Offseason Predictions for the San Francisco Giants: The Pitching Staff

by Grant on Oct 3, 2008 12:42 PM PDT Comment 101 comments

More from the State of the Sabean address:

Q: Is the rotation a concern?

A: It could be, especially with Noah having the second surgery. Hopefully that’s the last thing to get him ready for the spring, but I think you have to put him off to the side. After what’s happened the last couple years moving (minor league) pitchers, without naming names, we’ve got some guys who are pretty darn good who could be up here in a hurry next year. We might have more depth than we think. We don’t have the experience you’d want, but from a talent standpoint, we should have some choices.

…and…

Q: Would you at least dip your toe in the free-agent market for starters?

A: We’ll look heavily in the market for relief help. Whether we decide to do that with a starting pitcher remains to be seen, because I think the price is going to be exorbitant.

Let’s run this through the Wild-Speculatron 3200 and try to translate what Sabean was implying:

"With Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, Jonathan Sanchez, and, ugh, Barry Zito in the fold for next year, the rotation could still use a fifth starter. Kevin Correia fumbled his opportunity, Brad Hennessey is, has been, and always will be just filler in any decent pitching staff, and Lowry isn’t someone to count on until he throws a pitch in a regular-season game.

But, cripes, nothing there suggests that we should pay $130M for CC Sabathia, $60M for Derek Lowe, or even $30M for Pedro Martinez. We’ll figure something out. We don’t want to do what the Mariners did last year with Carlos Silva, and we don’t want to tie up 40% of the payroll in two pitchers, especially if one isn’t pitching well."
"Madison Bumgarner or Tim Alderson might be in the majors next year. Crazy, I know, but I’m pretty confident that they could learn at the major-league level without getting slapped around."
"The bullpen this year was a lonely fortnight at sea, fraught with peril, isolation and scurvy. The free agent market for relievers is a moderately well maintained brothel in a port of call. So we’re going to spend our money. Oh, you’d better believe we’re going to spend our money. We might not like what we end up contracting, but we’ll at least feel good for a short time."

The offseason pitching priority is on the bullpen. Fair enough. Brian Wilson isn’t going anywhere, and Sergio Romo certainly pitched himself onto the staff. Alex Hinshaw will probably be back, which leaves three or four spots open for some of these contenders:

Jack Taschner
Tyler Walker
Keiichi Yabu
Billy Sadler
Geno Espeneli
Merkin Valdez
Brad Hennessey
Kevin Correia

My predictions: Still here, gone, gone, still here, minors, hurt, gone, fifth starter. I’d say the Giants are going to sign just one reliever, but it isn’t going to be a closer like Kerry Wood or Francisco Rodriguez. Like, duh. But that doesn’t leave a whole bunch of options. The full list of free agents is here, and here’s my best guess as what the staff will look like next year:

1. Zito!
2. Lincecum
3. Cain
4. Sanchez
5. Correia

CL – Wilson
SU – A surprisingly expensive Juan Cruz
SU – Taschner
MR – Romo
MR – Sadler
MR – Hinshaw
Mop-up – Other

Bonus prediction: Correia is replaced by Tim Alderson in June.

Your turn. Give your best guess at what the Giants will do, not what you want them to do.

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IAWTR

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Oct 3, 2008 12:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Other Timmy

Alderson will have that Catcher in the Rye book report to complete by June, as well as get a date for the Prom. Pitching in the bigs might be too much on his plate.

by biff pocoroba on Oct 3, 2008 12:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

"Good " Sabean: Does a 2 years , or 1 & and option, 11.5 MM to Jamie Moyer. He takes up 180+ innings in the bottom of the rotation saving the pen at lest 50 innings over this years staff.

~~Bad~~ “Normal” Sabean: He does a 4 year 40 MM contract to Fuentes. Yes his arm falls off in the first 18 months.

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

by daveinexile on Oct 3, 2008 12:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Additional benefit of Moyer is that he could teach Zito how to get bitches out with an 82 MPH fastball.

"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 3, 2008 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

/ nods nods

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

by daveinexile on Oct 3, 2008 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Additional benefit of Moyer is that he could teach Zito how to get ~~bitches~~ pitchers out with an 82 MPH fastball.

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

by Stuttering John Tamargo on Oct 3, 2008 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

moyer is a good option, i doubt Phils let him walk though. Bumgarner/Alderson are on the Matt Cain plan of 3 years of minor league ball before they even snifs the majors

by cazzuno on Oct 3, 2008 3:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mad Bum/Timmy Two

I don’t think it’s a given that Mad Bum and Timmy Two will spend three years in the minors. It is unusual for a high school draftee to pitch in High A with just four or five innings of professional experience (Alderson), and Mad Bum flat-out tore it up in Low A. I would guess both will start out next season in AA, which is one level higher than Pablo Sandoval began this season.

Some feel that Mad Bum will level out as he enters the higher levels. I would expect the same thing to happen with Timmy Two, possibly to a greater degree. But if they can stay healthy, I think both will become solid starters — probably much better in Mad Bum’s case.

Timmy Two relies heavily on his curve ball, but it is a good one (10 to 4, less snap than Lincecum — surprise, surprise — but a big break). His fastball is a bit pedestrian (usually topping at 92), so in order to become a major league pitcher I suspect he needs to work heavily on his change up. Developing a good change would likely make him a good starter one day. Not developing it would likely make him a set up man. Alderson has the poise to pitch in the majors right now. It is merely a case of his stuff (third pitch) needing to catch up.

Mad Bum probably just needs to refine his pitches and remain healthy.

by sharksrog on Oct 3, 2008 11:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

when he was drafted

it was said that Timmy Two had three plus pitches. as i recall they said the fastball had bite and some movement, the changeup was advanced and the curve was good. The plus-plus command should help Timmy Two at any level and I think he’s a much better bet to succeed at higher levels

Mischievously implosive purple pitching staff.

by SloIsLonelyForTheOrange on Oct 5, 2008 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

One plus plus one plus doesn't equall three plusses

Timmy Two’s change up isn’t advanced — or at least he doesn’t throw it much. Neither, according to the SJ Giants employee who sat behind me with the radar gun.

He said Tim rarely broke 92 with his fastball and that he seldom threw his change. In the playoff opener which I saw, he threw it twice early — once at 76 mph and once at 82 — and then seemed to abandon it.

To be honest, I liked the looks of the change. Tim didn’t seem to tip it off, and especially at 76 he had a great speed differential between it and his fastball. But it appears either that he doesn’t think he needs it now or that he lacks confidence in the pitch. And clearly its speed seems to vary quite a bit.

I don’t see any reason why he can’t harness the pitch, and hopefully that is precisely what he will be doing this winter. With a good change up, he would probably be major-league ready right now. Without it, I think he would be likely to have trouble with lefty hitters.

I don’t think his fastball is all that much of a plus pitch. But he curve certainly is. It doesn’t have the snap Tim Lincecum’s hook has, but it has a very nice 10-to-4 break. And he controls it well enough that he seems to throw it close to 40% of the time.

I merely think his curve will play far better against right-handed batters than lefties and that he needs to develop confidence in his change up to succeed against major league left-handed hitters.

Timmy Two is more of a crafty pitcher than a power pitcher. His poise, control and curve all seem to be plus or plus plus. Right now he doesn’t use his change up as a plus pitch, and his fastball may be a plus pitch, but certainly nowhere near plus plus.

Timmy Two is young enough that he might add a couple of mph to the heater, which would be a bonus — particularly since it would add even more speed differentiation between the fastball and his change up.

by sharksrog on Oct 11, 2008 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Moyer

100 wins after his 40th birthday. Incredible.

by biff pocoroba on Oct 3, 2008 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anything but Pedro ’09

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Oct 3, 2008 12:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I would be nice to cheer for Jamie again. Good dude.

by woomikee on Oct 3, 2008 1:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I’d take Juan Cruz all day long. I’d take anybody over Walker.

by fwoty oz on Oct 3, 2008 1:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I hear ~~He Who Starts Large Tire Fires~~ this guy might be availible.

What do you mean by I am grumpy and mean today?

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

by daveinexile on Oct 3, 2008 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

BUY LOW

by rotorueter on Oct 3, 2008 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Until now I had no idea his middle name is “German”.

