Mortgaging.... or something like that

by baetown415 on Oct 13, 2008 10:55 AM PDT

Because this organization (the Giants, not McCoven) is in a state of limbo (well not really, since there's still plenty of rebuilding to do), differing opinions are flying all around regarding what Sabean should do this off-season. Instead of posting what I think he should do (like keeping young middle infielders who can hit some and aren't embarrassing in the field. oh wait), I wanted to pose a question to all you McCoven faithful, unfaithful, and polygamous.

Would you mortgage (or sell off, throw away, etc.) the Giants' next fifty years for the team to win 2009 World Series championship?

I mean completely horrible, unwatchable, heartbreaking and utterly depressing for the next fifty years for one championship. Think: Detroit-Lions-minus-Barry-Sanders bad. or LA Clippers sans Elton Brand bad. Think Omar-Vizquel-hitting-in-2008 horrible. For the next fifty. For one ring. Like lending your baseball soul out to el diablo.

This is, indubitably, hypothetical, but think about it. It's been fifty years in San Francisco and only twice has the team even been close enough to get a whiff of a world championship, only to see it snatched out of their grasp at the last second. (What's that you say? There was a Game 7 in the 2002 World Series? uhh.... let's just move on). As Cubs, Indians, and Rangers fans (and formerly Sox and Sawks fans) can attest to, fifty years isn't THAT long.

Problem is, the way the Giants are headed right now in scouting and, less so, player development, it looks like the Giants could actually start being actual multi-year contenders beginning in the mid-2010s. By throwing everything for one championship, you'd be deprived of seeing good baseball for quite a while. Then again, the Giants have always had great players and great teams, yet no team could bring home a World Series title.

So enough with my babble. What do you think? The greatest thrill next year for fifty years of worse-than-2007 ball? Or building the organization and facing the possibilty of another fifty years without a World Series.

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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Nope. If a team can contend and make it fun and interesting late in the season and in the playoffs on a regular basis, I’m pretty happy.
If the Giants spend the next two seasons building a team that can be a regular contender, I’m okay with waiting. I’d rather them have a chance to win multiple championships in a few years rather than getting one and becoming the Pirates.

by chilibean_3 on Oct 13, 2008 11:04 AM PDT 0 recs

This

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Oct 13, 2008 11:10 AM PDT up 0 recs

by deuce deuce on Oct 13, 2008 12:15 PM PDT up 0 recs

This +1

chilibean covered it all. Build the team correctly. As much as I dreaded watching this team in March, the season actually turned out better than I thought. The Giants have some holes in the lineup for 2009, but less than I expected.

We (the Fans) had some pleasant surprises IMO in 2008. It was fun to watch and gave me some hope for 2010.

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

by nvsfg on Oct 13, 2008 12:26 PM PDT up 0 recs

I'm 50

any have enjoyed some fine teams in the 60’s and early 70’s, late 80’s and again in late 90’s early 21st century. Have many happy memories of fine contending teams and two WS appearances. Can hold off. But not too much longer.

by wilriv21 on Oct 13, 2008 11:15 AM PDT 0 recs

I'M FIFTY!

by rotorueter on Oct 13, 2008 12:44 PM PDT up 0 recs

You'll never make 60 breathing that crap , Pops...

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

by victor frankenstein on Oct 14, 2008 10:41 AM PDT up 0 recs

I’m pretty sure the Cubs took that deal in 1908, but the devil probably said something like “at least 50 years” and had enough wiggle room to keep it going 100+ years.

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on Oct 13, 2008 11:18 AM PDT 0 recs

So how about instead they get better in 2009, then win the World Series in 2010? Are we off the hook for the next 50 years now? Because I’d prefer this scenario.

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Oct 13, 2008 11:44 AM PDT 0 recs

NO

Am I mad, in a coma, or back in time? Whatever's happened, it's like I've landed on a different planet. Now, maybe if I can work out the reason, I can get home.

by Lyle on Oct 13, 2008 12:00 PM PDT 0 recs

It's that whole One marshmellow now or two later thing

Except it one marsh mellow now followed by a pound of fermented shrimp paste OR two marsh mellows later.

I was always the kinda kid who waited.

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Oct 13, 2008 12:26 PM PDT 0 recs

life is about journeys not destinations

not to get too philosophical, but… I think most of us who are fans of this level enjoy the process more than the outcomes. Whereas casual fans just come along for the outcomes and aren’t that interested in the process. So, with that philosophy, I would have to reject that proposed deal. I am a lot more interested in seeing how this current rebuilding plan plays out over the next 5 years or so, even if it only leads to a couple of playoff appearances with no championships, than I would be in a single championship followed by years of hopelessness.

by FluLikeSymptoms on Oct 13, 2008 12:51 PM PDT 0 recs

This is sort of like one of those “Would you give up a year off the end of your life for one night with Jessica Alba?” questions.

For the record, I’d give up ever having one night with Jessica Alba for a World Series win. (I’d also give up a year of every one of your lives for a night with Jessica Alba.)

Zooperstars, they quack me up!

by Goofus on Oct 13, 2008 1:17 PM PDT 0 recs

How old will I be when I die?

If it means I don’t live to see 87, damn right I’d give up a year of my life for a night with Alba! She hot, and 86 is plenty old enough.

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Oct 13, 2008 1:20 PM PDT up 0 recs

I’d give up one year of Jessica Alba’s life for one night with the World Series.

Scott McClain: Great story, no place on the 2009 Giants.

by EliminateMe on Oct 13, 2008 1:31 PM PDT up 0 recs

by chilibean_3 on Oct 13, 2008 1:33 PM PDT up 0 recs

me too

I see the future, and it is Pablo

by CB30 on Oct 13, 2008 1:45 PM PDT up 0 recs

Eh

I’d rather just pay the 2 grand for a similar caliber escort.

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Oct 13, 2008 3:33 PM PDT up 0 recs

I rather pay $900 for average seats to a WS game.

Proud father of Eric Surcamp!

by The Thrill on Oct 13, 2008 6:31 PM PDT 0 recs

It wouldn't be as much fun

if we knew we were going to win it all in 2009, I want more of a surprise

proud father of the newly acquired Brandon Crawford..

by Azmanz on Oct 13, 2008 6:36 PM PDT 0 recs

My 2 cents

I’d rather try to build an organization with the foundation of good scouting/player development. Before this past season, I was so depressed over the state of the Giants, I would’ve probably picked the 1 championship, but it’s amazing what the season did for me (i.e. Timmy’s dominance, solid contribution from young/youngish players, a bolstered farm system).

Adopted Giant: Aaron King

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

P.S. I Love Matt Cain. but only hetero-ly

by baetown415 on Oct 13, 2008 6:52 PM PDT 0 recs

Grammar Police

Actually, your question isn’t hypothetical at all since “hypotheticals” by definition must be “considered possibilities” and short of the physical reality of el diablo himself, there is no possibility that anything done this offseason could affect the team 50, 40, 30, 20 or probably even 10 years hence (obviously, in addition to the devil, I’m skeptical towards curses as well).

So I pose a different question: what’s the maximum that you can actually mortgage the future for? How many years can you negatively affect by the acts of one season — assuming good, smart management during those subsequent years?

I’ll go ahead and say six years, based entirely on the time spanning the Marlins mortgage the future, spend like a drunken sailor championship and their “build it right” championship (although the tiniest amount of competence or even interest in helping the organization during the firesale probably could have sped that period up significantly, so perhaps 4 should be the correct number).

(As an aside, I should say that the notion that we’re set up to be multi-year contenders five or six years from now is still at this point the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen).

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

by Roger on Oct 13, 2008 7:14 PM PDT 0 recs

Florida...that just bring up my breakfast.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_Marlins

I mean , considering their time on the freaking planet…

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

by victor frankenstein on Oct 14, 2008 10:49 AM PDT up 0 recs

As long as there is no derivative trading on this mortgage...

honestly though, not a chance.

Giants! Giants! HELP US GOD!

by j14 on Oct 14, 2008 10:23 AM PDT 0 recs

One of the 5 most improved teams of 2008...

I have been a Giants fan for many years. The 2008 Giants were much better that the 2007 version (even with Bonds). Not even the 1987 Giants generated the promise of this year’s (and beyond) team.

Between Lincecum, Sandoval, Lewis, Nate, Velez, Cain, and Sanchez, MadBum, Alderson, and Posey, I see great things from the Giants in the next 2 or 3 years.

Just be patient.

by kar120c on Oct 14, 2008 12:49 PM PDT 0 recs

If you look at the Pythagorean W/L record, the 2007 team was actually significantly better than the 2008 team. That being said, the team we ended the season with was definitely better than the team we started it with (except for at second base).

by rotorueter on Oct 14, 2008 1:51 PM PDT up 0 recs

One of the most improved teams from April to September of 2008, yes, but by absolutely no stretch improved overall performance-wise from 2007 to 2008.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Oct 14, 2008 1:53 PM PDT up 0 recs

'87, Gracie?

The team that went to Game 7 of the LCS and came within a Maldonado of going to the World Series? That team? That team was less promising than 2008’s?

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

by Roger on Oct 14, 2008 12:57 PM PDT 0 recs