What if's and hypothetical (from the past)

by thehavenot on Sep 13, 2008 1:12 PM PDT

Dear Diary,

16 games left in the 2008 season and what we have to look forward to is watching Sandoval, Lincecum, Ishikawa and a couple others give us individual performances. When watching a bad baseball team (the 08 Giants are even bad at getting good draft position), it sometimes helps to escape into non-reality. We often do that here so I decided that it would be kind of interesting to look back at some of the hypotheticals from this past season that ended up not coming about.

Every move that was either rumored or wished for that I can remember will be examined. I have no idea if I am remembering all of them but that's why there are other people in the world; to do my dirty work.

Pat Burrell

Was the rumor really Benitez for Burrell? Could you have imagined that going down? I realize that it was last season that this one was from, but still. That trade would have been an unbelievable steal. This makes me think it was never really realistic.

Also, while Burrell>>>>>>>>>>>>Benitez, it's worth noting that Burrell is only hitting 252/369/509 with a 124 OPS+ in a hitter's paradise. It's still way better than what we put out there at first all year, but it's nothing great. Also, Ishikawa would have gotten even less time here in September.

Carlos Gomez

Could you imagine the gnashing of teeth and wailing that would have gone on here in May and June had Sabean traded Sanchez for this guy like it was rumored? Yikes. Nothing like trading someone who finally showed signs of putting it all together for somebody with a 72 OPS+.

Lastings Milledge

Regardless of how he's done this year, I still wish the Giants had been able to get him. I don't really know what it would have taken to get him but if it was comparable to what the Mets gave up, it probably would have been okay with me. He's still just 23 with a bunch of talent. I wouldn't have traded Sanchez for him but several lesser pieces would have been fine with me. Probably not with the Mets, though. So the point is moot.

Elijah Dukes

I doubt the Giants were ever interested. I didn't even really hear any rumors about this guy. But he was somebody who I thought the Giants should go after. He's kind of a creep and all but he was had very cheaply and in his first 417 at bats in the majors he's put up 237/353/451 with 21 homers and 69 walks. And he's been getting better lately. I would take him on our team in a second.

Nick Johnson

He got hurt again. He's the Rich Harden of first basemen. Of course, in his short time playing he put up a .415 OBP...

Wily Mo Pena

I feel ashamed that I thought the Giants should try and get this guy...

Alex Rodriguez

Dude's putting up 308/388/598 line with a 158 OPS+!!!! At a position of need for our team!!!!! I can't believe nobody around here said we should try and get this guy! We really dropped the ball on that one.

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Comments

How about Sanchez for Hideki Matsui?

Matsui’s been productive when he’s healthy, but I’m pretty glad that trade didn’t go down.

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.
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by Natto on Sep 13, 2008 1:15 PM PDT reply actions

Oh yeah

Me too. Even without the injuries that would have been a bad trade for our situation.

Catcher are base running. Hitters are offense.

by thehavenot on Sep 13, 2008 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Wasn't there a Sanchez for Melky rumor?

Boy, that would have sucked.

¿Julio is tourist in San Francisco? Harper's Bizarre!

by hairball on Sep 13, 2008 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Alex Rios is starting to hit well again, but I’m still pretty happy we didn’t trade Tim for him.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Sep 13, 2008 1:22 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah

I felt I didn’t even need to mention this one.

Catcher are base running. Hitters are offense.

by thehavenot on Sep 13, 2008 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions

2nd half of your comment = understatement of the year!

¿Julio is tourist in San Francisco? Harper's Bizarre!

by hairball on Sep 13, 2008 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions

JOE CREDE

With the lulz.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Sep 13, 2008 1:28 PM PDT reply actions

Was there anyone that Sanchez was rumored to be traded for that would have been worth it?

Catcher are base running. Hitters are offense.

by thehavenot on Sep 13, 2008 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Maybe this is why so many people were against all these trades.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Sep 13, 2008 6:03 PM PDT up reply actions

what if....?

the Giants hadn’t signed Steve Finley, Dave Roberts, or Aaron Rowand and Bonds had FreddieLoo batting in front of him (and actually getting on base at a decent rate). There would be a drop in the OF defense, yes (though not significantly) but the bats would more than make up for it.

Adopted Giant: Aaron King

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

by baetown415 on Sep 13, 2008 2:00 PM PDT reply actions

They didn’t sign Steve Finley.

by Natto on Sep 13, 2008 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions

I was totally on the Trade Jonathan Sanchez Bandwagon and would’ve been thrilled with Milledge or even Gomez. I was wrong.

by Dan from NM on Sep 13, 2008 2:13 PM PDT reply actions

In fairness I am not sure could honestly knock a Milledge move ( if it realy had been there). At 23 thats a pretty darn good season.

