just that it seems silly think that a person could be so high on TI and so down on Denker based on nothing but their minor league stats.

I actually like Ishikawa very much, and want him to be given a fair shot to win the 1B gig, but I could easily slam him by saying he three-peated AA before putting up good numbers there. I just think that’s largely irrelevant when he has recently shown improvement in AAA/MLB — just as Denker did.

The Examined Life
"I been waitin' a long time for this! I been waitin' since the f**kin' amateurs!" --WILL "THE THRILL" CLARK

by Josh from Hollywood on Oct 11, 2008 2:57 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Aside from what Cookyman posted,

AGE. AGE. AGE.

Denker was in some cases, VERY YOUNG for his leagues. This isn’t some 26-27 year old, like Eugenio Velez, who had to repeat levels even though he was old for his levels, before he could post above league average numbers.

For comparison Denker is TWENTY THREE years old next season. Eugenio Velez is TWENTY SEVEN years old next season.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Oct 11, 2008 10:13 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He was a potentially plus bat at 2B. Why throw that away when you don’t have to? It’s just plain stupid.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Oct 10, 2008 7:45 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Let's perform a scientific experiment, wilriv

Take a $20 bill out of your wallet, then go to the bathroom and flush it down the toilet. I’ll wait.

…

Okay, did you do it? No? Why not? Because that $20 bill is incredibly important to your future, or just because there’s no sense in wasting it for no reason?

The Examined Life
"I been waitin' a long time for this! I been waitin' since the f**kin' amateurs!" --WILL "THE THRILL" CLARK

by Josh from Hollywood on Oct 10, 2008 7:52 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

How long has the organization had the kid? Time enough to evaluate his talents and form an opinion.

by wilriv21 on Oct 10, 2008 7:55 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This

And if you put that $20 in a CD, you might end up with $25. Hey, that’s five free bucks just for holding on to your $20. There’s absolutely no reason not to hold on to that $20 unless you’re getting something in return.

Let’s just assume that Denker doesn’t fit into the Giants’ future plans. Fair enough. They don’t see him as a piece of their puzzle. But suppose that some other team is intrigued by him and is willing to give us a middle-of-the-road to decent prospect that we do like. Five dollars! It is a loss to completely give up on a young player because you lose the potential to turn him into something you might want down the road.

by cornball on Oct 10, 2008 8:17 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And considering that the 3rd team that had the chance to take him, did, it would seem he has value to other teams.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Oct 10, 2008 8:21 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

iawtc

No, my Crazy Crab bobblehead is not for sale.

by Kitspool on Oct 11, 2008 3:08 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well there’s an encouraging start to our offseason.
not

Less arm, more talk. Raisingcain is a GAMER.
Adopted Giant: Henry Sosa

by raisingcain on Oct 10, 2008 7:44 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Question: somewhat related

Would you rather have Travis Denker or Eugenio Velez?

Adopted Giant: Aaron King

Wearing the crown by 2011. Or at least the LOOGY hat

by baetown415 on Oct 10, 2008 8:52 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Question

Why are Bocock AND Velez still here and Denker not?

"Strikeouts are boring - besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. More democratic."

by giants9107 on Oct 10, 2008 8:58 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bocock probably for emergency reasons, i.e. Burriss or Ochoa get injured

Velez because…. um… speed?

Adopted Giant: Aaron King

Wearing the crown by 2011. Or at least the LOOGY hat

by baetown415 on Oct 10, 2008 9:02 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ochoa gone too

http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081010&content_id=3609965&vkey=news_sf&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf

Complete list

"Strikeouts are boring - besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. More democratic."

by giants9107 on Oct 10, 2008 9:13 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Denker, easily. Younger, has a better approach, and a clue.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Oct 10, 2008 9:14 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

wtf

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.

by jponry on Oct 10, 2008 8:55 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This move tastes of dumb

Catcher are base running. Hitters are offense.

by thehavenot on Oct 10, 2008 9:30 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Depends on who goes on the 40-man of course

But losing Correia and Denker just doesn’t seem wise.

by Change Up on Oct 10, 2008 9:46 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I wish I knew more about roster rules to put the move in context. Are the Giants essentially picking Jesse English or something over Denker, or what? Are they making room to select somebody else’s prospect exposed in the Rule 5 draft?

by Dan from NM on Oct 10, 2008 9:52 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If they are, why don’t they expose him later?

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Oct 11, 2008 12:40 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

So their remaining

second basemen at this point are . . . . Kevin Frandsen and Eugenio Velez, with Burris apparently now a lock at SS, but with no backup anywhere on the horizon?

