Some FAs Brian Sabean Should Seriously Consider
by SSC24 on Dec 27, 2009 9:05 PM PST
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PrintHello all,
I am actually a supporter of Brian Sabean and love how he has brought good, young pitchers to the Giants organization and has refused to trade Cain and Sanchez. But when it comes to signing hitters, as you all know, he simply has not been pushing the right buttons. When I heard that the Giants had offered Mark DeRosa a 2-year/12 million dollar contract, let's just say I was not the happiest man in the world. Come on Sabes...DeRosa? He hit 13 doubles and 13 homers in Cleveland in 71 games with a .270 average before being traded to the Cardinals, with whom he hit 10 doubles and10 homers, and sported a whopping .228 average in 68 games. Really, Sabean? This is the man we are going to play six million a season to? Imagine how much his numbers will drop in San Francisco. And I almost forgot to mention that he is 35.
Why not Nick Johnson, who went to New York, of all places, very cheaply. One year for 5.5 million? Sabean could have had him for two years and 11 million.
Why not Justin Duchscherer, who was most recently resigned by the A's? Yes, he was injured all of last season, but that is all the more reason to sign him, as he will come at a bargain price and has great upside if his injuries are truly behind him.
Anyway, here are some of my suggestions as to who Sabean can still sign that may end up being contributors for the Giants in 2010:
1) Russell Branyan: He is 34 years old in 2010. His career was practically reborn in Seattle when he signed with the Mariners last season, as the team's brass recognized his talent just before Branyan headed across the Pacific to play in Japan. And he was quite the catch. This 1st baseman/outfielder was productive far more than was expected of him, as he had 108 hits, 64 runs scored, 21 doubles, 31 homers, 58 walks, and 76 RBI. I know these numbers will not be the same in San Francisco, but he will still be productive and his veteran presence is also good for the young players, as Branyan has tons and tons of playoff experience.
2) Mike Jacobs: I know, I know. You're thinking he is not very good after seeing him fail miserably in Kansas City. Here are his numbers in KC: 99 hits, 46 runs scored, 16 doubles, one triple, 19 homers, 41 walks, 61 RBI and a .228 average in 128 games. But I am still willing to give him a chance. The man is still young at 29 years old in 2010, and the season prior to last, when he was with the Marlins, here are his numbers: 118 hits, 67 runs scored, 27 doubles, two triples, 32 homers 36 walks, 93 RBI, and a .247 average. Yes, he does not hit for average, but he sure as hell does hit for power. And, of course, he will come at a bargain. Sabean has nothing to lose with this signing. Give him an invite to spring training and see what he can do. It's similar to the Juan Uribe signing, and just look at how he turned out. This 1st baseman can be a real game-changer if he gets locked in.
3) Wily Mo Pena: Again, I know what you're thinking. Just hear me out on this one. The guy is 28 years old in 2010. Like Uribe, if the Giants sign him to a minor league contract and give him an invite to spring training, he may, with a fresh start, begin to be productive. If you look at years 2003-2007, you notice that his numbers are respectable and that he has some impressive power. He has seven MLB seasons under his belt and has been playing since he was 20. A 28-year-old with that much experience who will come, again, at such a cheap price, is worth a try for the power-lacking Giants. I know the last season he played in the majors (2008) was not one to remember from his perspective, as he was released by the Nationals only to be released again by the Mets, who signed him some time thereafter. This left fielder may be someone else's trash, but he may be the source of power the Giants are lacking. He deserves a second chance in major league baseball and a minor league contract with a spring training invite wouldn't hurt.
...I'm also thinking about the Giants potentially signing these cheap players:
Xavier Nady (31) - Bay Area product in need of a fresh start
Rick Ankiel (30) - Good power
Jack Cust (31) - Good power but strikes out a lot; was arguably the sole offensive threat on the A's last year
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.
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D:
Hey Fred Lewis, remember Mother's Day?
by anotherbadexcuseguitar on Dec 27, 2009 9:08 PM PST reply actions
hey i didn't say
YOU SUCK HAHAHAHAH
:P
Hey Fred Lewis, remember Mother's Day?
by anotherbadexcuseguitar on Dec 27, 2009 9:29 PM PST up reply actions
/notes absence of those developed stats the heads here like to spout – OPS, UZR, etc.
/Prepares condolences for SSC24’s surviving family
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Dec 28, 2009 6:10 AM PST up reply actions
Honestly, if Fox is willing to cite OPS during its telecasts, I don’t see why more “mainstream” fans haven’t started doing so.
probably because most mainstream fans don’t know what a good OPS is, but they do know what a good average is.
