It's one thing to have an unimaginative GM that is unwilling to place any reliance on younger players until it's really too late (see, e.g., the Dave Roberts signing). It's another thing to combine that unimaginative GM with a boring and conservative manager. The result is that you get neither progress nor development.

Maybe having Ishikawa as our starting 1st baseman is a bit of a stretch. But how is platooning him with Rich Aurilia either helping his development or showing us whether or not the guy can surprise us and be an every day player at this level?

Maybe Manny Burriss as a major league starter is a year or two from being realistic (if ever), but how is benching the guy for a mediocre veteran with no upside going to help the team in the short, medium or long term?

Why (oh WHY) would you ever start a young, raw and talented player at a new position in his first year in the majors after the guy was only recently playing in A ball?? The dude was in San Jose last year. LAST YEAR!

After last night's golden sombrero, I am actually concerned that they might sit Fred Lewis against the next lefty. The guy hits about fifteen points lower against lefties and is under 30, quick, bench him!

If there is a God, Neukom will get rid of Sabean before the trade deadline so we can have someone else determine our fate. Bochy might not be terrible with another GM, but I wouldn't lose any sleep if he were bounced, as well.