That said, “anybody” suggests I’m talking about humans and Armando is definitely not a people.

by fwoty oz on Oct 3, 2008 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn’t know that either, but it reminds me of a kid I went to elementary school with – his name was Berlin Germany.

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 3, 2008 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mando!!!

Oh, throw me a bone here. I never get to post this anymore.

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

by Stuttering John Tamargo on Oct 3, 2008 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

* golf claps*

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

by daveinexile on Oct 3, 2008 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

His arms need some tan

I see the future, and it is Pablo

by CB30 on Oct 3, 2008 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Five years

I have liked Juan ever since he pitched for the Cubs. Billy Beane doesn’t make lots of mistakes, but I certainly felt he made one when he traded Juan to the Diamondbacks.

by sharksrog on Oct 3, 2008 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

For mop up – Matos?

I’ve kind of lost whatever faith I once had in Taschner. Unfortunately Espineli also sucks so we don’t have any other good internal lefty reliever options beyond Hinshaw.

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 3, 2008 1:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

And if Valdez is healthy, that’s a huge plus, needless to say.

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 3, 2008 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, why not Matos? People forget that he was the youngest pitcher on the team, other than the terrible Matt Cain.

by rotorueter on Oct 3, 2008 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

MORE LIKE NOT-TOS AMIRITE

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Oct 3, 2008 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nate Schierholtz and a couple of minor-league pitchers for Scott Downs and John McDonald.

by Evan on Oct 3, 2008 1:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Also, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Romo traded for someone similar but older and not as good.

by Evan on Oct 3, 2008 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Accardo for Chulk!

I see the future, and it is Pablo

by CB30 on Oct 3, 2008 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

There are only five FA relievers who 1) had ERAs under the league average 2) are less than 33 years old and 3) aren’t closers.

Jeremy Affeldt CIN
Joe Beimel LAD
Juan Cruz ARZ
Will Ohman ATL
Dennys Reyes MIN

Bit of an underwhelming list, isn’t it. But I guess at least one of these guys’ll be a Giant next year.

"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 3, 2008 1:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ohman was born in Germany!

by rotorueter on Oct 3, 2008 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It would be better if he were born in Oman.

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 3, 2008 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh oh is there a thread here? ( See above ^ )

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

by daveinexile on Oct 3, 2008 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And when he screws up, we can type LOLhman. Won’t that be fun??

by rotorueter on Oct 3, 2008 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, man, I hate puns!

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 3, 2008 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, you did it before me

I did it anyway. So there!

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Oct 3, 2008 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It will be like Being Bill Murray in Ground Hog’s Day. But in a town with no decent looking chicks!

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

by daveinexile on Oct 3, 2008 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Being Bill Murray?

You’re referring to the long-awaited sequel to Being John Malkovich, right?

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

by EliminateMe on Oct 3, 2008 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh man, I can’t believe it!

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Oct 3, 2008 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

From looking at the FA list, obviously...

Starters
Tim Lincecum
Barry Zito
Brett Tomko
Casey Fossum
Julian Tavarez

Relievers
CL- Salomon Torres
SU- Steve Kline
SU- LaTroy Hawkins
RP- Alan Embree
RP- Jay Witasick
RP- Scott Eyre
LR- Aaron Fultz

Sanchez is traded for Phillips who is in turn traded for a couple CF/2B prospects with speed…
Cain is traded for Fielder, unfortunately Sabes thought Cecil still had some game left…
Correia and the pen get demoted to SJ to “grow as a group”

Giants! Giants! HELP US GOD!

by j14 on Oct 3, 2008 1:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd take Eyre back

Not at any kind of price the Cubbies paid him, but I’d take him for $1 million or so. I always liked the guy. Obviously no one everyone else.

STEVE HOLM! refuses to be the odd man out.

by UnleashTheGore on Oct 3, 2008 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Obviously no one everyone else.

Well, yeah. Obviously.

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Oct 3, 2008 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

damnit, it’s Friday. Leave me alone!

STEVE HOLM! refuses to be the odd man out.

by UnleashTheGore on Oct 3, 2008 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

throws self down stairs

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

by EliminateMe on Oct 3, 2008 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

and hopefully you’ll get treatment for that crack addiction.

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on Oct 3, 2008 8:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whee! The new ads are in!

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My genius IQ rules out Fossum because he has that ex – Blank taint to him.

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

by victor frankenstein on Oct 4, 2008 8:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t really see any reason to get rid of Walker. He’s a decent reliever, and shouldn’t be expensive.

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

by Cookyman on Oct 3, 2008 2:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Walker

as a 6th inning guy, ok.

Giants! Giants! HELP US GOD!

by j14 on Oct 3, 2008 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't really trust him with the 6th anymore

As a 5th inning guy, maybe.

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

by EliminateMe on Oct 3, 2008 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

he’s really a starter in the 164th game.

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on Oct 3, 2008 9:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I seem him in the BP role

Zooperstars, they quack me up!

by Goofus on Oct 4, 2008 9:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

At this point, Walker has fallen into the Do Not Want To See Him Ever Again category. Too many past fuck-ups for me not to hate him. That’s not necessarily rational, but there you go.

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 3, 2008 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He’s got a career ERA+ of 96. He’s replacement level garbage with a propensity for giving up runs in terrible situations.

by fwoty oz on Oct 3, 2008 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

that was an “I agree with you” by the way

by fwoty oz on Oct 3, 2008 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

His peripherals were good this year. He’s nothing special, but I don’t see us finding seven guys who can do better than him without wasting too much money.

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

by Cookyman on Oct 3, 2008 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

IAWTC

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

by oldjacket on Oct 3, 2008 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was at a game vs. the Dodgers this past season. I was standing in the back of the lower level. Tyler Walker came in extra innings and was pitching to Jeff Kent. I turned my back to the field because I didn’t want to see Walker throw. I heard the crack of the bat and knew what Kent had just done, homered. I didn’t see it but knew Walker yacked it up.

Walker is not a decent reliever as one person said above. He’s horrible and I agree the the Do Not Want To See Him Ever Again. And if I ever heard someone retort with the “He’s a local player” I’ll scream.

A gamer does NOT wear a foam finger, a dork does.

by SFGuy on Oct 3, 2008 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The guy has never had an ERA below 4.23, and he’s going to be 33 next year. Pass.

by rotorueter on Oct 3, 2008 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

^^^^^ GROUPTHINK ^^^^

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Oct 3, 2008 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

...GROPETHINK?

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

by daveinexile on Oct 3, 2008 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

walker will be brought back and cut like all the other washed up middle relievers that we used to have (Kline, Christansen)

by cazzuno on Oct 3, 2008 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought there had to be a signed extension in there some were.
Maybe that’s just with position players now days.

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

by daveinexile on Oct 3, 2008 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brandon Lyon

…could be had cheaply after imploding this year. ’06 & ’07 were good years for him.

by Scottsdale on Oct 3, 2008 2:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Sabean said last year that he was hitting the reliever market and when he saw what setup men were getting he said forget about. it. With some of the biggest spending teams in the league having bullpen problems this year, I see the same thing happening. Scott Eyre wouldn’t surprise me as the only addition.

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

by rxmeister on Oct 3, 2008 2:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I watched Freddy Garcia pitch the last game of the season for Detroit. I think he might have some innings left. I wouldn’t give much money, but it seems like a low risk, high reward possibility for the 5th starter competition.

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

by Smotheredinhugs on Oct 3, 2008 2:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m ok with this as long as not much money is involved and they make him earn the 5th starter spot.

Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

by WilliamVanLandingham on Oct 3, 2008 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brad Penny?

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

by oldjacket on Oct 3, 2008 3:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

They may take a run at

Beimel or Cruz for the bullpen slot, and either may cost them a little. They could even add Eyre for a little more experience. Based on that, I wouldn’t be surprised if they go into next season with a low-cost option for the 5th slot, like Hennessey. There would be nothing wrong with a bullpen of

Wilson
Romo
Hinshaw
Cruz/Beimel
Valdez
Eyre

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

by Buck Henry on Oct 3, 2008 3:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I would be pretty happy with that

Maybe throw in a dash of Correia for long relief of Zito’s patented 3 IP, 9 H, 6 BB, 6 ER games

STEVE HOLM! refuses to be the odd man out.

by UnleashTheGore on Oct 3, 2008 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ah yes the old Pain Sponge role for Coriea.

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

by daveinexile on Oct 4, 2008 8:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Think The Giants Will Pass On All Four Of Their Arbitration Eligable Pitchers

If you don’t know who these are they are Brad Hennessey who made $1.6M last year in his first year of arbitration, Kevin Correia who made $1.075M last year in his first year of arbitration, Tyler Walker who made $0.75M last year in his first year of arbitration, and Jack Tashner who will be eligable for arbitration for the first time this year. I look for the Giants to non-tendor all four of these guys.

On the other hand I look for the Giants to bring back Keiichi Yabu who inspite of being 40 years old is still a year away from being arbitration eligable and therefore can just be renewed for something less then a $0.5M.

I see the Giants signing two relievers on the free agent market to in essense replace Walker and Tashner. My top canidates would be Juan Cruz and Will Ohman.

Therefore I see the following bullpen:

Brian Wilson – Closer
Juan Cruz – Veteran Righty SetUp
Sergio Romo- Young Righty SetUp
Will Ohman – Veteran Lefty SetUp
Alex Hindshaw – Young Lefty SetUp
Keiichi Yabu – Long Relief
Open Competion For Last Spot In The Bullpen

Finally, As I have said before I expect (and hope) the Giants will make a play for CC but I do not expect them to get him. If they don’t then they will not be spending money on a free agent starter.

Therefore I see the following rotation:

Tim Lincecum – #1
Matt Cain – #2
Barry Zito – #3
Jonathan Sanchez – #4
Open Competation For Last Spot In Rotation

by giantsrainman on Oct 3, 2008 5:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

P.S.

It would be ideal if Lowry and Valdez fully recover and win the two last spots on the pitching staff.

by giantsrainman on Oct 3, 2008 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

this

Until the wheels fall off. Unless this is what it looks like with them on.

by periqueblend on Oct 3, 2008 6:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Of course, it’d be ideal. It’d also be ideal for Rowand to hit 50 homers next year.

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 3, 2008 10:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why keep Yabu and not Correia?

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

by Cookyman on Oct 3, 2008 5:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yabu Is Both Better And Cheaper!

by giantsrainman on Oct 3, 2008 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Correia is much younger, and can also be a starter. 500K are pretty meaningless in today’s market, so the money shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

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

by Cookyman on Oct 4, 2008 1:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Difference Will Be More Then $1M

and the Giants have already decided that Correia is not what they want as their 5th starter. Yabu is much move valualbe the Correia in the bullpen.

by giantsrainman on Oct 4, 2008 2:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The difference will be more then $1M

Will it? I’m just wondering if Correia is going to get a raise. His ERA in 2007 was really shiny, but it’s ugly now, and he’s had some injury problems.

the Giants have already decided that Correia is not what they want as their 5th starter

Have they? Who do they have that’s better?

Yabu is much move valuable than Correia in the bullpen.

Is he? Correia’s career numbers as a reliever are pretty similar to Yabu’s, and Yabu is 40 years old – we should expect some decline. Plus, Correia could spot start if we need him to.

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

by Cookyman on Oct 4, 2008 6:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Too Many Starts And Too Many Innings To Not Get A Raise

by giantsrainman on Oct 4, 2008 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Correia-Correia-doo! doesn’t have the same ring.

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

by ResDog on Oct 6, 2008 9:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't see Correa getting non-tendered

As much as we lament his season, his numbers are solid 5th starter stuff.

Why non-tender a guy to avoid paying him 1.6 m when you will have to turn around and pay 4-5m on the open market for similar talent?

Look around at other team’s 5th starters. When they aren’t facing the Giants, anyway.

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Oct 3, 2008 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Think Hennessey To Be A 5th Starter Canidate Is More Likely

But as I have already stated I think neither is the most likely.

by giantsrainman on Oct 4, 2008 12:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am not sure but would not Correia be a free agent after next year? So even if he does well you don’t get the option of selling him as a team controlled arm. I am pretty sure Hennessy however would have tell after 2010 season to be free agent. So if he did nicely he could be traded off as a team controlled arm that can stick in the MLB. Just something to consider.

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

by daveinexile on Oct 4, 2008 8:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You Are Mistaken

It is true that Brad Hennessey qualified for arbitration last year as a super two (therefore four years of arbitration) while Kevin Correia qualified normally (ttherefore 3 years of arbitration) but Kevin still has two left (2009 and 2010) while Brad has three left (2009, 2010, and 2011).

However, I still think this all is moot as I fully expect the Giants to non-tendor both as neither will be worth the salaries they would get in arbitration.

by giantsrainman on Oct 4, 2008 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

but he has basically no MLB service time this year.

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

by daveinexile on Oct 4, 2008 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He Had Enough To Get Over 3 Years

So he has only three years left. But, he is not yet out of options even though one was used this year. Are you really thinking we should guarantee him 80% or more of $1.6M he made last year just to sit again in the minors as starter insurance?

by giantsrainman on Oct 4, 2008 7:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your way over stating my point.
One could be under team control past 2009 season the other not. Thus if these are the only two running that one should have an edge on a rebuilding team. It is not a decisive edge but it’s a real edge. I am just defining the stakes in the gamble here.

If he is worth the gamble is something ( the part you are fixated on) I will have to rely on the management to sort out. If for no other reasons then they have access to more of his medical records and the people to interpret them correctly.

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

by daveinexile on Oct 5, 2008 8:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Both Could Be Under Control Past 2009

But neither likely will since both most likely will be non-tendored.

by giantsrainman on Oct 5, 2008 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

5th Starter: Joe Martinez.

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on Oct 3, 2008 9:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think the 5th starter with be..

Sarah Palin. She will be free once she loses the Vice Presidency in November and I hear her curve ball is better then Barry Zito’s.

A gamer does NOT wear a foam finger, a dork does.

by SFGuy on Oct 4, 2008 12:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Talk about " Dril, Baby Drill! ". Oh many Hit basesmen would you expcet next season from her?

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

by daveinexile on Oct 4, 2008 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

2009 Pitching Staff Predictions

Giants sign FA reliever Dan Wheeler to a 2-year deal. World Champion Rays figure they have plenty of young replacements and let him go. We overpay, naturally.

Starters: Lincecum, Zito!, Cain, Sanchez, Correia. Kevin is relatively cheap, even with a raise, as a 5th starter.

Relievers:
CL-Wilson
SU-Valdez (I think he’ll be healthy; fingers and toes all crossed)
SU-Romo
MR- Yabu (still cheap)
MR-Hinshaw
MR-Taschner
MR-Sadler/Matos (bounce up and down, SF to Fresno, as needed)

I still think Alderson ends up a reliever, possibly a closer. As such, he could arrive in June of 2010, but not next June.

Bumgarner and Alderson get assigned to Connecticut, but the pitching buzz for us prospect-watchers will be focused on San Jose, as several starters blossom there…giving hope for 2012 and beyond.

Zito! continues to focus on the process, not the results. And the results remain about the same.

your 2008 SF Giants: this isn’t totally insane, just really stupid

by Lyle on Oct 4, 2008 8:33 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Dan Wheeler

is not an FA. He signed an extension with the Rays.

Now with 100% more Canuck.

by Blicks on Oct 4, 2008 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My bad

His name was on the list in the link.

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 6, 2008 7:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with Nostocks above;

Just let Joe Martinez from AA have the #5 slot next season. It would be cheaper than either Correia or Hennessey, and he’s paid his dues. His K/BB numbers look great, and it would be worth it for at least a year until the cavalry arrives in 2011. And Martinez is better than anything we have at Fresno now, so why not?

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

by Buck Henry on Oct 4, 2008 2:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Edwin Jackson

The Tampa Rays will be adding David Price to their rotation in 2009. Pitching prospects McGee, Davis, Niemann and Hellickson are about ML ready. Edwin Jackson is young, inexpensive, experienced yet not in the Rays plans for 2009. Sabean could add Jackson to the back end of the SF rotation

by wilriv21 on Oct 5, 2008 2:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs