McCovey Chronicles: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:





The Cognac Blues

The morning after a bottle of Brad Hennessey:

16 innings, 38 hits, seven walks, 12 strikeouts, and 23 earned runs

That's what I've always imagined Charlie Brown's line would like. Hennessey has been in 11 games, and the opponents have scored runs off him in nine of those games. In seven games, he's given up multiple runs.

It's usually silly to make judgments based on one month, but it isn't as if Hennessey is still pumping sinkers in the low-90s and getting beat. He started the year in the mid-80s, and he's had a couple of appearances in the high-80s, but he isn't throwing with the same velocity that he was after moving to a setup/backup closer role last year. And it isn't helping that his slider isn't sliding.

The options:

a) Designate him for assignment, which would expose him to waivers. If he clears waivers, send him to Fresno. If another team shows interest, try and work out a trade.

b) Stick with him. His batting average on balls-in-play indicates that he's also had a substantial amount of poor luck. Maybe he shared a straw with Matt Cain.

Them's the options, and they ain't pretty. I sincerely doubt a team would claim him right now. I sincerely doubt the Giants would kick up too much of a fuss if he were claimed. He's already in his arbitration years, and the Giants have some arms in AA and AAA to replace him.

But the spot-starting, pseudo-setup guy from 2007 did have some value to a team, don't forget. Kicking him to the curb after one bad month seems like a pretty drastic step.

Comment starter: A or B?

Edit: Apparently Hennessey had an option left. That memo was never forwarded to my mother's basement.

Poll
Well?
  • a
  • b
  • Other

  237 votes | Results

0 recs | Comment 48 comments | Add your comment

Story-email Email | Print |

Comments

Display:

First!

I voted wait and see. It’s not like we don’t have enough relievers. I’d slowly work him in low-stress situations and hopefully he can get his stuff back. We aren’t paying him a ton of money so if he could come back to form it would be better than Sabean overpaying on a reliever to replace him.

Proud pappa of....STEVE HOLM!!

by UnleashTheGore on May 7, 2008 12:57 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

every outting for him

has been low stress.. he only has been in mop up duty and still gets hit hard

by Azmanz on May 7, 2008 1:26 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   1 recs

I say stick with him, but then again I didn’t see last night’s outing. I don’t think sending him down to Fresno would be of much use to him. He needs more outings to work things out, even if they may be painful.

SAVE_US.RAY
Nattowear: now featuring new crap!

by Natto on May 7, 2008 1:05 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Stick with him. His trade value is probably close to as bad as it’s going to be, he can stay in a mop-up role, and his struggles aren’t exactly going to cost us a playoff spot.

If he doesn’t get himself straightened out, then try to get him through waivers.

by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on May 7, 2008 1:09 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Send him packing

Sorry, but it isn’t as if they have no other choices. He isn’t getting major league hitters out, plain and simple. By giving up that many hits per inning, he adds no value to this team, especially when they have other options in AAA or even AA that can run the ball up there with more velocity and movement. Right now, he’s taking up a valuable roster slot on a team that needs to develop its future this year.

by Buck Henry on May 7, 2008 1:09 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

+1

He has been a disaster so far this year. Similarly to Zito, his stuff is gone. He should not be finding his stuff @ the big league level. If we lose him to waivers, oh well. Plenty of other’s to take his place.

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on May 7, 2008 1:16 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Hennessey's like a trolley car...

There’s plenty of them in the ocean.

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

by JRPhillips on May 7, 2008 2:37 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I thought I read somewhere at the beginning of the year that he had an option left. I can’t find the article so maybe I am mistaken.

It’s possible that a move has already been made. I saw this link on the MLB.com Giants board so take it for what it’s worth.

Billy Sadler, a relief pitcher and former Catholic High standout, has been called up by the San Francisco Giants and will meet the team in Pittsburgh for their game tonight against the Pirates

I can’t find confirmation anywhere else yet, so I guess we will wait and see.

http://www.pnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080507/SPORTS/80507014/1002

I can’t get the entire link to work, can somebody help?

