If only the wide strikezone would be brought back too.

Why not evaluate both Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez carefully, place a value on them and then see which players comes closest to achieving his value with what is offered in trade? Hopefully that might result in receiving even MORE than the evaluated level of the pitcher, if one doesn’t artificially limit its options?

Your idea of waiting to see how Jonathan performs over two full seasons (2008 and 2009) is a good one, but why not ALWAYS have an ongoing evaluation of players so that if a truly good offer comes along, one is ready to leap on it?

In the evaluation I would include ceiling, chance of reaching the ceiling, most likely level, worst-case situation and injury potential. Oh, and the readiness of replacements, of course. But right now I would be looking to improve my overall talent pool and wouldn’t be all that concerned with position.

In comparing Sanchez and Cain, I have thought for a while that Jonathan has the higher ceiling—but that Matt had a much better chance of reaching his ceiling. Jonathan’s fine performance thus far this season leads me to increase my estimate of his chances of reaching his ceiling, but I still worry about the long-term health of his arm.

But the Giants have a full staff that is far better positioned to make these evaluations than we are. We can only hope that they are making informed judgments and that they will be able to convert their assets into younger and better ones.

Probably the two most important things the Giants can do right now is to develop the players they have and identify under-appreciated players of value in other organizations that might be available for veteran players or even for reciprocal prospects.

There are a lot of similarities in how teams evaluate players. But there are differences as well - both in methodology and in acumen. The goal should almost always be to find players to trade whose value to the Giants is less than another team is willing to pay - and to find undervalued players to receive in return.

Eventually the goal will be to fine-tune the roster to be as competitive as possible. Right now it seems to me that the goal should be getting younger and accumulating young assets. And developing the ones they have, of course.

I like your idea here, Tyrannoman. While disparaging the signing of Barry when it happened, I mentioned that possibly his best usage would be as a relief specialist. Barry’s career ERA the first time through the order is 2.18, and even this difficult season, it is just 3.03 the first time around.