Brian Bixler
by barenakedladies on Dec 24, 2008 5:59 PM PST
Email
PrintIf I was going to have a single presnt for Christmas, I would want it to be Brian Bixer as a San Francisco Giant.
I've seen this kid play a few times and he plays with heart, he plays like he wants to be there, he is a .300 hitter who has very good pop and great speed (in one game I saw him play with the Indianapolis Indians, I saw him steal 3 bases). He does play for the Pirates farm system, he plays 2nd Base and there reason why he hasn't been called up yet:
Freddy Sanchez.
The dude holds the Pirates monopoly for 2nd basemen and Brian Bixler is sitting on Baltic with sh-t. I really don't understand why the Giants throw out Johnathan Sanchez for this kid and another prospect. It's not like the Pirates are going to do anything with him as long as Freddy Sanchez is with them. Plus, it would be a lot easier than having Eugenio Velez, Kevin Frandsen or Emmanuel Burriss duke it out for the 2B position (vomit).
If anyone wants to read about this undiscovered gem, I have a early Christmas present for you:
http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/players/playerpage/1099498
Happy holidays!
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.
46 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
happy holidays to you as well
but no thanks. Absolutely nooo for Sanchez. That would be a complete waste when we could probably get him almost for free. But he isn’t very good, so why would we want him? All of Burriss, Velez, and Frandsen are better than him. And saying Velez is better than him is saying something. He seems to draw a good amount of walks, but that’s pretty much it. Also, Freddy Sanchez kind of sucks now, so if Bixler can’t claim 2B with the Pirates for himself, it’s probably his own fault.
lol…no.
It’s very difficult to think that a player who has minimal power and still fans in a third of his AAA at-bats can hit major league pitching. Bixler almost certainly has been passed by Cruz on the depth chart, although that may not last as Cruz is probably even weaker with the bat.
by Lars The Wanderer on Dec 24, 2008 6:52 PM PST reply actions
not for sanchez
For a small prospect or something, I could live with it. I don’t see any reason to think he’s any better than Frandsen though
are you related to him or something??
I can’t see any possible reason for wanting this guy other than that. He’s 25, and there is nothing impressive about his numbers.
Brian Sabean's dad- will make a few phone calls to help his son find a new job after next season
I Can't Stop Thinking About Brian Bixler!
Mischievously implosive purple pitching staff.
by SloIsLonelyForTheOrange on Dec 24, 2008 11:57 PM PST up reply actions
nah
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
lol i didn't even read the post
YOU WANT TO TRADE JONATHAN SANCHEZ FOR HIM?
ARE YOU ACTUALLY INSANE?
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
i read the post
and for a second my heart was filled with a schoolgirl crush,this boy is amazing i said to myself. Then i actually looked him up and realized that he is not as hot in the light of day.
Why does Sabean always look constipated?
by TexasRanger on Dec 25, 2008 12:28 AM PST up reply actions
No Crazy Counter Trade?
…that would include any of these amazing and profound ideas?
http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2008/12/19/697436/new-trade-proposal-from-ne
I Don't Tolerate Intolerance!
Jeremy Affeldt Ready To Make His Father Proud
by Giant among Angels on Dec 25, 2008 8:36 AM PST up reply actions
You are right Sanchez alone wouldn’t get it done, maybe we should give them Cain for him.
Why does Sabean always look constipated?
by TexasRanger on Dec 25, 2008 11:46 AM PST up reply actions
But who wants a "loser"
I Don't Tolerate Intolerance!
Jeremy Affeldt Ready To Make His Father Proud
by Giant among Angels on Dec 25, 2008 11:55 AM PST up reply actions
You have a point
Hmmm, maybe a package around Lincecum, Bumgarner, and Villalona would do it.
Why does Sabean always look constipated?
by TexasRanger on Dec 25, 2008 12:13 PM PST up reply actions
OMG MY CAPS LOCK BUTTON IS BROKEN!
It doesn’t have to be Sanchez, it could be anyone else. I figured Sanchez because we already have a dump truck full of pitching, he is expendable, and with him you could get Bixler AND another player. I am all fine with it being a different player cough Burris/Lowery/anyone cough.
by barenakedladies on Dec 25, 2008 9:10 AM PST up reply actions
Well..
If it’s a different player then sure why not. As long as it’s a player with almost no potential. But a few things…
We DON’T have a dump truck full of pitching, at least on the major league level. Lincecum/Cain/Sanchez/Zito/??. ??? can equal anyone from Lowry (if he’s healthy) to Pucetas (who was in A+ last year) to Martinez (who was in AA last year) to a Free Agent (who we haven’t signed yet. If we trade Sanchez then we have to fill two holes in our rotation.
It’s Burriss.
It’s Lowry.
The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
I looked at his numbers too...
…I was kind of shamed for thinking of posting, but then I thought “I’ve seen this guy play, I know what he can do, and he is being squandered in the Pirates farm system”
I mean, if the Giants made a play to get him, got him and it didn’t work out….oh well? We got a couple other guys there for back up….if he does work out? You can kiss my grits….
..now I need to find some grits.
by barenakedladies on Dec 25, 2008 9:13 AM PST reply actions
I mean, if the Giants made a play to get him, got him and it didn’t work out….oh well?
Yeah, oh well…who wanted Sanchez anyway? He was only our #3 starter. sheesh
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
Hijack Alert! We have to be prepared for the reality
that this is the team we’ll see in Spring Training. No more bats than what we have now, and perhaps the same rotation, without a Big Unit for the 3/4 spot. Sabean may very well be done, and could even be outbid in his efforts to get RJ.
And then contemplate what this means if the Dodgers re-sign Manny after getting Furcal back, but without Lowe. How would a team with Pablo at 3B and Ishi at 1B do in 2009 against the rest of the West, with Pucetas as our #5, and our now-better bullpen? Oh yeah, and with that Renteria guy and the revolving door at 2B?
I say 6 wins better than 2008? What say you?
Oh, by the way, Merry Christmas to all of you.
Matt Cain's drinking buddy
I’d be thrilled with six more wins and i think that is an optimistic prediction, however it could happen.
Why does Sabean always look constipated?
by TexasRanger on Dec 25, 2008 12:15 PM PST up reply actions
Correction:
We don’t really need anothermiddlemiddling infielder.
by FairweatherFan on Dec 25, 2008 1:49 PM PST up reply actions
Frankly, you lost me at “he plays with heart, he plays like he wants to be there…”
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
Sanchez is not everything you guys keep saying he is...
Jonathan Sanchez can get a lot of K’s, which go with the next letter in the alphabet that he also gets L’s. Dude is not as good as you people keep describing. Bixler is a risk, but he has leadoff potential and can play SS and 2nd. I think SF could get a Bixler and another prospect for Sanchez but don’t ream Barenakedladies for thinking a little outside the box. Rumor has it, you need a 2nd basemen and a back-up for old man Renteria is not a terrible idea. What are you clinging to? A 9-12 record with a 5.01 era? Wow…this is the same thing that happened with Lowry…people wanted to keep him because he had an impressive Win/Loss record. At the end of the day, you have to take some calculated risks unless you like that 4th place record in the West. Sanchez has trade value…explore options.
Nah
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
Fantastic counter arguement!
Ladies and Gentlemen, the future lawyers….TODAY!
I like what SwisherFan pointed out. You are all making Sanchez’s trade value on par with some greek demigod. When I pulled up Brian Bixler’s stats, I really hope you didn’t click on the link, crossing your fingers and toes that your were going to see aforementioned demigod like stats. You were going to see a kid who hustled, played 2B and SS, who stole bases, who had a .300 avg and who would fit as, maybe not a every day type player…but more like a Marco Scuttaro type utility infielder who you can throw up at the top of the line up (which, sidebar, we don’t have. If you say Eugineo Valez, I will find you and stick you). Shipping out Sanchez sounds like a better and better idea ever since we also picked up Tim’s new 6’-10" BFF.
by barenakedladies on Dec 28, 2008 10:24 AM PST up reply actions
Bixler is Frandsen with less power and more speed. Or Burriss with less speed and more power. Why would we trade Sanchez for a utility infielder? Johnson is only here for a year so he doesn’t have a lot to do with this.
..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.