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

by daveinexile on Sep 13, 2008 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, I would do Sanchez for Milledge now

But it’s a moot point

¿Julio is tourist in San Francisco? Harper's Bizarre!

by hairball on Sep 13, 2008 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Apparently the Mets offered Milledge for Lowry. Sabean wanted another prospect, the Mets refused, and that was that.

>:-(

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

by Cookyman on Sep 14, 2008 9:10 AM PDT up reply actions

Shirley, you jest

Elijah Dukes being kind of a creep is like the 1929 Yankees being kind of a baseball team.

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

by Lyle on Sep 13, 2008 2:23 PM PDT reply actions

well they weren't that good in 29

A’s won the series.

"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 Sep 13, 2008 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions

He didn’t say anything about them being good.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Sep 13, 2008 6:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Aargh!

That should have been the 1927 Yankees. You know, Murderer’s Row.

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

by Lyle on Sep 18, 2008 8:57 AM PDT up reply actions

Orange you glad the Mariners extended Ichiro and took the decision out of Sabean's hands?

I know I am.

VAE PVTO DEVS FIO

by Bhaakon on Sep 13, 2008 2:24 PM PDT reply actions

Yes and no

It would have been rad to bring in that level of Asian talent, and to cheer for him, but there is no deal that Sabean would have offered that would have ever been remotely worth it.

¿Julio is tourist in San Francisco? Harper's Bizarre!

by hairball on Sep 13, 2008 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions

We already have speedy Asian talent in the outfield.

It’s just that nobody likes him.

Besides, Randy Winn is probably better than Ichiro this year.

VAE PVTO DEVS FIO

by Bhaakon on Sep 13, 2008 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions

It would have been rad to bring in that level of ~~Asian~~ talent

Fixed it.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Sep 13, 2008 6:05 PM PDT up reply actions

I would’ve loved to have Ichiro on the Giants.

by Natto on Sep 13, 2008 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Who are you, Tommy Lasorda?

VAE PVTO DEVS FIO

by Bhaakon on Sep 13, 2008 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Now that’s uncalled for.

by Natto on Sep 13, 2008 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Well, you apparently both want to destroy my beloved Giants.

VAE PVTO DEVS FIO

by Bhaakon on Sep 13, 2008 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Me, too. China Basin would give him lots of room to run down fly balls, and he’s 41 for 45 on steal attempts this year. Plus, he’d rally the troops in the NL locker room!

Sure beats Rowand.

by Dan from NM on Sep 13, 2008 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions

Actually

No, he doesn’t.

1) He’s not that good. As I wrote above, offensively (and possibly defensively as well, arm or no) he hasn’t been much better than Randy Winn this year (if he’s been better at all).

2) A player who can only speak Japanese isn’t going to lead anyone on a team of English and Spanish speakers.

VAE PVTO DEVS FIO

by Bhaakon on Sep 13, 2008 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions

I think you’re selling Ichiro short.

WARP 2006-08
Ichiro, 29.1
Winn, 20.8
Roward, 19.1

by Dan from NM on Sep 13, 2008 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Oops. Meant Rowand.

by Dan from NM on Sep 13, 2008 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions

He said this year:

Ichiro: .311/.362/.388
Winn: .318/.374/.442

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

by Cookyman on Sep 14, 2008 8:52 AM PDT up reply actions

Ichiro actually speaks English pretty well.

by Natto on Sep 13, 2008 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions

So because Ichiro is having the worst year in his career..

He’s not that good? Offensively he’s a premier leadoff hitter and a pretty good guy to have hitting 3rd as well. Defensively he’s certainly as good as Winn would be in RF (after he’s learned the wall at least) and he’s better than Winn in CF. Ichiro also has a better arm than Winn’s noodle.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
How is my adopted son almost twice as old as I am? Nevermind...Go Omar! Warm the Bench!

by WalrusMan on Sep 14, 2008 9:45 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, pretty much. That’s generally how it goes, Walrus. Players gets older, start declining, and have some of the worst years of their careers.

VAE PVTO DEVS FIO

by Bhaakon on Sep 14, 2008 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions

Benitez for Burrell?

I don’t happen to remember that.

by WalrusMan on Sep 13, 2008 2:31 PM PDT reply actions

I'm pretty sure it was a rumor floating around

The key was that we didn’t like Benitez and the Phillies (and Phillies fans) didn’t like Burrell, so we would swap unliked players. They needed bullpen help and didn’t need offense so much.

Catcher are base running. Hitters are offense.

by thehavenot on Sep 13, 2008 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions