Title
Why I'm okay with the Omar deal:
The Giants have four gaping lineup holes - shortstop, first, third, and one of the corner outfielder spots. In a perfect world, the team would fill those holes with players who can get on base and hit for power. They only have two or three pitchers to trade for such players, and the free agent market is a nightmare.
They probably won't be able to fill all of the gaping holes, so they should use the resources at their disposal to fill whatever holes they can fill with players who provide both power and on-base skills. It was always a long shot to get one of those players at shortstop. If the Giants had to fill one of those four positions with an all-glove/no-hit player, shortstop was the correct position to concede.
And Omar's cool. We all love Omar. Maybe he'll manage the Giants one day. If I had a choice between Neifi Perez at $500K or Omar at $5.5M, I'd shoot Perez twice. Wait, that's the punch line to a different joke. You get the idea, though. Omar is more watchable than Tomas De La Rosa or Luis Figueroa. It ain't my money, so I choose Omar.
And I'll use the line again because it's the best way to make my point: Kevin Frandsen is a shortstop like Pedro Feliz is a catcher. Emergencies only, people.
And, heck, maybe Omar still has a .270/.340/.370 season left in him.
Why I'm upset with the Omar deal:
This is the first priority? Re-signing a terrible hitter on a team that can't contend because of a terrible offense? Maybe Sabean did his due diligence around the league, and determined that there just weren't any other shortstops that made sense. I doubt it. Omar is Sabean's blue blankie, and Omar's name recognition and public relations value makes it a popular decision for marketing too. This was probably the Post-It note stuck to Sabean's fridge since May.
When the offseason began, the Giants needed to hit .750 in order to have a chance at an average lineup. Now they need to hit 1.000. And the guy in charge of the roster has been in an 0-for-34 slump for a couple of years. The Rajai Davis trade was catcher's interference, so it doesn't count.
Why I'm terrified about the Omar deal:
Because of this kind of hypothetical situation:
I can live with Omar, but this has to mean that Feliz is not coming back. I'm still silly enough to believe the Giants can cobble together an average 2008 offense that won't hurt their efforts to build a good future offense. The Giants need to trade one of their non-Lincecains for a third baseman if there is any chance for that to happen.
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Re: Title
But ugh. If they bring Feliz back... I think it'll pretty much erase any goodwill that Sabean had built up since he was re-signed (draft, Davis, etc.)
And, I think, it should pretty much disprove the notion that Barry Bonds handcuffed him into building a bad supporting roster all those years.
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by Speedforthewin on Nov 7, 2007 4:55 PM PST up reply actions
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What I would want for Winn is Lillibridge.
by giantsrainman on Nov 7, 2007 5:04 PM PST up reply actions
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I'm pretty sure the Indians comfortable with getting an 800 OPS from the Michaels/Dellucci platoon. Plus, its a power right handed bat that they want, not necessarily a leftfielder.
by Nathan on Nov 7, 2007 5:29 PM PST up reply actions
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Scott Moore is blocked by Aramis Ramirez at the major league level and has posted OPSs of 0.839 and 0.899 the last couple of years. He's only 23.
Andy Marte. The guy is still only 23 and he has proved all he can prove in the minors. He has been written off because of three awful stints in the majors. The thing to remember is that none of these stints was longer than a month. To put that into perspective, Pedroia was awful when called up last year and finished April this year with a .191 batting average. Maybe the Giants could stick with Andy a little longer and see if he pulls a Pedroia.
by Nathan on Nov 7, 2007 2:41 PM PST reply actions
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This Indians kept Ryan Garko in AAA after he posted a 900 OPS in his first full stint there. He proceeded to post a 775 OPS in his second AAA stint. But he's proven that he's more than capable of hitting in the big with an 850 OPS in his fist full big league season.
by Nathan on Nov 7, 2007 2:56 PM PST up reply actions
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by AngelintheInfield on Nov 7, 2007 2:50 PM PST up reply actions
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Maybe I'm thinking of someone else.
by Mark carry on on Nov 7, 2007 2:50 PM PST up reply actions
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by Mark carry on on Nov 7, 2007 3:10 PM PST up reply actions
KORY CASTO
by Nathan on Nov 7, 2007 2:59 PM PST reply actions
Re: KORY CASTO
by AngelintheInfield on Nov 7, 2007 3:03 PM PST up reply actions
Re: KORY CASTO
Another reason I find your response silly is....
