July 30th, 2009
Obviously, WCB was never that enamored with Freddy Sanchez. Don’t get me wrong. He’s a solid player and, assuming he gets healthy, clearly makes the Giants better in 2009. But, yesterday, we posted a couple of alternatives to acquiring Sanchez for fear of the organization giving up too much for a 31-year old who currently has an MCL sprain. Still, no one, in even our wildest of nightmares, foresaw one of Baseball America’s top 50 prospects, Tim Alderson, being included in a Sanchez trade. (Thanks to the Warriors brass, as noted below, this wasn’t the worst trade of the day in the Bay Area.) It was not too long ago that Sabean was discussing the Giants reluctance to part with their best prospects. My most accounts, Alderson was one of the top four, if not top three prospects, in the organization.
So, what changed? The Twins interest in Sanchez? The eight runs in three games against Pittsburgh? Ryan Klesko and Edgardo Alfonzo refusing to come out of retirement?
Whatever it was, this trade has compromised the 2010 flexibility for the organization. This team likely still needs a middle-of-the-order hitter, and now that hitter is going to have to be an outfielder. With Ryan Garko and Travis Ishikawa, first base is tied down next year. Sanchez’s 2010 option likely holds down second base. Edgar Renteria and Pablo Sandoval will be the left side of the infield, and Buster Posey will likely be the team’s everyday catcher at some point in 2010. The only good power-hitting outfield options (who don’t kill you defensively) on the free-agent market are Matt Holliday and Jason Bay. Whoever acquires those two, will likely have to overpay.
That’s why Alderson was valuable, and not untouchable. (To give you an idea about Alderson’s value: He was more highly regarded than any of the players acquired by the Indians in the Cliff Lee deal.) I always envisioned Alderson as someone who could be packaged with other prospects for a proven power-hitter. Either now, or in the next year. In this space last week, I suggested that I wouldn’t have been disappointed if the Giants organized a deal around Alderson and Conor Gillaspie for someone like Holliday. Or even perhaps Victor Martinez. If the Indians were so interested in Scott Barnes, couldn’t the Giants work a package around Alderson, Barnes and someone else for middle-of-the-order stud like Martinez? Martinez would certainly be a better fit for this team than the combination of Garko and Sanchez.
It’s pretty simple really. Sports trades are about value. Sanchez’s value is not great considering his $8 million option for next season that is likely to kick in once he reaches 600 plate appearances. Even if he doesn’t reach those plate appearances, the Giants could still pick up his option. And, if they don’t pick up the option? The Giants would risk losing Sanchez to free-agency and receive zero draft-pick compensation. The Pirates were dealing with these same parameters, which is why they were so aggressive in moving the second baseman.
This deal isn’t about whether Alderson will ever be a top-notch pitcher, or even a serviceable starter. It’s about forfeiting the opportunity to use Alderson, either now or in the next year, as a piece to something bigger and better. A hitter who may be the difference between the Giants being a playoff contender and a championship contender.
Instead, we settle for Sanchez. He’s a nice player, as an above-average offensive second baseman who also happens to field well. It’s not a horrible trade because it clearly makes the Giants better this year. But, it is a bad one because a significant player was dealt for one who isn’t a big difference-maker. It’s a bad one because the Giants didn’t even receive a lesser prospect in return (The Phillies got Ben Francisco). It’s a bad one because the Giants didn’t even force the Pirates to pay any of Sanchez’s salary. Now, Sabean and Giants fans have to hope that Sanchez puts together a stellar couple of months (maybe an OPS over .800) that leads the Giants into the playoffs and beyond. Even then, we’ll still probably be asking questions about whether this would have been a playoff team with or without Sanchez anyway.
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Categories: San Francisco Giants |
Tags: 49ers, Adam Kennedy, Alex Smith, Brian Sabean, Derek Burgess, Devean George, Freddy Sanchez, Giants, Hank Aaron, Jason Bay, Jason Giambi, Javon Walker, Marco Belinelli, Matt Cain, Matt Holliday, Michael Crabtree, Mike Singletary, Orlando Cabrera, Raiders, Randy Johnson, San Jose State, Tom Cable, Walt Harris, Warriors | No Comments
July 29th, 2009
Despite Eugenio Velez’s breakthrough performance last night, we all know the Giants could still use a second baseman. (Of course, if it were up to me, Kevin Frandsen would have had around 250 at bats by now, so we would know for sure about his potential one way or the other… but I digress.) I’ve cooled on Freddy Sanchez because I’m not particularly enthused about his $8 million salary for next year, plus the fact that he’s currently banged up. (As noted at Inside Baggs, the Giants may be better served avoiding Sanchez.) The Giants, in a sense, have already locked themselves into first base for 2010, with Ryan Garko and Travis Ishikawa likely manning the position. A Sanchez trade would not only entail dealing a good prospect or two, but also locking up another position for 2010. With Edgar Renteria signed for next year, plus the Panda surely handling third base, a Sanchez trade would mean the Giants will have zero free-agent infield options this offseason. That’s why I suggest these two alternatives:
1. Marco Scutaro – Scutaro has been a shortstop this entire season, but has played multiple positions in his career, including 306 games at second base. He’s a slightly above-average defender at second (+0.1 UZR/150), and has been an excellent defender at shortstop this year. In fact, if you factor in his defense, along with his excellent batting eye, he has been the tenth most valuable position-player in baseball this year (4.1 WAR). Of course, a lot of this has to do with Scutaro having a career year at age 33. Still, people have expected his numbers to drop off all season, yet he is hitting .349 with a .936 OPS in July. One of the most frustrating aspects of being a Giants fan is not only watching the team struggle at the plate, but the refusal to draw a walk. Scutaro works the count beautifully and has 62 walks this year, compared to 48 strikeouts.