Proud adoptive daddy for the Big Unit, who is currently teaching Madison Bumgarner the art of being intimidating.
by Speedforthewin on Dec 28, 2009 9:08 AM PST up reply actions
But it should be extremely easy for anyone who puts in minimal effort to understand as you can pretty much use it the same way most people were graded in high school and college with anything over .900 being an A, over .800 a B and so on.
Thing A
Sabes offered Johnson a contract with more money, but he chose NY instead. A’s had first dibs on Duchshererrererer anyway.
I know you nerds know NOTHING about the real game of baseball, or any other athletic endeavor requiring teamwork under physical stress.
Mr. F! | comics | art | New Nattowear | Unofficial McImage Directory
as Branyan has tons and tons of playoff experience.
Russell Branyan experience in the postseason: 16 ABs
I know you nerds know NOTHING about the real game of baseball, or any other athletic endeavor requiring teamwork under physical stress.
Mr. F! | comics | art | New Nattowear | Unofficial McImage Directory
more than
VROOOM-elez
Hey Fred Lewis, remember Mother's Day?
by anotherbadexcuseguitar on Dec 27, 2009 9:30 PM PST up reply actions
but he chose NY instead
Not your usual Johnson maneuver. (I’m looking at YOU, Randy.)
Maybe this time it really isn’t about the money.
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Dec 28, 2009 6:19 AM PST up reply actions
As an A's fan
It felt like Duke held off to see if one of the New York teams or Boston was interested (his kid now lives on the East Coast). When Boston, the Yankees, and Mets solidified their rotation or didn’t show interest he came back to the A’s and signed a deal. I’m not sure many teams ever really had an opportunity to sign him.
I’m not sure Sabian ever had/would have had a chance to make a reasonable offer.
Sometimes life will strike you out on a curve ball and the only choice you have is to flip off the umpire and walk to first base anyway.
by Threepwood XX on Dec 27, 2009 11:15 PM PST up reply actions
is there a link for the Sabean's offer to Johnson?
I want to believe!
co-dad w/AfDC of
Ishikawa, the Topps Rookie All Star Team's First baseman. Does he get a chance in 2010?
Why anyone wants a 31 year old who can’t play defense, is coming off a serious injury, and has had one good year in his Major League career is beyond me.
"Why not trade Bumgarner for some banger stud?" - sfgiants.com commenter or online porn ad? You be the judge!
Adopted Giant: the probably soon to be ditched but still awesome Fred Lewis
Hey played in New York
therefore, he is good.
Do you not follow the game, or something?
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
I do not know. I mean, Christ, I do not know. Anything more than a minor league invite to spring training is overpayment.
Joe Martinez: You are cool.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
Branyan and Jacobs...
would be tempting if the price is right, except that they are both left handed hitters and the Giants already have a lefty first baseman with okay power in Ishikawa. As for Pena, that would be taking AB’s away from Bowker or Schierholtz, so no thanks…
by crazedcrustacean on Dec 27, 2009 9:34 PM PST reply actions
There is no world in which Mike Jacobs will ever be a tempting option
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
"AT LAST I AM A PARENTS." - Buster
This describes Jacobs. Jacobs is the brown easy chair.
/ Chants, " Olivio, Jacobs, Podsednik" Then smacks head with a 1 X 6. This will continue tell the pain decreases and moral improves.
I do not miss these commercials.
Giant Dirtbags: John Bowker, Steve Hammond. MIA List: Todd Jennings, Brian Anderson
Jeremy Affeldt induces DP's
by Giant among Angels on Dec 28, 2009 7:06 PM PST up reply actions
Hey, if Joe Jackson has to sing over Taco Bell commercials, the Fixx .can sell Toyotas
WHY IS BOCOCK?!
by Lars The Wanderer on Dec 28, 2009 7:23 PM PST up reply actions
I had forgotten those.
/ grimaces
/ Chants, " Olivio, Jacobs, Podsednik" Then smacks head with a 1 X 6. This will continue tell the pain decreases and moral improves.
by daveinexile on Dec 29, 2009 11:14 AM PST up reply actions
I refuse to vote!
These options are worse than the choices for President last year.
I have finally accepted the fact that I will never win a McCoven award.
Doubles and HRs
Not the best way to judge a player.
#1 threat to America: Pandas
Also, Tim Lincecum
Official McPokeMaster
by GrahamCrakalaka on Dec 27, 2009 9:45 PM PST reply actions
It’s all about OBS.
I know you nerds know NOTHING about the real game of baseball, or any other athletic endeavor requiring teamwork under physical stress.
Mr. F! | comics | art | New Nattowear | Unofficial McImage Directory
Hes never living that down.