- Casto's walk rates were much better his previous two years (16% walk rate).
- You're complaining about a guy who walked 'only' 54 times in (411+54) plate appearances? Seriously? A 11% walk rate is scaring you? Jeez. Good luck finding anyone much better who'd come close to as cheap.
by Nathan on Nov 7, 2007 3:09 PM PST up reply actions
Re: KORY CASTO
I guess, however, that theres a little Carlos Pena in everyone, and who knows. I wasn't knocking you, or Kory Casto, just making my opinion.
by AngelintheInfield on Nov 7, 2007 3:16 PM PST up reply actions
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I guess, however, that theres a little Carlos Pena in everyoneIs that like a little "Captain Morgan" ?
Re: KORY CASTO
by howtheyscored on Nov 7, 2007 8:48 PM PST up reply actions
Re: KORY CASTO
by giantsrainman on Nov 7, 2007 9:00 PM PST up reply actions
Re: KORY CASTO
Re: KORY CASTO
by scotterduder on Nov 7, 2007 10:04 PM PST up reply actions
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Damm, I can't even avoid a typo when I am making a poor attempt at a joke!
by giantsrainman on Nov 7, 2007 10:10 PM PST up reply actions
Re: KORY CASTO
by Nathan on Nov 7, 2007 3:03 PM PST up reply actions
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I'd be a rich man
Does anyone here really believe anything he says? Really?
Succumb to the Enchanted t-shirt! Adopted dad of Minor Izzy
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If this is the first of a series of "at the end of the day, we need solid veteran leadership" deals (among which almost certainly includes a Feliz re-signing), then this was a shitty, shitty deal.
If this is a savvy "let's go with what we know to be a solid fielder at the most important defensive position, offense be damned, because we're going to play a few of the kids while acquiring some young bats with potential" deals, then I'm OK with it.
Hmm, guess which option seems more likely?
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Shoot me.
by AngelintheInfield on Nov 7, 2007 3:34 PM PST reply actions
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Succumb to the Enchanted t-shirt! Adopted dad of Minor Izzy
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If so, I'll do my best to haunt Sabean.
by AngelintheInfield on Nov 7, 2007 3:46 PM PST up reply actions
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The San Francisco Giants and 40-year-old shortstop Omar Vizquel reached agreement Wednesday on a one-year contract worth close to $5.5 million.
Next season will be Vizquel's 20th in the majors and fourth as a Giant. The deal also includes a vesting option of 140 games in 2009 at $5.2 million. Vizuel has played in at least 136 games in 12 of his last 13 seasons.
Vizquel, who made $5.1 million last season, hit .246 last season, his lowest average since 2003.
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Its like a slap in the face.
by AngelintheInfield on Nov 7, 2007 3:54 PM PST up reply actions
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It's not bad at all now, though, so I didn't re-up the whole plea idea.
Still, nice to see you around! If it's better, I tend to always think of you more as "he of the reasonable and well balanced opinion" than the "plea" guy. I'll take more irwin, plz.
by howtheyscored on Nov 7, 2007 8:47 PM PST up reply actions
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by Lyle @ McCovey Chronicles on Nov 8, 2007 6:43 AM PST up reply actions
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1.) New job is ~80 hrs a week. I didn't even have time to watch Lincecum in Fresno!
2.) No DSL at home, internet access monitored at work. Also, I listened to most games on Radio, if at all. I watched very few games on TV.
3.) I am working on a book entitled "Death by 1000 paper cuts: The San Francisco Giants from 2003-2007" Ok, not really. But someone should.
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What if this deal now reported to be 1 year $5.5M with $5.2M vesting option for 2009 at 140 games played eliminates the $1.75M still owed to Vizquel from his previous deal ($1.75M Signing bonus with $1M payable in 2008 and $.75M payable in 2009) and is structured with $4.75M salary for 2008 and $5.2M salary for 2009 or $.75M buyout?
Just hoping for the best or perhaps more likely just spitting into the wind.
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--Grant
"You understand everything."
--Nazorine (from "The Godfather")
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Grant, you arrogant son of a gun! (The one that shot AngelVillalonaintheInfield)
:p
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by AngelintheInfield on Nov 7, 2007 9:14 PM PST up reply actions
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I just don't see how next year's team is going to be any better with Feliz and Vizquel on the left side of the infield. All the trade talk is about acquiring OF's. Well, we already have a logjam of OF's! We might be able to upgrade the OF a bit, but that still leaves us with a disaster in the IF.
It just looks like Sabean is up to his old tricks of playing for 1 year at a time and blocking prospects with mediocre vets.
Sabean signs Omar
by Lyle @ McCovey Chronicles on Nov 8, 2007 6:51 AM PST up reply actions
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Which is not to say that there aren't other shortstops out there who could do as well or better than Vizquel for less money.
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Screw it, I like it
The option, though, is silly.
Re: Screw it, I like it
Re: Screw it, I like it
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What about this scenario...dont jump down my throat, here me out. You resign both Omar and Feliz, sign A-Rod and play Fransden from day one. You trade Durham to any taker, and that leaves you with A-Rod (3rd), Omar (SS), K-Fran(2nd) and Feliz(1st). Sounds like a doable infield for next season. Or alternate version is....you DONT resign Feliz, you still trade Durham, possibly for Sexton (could be a 1 for 1 + cash trade)and that leaves you with A-Rod (3rd), Omar (SS), K-Fran(2nd) and Sexton(1st).
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Par for the Sabean Course
by NiceGuysFinishEtc on Nov 8, 2007 5:33 AM PST reply actions
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by Pete Koel on Nov 8, 2007 5:43 AM PST reply actions
Que' es mas estupido?
1 yr.@$5.6M + option for Vizquel?
- or -
Kick Bonds to the curb?
It's like a Sabean roster is based on a dare.
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I could be a better GM than him
Hope
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Mashes Lefties?
Pedro against lefties in 2007: .257/.298/.368, 2 HRs in 152 ABs.
Over the last three seasons: .247/.302/.403, 11 HRs in 417 ABs.
He actually has substantially more HRs/AB over the last three years as a righty, albeit with nearly identical OBP numbers that cause us to love him so much.
You can find these useful stats on ESPN.com.
The Giants are doomed to have another massively awful season, with 100 losses not unlikely (in the post-Bonds era) unless they do throw 8 years/$240MM at A-Rod (in which case they will be able to approach mediocrity). They ought to play Frandsen at 3rd, platoon Schierholtz and Aurilia at first, let Durham play out the string at second, and spend every available nickel re-inforcing the minor league systems and signing international free agents.
by NiceGuysFinishEtc on Nov 8, 2007 12:14 PM PST up reply actions
I like Omar, but ... DAMMIT!
But then I was thinking, well, it would be great to see a team through the rebuild and emerge on the other end as successful, World Series winners, Leeann Tweeden bait, etc.
But god DAMN, this Omar news sure pours ice water on those romantic notions of rooting for the underdogs until they get good. This route is just rooting for underdogs until they get Social Security. Feh. That's right, I said a phonetic representation of a Yiddish sound indicating dismissiveness, and I will damn well stand by my phonetic representation of a Yiddish sound indicating dismissiveness.
Next year, I might just be Mayor of My Living Room. Those bastards.
Let me help you out with that one...
Re: I like Omar, but ... DAMMIT!
Try not renewing -- you'll feel much better! I did. :-)
Re: I like Omar, but ... DAMMIT!
by NiceGuysFinishEtc on Nov 8, 2007 4:12 PM PST up reply actions

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