I have no idea what the asking price is, but I’d rather have Scutaro than Sanchez. Scutaro’s .294 AVG/.388 OBA/.469 SLG is something that could be very valuable atop the Giants lineup. (Oh yeah, did I mention he could lead off?) Plus, he’s put up these numbers in a superior league, and only makes $1.1 million this year. If the Giants don’t re-sign him, they also would be looking at receiving solid competition (likely a first-round pick) in the offseason. Giving up a solid prospect is easier to do if the team knows they’ll be receiving one in return after a two-month rental.
And, considering, Renteria is banged up and needing offseason surgery, Scutaro gives the Giants a very reliable shortstop option as well.
2. Adam Kennedy – I’m not nearly as high on Kennedy, but think he should be had at a cheap price (of course, I’d also like to see the Giants inquire about Justin Duchscherer in a similar deal). At a 1.5 WAR, Kennedy has been more valuable than Dan Uggla this year, mostly because he’s not an abortion defensively like Uggla. His .295/.349/.425 (and .341 wOBA) numbers are clearly above average for a second baseman. Despite missing three weeks this year, his 7 HR’s and 37 RBI’s are also very solid.
Defensively, he’s been very up and down the last couple of years, including a worrisome (-10.2/UZR 150) this season. Still, he was a +21.8 at second base last year, and is a career +8.4 UZR/150 at second. I trust those numbers more than his smaller sample size for this year.
Kennedy is on a $4 million salary for this year and, like Scutaro, ticketed for free agency after the season. The A’s shouldn’t be asking for much, considering they would be happy to move his salary. I’d rather give up less in prospects for two months of Kennedy at a pro-rated $1.4 million, than deal more prospects for 8 months of Freddy Sanchez at a combined $10+ million for 2009 and 2010.
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Categories: San Francisco Giants |
Tags: 49ers, A's, Adam Kennedy, Brett Favre, Cal, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Edgar Renteria, Eugenio Velez, Freddy Sanchez, Giants, Jeff Garcia, Jeff Tedford, Marco Scutaro, Michael Crabtree, Michael Vick, Mike Singletary, Rajai Davis, Randy Johnson, Ryan Garko, Scott Hairston, Sean Gallagher, Serena Williams, Tommy Everidge, Venus Williams | No Comments
July 24th, 2009
My disdain for Lew Wolff, because of his desire to get out of Oakland, has been well-documented on this site. Many probably wonder why I’m making such a big deal out of something considering the A’s, if they go to San Jose, won’t be moving very far away. My issue is that the A’s have historically been a huge part of Oakland’s community. As Rickey Henderson is enshrined in the Hall, I think of the great impact he had on that community, particularly African-Americans. You almost never see a community produce the local team’s greatest player, but that’s the case in Oakland. The greatest Athletic is clearly Rickey Henderson. If you don’t think that made a big deal to fans going to games in the 80’s and early 90’s, then you weren’t paying attention. Sadly, there haven’t been many good African-American players playing for this team in the past decade plus. That, along with Lew Wolff’s greed and the team playing in the worst stadium in the league, explains the dwindling A’s attendance numbers.
Much has been made about the lack of African-Americans in baseball, but the East Bay has been an exception to the rule in this country. Some of the biggest African-American names in baseball are the East Bay’s own Jimmy Rollins, C.C. Sabathia, and, despite his struggles, Dontrelle Willis. These players, and other local products, undoubtedly were impacted by Henderson and other outstanding black A’s players from the 80’s and early 90’s. In fact, in an article by ESPN’s Tim Keown a couple of years ago, Sabathia spoke of this very impact:
The reason I wanted to play baseball was the A’s. They had Dave Parker, Rickey Henderson, Dave Henderson, Dave Stewart—guys I could look up to. Right now, the A’s have Milton Bradley, and that’s about it. I don’t think I’d be playing baseball. I think it would probably be football, because that’s what I see.