I’m sorry, but I think a point was just made. Less power and more speed than one, more power and less speed than the other…OR you say “Hey, we need more speed against this bad catcher” or “hey, this pitcher tends to give up the long ball” or “Edgar Renteria is old and needs a day off” all of those you can find in Bixler. With Johnson coming in, that gives the Giants the opportunity of going “Hey, we will give you Jonathan Sanchez for Brian Bixler, who you do not value as highly because you have Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez, and you can also give us a good pitcher/pitching prospect.” That is what this team should be doing. Look at what we have: Mega young Lincecum, Cain, Buster Posey and Bumgarner. Once Zito comes off the books, we free up oodles of cash…right about at the same time all these young guys hit their prime. You trade Sanchez for Bixler so you have something for today, get something for tomorrow and OMG the prospect might pan out, you just got two for one!
Jonathan Sanchez’s trade value is too high to think we can hold onto him and think his stock will only keep rising. Get some prospects while you can for him before he goes the way of the Lowery.
by barenakedladies on Dec 28, 2008 12:10 PM PST up reply actions
"Hey, we need more speed against this bad catcher" or "hey, this pitcher tends to give up the long ball" or "Edgar Renteria is old and needs a day off" all of those you can find in Bixler.
Hey guess what?
All of those, you can find in some combination of Velez/Frandsen/Burriss!
"Hey, we will give you Jonathan Sanchez for Brian Bixler, who you do not value as highly because you have Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez, and you can also give us a good pitcher/pitching prospect.
Jesus Christ, the second you said “Jonathan Sanchez for Brian Bixler”, the Pirates would say yes. You would not need to take a single moment to convince them because that trade is ridiculously lopsided in their favor.
Jonathan Sanchez’s trade value is too high to think we can hold onto him and think his stock will only keep rising
Jonathan Sanchez’s trade value is too high TO WASTE HIM ON TRADING FOR BRIAN BIXLER. Someone who would not upgrade our biggest problem in any way (offense) and someone who would not offer the Giants anything they don’t already have. Seriously, stop for a second and think about this. What the hell?
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
Wow...I almost forgot that we were on the same team
I mean, I want to upgrade our team, but no, seriously, you’re very right, I am completely out of my mind for wanting to trade for a guy who DOES help offense.
You look at Bixler’s numbers, you are only getting a think layer of his professional career and a bunch of minor league stats. This kid CAN play. I’ve seen him play and he is a flat out gamer! And when you say things like “Someone who would not upgrade our biggest problem in any way (offense) and someone who would not offer the Giants anything they don’t already have”…you must be one of those guys who says “Ooooh, look at the big home runs…majestic” when this guy is a small ball guy, you are not going to get home runs, but you’ll get stolen bases, you’ll get hustle and you’ll be getting more of a lead off/number two hitter.
I am really not seeing why you are taking serious offense to me wanting to trade Jonathan Sanchez. I mean, it would just mean taking down that poster above your bed that you kiss every night. Not a big deal.
by barenakedladies on Dec 28, 2008 6:56 PM PST up reply actions
Where to begin...
Trading Sanchez in of itself is not a terrible idea, but the Giants have to receive value from the trade for it to make any sense. Bixler is a second baseman and isn’t really any better than the options the Giants have at the moment. Thus, trading Sanchez for him wouldn’t be a very good move.
Also, tossing out buzzwords like “gamer” and “hustle” doesn’t prove Bixler’s worth at all. David Eckstein is also a gamer" and “hustler”. Should we trade for him? Besides, the Giants don’t need a lead off/number two hitter. They need hitters that can get on base and hit for power. Home runs aren’t everything, for sure, but they sure come in mighty handy for winning ballgames.
since you're not actually reading and comprehending anything anyone is saying to you...
Nah.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
I’ve seen him play and he is a flat out gamer! … when this guy is a small ball guy, you are not going to get home runs, but you’ll get stolen bases, you’ll get hustle and you’ll be getting more of a lead off/number two hitter.
Than how is he any different from Burriss?
..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.
Less power and more speed than one, more power and less speed than the other…OR you say "Hey, we need more speed against this bad catcher" or "hey, this pitcher tends to give up the long ball" or "Edgar Renteria is old and needs a day off" all of those you can find in Bixler.