#1 threat to America: Pandas
Also, Tim Lincecum
Official McPokeMaster
by GrahamCrakalaka on Dec 27, 2009 9:48 PM PST up reply actions
Especially since he continued to claim OBS was a real thing after it was repeatedly pointed out to him it wasn’t. And then he claimed OBS was On Base percentage plus Slugging, but when he listed players’ OBS, it was really their OBP.
"Why not trade Bumgarner for some banger stud?" - sfgiants.com commenter or online porn ad? You be the judge!
Adopted Giant: the probably soon to be ditched but still awesome Fred Lewis
The thread: http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2009/11/26/1175145/last-free-agent-post-i-promise
He insists OBS is real, and mistakes it for OPS, here: http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2009/11/26/1175145/last-free-agent-post-i-promise#26189247
I suggest adam kennedy. He would be cheap and was fantastic last season. i think he really will have a break out season in 2009-2010. he gets hits, can still steal 20 bases, hits above 300 obs
"Why not trade Bumgarner for some banger stud?" - sfgiants.com commenter or online porn ad? You be the judge!
Adopted Giant: the probably soon to be ditched but still awesome Fred Lewis
This one has infiltrated the Sac Kings board
But if rumor is correct, he’s pretty young.
"When you look at him, you say: 'Holy God.'" - Pete Carril on Tyreke Evans
All MCC!
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Dec 28, 2009 6:21 AM PST up reply actions
I wouldn’t mind Branyan if he’s not too expensive, but the rest are a big no.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
"AT LAST I AM A PARENTS." - Buster
I wouldn’t mind Branyan or Cust. I’m going under the assumption that Branyan and Nady would be the only players starting from that list. In fact, those two should be the only ones getting ML deals. If Cust was given a deal similar to Uribe last year, he could end up being a useful bench bat on the team.
Proud adoptive daddy for the Big Unit, who is currently teaching Madison Bumgarner the art of being intimidating.
by Speedforthewin on Dec 28, 2009 9:03 AM PST up reply actions
Merope should have a Splash Hits-esque counter.
I know you nerds know NOTHING about the real game of baseball, or any other athletic endeavor requiring teamwork under physical stress.
Mr. F! | comics | art | New Nattowear | Unofficial McImage Directory
for rosterbation posts
Hey Fred Lewis, remember Mother's Day?
by anotherbadexcuseguitar on Dec 27, 2009 10:41 PM PST up reply actions
33
Yes it is 33, though I haven’t wandered down to the fanshots section yet this morning.
I’ve been busy getting the chili going in the crock pot.
Haha that isn’t even counting the in-post comments :P
Hey Fred Lewis, remember Mother's Day?
by anotherbadexcuseguitar on Dec 28, 2009 10:49 AM PST up reply actions
Nope, if the OT: New Year’s Eve thread wanders off in the direction of outfielder rosterbation it wouldn’t be counted, ‘cuz, like, ya know, that wasn’t the subject of the initial fanpost, and I also haven’t been counting any of Grant’s main page stuff. Fanpost/fanshot subjects only.
Starting since the end of the season?
Hey Fred Lewis, remember Mother's Day?
by anotherbadexcuseguitar on Dec 28, 2009 11:22 AM PST up reply actions
Thoughts
I think Russell Branyan is a trap signing.
Jacobs & Pena should not be close to a ML Roster…if you want to target that type of player (Just Power) go with Jonny Gomes.
Nady would be ok as a last resort.
Ankiel would be ok, depending on the cost.
Cust is a DH
Hoping for BowkerMania to hit AT&T Park in 2010
Totally agree with Nady and Ankiel… i’d be OK with either of them, as long as the cost isn’t too high
Yeah, I'd prefer Ankiel
Although I had heard that the Pirates really wanted him. He could be a solid addition, but shouldn’t be the first option.
Hoping for BowkerMania to hit AT&T Park in 2010
Agreed, i mean, hey look, if we can get him cheap, then by all means get him, but also, don’t just put him out there and let him start, let him compete for the position
Yeah, I think he had a good 08
and his arm and power would do well in a 4th OF role, so if we can get him for under 3 mil then it would be a good signing.
Hoping for BowkerMania to hit AT&T Park in 2010
Gomes is pretty much as worthless as those guys
"Why not trade Bumgarner for some banger stud?" - sfgiants.com commenter or online porn ad? You be the judge!
Adopted Giant: the probably soon to be ditched but still awesome Fred Lewis
I have an idea!
Why don’t we just trade Cain for Fielder!