Plus, we just dumped several usable pitching parts in a possible package.

And some of you are happy with this?

NO, we're not trading Matt Cain! What's that you say? We are? Armageddon is upon us!

by Buck Henry on Oct 10, 2008 9:56 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The Pitchers Outrighted Have Negative Trade Value

The salries they would get in arbitration exceed their actual value for any team that traded for them.

by giantsrainman on Oct 10, 2008 10:05 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

P.S.

If this wasn’t the case another team would have claimed them off of waivers (like what happened to Denker) if they were willing to pay the salary they would likely be awarded in arbitration.

by giantsrainman on Oct 10, 2008 10:20 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

rainman, all well and good, but

when does the arbitration deadline kick in, and did this have to be done now? Were they sent back down off the 40-man roster to avoid an arbitration obligation, or does having them outrighted give these guys the chance to become FAs now?

Second, who is our backup SS?

Lastly, could this mean we’re going to see Gillaspie and Crawford sooner than we think?

NO, we're not trading Matt Cain! What's that you say? We are? Armageddon is upon us!

by Buck Henry on Oct 10, 2008 10:30 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The Giants Have Cleared The Space On The 40 Man Roster

for prospects they might lose in the Rule 5 draft and players they plan to either aquire by trade or free agency. I don’t think they had to do all of these moves now but they did have to do at least one to make room for their two 60 Day DL players (Lowry and Valdez) that had to be restored to the 40 Man Roster (already had room for one). I suspect that they did it now so that the players outrighted can get a head start as free agents and are not left wondering if the Giants intend to keep them or not.

by giantsrainman on Oct 10, 2008 10:47 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

i hope not

It would be pretty inexcusable of management to even possibly rely on seeing Crawford jump levels faster then most. Prospects are called “prospects” for a reason – there’s a possibility they’ll work out, but it’s not a certainty. Denker was a MUCH bigger certainty of contributing then Crawford is right now; hell, Crawford has held a wood bat (hehehe….) for maybe a month at most. And Gillaspie? I don’t care how good his approach is, there is no need to rush him, and no need to move him off 3rd. Rohlinger is no lock to be a ML first baseman, and Villalona might not make the switch (assuming he makes it to the majors… it looks good now, but again, he’s a prospect not a ml player…).

Oh, and our backup SS? The guy we should have kicked off the 40-man roster without being worried about his being claimed, Bocock. But while Alfonzo is still there, let’s get him some grounders at short so he can make himself frickin useful. Pisses me off……

by theghostofjasonellison on Oct 10, 2008 10:47 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

alfonzo is gone as well

Todd Jennings: If he's on the DL, he can't suck as much, right?

by Speedforthewin on Oct 10, 2008 10:52 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

NOOO

just kidding, i never liked him. Still though, frandsen needs to be comfortable at a position (he really started hitting with the Giants when they let him settle at 2b instead of shifting him around). Alfonzo at short would have been a huge relief for the guy, and quite amusing for us

by theghostofjasonellison on Oct 10, 2008 11:06 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The Giants May Still See Frandsen As Acceptable As A Backup SS

That said I also think it is safe to expect the Giants will sign or trade for a middle infilder that can play SS to provide the needed depth. They will not be standing pat here.

by giantsrainman on Oct 10, 2008 10:53 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I can see Franny and Velez as emergency backups while Bocock toils in Fresno and would come up in case of a Burriss injury

Todd Jennings: If he's on the DL, he can't suck as much, right?

by Speedforthewin on Oct 10, 2008 10:56 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Velez at Shortstop is what nightmares are made of.

by rotorueter on Oct 10, 2008 10:57 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Remember how the Giants were trying Franny at short when Omar went down in spring training and they realized he couldn’t play the position? And Velez wouldn’t be considered at short stop on my fat man softball team.

by Fresburg on Oct 11, 2008 8:39 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

thus the “emergency” moniker. They would play 2 games tops until bocock could be brought up

Todd Jennings: If he's on the DL, he can't suck as much, right?

by Speedforthewin on Oct 11, 2008 6:24 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Frandsen’s tendons seem to not like him at SS.

Travis Denker can hit a little. That's why I drive his bus. Not much about baseball here .

by oldjacket on Oct 11, 2008 10:17 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

nor his glove.

Get the hell out the way Bengie, Pablito's hit the show!

by Roger on Oct 11, 2008 6:58 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

JESUS

Trent Kline: Decentish. Also, my website is called ChatterBalks Dot Com. It's not being updated right now. Hope for more at your own risk.

by groug on Oct 10, 2008 10:31 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No, we have Felipe.