I don’t really see your point. If you want a fast guy, or if you want to rest Renteria, just start Burriss. If you want more power, start Frandsen. And really, there’s no reason to think that Bixler is likely to outhit both of them and win the second base job, so basically you want to trade a youngish starting pitcher with a lot of potential, who’s under control for 5 more years, for a utility infielder?
Jonathan Sanchez’s trade value is too high to think we can hold onto him and think his stock will only keep rising.
Do you have any reason to believe that Sanchez’s trade value is so high? The only rumor regarding him was about a possible trade for Jorge Cantu, who really isn’t very good (though he’s still much better than Bixler). And there are only reasons to believe that Sanchez’s value will go up, since he drastically underperformed he’s peripheral stats this year.
I also have no idea what’s your point regarding Zito, and what it has to do with this trade.
..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.
The point I make with Zito is that if you trade Sanchez for 2-3 prospects, by the time they pan out, Zito would come off the books, you can use that extra cash to sign a couple big names (or a few small names) and you can make a push for some playoff contention.
All I really want is to have a winning team. I think Brian Bixler is a great player. That’s all.
by barenakedladies on Dec 28, 2008 6:58 PM PST up reply actions
I didn’t think it deserved much more of a response than that.
Sanchez’s ERA was not impressive last year, but his defense independent stats were quite good, with a FIP of under 4, suggesting that he’s a lot better than he pitched. If you’re really going to use W-L arguments of a pitcher on an awful team, I don’t know what to say to you.
Bixler would not be any sort of improvement over what we currently have at second base. In fact, I think he’d be a downgrade. He has a career minor league line of .284/.357/.395. Last year, he hit .280/.346/.402 in his second year at AAA, as a 25 year old. Those are not impressive batting lines, at all. This is not a player we should be falling over ourselves to acquire. This is not a player we should be looking to acquire PERIOD. He offers NOTHING that Frandsen/Velez/Burriss don’t already. He is not worth Sanchez in any situation.
I’m sorry you watched this dude play a few times and decided he was much better than he is, but he really is not very good. And Sanchez is way better than you think he is. A lefty with his strikeout numbers and his defense-independent numbers is worth a lot more than a guy who projects to be a goddamn utility infielder. So please, just stop. At least, argue that we should be trading someone like Pat Misch or a similar C+ prospect arm for him. That would be a much more fair trade.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
But see, you are trying to trade garbage for good players. It doesn’t really work like that. Brian Bixler would never be traded straight up for Sanchez. Even I, Brian Bixler man crush, wouldn’t do that. I would only hope that 1-2 more prospects would be involved.
by barenakedladies on Dec 28, 2008 7:02 PM PST up reply actions
ERA and W/L records aren’t everything. They’re actually rather deceptive in this case. Check this out: http://www.baycityball.com/2008/12/15/underperformers-vs-overperformers/
I read the article and he made some great points. Something he didn’t point out with Sanchez’s stats in the first half of the season and second half. Remember how he started off as one of the better pitchers of 2008? Remember how he was up there in wins, K’s, ERA, awesomeness, etc etc, but when the second half of the season hit, he hit a awful “slump”. What I think this guy has in pure, brute, strike out strength, he lacks in pure baseball knowledge. I don’t think he can endure a full season of being a stud.
by barenakedladies on Dec 28, 2008 10:29 AM PST up reply actions
Consider the fact that it was Sanchez’s first year in the majors in a starting role, and it was after bouncing back and forth between a starter and reliever in previous seasons. I think it’s expected for him to tire out by the season’s end. It has little to do with “pure baseball knowledge”, whatever that means.
Wow…this is the same thing that happened with Lowry…people wanted to keep him because he had an impressive Win/Loss record.
This is exactly the opposite of what happened with Lowry. Lowry had a nice W/L record and shiny ERA, but his peripheral stats indicated that a pretty big decline is due. Sanchez has an unattractive W/L record and a high ERA, but his peripheral stats indicate that a pretty big improvement is due.
..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- The Citi Field All-Star game has finally been made official for 2013
- Brett Lawrie receives four-game suspension, fined for ‘aggressive actions’ toward umpire
- PNC Park security guard loses finger in struggle with fan during Pirates game
- Create-a-Caption: Partying like it’s 1988
- The Ron Washington puppet is watching you while you sleep — and has possibly jinxed the Rangers