I’m sure Rickey Henderson, while at Oakland Tech, was just as impacted by the championship teams of the early 70’s, and African-Americans such as Vida Blue, Reggie Jackson, and Billy North. Maybe Sabathia and Henderson would have liked those same great A’s teams the same if they played in San Jose, but I doubt it. Part of the appeal for many East Bay African-Americans to go to A’s games in the past, outside of the cultural familiarity, was the team being in their backyard, BART made the games even more accessible, and the games are very affordable.
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Categories: Oakland A's |
Tags: 49ers, A's, Adam Dunn, Adam Kennedy, Alan Johnson, Alex Smith, Barry Zito, Billy North, Brett Anderson, C.C. Sabathia, C.J. Watson, Conor Gillaspie, Dave Henderson, Dave Stewart, Don Nelson, Dontrelle Willis, Giants, Jimmy Rollins, Jonathan Sanchez, Justin Duchscherer, Kevin Pucetas, Lew Wolff, Madison Bumgarner, Mark Cuban, Raiders, Rajai Davis, Reggie Jackson, Rickey Henderson, San Jose State, Sharks, Stanford, Thomas Neal, Tim Alderson, Vida Blue, Vin Mazzaro, Warriors | 1 Comment
July 22nd, 2009
Okay, maybe not, but you have to think the A’s would be reluctant to make any deal that helps the Giants considering the teams’ fight over the San Jose territory. I mention it because the A’s do have some players the Giants should be interested in, even outside of Matt Holliday.
Holliday, of course, would be a major help as a big bat, and as someone who is much more comfortable with major league pitching, but Orlando Cabrera, Adam Kennedy, Mark Ellis, and Justin Duchscherer would also help the Giants. While Cabrera is a shortstop, you’d think that he could do just fine at a lesser position, such as second base, and is someone with world championship experience. Plus, he’s grossly underachieved and could be had for cheap. Of course, Ellis and Kennedy are the “true” second basemen, but Ellis has the bigger deal and a no-trade clause (huh?.. why?). As for Duchscherer, Buster Olney mentioned him yesterday as a cheap Roy Halladay-alternative. Even though he hasn’t pitched a game this year, he could be a worthwhile gamble. This is a guy who led the league in ERA for the first half of last season. Considering Sadowski’s struggles, the Giants may be in the market for a starting pitcher by next week. (more…)
Categories: Oakland A's, San Francisco Giants |
Tags: 49ers, A's, Adam Kennedy, Andrew Bailey, Angel Villalona, Anthony Randolph, Billy Beane, C.J. Watson, Cal, Dennis Green, Giants, Gio Gonzalez, Jeremy Newberry, Justin Duchscherer, Kevin Frandsen, Lew Wolff, Mark Ellis, Matt Holliday, Orlando Cabrera, Raiders, Rich Aurilia, Rickey Henderson, Ryan Sadowski, Santa Clara, Stanford, Warriors, Zach Follett | No Comments
June 17th, 2009
One of the reasons Clint Hurdle was fired in Colorado was because he couldn’t stick to an everyday lineup. He was constantly moving guys around in the order and in the field. He almost ruined big-time prospect Ian Stewart because of the constant position and lineup changes. And Hurdle played approximately 137 players at second base, including Stewart, over the last season plus. Jim Tracy, meanwhile, has stuck with Clint Barmes, and Barmes and the team have played better since. I’m not saying that is the key to the Rockies improved play, because they were a very underachieving team as a whole. It just helps to have some kind of stability.
I bring it up because Bruce Bochy is on his way to playing about 87 guys at second base this year. Here’s hoping that Kevin Frandsen (sorry, no faith in Matt Downs) is called up on Monday, when he’s eligible, and that Bochy throws him out there everyday until the end of July… at least. Then, the Giants will have a better idea of what to do when the trade deadline hits. Like a lot of fans, I was hoping Frandsen would win the job out of spring training. I was then pleasantly surprised for a moment when Burriss started hitting okay (with zero power). With the 0-for-27 slump, Burriss also hasn’t even been that good defensively, which means a change had to be made. Frandsen obviously doesn’t embarrass himself defensively since the team is willing to play him at shortstop.
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Categories: San Francisco Giants |
Tags: 49ers, A's, Adam Kennedy, Alex Smith, Anthony Randolph, Brad Ziegler, Cal, Damon Huard, Emmanuel Burriss, Giants, J.T. O'Sullivan, Jonathan Sanchez, Kevin Frandsen, Matt Cain, Matt Downs, Matt Holliday, Mike Norris, Mike Singletary, Pablo Sandoval, Sammy Sosa, San Jose State, Sean O'Sullivan, Sharks, Shaun Hill, Stanford, Stephen Curry, Warriors | No Comments
June 8th, 2009
While baseball fans all want our teams to be consistent winners, sometimes the best we can ask for is hope. Teams like the Nationals, Orioles, and Astros have no hope. The Astros may have the same record as the A’s, but their lack of hope rests on the fact that they have no pitching. A’s fans have hope because they may have a very good rotation the rest of the season.