There amass been plenty of articles written this spring about the stud shortstop Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum , as well as the fluid young outfielders and thirteen basemen Kevin Frandsen.
comics | cartoons | Nattowear | McFAQ

by Natto on Oct 11, 2008 2:15 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

3B

since Denker could play a little 3B, the candidates to start at 3B are now Rohlinger, Frandsen, Pablito and Mystery 3B. Not only that, but unless we sign a FA at 3B and/or 2B, we are ridiculously thin at those positions in the upper minors. Removing Depth for shits and giggles is not a sound organizational philosophy. Outrighting Bocock would have made more sense (not much more, because he looks to be the AAA starting SS next year, but still).

Todd Jennings: If he's on the DL, he can't suck as much, right?

by Speedforthewin on Oct 10, 2008 10:45 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

at this point that is the only move that makes sense. I’m hoping for a AAA 3B and not another Castillo look-a-like, but maybe that’s too much to ask from this organization

Todd Jennings: If he's on the DL, he can't suck as much, right?

by Speedforthewin on Oct 10, 2008 10:55 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I thought that last year

And we got Jose Castillo.

Trent Kline: Decentish. Also, my website is called ChatterBalks Dot Com. It's not being updated right now. Hope for more at your own risk.

by groug on Oct 10, 2008 11:28 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Meant to add....

…in my earlier post;

for me Denker > Frandsen. I’ve never understood the relative fascination with Frandsen.

Denker’s weaknesses – poor defender, sluggish baserunner – are matched by Frandsen. Denker’s hitting potential for me is significantly higher than Frandsen’s, and he’s 4? years younger.

I guess if you’re a local kid, and a perceived ‘gamer’, that outweighs talent in this org….

by aGIANTfan on Oct 10, 2008 10:47 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think we all see Denker is the more patient hitter, or least takes more walks. He’s also younger. But in 05 and 06 Frandsen put up minor league numbers at a variety of levels that seem to say “give him a shot.” I think the fascination comes from us fans waiting for that “shot”.

Castillo got the DFA. Guestimate for Castillo DFA to come before the 2009 season = 2.

by kennv on Oct 12, 2008 6:30 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sigh

I wish he had made it to Oakland… he’s a damn sight better hitter than Eric Patterson or Cliff Pennington.

Just another brick in the wall…

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Oct 10, 2008 11:54 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Shouldn’t have done all that winning in the first half.

Travis Denker can hit a little. That's why I drive his bus. Not much about baseball here .

by oldjacket on Oct 11, 2008 10:18 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Might not have if the Cubs had done them the favor of trading for Harden in April

especially since that might have caused an extra couple hundred ABs of suckage from Patterson and Matt Murton.

C’est la vie.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Oct 12, 2008 2:01 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Damn

Sorry Travis, I guess I wasn’t a good enough adoptive father to you. In fact, I think someone stole you from me. But anyway, it was fun while it lasted, especially that part where my adoption of Mark Sweeney turned into a semi-promising young 2B. Sigh. Have a nice life.

Adopted Giant: Travis Denker. Good?

by scotterduder on Oct 11, 2008 12:01 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oops. I remember looking for Denker on the adoption list and not seeing him.

My bad.

Travis Denker can hit a little. That's why I drive his bus. Not much about baseball here .

by oldjacket on Oct 11, 2008 9:46 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nah, don’t worry about it. I was like the neglectful father who is too busy working or boozing, and you’re the friendly and non-threatening mentor who plays catch with him. I’m just glad someone was around to stand up for him…because it totally worked out, right? Time to be depressed again…

Adopted Giant: Travis Denker. Good?

by scotterduder on Oct 11, 2008 12:16 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

awful move

I remember Sabean making a comment about how “we’re all rooting for Frandsen” to win the 2B job. What the hell does that mean? And is that how he came up with the idea to get rid of all the competition?

by kingofthacove on Oct 11, 2008 12:34 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I Hear You On This

Making the statement “We’re all rooting for Frandsen” doesn’t make it look like a fair competion to Velez either even though he is staying.

by giantsrainman on Oct 11, 2008 12:51 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I’m still very unhappy with this.