Adopted Giant Brian Wilson: One of the few reasons to watch this year.

by sfgreg on May 7, 2008 1:15 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

That’s it, Thank you.

Adopted Giant Brian Wilson: One of the few reasons to watch this year.

by sfgreg on May 7, 2008 1:48 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I voted “other”, because that’s how I roll.

2008 Giants: A steaming pile of scrap!

by Goofus on May 7, 2008 1:23 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

I also voted "other" because that's how you roll.

Also, because I’m pretty sure Hennessey still has an option left, and can be sent down without being waved first.

"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 May 7, 2008 1:35 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I don't know what to do with Hennessey

What I do know is that he singlehandedly turned me into a blathering lolcat yesterday.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on May 7, 2008 1:28 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

That was the only enjoyable result from his implosion.

by out machine on May 7, 2008 1:29 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I feel sorry for that cat.

SAVE_US.RAY
Nattowear: now featuring new crap!

by Natto on May 7, 2008 2:59 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Well yeah

I mean, it is dead.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on May 7, 2008 3:04 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Its only living memory will be of silly hats.

SAVE_US.RAY
Nattowear: now featuring new crap!

by Natto on May 7, 2008 3:05 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I’ve never been huge on Hennessey and he’s making $1.6M this year I think. I’d keep him on the team for a little longer but he hasn’t shown much this year.

by xanthan on May 7, 2008 1:33 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

He makes $1.6M already? Yeah, no way anyone claims him at that salary.

by Evan on May 7, 2008 1:38 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Yeah, he got a bigger contract because of his OMG SAVEZ last year.

by xanthan on May 7, 2008 1:40 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I was ready to deal/DFA/DL/otherwise unload him last month

I thought he’d get sent down when they brought Chulk back up, but that didn’t happen. I don’t care if there’s an option left or not, he’s doing this team NO good whatsoever. If he gets claimed, fine. If he clears and makes it to Fresno and figures it out down there, fine. If he strains his suck and goes on the DL, fine. ANywhere but in the Giants bullpen.

Billy Hayes: Nine more big-league plate appearances than you.

by delorean on May 7, 2008 1:39 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

He has an option left!

Don’t worry about DFA-ing Hennessey! He has an option left, and can be sent to AAA free and clear. If the Sadler news is true, I would assume this happened today. Kind of a bummer to see Hennessey pitching this poorly. Nice guy, had a good year last year. Hopefully, he can put it all togeather in Fresno.

by tyrannoman on May 7, 2008 1:40 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Just needs to get back on the juice

to get that mysteriously dissapearing velocity back

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on May 7, 2008 1:45 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Too bad the Giants player who looks the most like Grant is having such a rough time of it.

Eagerly awaiting Crazy Crab Bobblehead Night on 7/18.

by Kitspool on May 7, 2008 1:49 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Christian Slater is a Giant?

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on May 7, 2008 1:55 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Please...

Science has already determined who we all look like, you souse:

by Grant on May 7, 2008 3:35 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Learing that he looks like Mischa Barton makes me feel a little less weird about having my hand on Grant’s ass while that picture was being taken.

2008 Giants: A steaming pile of scrap!

by Goofus on May 7, 2008 3:48 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

/makes joke about “mastering the pan flute.”

by Grant on May 7, 2008 3:51 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Brad Hennessey at one time

was rumored to be going to the White Sox for Joe Crede. Too bad that deal didn’t go through.

by marklar on May 7, 2008 1:54 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Option C

Convert him to a .500-slugging outfielder a la Rick Ankiel.

http://mlb.mlb.com/media/player/mp_tpl_3_1.jsp?w_id=439773&w=/2005/open/topplays/archive07/072805_sfnmil_hennessey_hr_350.wmv&pid=mlb_tp&gid=2005/07/28/sfnmlb-milmlb-1&cid=mlb&fid=mlb_tp350&v=2

by sfmaynard on May 7, 2008 2:01 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Well, Hennessey is already slugging .500 for the season, so we’re almost there!

SAVE_US.RAY
Nattowear: now featuring new crap!

by Natto on May 7, 2008 2:03 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

How ironic

that Hennessey hit the homer off Victor Santos, who’s now pitching for Fresno.

by SFGAmsterdam on May 7, 2008 2:17 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

then we have to get him the juice.

Ryan Paul: Two four-letter words are better than one.

by The Enchanter on May 7, 2008 2:37 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

The wounds are still fresh.

Give him a couple more months. His periodic brilliance has warranted that, and a knee-jerk DFA at this point would be premature. Let’s watch Zito, Lowry and Misch closely until we that situation plays out.

Derin McMains had five fingers, but he only used three.

by oooreebay on May 7, 2008 2:25 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

I'd rather not watch Zito at all.

Blackout Be Praised!!!!

Masochist that I am I will , however , be listening.

Aaron "Swag" Rowand

by victor frankenstein on May 7, 2008 3:03 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Premature ejection!

2008 Giants: A steaming pile of scrap!

by Goofus on May 7, 2008 3:46 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Send him down (option or no)

You know that saying about, “Whatever doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger”? Well, Brad Hennessey is killing me. Like Larry kills Irwin. Like the Killing Joke killed Nazis.

I mean, I feel like anything good that happens this year is gravy, and I’m more than willing to put up with a lot of bad baseball this season in the interests of giving a handful of young players the chance to prove their worth (or lack thereof). But Hennessey’s got nothing.

There’s absolutely nothing redeeming right now with respect to Brad Hennessey pitching to Major League hitters. It’s cruel and inhuman punishment—to Hennessey, to his teammates, and to Giants fans everywhere. Heck, it’s almost even cruel for opposing hitters to have to repeatedly bash and batter this poor, defenseless excuse for a pitcher. Almost cruel. I’m sure Henney’s teammates in the field must be daydreaming about how nice it would be to be able to hit against Hennessey.

Send him away. It’s morally wrong to keep making him pitch to Major League hitters.

That’s how I feel, anyway.

That's all I can stands, I can't stands no more!

by tobias on May 7, 2008 2:53 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

On the contrary

Right now you’re weaker than a kitten.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on May 7, 2008 3:02 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I know I always misquote that

But I like it my way, anyway.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on May 7, 2008 3:03 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

And that's all that matters to you right?

WHY CAN’T WE EVER HAVE IT MY WAY?! *runs into bedroom sobbing *

SAVE_US.RAY
Nattowear: now featuring new crap!

by Natto on May 7, 2008 3:04 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Bedroom... awesome!

Looks like more things are going my way, after all.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on May 7, 2008 3:07 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Option C

Why don’t we send him down to Fresno so he can work things outs. And while in Fresno why not call up one of their relievers – say a Billy Sadler.

by wilriv21 on May 7, 2008 3:41 PM PDT reply reply   0 recs

Horrible Idea..

The Giants should NEVER do that.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."

by WalrusMan on May 7, 2008 9:11 PM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Eh

It’s an idea.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on May 8, 2008 11:09 AM PDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about San Francisco Giants.
Ad-medium-smq

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Small
minor lines, 5/15/08
Small
minor lines, 5/14/08
Small
The /fx Files: They're Out There
Small
minor lines, 5/13/08
Small
minor lines, 5/12/08

Recent FanPosts

Small
OT Team USA - woman's softball
Squarelogoorange2_small
Minor lines, 5/16/08
Small
2008 Draft
Small
is there any chance the Giants will have a new AA
Williemays011407_small
Designing and implementing a 92 mph Zito
Will_clark_300_2_small
Magowan Steps Down; New MGP Named
Small
A.J. didn't like playing for SF
Jeans_small
Tickets available for Sunday, May 18th
Small
How a manager can affect the game.

Post New FanPost All FanPosts Carrot-mini


Ad-banner-faketeams

Managers

Thumb_small Grant

ad

Site Meter