After I questioned Vin Mazzaro’s major league debut success because of four walks in 6 1/3 innings, Mazzaro walked zero yesterday in 7 1/3 brilliant innings. Mazzaro, Brett Anderson, Trevor Cahill, Josh Outman, and the old man, 25-year old Dallas Braden, are all pitching extremely well, as noted in the links below.
And, based on the schedule, they should continue to pitch well for the rest of June. The four-game set that starts tonight against Minnesota won’t be easy, but the Twins just did struggle swinging the bats against Seattle. If you factor in six games against the Giants, and three each against the Padres and Rockies, all this month, and the A’s should sustain most of this pitching momentum. (more…)
Categories: Oakland A's |
Tags: 49ers, A's, Adam Kennedy, Billy Beane, Bob Bradley, Bobby Crosby, Brett Anderson, Brian Sabean, Dallas Braden, Earthquakes, Edgar Renteria, Emmanuel Burriss, Fred Lewis, Giants, Greg Manusky, JaMarcus Russell, Jeff Bittiger, John Bowker, Josh Outman, Kevin Frandsen, Lorenzo Neal, Matt Holliday, Michael Crabtree, Michael Ynoa, Mike Singletary, Orlando Cabrera, Raiders, Randy Johnson, Roger Federer, Trevor Cahill, Vin Mazzaro | No Comments
May 15th, 2009
Don Nelson will go down as one of the most successful coaches of all-time, but he should be remembered by Warrior fans as someone who put his own selfish interests ahead of the franchise’s. The NBA’s worst-kept secret is how he has manipulated an organization into hiring his buddy to be a general manager. Now, all front office decisions are made with Nelson’s short-term interests at heart.
Nellie used to be a coach that was obsessed with winning a championship. It’s a goal that every sports organization should be obsessed with. Nelson was someone who always felt he was one big man away from a title. After the Chris Webber debacle, however, Nelson has become completely driven by money. That’s why he has been deep in lawsuits with Chris Cohan and Mark Cuban. He’s been so obsessed with money that he has looked for situations where he could more easily land fatter contracts. That’s why he has often ended up in places that were going through playoff droughts. Places that would be satiated because of a simple playoff appearance. Cohan is dumb enough to have been fooled twice by Nelson’s antics. At least Cuban only gave in to a Nelson contract once, and was smart enough to call out Nelson for what he is: A coach who’s good enough to take a team to the playoffs here and there, maybe pull off an upset, but not good enough to win a championship.
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Categories: Golden State Warriors |
Tags: 49ers, A's, Adam Kennedy, Andre Ward, Andris Biedrins, Anthony Randolph, Barry Bonds, Bengie Molina, Brad Ziegler, Brandon Smith, Brian Wilson, Bruce Bochy, Chris Bosh, Don Nelson, Dontrelle Willis, Ed DeBartolo, Edison Miranda, Emmanuel Burriss, Eric Chavez, Gary Sheffield, Giants, Jed York, Jerome Randle, Kevin Frandsen, Kurt Suzuki, Larry Riley, Mark Cuban, Melissa Harris, Raiders, Ricky Jean-Francois, Robert Rowell, Scott McKillop, Sr., Tim Brown, Tim Lincecum, Warriors | No Comments
May 9th, 2009
Bengie Molina sat for another Barry Zito start yesterday and everyone is talking about the obvious personal catcher situation that Bruce Bochy isn’t quite acknowledging yet. If it is a personal catcher, or just a non-Molina catcher in this case (since we’ve seen both Pablo Sandoval and Steve Holm catch Barry Zito), then it isn’t that big of a deal because Molina will likely need to sit for about once per week anyway. And Zito is going to receive slightly more than one start per week so if you’re going to sit Molina once in while, you might as well do it when Zito pitches, since there appears to be better results with Sandoval and Holm, as opposed to Molina.
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Categories: San Francisco Giants |
Tags: 49ers, A's, Adam Kennedy, Andrew Bailey, Barry Zito, Bengie Molina, Cal, Darrius Heyward-Bey, De La Salle, Earthquakes, Emmanuel Burriss, Giants, JaMarcus Russell, Javon Walker, Jeff Garcia, Kory Sheets, Lorenzo Neal, Manny Ramirez, Monte Vista, Pablo Sandoval, Raiders, San Jose State, Shairon Martis, Stanford, Steve Decker, Steve Holm, Tom Bowen | No Comments