Adopted Giant: Clayton Tanner
by walkoff baltimore chop on Dec 27, 2009 11:57 PM PST reply actions
What WOULD we get for Lincecum if we traded him after 3 straight Cy Youngs? It seems to be that whenever you trade a star for a bunch of prospects, the team that gets the star tends to be on the winning side of the deal…
Hey Fred Lewis, remember Mother's Day?
by anotherbadexcuseguitar on Dec 28, 2009 10:53 AM PST up reply actions
Willy Mo Pena?
That guy is still playing baseball?
by FluLikeSymptoms on Dec 28, 2009 12:19 AM PST reply actions
/looks for condolence package flowers receipt – boy, was I off.
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Dec 28, 2009 6:13 AM PST reply actions
Bash fatigue has set in.
My Bucardo is better than yours.
A hot August weekday, before a small crowd, when the only thing at stake is the tissue-thin difference between a thing done well and a thing done ill. Insofar as the clutch hitter is not a sportswriter's myth, it is a vulgarity, like a writer who writes only for money.
Hmm...bash fatigue.
NOT in Krazy’s vocabulary.
"I don’t know why people feel the need to come up with reasons 'why' for everything..." - Missing Barry
by victor frankenstein on Dec 28, 2009 8:29 AM PST up reply actions
/barely reads this fanpost
Right! So who likes pie?
I do! I think pie is delicious! There are many wonderous varieties of pie. It is a very versatile and tasty treat!
WHY IS BOCOCK?!
by Lars The Wanderer on Dec 28, 2009 8:02 AM PST reply actions
Creepy wizard pedophiles
Giant Dirtbags: John Bowker, Steve Hammond. MIA List: Todd Jennings, Brian Anderson
Jeremy Affeldt induces DP's
by Giant among Angels on Dec 28, 2009 10:24 AM PST up reply actions
It’s an effing meal if you eat one by yourself…ha…ha…
Hey Fred Lewis, remember Mother's Day?
by anotherbadexcuseguitar on Dec 28, 2009 10:54 AM PST up reply actions
I wouldn’t mind Branyan or Nady on 1 yr w/ option ML deals, but the rest should be minor league deals w/ invites to ST. The main point is that none of these players should be confused for major targets for the offseason. A few have the potential to be complementary pieces, but if Sabes signs branyan and Nady and says his work is done, I’d hate to see the backlash.
Proud adoptive daddy for the Big Unit, who is currently teaching Madison Bumgarner the art of being intimidating.
do these guys make the team better?
Branyan – This guy had a career year at 33 not because he finally figured it out, but because someone played him regularly and ignored his 34.6% k rate. His triple slash line is pretty consistent with his career. Someone is going to look at that 30 homer season and overpay him, and I really hope it is not the Giants.
Jacobs – He is better than Branyan. And younger, and his 08 was very good. He struggled last year in the AL and might be able to rebound in the NL… but bottom line, dude is a hacker. No walks. And he is not a good fielder.
The point with both these guys is do they improve over what you might have in house? Given the choice of these lefty first basemen, I would take Ishikawa or even Bowker before I committed millions to either of those guys.
Speaking of in house… I would also give more ABs to other lefty outfielders like Lewis, Schierholtz and Bowker before I signed Ankiel.
That leaves Nady and Pena, and while your at it you might as well include Gomes. Giants could defnitely use a righty with some pop. I wouldn’t mind either of these signings, I would definitely rather sign Nady than DeRosa. Nady can play some first and left field.
I wouldn’t mind signing Pena to a minor league contract either. At worst he could go to Fresno where there are not a lot of right handed power hitting outfielders. And if it didn’t work you could just cut him.
I would also give more ABs to other lefty outfielders like Lewis, Schierholtz and Bowker
I agree about Lewis. The Giants have really done him wrong. Not so sure about Juggernate and I am not a believer in Bowkermania.
WHY IS BOCOCK?!
by Lars The Wanderer on Dec 28, 2009 11:04 AM PST up reply actions
Wily NO Pena
- I’m all for finding gems in other people’s trash but Pena never made it into the trash bin as he’s underneath it.
- Branyan just had his career year and will not ever repeat it.
- Nick the Dick was always waiting for the Yankee phone call so Cashman could have offered hanging out with A-Rod and Jeter for one night at the clubs instead of a real contract and he agreed faster that you can say Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
- Black ties, piano ties, Bay Area ties — worthless when it comes to considering a mediocre player coming off major injury.
- I’ll take Cust on a one year flyer for a million bucks just to be entertained/disgusted when it comes time for him to field some balls in RF.
Win the inning.