There amass been plenty of articles written this spring about the stud shortstop Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum , as well as the fluid young outfielders and thirteen basemen Kevin Frandsen.
comics | cartoons | Nattowear | McFAQ

by Natto on Oct 11, 2008 2:16 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I Can Understand Disagreeing But

“I am still very unhappy” seems extream. This just isn’t that big of a deal to get all upset over. In the long run (or for that matter the short run) it is very unlikely to have any effect on the results the Giants produce.

by giantsrainman on Oct 11, 2008 2:27 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I have a feeling Denker had some clubhouse problems. I mean besides his obvious defensive flaws, I don’t see a bat like that getting flushed away by 2 organizations so quickly.

"Don't trust anyone under the age of 30" - Brian Sabean

by Smotheredinhugs on Oct 11, 2008 5:39 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ridiculous

I’m in agreement with lots here in being pretty unhappy with this, it’s a terrible move that makes no sense whatsoever. The thing that’s baffling about this move is that there just isn’t any logic behind it. I can understand, although disagree, if the organisation doesn’t think highly of him, but there’s seeminly no purpose to getting rid of him now.

We’ve got loads of room on the roster, we may have to protect a few from the draft, but we had plenty of room to do that anyway, and if we have problems due to future aquisitions (which i doubt, given the amount of space we have) then we could make this decision then. It’s a very dissapointing & negative start to the offseason.

Proud owner of the most boring Username! Alex Hinshaw: Now showing in a bullpen near you!

by GiantFan on Oct 11, 2008 6:03 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Guys from the draft don't need to be protected

Only guys who are 4 years from their first pro contract, if they signed at 19 or older, or 5 years, if they signed below the age of 19, get exposed in the rule 5; thus necessitating being placed on the 40 man to protect them.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Oct 11, 2008 10:20 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sorry, i do know that, but can understand where my comment wasn’t clear. The point is, i don’t believe we have that many players to protect from the rule 5, and certainly not many that are preferable prospects to Denker.

Proud owner of the most boring Username! Alex Hinshaw: Now showing in a bullpen near you!

by GiantFan on Oct 12, 2008 2:55 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Very Surprised

I agree with all of you guys about losing Denker, but I can’t believe how everyone is focusing on that when the fact that Correia and Hennessey being dumped is so much more important. Sabean said they would not go into the FA market for starters, yet they now have just four. (you can’t count Noah Lowry) I think it’s obvious that Neukom is starting to exert his influence, and the Giants’ are going to make a serious run at a top starter. To me, the excitement over that trumps the loss of Denker. I can’t see Travis doing anything at the big league level that would make me think in the future that I’m sorry they went with Frandsen, Velez or someone not here yet. With regards to Denker, I really don’t see how his perfomance this year could have turned them off to such an extent. Might it have been something personal?? He should have been called up in Sept. and wasn’t, and now he’s just dumped. Is it possible he rubbed people the wrong way??

Brian Sabean's new dad: Firm believer in corporal punishment

by rxmeister on Oct 11, 2008 6:47 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Correia and Hennessey

I thought they were outrighted to Fresno and weren’t claimed.

Catcher are base running. Hitters are offense.

by thehavenot on Oct 11, 2008 8:21 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

in order to do that, the Giants had to pass them through waivers. That would certainly mean they’re not in the Giants’ plans for 2009.

Brian Sabean's new dad: Firm believer in corporal punishment

by rxmeister on Oct 11, 2008 8:27 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

sorry for the hasty uninformative incorrect response. All of the players outrighted yesterday except for Espinelli have the right to declare themselves free agents, and with the exception of Kevin Correia, have already informed the Giants they will. I’m sure Kevin will follow, as he’s the most likely to get a decent FA contract.

Brian Sabean's new dad: Firm believer in corporal punishment

by rxmeister on Oct 11, 2008 8:40 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ah, I see

That was something I had sort of known but didn’t quite think of.

That’s kind of a shame. Both Correia and Hennessey looked really bad last year, but I’d like to see if one of them could have rebounded. Not likely, but still…

Catcher are base running. Hitters are offense.

by thehavenot on Oct 11, 2008 2:47 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hennessey looked a lot better in his September call-up. Well, better than “horrible” is not great, but I agree that dumping both him and Correia seems like a mistake.

No, my Crazy Crab bobblehead is not for sale.

by Kitspool on Oct 11, 2008 3:18 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Problem was the money. Because they can’t offer less than 80% at arb Henny’s got to make 1.4 mil next year and Kevin about a mil. I guess the org figures if they’re not going to get their monies worth of production from either, and I can’t say I disagree. If they’re going to get total crap from the #5 starter, they might as well get it for league minimum from a Misch, or if they’re going to pay decent money they need to get decent production.

Get the hell out the way Bengie, Pablito's hit the show!

by Roger on Oct 11, 2008 7:05 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Plus The Way The Arbitration Process Works They Would Get A Raise

2nd Year Arbitration players don’t get reductions for just sucking they have to be injured. If the Giants offered th 20% reduction the arbitrator would just award the up to 50% raise the players asked. For the Giants to win the would have to offer a smaller raise but a raise non the less.

by giantsrainman on Oct 11, 2008 7:16 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

1.4 mil for sub replacement pitching. That’s a smart call, though I do think Correia still has some upside.

The Denker bus is now bound for San Diego. Those who were passengers on it are now angrily stranded at a gas station in Modesto, CA. Not much about baseball here .

by oldjacket on Oct 11, 2008 8:37 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Meh.

Count me amongst those who just doesn’t think Hennessey will ever be more than a replacement level pitcher.

Baggs seemed tot hink that things have gone sour between Correia and the organization. Hopefully, they can make up, because Correia can still contribute at the MLB level.

Travis Denker can hit a little. That's why I drive his bus. Not much about baseball here .

by oldjacket on Oct 11, 2008 10:21 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't understand these moves...

And I don’t feel like digging stuff out for myself. What just happened? Is Denker absolutely gone or can we pull him back? Why aren’t we keeping Espineli up? Who’s our fifth starter now if Lowry gets busted again?

Barry Zito - Mildly half-OK! Sometimes.

by Revolution1 on Oct 11, 2008 8:57 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

it’s probable that we sign a free agent 5th starter, but misch would be our 6th behind lowry right now

Todd Jennings: If he's on the DL, he can't suck as much, right?

by Speedforthewin on Oct 11, 2008 9:32 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh right. Signing people.

I guess a fifth starter shouldn’t be TOO hard to find (hoping I don’t regret this statement later). But what about Espinelli? He looked sort of okay. Did he go back to Fresno to work on stuff or what? What does our bullpen look like now? Are we going to pick up more bullpen guys?

Barry Zito - Mildly half-OK! Sometimes.

by Revolution1 on Oct 11, 2008 10:58 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He gone!

Put it on the… ok, that’s clearly in profoundly poor taste.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Oct 11, 2008 9:34 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

that’s just horrid

Todd Jennings: If he's on the DL, he can't suck as much, right?

by Speedforthewin on Oct 11, 2008 9:35 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You'll get no arguments from me

I think Hawk Harrelson is the worst broadcaster in all of sports, and that’s saying a LOT.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Oct 11, 2008 9:40 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The obligatory Denker Career path Chart

by jctGamer on Oct 11, 2008 9:29 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hey

I remember making that, but I don’t remember why.

..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.

by Cookyman on Oct 11, 2008 9:33 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

if your serious, when denker got demoted from AAA to A-ball during the minor league all star break.

Pac Bell, SBC, AT&T, 2010=???

by jt_7241 on Oct 11, 2008 1:11 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh right

This is weirder.

..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.

by Cookyman on Oct 11, 2008 1:18 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I knew

I picked the wrong off-season to stop sniffing glue

FIRE BRIAN SABEAN

by zenbitz on Oct 11, 2008 9:39 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It’s never too late to start again.

..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.

by Cookyman on Oct 11, 2008 9:42 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Good-bye my son

Well, he’s now in an organization which will better be able to appreciate his Todd Walker-esque skillset.

Denker could have been a cheap, good hitting second baseman for a long time. Now we’re stuck hoping that either Kevin Frandsen’s too-old-for his level minor league numbers translate to the majors or that Eugenio Velez figures out how to play baseball.

Travis Denker can hit a little. That's why I drive his bus. Not much about baseball here .

by oldjacket on Oct 11, 2008 9:52 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Denker’s problem was that he was a lousy defensive second baseman. He didn’t fit in with the pitching, speed and defense mantra that the Giants’ are spouting. Perhaps the Padres’ slogan for next year includes the word “hitting.”

Brian Sabean's new dad: Firm believer in corporal punishment

by rxmeister on Oct 11, 2008 9:56 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Perhaps the Padres’ slogan for next year includes the word "hitting."

Giants’ slogan: “Oh yeah, and hitting.”

I saw him play a number of games in Fresno/Sacramento, and he was a lot better at second than Ivan Ochoa was. I think Denker’s main problem was that he was a bit of a fatty, and didn’t look like a second baseman.

Travis Denker can hit a little. That's why I drive his bus. Not much about baseball here .

by oldjacket on Oct 11, 2008 10:01 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

There is no way that Velez is better defensively. And this whole “mantra” is a joke – it’s just a pathetic attempt to distract the fans from the total lack of hitters on the team. Our big off season signing was Rowand, and he doesn’t fit that mantra either.

..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.

by Cookyman on Oct 11, 2008 10:03 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He sort of fits the defense mold if you look mostly at reputation…

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Oct 11, 2008 10:08 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

eh

The point is that good players win ballgames. It doesn’t matter if they’re good thanks to their defense, or speed, or hitting, or whatever. Good players are good. You don’t give away for free a player that could be good one day just because he doesn’t fit the “mantra”.

..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.

by Cookyman on Oct 11, 2008 10:20 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I couldn’t agree more.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Oct 11, 2008 10:26 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He sort of fits the defense mold if you look mostly at reputation revulsion …

There now its fixed!

Ivan Ochoa - Heir to the legacy of Rob Andrews & Rikkert Faneyte!

Let's see spread Chaos, Confusion and Anarchy here? Check. My work is complete. I’ll be moving on now.

by daveinexile on Oct 11, 2008 12:31 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

/sadly updates signature

The Denker bus is now bound for San Diego. Those who were passengers on it are now angrily stranded at a gas station in Modesto, CA. Not much about baseball here .

by oldjacket on Oct 11, 2008 10:30 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I get it now!

This is the Giants Way!

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
Giant Whiteout I wouldn't go there if I were you.

by WalrusMan on Oct 11, 2008 11:49 AM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

giving away useful players to inter divisional rivals for free

The Giants Way.

The Denker bus is now bound for San Diego. Those who were passengers on it are now angrily stranded at a gas station in Modesto, CA. Not much about baseball here .

by oldjacket on Oct 11, 2008 12:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Amen brother!

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
Giant Whiteout I wouldn't go there if I were you.

by WalrusMan on Oct 11, 2008 12:46 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

well, if you want to get technical

intra-divisional rivals. Inter division would be to another division.

Brian Sabean's new dad: Firm believer in corporal punishment

by rxmeister on Oct 11, 2008 4:33 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Technical/Logical

Doesn’t fit into the Giants Way

Don't think, it could only hurt the ballclub.

by ResDog on Oct 12, 2008 8:20 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Amen brother!

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
Giant Whiteout I wouldn't go there if I were you.

by WalrusMan on Oct 12, 2008 6:21 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The Giants Way, indeed

Whether or not we’ll all look back one day with regret over this move isn’t really the main point for me. I mean, sure, Denker showed real signs of being a Major League caliber hitter—more so than Velez or Frandsen, so I’m not happy about losing him. But if the point is only, “we lost Travis Denker”, I don’t know that I’m going to lose a ton of sleep over it.

What bothers me more is the lack of any apparent benefit to this move, and what it says about the person making the move. The Giants are dumping a middle infielder—an area where they’re demonstrably weak—and a middle infielder who is young and had some nice upside with his hitting—another area where they’re demonstrably weak. Denker had a chance to become a valuable player—a better chance than some of the guys who remain on the 40-man, and definitely a better chance than the seven empty spots left on the 40-man. And the dumping of Denker yields… what benefit? Increasing the savvy, good clubhouse guy quotient?

So, the larger issue is that Sabean still appears to be an idiot. I get releasing Denker if there’s something better in the wings waiting to take his spot. But clearly that isn’t the case here. This just smells of another in Sabean’s long line of dumb, incomprehensible moves for six years running now. I doesn’t give me any confidence that the bigger moves still to come this offseason will be any better.

Why couldn't McCovey have hit the ball just three feet higher??

by tobias on Oct 11, 2008 12:13 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Plus its worth remembering that in a way this stems from all the Beach Roster Bingo madness that went on all 2008. I guess for me the crux of the issue is that the organization is now trying to sell me on the notion of a long term development plan, but the specific moves so often seem to be arbitrary and capricious. To me those two things just don’t jibe together. Long term plans take patience, thoroughness, communication, some sense of performance benchmarks for the kids coming up.

Did Denker not work the way they thought appropriate? Did he fail to hustle in one of his sporadic appearances? Well I can think of a couple of high profile players currently competing in the LCS who had similar stumbles this year, and their organizations took steps: they talked to them; told them what the expected; meted out appropriate punishment; and went on about their business. What they didn’t do was stick the offending player into an irretrievable dog house and then whisper mean things about them through back channels to the press.

Get the hell out the way Bengie, Pablito's hit the show!

by Roger on Oct 11, 2008 8:29 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I guess 6 out of 7 aint bad.