I’m not in love with Branyan, but people saying “He just had his career year!!” is making me kind of “What?” Of course he did, but he’s also been a fairly solid hitter for almost his entire career. And everyone keeps saying that he’s going to get overpaid, but he doesn’t appear to be drawing interest anywhere but Seattle, so I don’t see how that’s going to be the case either.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
"AT LAST I AM A PARENTS." - Buster
I wouldn’t call Branyan a solid hitter before last season (hence the “career year”), he tends to swing for the fences a lot and has too low of a batting average to be considered a solid hitter but he does hit for power.
Win the inning.
by Scooter Ellis on Dec 28, 2009 11:55 AM PST up reply actions
He’s been a pretty consistent ~110-115 OPS+ hitter for the bulk of his career. Now, he hasn’t gotten the opportunity to play full seasons very much (and obviously he has defensive shortcomings), but he can hit and he has hit over pretty much his entire career.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
"AT LAST I AM A PARENTS." - Buster
what is it, then, that has kept him from being able to keep a starting job throughout his career, and kept him too from being able to have a continuing bench role with any team, instead of pin-balling from one to another, eight or nine different ones so far, not counting brief returns to previous employers?
strikeouts and low batting average
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
"AT LAST I AM A PARENTS." - Buster
Fielding at third base too
Aaron King is still my homeboy... iffy mechanics and all
McFAQ for all you newcomers out there.
GET THAT VORP AND WHIP SH!T OUTTA HERE!!!
Whomever Sabean signs this off-season will make a good platoon partner with Ryan Gark-ohh... nevermind...
im waiting
i thought the giants normally made thier moves by christmas or the days following. its now the 28th and decemeber isnt any younger
by nhlogan on Dec 28, 2009 11:28 AM PST reply actions
GET RIGHT ON IT, BRIAN!!! NHLOGAN IS WAITING!!
WHY IS BOCOCK?!
by Lars The Wanderer on Dec 28, 2009 11:36 AM PST up reply actions
hahaha
damn right. supposedly were signing derosa to a two year deal.
by nhlogan on Dec 28, 2009 11:37 AM PST up reply actions
none of the above por favor.
DeRosa would be an ok utility guy to have to give Bochy some options, but at 6 million a year, are they freaking crazy? Frandsen can do it for under 500 thousand. No power in the outfied? Bowker! Bowker has power. I still want an outfield of Bowker, Lewis and Schierholtz, with velez and Torres as backups, and Rowand gone. He seems like too nice a guy to galooly him, but trade him for a couple of minor league fill-ins. Or, do not play Rowand after the allstar break. I can see Randy Winn playing in Japan, or Arizona.
Yeah i wanna see Bowker get a whole bunch of starts to prove his monster season at AAA wasn’t ‘cuz they’re ain’t no back foot sliders in dem Miner Leagues
Hey Fred Lewis, remember Mother's Day?
by anotherbadexcuseguitar on Dec 28, 2009 4:37 PM PST up reply actions
Patience
Lincecum’s arbitration, Renteria, Rowand, Zito= Giants need patience. Bad contracts will eventually end, the problem is we must outlast the pour signings the last few years by Sabean. None of the list above are the answer to the Giants woes. Versitile players are the way for a team looking to youngsters to claim a spot in the lineup at the major league level. Giants FANS need to show a little patience
Your premise is sound. Your application is faulty though. By next Oct will we see more than one option that was available for less rescores then was spent of Fragile Fred and Derosa (presuming that comes to pass). To outlive old bad contract one has to reduce or even stop making new bad contracts. The last is not happening so much. It is the Front Office that needs to use their patience – especially with under 31 year old position players.
/ Chants, " Olivio, Jacobs, Podsednik" Then smacks head with a 1 X 6. This will continue tell the pain decreases and moral improves.
by daveinexile on Dec 29, 2009 11:20 AM PST up reply actions
thank god for shift A
and for you starting your post with something that let me immediately move along:
I am actually a supporter of Brian Sabean
Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti. "I treat Timmy differently from most pitchers: I leave him alone."
"I sometimes still can get insider info and I am not a dumb or average fan.
Molina is needed."
And let me just say again . . . JJ Hardy
. . . since this is about you Sabes: While you were gearin’ up for the winter meetins ya never looked up as JJ Hardy went to the Twins. It will come back to haunt us (The fans) because we’ll watch Renterhea until it’s Uribe (who will revert to his old Pedro Feliz ways), and then who . . .Bocock? Burris?
Don't believe everything you think.
Crawforddddd!
Hey Fred Lewis, remember Mother's Day?
by anotherbadexcuseguitar on Dec 28, 2009 11:03 PM PST up reply actions
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