The Denker choice is just too much stupidity and arrogance mixed together. No I don‘t care to figure the ratio either its enough for me to know its bad. I don’t care if Denker never sticks at the Mlb level a 23 year old playing 2nd in Fresno learning the game. Not a bad thing. In fact a better then Zorak considering were the talent is, and isn’t, currently in this franchise.

Before someone brings up "Trust the scouts" it a moot point. One the scouts are not making the choice. Two tell me how well you enjoyed Joe Castle this season over Buscher? Because had the system been handled properly ( ie. think about more then 1-2 moves ahead of time) that would have been our choice in 2008.

The other 6 are not bad though. In years past I could see a Correia or Hennessy being kept. In franchise just interested in getting by would have kept one or both and hoped they turned out well enough to get some one’s O.K low level protect. You know like he Sabean does with a veteran free agent position players once they have gone over the cliff. To me this makes me think the front office is looking at bringing in 2 guys to compete for the bottom of the rotation. Sorry Rainman but C.C. is not one of them.

Ochoa it was fun and thanks for ‘08!

Ivan Ochoa - Heir to the legacy of Rob Andrews & Rikkert Faneyte!

Let's see spread Chaos, Confusion and Anarchy here? Check. My work is complete. I’ll be moving on now.

by daveinexile on Oct 11, 2008 12:26 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Brian Buscher is an excellent parallel to this. Brian Buscher isn’t an amazing player (730 OPS as a 27 year old) and it really doesn’t impact the team THAT much that we lost him, but there was no point in releasing him if we didn’t have anyone demonstratively better to replace him.

by rotorueter on Oct 11, 2008 12:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bushcer

Was not protected in the Rule V Draft and the Twins selected him. The Giants will have some tough decisions this winter on who they will have to protect.

by wilriv21 on Oct 11, 2008 12:55 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And the last sentence does amazingly little to inspire me with confidence for the front office.

Thankfully Nov 20 is the deadline for that. ( If I remember correctly). So the W.S. will be over and perhaps a old vet or two is dropped for room.

Ivan Ochoa - Heir to the legacy of Rob Andrews & Rikkert Faneyte!

Let's see spread Chaos, Confusion and Anarchy here? Check. My work is complete. I’ll be moving on now.

by daveinexile on Oct 11, 2008 1:04 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well I agree it does not give the Giants the pennant. But Buscher would look real good at third now tell the team got a better then "meh" third baseman. The Cost of Buscher could go up. They sign a fugly contract with a banged up Crede or trade for a broken Blalock and the Buscher move takes ona whole new level of "not badness" that could have been avoided.

Ivan Ochoa - Heir to the legacy of Rob Andrews & Rikkert Faneyte!

Let's see spread Chaos, Confusion and Anarchy here? Check. My work is complete. I’ll be moving on now.

by daveinexile on Oct 11, 2008 1:00 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

the Giants were just attempting to remove these players from the 40 man roster. Perhaps they thought that Denker would clear waivers. To be honest, I would have thought Correia and Hennessey would have been claimed before Denker.

Brian Sabean's new dad: Firm believer in corporal punishment

by rxmeister on Oct 11, 2008 4:36 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

They’re arb-eligible, so their salaries are starting to become significant. They’re probably still useful pitchers, but there are a lot of mediocre arms available.

by Evan on Oct 11, 2008 4:44 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Update: BIG MISTAKE

I had traded him away (along with Dave Roberts) to the Mets in my Baseball Mogul sim and he was an average starter from 24-27. an .831 OPS year mixed in there too. Then he took off and I signed him back as a free agent, and reaped the benifits of a 1.074 OPS and .992 OPS. He’s now 34 and making 24.5 million a year for the next 2 seasons.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
Giant Whiteout I wouldn't go there if I were you.

by WalrusMan on Oct 11, 2008 12:46 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I used him sparingly as a AAAA backup until his year 28 season when I let him be a full-time mlb backup. 400 sub-.700 OPS at bats later, and I let that fool’s contract expire. He’s went on to hit about .275./360/.435 in 400 ABs the next season with Pittsburgh and then Arizona. My verdict: he was useful for a while, and he has a .731 career OPS in over 1000 total ABs. Totally worth keeping around.

I’m currently fighting out my second consecutive NLCS appearance against the Dodgers. After getting up 3 games to 1 on them last year only to lose the next 3 and miss the World series, I’m now up 3 games to 2 on them heading back to LA to finish the series with Lincecum and Clayton Tanner scheduled to pitch the final two games. I feel good about my chances, but after last year’s loss I take nothing for granted.

Also, John Bowker = best leadoff hitter EVER. Mark it.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Oct 11, 2008 2:17 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yea..

Actually like everyone on the Dodgers has a cheap 7 year contact (Loney, Martin, Ethier, Kemp, Hu) and they’re amazing so the Dodgers are dominating. Kind of sad.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
Giant Whiteout I wouldn't go there if I were you.

by WalrusMan on Oct 11, 2008 2:30 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bowker was very good for me at the top of the lineup. Even though he never hit more than 20 homers in a season, he consistently got his OBP above .350 with a BA hovering around .300.

There amass been plenty of articles written this spring about the stud shortstop Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum , as well as the fluid young outfielders and thirteen basemen Kevin Frandsen.
comics | cartoons | Nattowear | McFAQ

by Natto on Oct 11, 2008 2:37 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bowker for me is something like .305/.405/.460 hitting just about 20 HRs a year.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Oct 11, 2008 3:00 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Bowker..

Never turned out for me, traded to the Royals halfway through 2009. He was a backup there until 2012 and he got playing time and hit .716 OPS. Then he went to Chicago and was a backup for two more years, then had 3 straight 20 HR seasons as a starter, still only .305-.310 OBP though as that. He’s currently a backup at 1B again.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
Giant Whiteout I wouldn't go there if I were you.

by WalrusMan on Oct 11, 2008 3:21 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He was Rookie of the Year for me in 2011, hitting .302/.384/.470 with 18 homers. I kept him for three more seasons, letting him go as a free agent in 2015 after four very productive seasons. The only reason I let him go was because I had Noonan coming up.

There amass been plenty of articles written this spring about the stud shortstop Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum , as well as the fluid young outfielders and thirteen basemen Kevin Frandsen.
comics | cartoons | Nattowear | McFAQ

by Natto on Oct 11, 2008 2:34 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

At least Denker doesn't have to worry...

about ever going back to Dodd again now.

http://gregsconnecticutdefenders.blogspot.com

by greg8370 on Oct 11, 2008 1:56 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I swear to god, I leave town for a day and the Giants screw the pooch. Every time. It never fails.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Oct 11, 2008 2:03 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Solution: Never leave town ever again.

There amass been plenty of articles written this spring about the stud shortstop Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum , as well as the fluid young outfielders and thirteen basemen Kevin Frandsen.
comics | cartoons | Nattowear | McFAQ

by Natto on Oct 11, 2008 2:38 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Seriously man.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Oct 11, 2008 2:47 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Now I'll just wait..

For the next trade suggestion including his name as a throw in.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
Giant Whiteout I wouldn't go there if I were you.

by WalrusMan on Oct 11, 2008 2:30 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

denker

good riddance to him. too bad he didn’t end in a cold weather venue.

by thehondohurricane on Oct 11, 2008 2:57 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I had forgotten about his bitching about Dodd. That was pretty lame.

by Evan on Oct 11, 2008 3:32 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Slightly OT, the Blue Angels are strafing SF this afternoon. Can we get them to unload some of their weaponry over Sabean’s office?

No, my Crazy Crab bobblehead is not for sale.

by Kitspool on Oct 11, 2008 3:25 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Honestly, I think this is the worst move the Giants made in 2008.

Whipping around guys like Bocock is stupid, but those guys are essentially fungible anyway… they’re not going to be good players. That’s aesthetically disappointing more than anything. Signing guys like Castillo — again, not fun to watch, but no harm done to the future of the franchise.

This is different. This is opting to lose a somewhat interesting talent at one of our very weakest positions. I’m not going to contend Denker’s a future All-Star — he may never be much of anything. But he absolutely has more potential than Velez, Frandsen, Burriss, Ochoa or any of these other clowns we have in the middle infield. He might have filled a hard-to-fill slot for us.

I don’t even care if there was behind-the-scenes stuff that meant we had to lose him. If you don’t want him anymore, wait to trade him, for something. Don’t just put the guy up for grabs.

A stupid, terrible, dispiriting move. Not the way to kick off the offseason.

by onlxn on Oct 11, 2008 4:01 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

why all the Kevin Frandsen hatred on this board?? Frandsen was a solid minor leaguer, always hitting over .300, and he tore up the AZFL a couple of years ago. Then he comes up here and in about half a season hits a decent .269, and even shows some pop. Despite that, he gets no respect. He is absolutely a better player than Travis Denker will ever be.

Brian Sabean's new dad: Firm believer in corporal punishment

by rxmeister on Oct 11, 2008 4:41 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs