September 8th, 2009
With all of the talk surrounding Bengie Molina’s contract situation, Juan Uribe is more deserving of a new Giants deal than Molina and Freddy Sanchez, and it’s not just because of Uribe’s recent hot-hitting. Of course, the Giants could re-sign both Sanchez and Uribe, and commit second base to Sanchez and third base to Uribe in 2010. But, if it comes down to one or the other, Uribe seems the more logical commitment.
For starters, Uribe is younger and more healthy. Uribe turned 30 in March, while Sanchez turns 32 in December. In his six weeks as a Giant, Sanchez has had knee and shoulder issues, while Uribe has mostly been pain-free. Health should be the number one concern when it comes to signing players to multi-year deals… even two-year contracts.
Uribe is also more versatile. While Sanchez hasn’t played anywhere other than second since 2006, the Giants can play Uribe at second, short, and third. Versatility is becoming one of those many aspects of baseball that has been undervalued. (In the way that on-base percentage and defense have been undervalued the last several years.) Uribe’s versatility also gives the team some leeway to develop their younger infielders. Uribe can play third to make room for a second baseman, and he play second so someone can play third or first (whichever position Sandoval isn’t playing). He also, of course, is capable of playing shortstop if Edgar Renteria continues to tail off next year.
Uribe does all of this while playing very good defense no matter where he’s playing. He’s only slightly below average at shortstop, but so is Renteria. Sanchez is a good defender at second, but Uribe is just as good in the field.
As for the offense, it may just be that Uribe will be a better hitter over the next couple of seasons. This season, Uribe’s OPS is .816, nearly 100 points better than his career mark (.726). His wOBA is .345 this season compared to a .309 career number. Maybe Uribe is in a salary drive (although I doubt it) but, perhaps more likely, Uribe is becoming a better hitter and one of the many players more successful in the National League. I’m not expecting a .816 OPS in the future, but a .780 OPS in 2010 and 2011 isn’t that unrealistic and still above average.
By comparison, Sanchez is a career .756 OPS hitter, and has a .768 mark this year. He did have an .851 OPS in his best season in 2006 when he hit .332, but that was when Sanchez was still in his 20’s. I’m guessing Sanchez’s 2009 offensive numbers are more reflective of his next few seasons. And, with Sanchez being 32 and 33 the next couple of seasons, the numbers could go down.
In the end, there may not be a huge difference between Uribe and Sanchez offensively in the next few seasons. However, Uribe’s versatility, defense, health, and clubhouse presence (which continues to get talked up) make him the better option to sign for the next few seasons. If you factor in that Uribe may be cheaper because so many people in baseball (Sabean?) are still in love with batting average, then he is a MUCH better option.
More notes:
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Categories: San Francisco Giants |
Tags: Bengie Molina, Brad Penny, Bruce Bochy, Buster Posey, Edgar Renteria, Eli Whiteside, Eugenio Velez, Freddy Sanchez, Giants, Jason Hammel, John Bowker, Jonathan Sanchez, Jorge De La Rosa, Jose Contreras, Juan Uribe, Matt Cain, Rockies, Tim Lincecum, Ubaldo Jimenez, Willie Mays | No Comments
September 2nd, 2009
One of the biggest reasons why I wouldn’t mind seeing a new regime replace Sabean-Bochy is the overreliance on veterans. Of course, I’m saying this after veterans Edgar Renteria and Bengie Molina deliver two of the biggest hits of the season in the last week. The veterans should still play a little, but it’s a fallacy when managers and GM’s think that veterans need to play more down the stretch because they’re “gamers” or because “they’ve been here before”. There’s an all-too-common belief within baseball that playing younger players means you’re giving your team less of a chance to win.
In many cases, younger players can be better options than the veteran “gamers”, especially when those veterans are already below average players. Of course, “below average” is a kind phrase to use for most of the Giants hitters. There are many examples of younger players helping teams in stretch runs, but in the NL West, we don’t have to look much further than the 2007 Rockies. They were essentially “giving up” on their season when they called up Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales in August. Of course, those pitchers were instrumental in their amazing September run. Prospects can make your team better. They shouldn’t be players who are only given time when your team is out of the race.
Those prospects can only become good major leaguers with experience. If they’ve dominated Triple-A pitching, they aren’t going to become better major leaguers by continuing to hit off of those same Triple-A pitchers. John Bowker may be better hitter in the future, but I can concede he is probably a below-average major league hitter right now. Still, I’d rather have him taking away some at bats from Randy Winn (especially against lefties such as last night), who is also a below-average hitter. At least, Bowker can get better with the experience.
I’m not saying the vets shouldn’t play, but this was supposed to be a season where we were going to find out a lot about the Giants positional prospects. The organization wasn’t really strong in upper-level positional players, but there are still quite a few unknowns within this franchise. I feel like the Giants have wasted part of this season by not giving enough at bats to guys like Bowker, Kevin Frandsen, Jesus Guzman, Nate Schierholtz (remember when he had 18 at bats through May 1st), and, yes, even Fred Lewis (Bay City Ball’s reasoning for Lewis to play more.). Odds are, most of these guys won’t ever be everyday major-leaguers, but good organizations find a way to get these type of players enough at bats to find out. Unfortunately, with the Giants, they’re still unknowns.
As pointed out at Inside Baggs, the Giants average just 3.58 pitches per plate appearance, which is the lowest in the majors by far. Of the 16 NL teams, they’re 15th in runs/game, 15th in HR’s, 16th in walks and 16th in on-base percentage. If the Giants found a way to give guys such as Frandsen, Bowker, and Lewis more at bats, would these numbers be much worse? I don’t think so. There’s even a decent chance they may be better.
Even more frustrating, the Giants didn’t even call up Frandsen when teams were allowed to expand their rosters yesterday. And, while Sabean and the rest of the brass think its unfathomable, calling up Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner may be the difference between a playing baseball or playing golf in October. When you’ve got a chance for a championship, you go for it. I don’t care about affecting one’s service time or hurting veterans feelings. If calling up Posey and Bumgarner means that the team has to wait until June, instead of May, before calling them up to the major league roster again so the Giants can steal an extra year of service time, then so be it.
Think of this scenario: The Giants wait until May before they call up Posey and Bumgarner, the team misses the playoffs, and when the team calls up these players in 2010, both immediately take off and adjust smoothly to major-league competition. Giants fans will be ticked off that these guys weren’t allowed to make an impact in the previous year’s pennant chase. And, even worse, the Sabean-Bochy tandem may be awarded contract extensions this offseason. The same guys who continually rewarded veteran players with at bats despite mediocre offense from those veteran players.
Renteria, Winn, Molina, and Aaron Rowand all deserve their share of at bats, but this year, they’ve been given too many at bats. While it’s a positive that these guys have mostly played solid defense, they should have been given more days off earlier in the season in favor of younger players. If they were, maybe they would be even more rested for this stretch drive.
This has been touched on at McCovey Chronicles, but even more frustrating for Giants fans, is the Giants organization lack of patience for younger players. Eugenio Velez got off to a hot start upon his recall, and that earned him plenty of extra at bats. Bowker didn’t and he was back in Triple-A before he knew it. You may not want to hear another Rockies example, but Carlos Gonzalez was scuffling with a .188 average on July 6th. Now, after over 500 career plate appearances, he looks like a future star. The Rockies didn’t demote him to the Pacific Coast League, where he has already dominated. They kept him on their major league roster, and now it’s paying major dividends.
Can you imagine if Pablo Sandoval got off to a 4-for-45 start last season? He might have struggled to get consistent at bats on last year’s and this year’s team. The only reason the Giants committed to him everyday was because he started raking right away. Sandoval is a rare case, because most hitters take time before they learn major league pitching.
It’s actually pretty simple. The more major league at bats a team’s young hitting prospects receive, they will either become better players or at least a team will find out about their long-term chances. In baseball economics, because of service time, younger players that perform well are extremely valuable. The Giants organization’s lack of patience and commitment with younger players may cost them this season but, more importantly, has also hurt their chances in 2010 and 2011.
Categories: San Francisco Giants |
Tags: Aaron Rowand, Bengie Molina, Brian Sabean, Bruce Bochy, Buster Posey, Carlos Gonzalez, Edgar Renteria, Eugenio Velez, Franklin Morales, Fred Lewis, Giants, Jesus Guzman, John Bowker, Kevin Frandsen, Madison Bumgarner, Pablo Sandoval, Randy Winn, Rockies, Ubaldo Jimenez | No Comments
August 21st, 2009
The Giants did everything they could to keep the Rockies in the game, blowing excellent scoring opportunities in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings, while also walking six (plus a HBP). Yet, it was a “W” and the sweetest of the season… that is, until their next one. Sometimes, it pays to be pessimistic. In fact, having said that, there’s no way they beat Giants killer Jorge De La Rosa tonight.
Other Thoughts:
- It does help that one of the best hitters in baseball since early June, Troy Tulowitzki, doesn’t play because of the flu bug. Tulo is the second best shortstop in the league. He’s also a gamer. I doubt that he’s out tonight, too.
- While the walks are still frustrating, it was so nice to see Jonathan Sanchez use his great fastball with two strikes. So often, we’ve seen Sanchez jimmy-jack around with breaking stuff and trying to paint corners (while missing badly). Last night, the high fastball was fantastic. We need to see more of it.
- I wish Bochy didn’t pinch-hit for Sanchez in the sixth. At 91 pitches, Sanchez could have easily went at least one and maybe two more innings. It also would have helped his confidence that much more.
- Aaron Rowand’s home run was HUGE. It seems like that was the Giants first three-run homer of the year. Whatever it was, it made things easier on Sanchez, who responded with a dominant bottom of the fourth inning.
- Eugenio Velez is still a nightmare in left. He’s like Timmy Lupus out there.
- Velez is also in a major funk at the plate. Sit him down, please.
- Don’t look now, but Edgar Renteria is 13 for his last 31. Okay, I’m not feeling any better about him, either. He does have only one RBI during that stretch. Baby steps.
- The Rockies are usually sound so the three errors were surprising. We can’t count on that the rest of the series.
- Jeremy Affeldt has been unbelievable in double play situations. That’s 16 this year after getting Helton to 1-2-3. Remarkable. Came at a great time when the scoreboard was instructing Rockies fans to “Make Some Noise!” Could there be anything more obnoxious and annoying than a scoreboard instructing fans to make noise? What kind of Mickey Mouse operation are they running at Coors?
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Categories: San Francisco Giants |
Tags: 49ers, A's, Aaron Rowand, Alex Smith, Bruce Bochy, Cal, Edgar Renteria, Eugenio Velez, Freddy Sanchez, Giants, Gio Gonzalez, Jeff Kent, Jeremy Affeldt, Jonathan Sanchez, Jorge De La Rosa, Raiders, Randy Hanson, Troy Tulowitzki | No Comments
August 12th, 2009
As much as I am annoyed by overly pessimistic fans, I must say that was a swift punch to the gut last night, and places a ton of pressure on Tim Lincecum today to shut down L.A. As bad as this homestand has been, every Giants fan has to be a little bit nervous, even with the ace on the hill. A loss, and many will be panicking before the longest road trip of the year.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m still optimistic. I was just pumped up for this series, thinking the Giants were ready to beat L.A. on our home turf. Losing the first two is so deflating, I didn’t even want to wake up this morning. I can’t even look my dog in the eye anymore. Gawd, I hate the Dodgers… and although, I’m not giving up on catching them, I’m disgusted because we were holding that card, the “6 of the 9 head-to-head games left at AT&T”, in our back pocket. Well, now it’s 4 of 7, and the Giants HAVE to win today to have any long-shot at the division
And… Then… There’s the wild card. “Wild Card” is a couple of dirty words that are tough to acknowledge for any die-hard baseball fan (McCovey Chronicles notes as much), but we do pay attention to it. The Wild Card is like a drunk relative that no one wants to talk about or confront, but we know of their presence, and we know in the end, that drunk relative is capable of some very solid entertainment (or in the wild card’s case, a postseason).
Okay, maybe I’m reaching… but I’m still optimistic.
On to last night’s notes: (more…)
Categories: San Francisco Giants, Uncategorized |
Tags: 49ers, A's, Aaron Maybin, Alex Smith, Anton Peterlin, Barry Zito, Bill Hahn, Cal, Dallas Braden, Dodgers, Eugenio Velez, Giants, Hiroki Kuroda, JaMarcus Russell, Joe Torre, John Marshall, Justin Duchscherer, Kory Sheets, Matt Kemp, Michael Crabtree, Nonito Donaire, Pablo Sandoval, Raiders, Randy Wolf, Rich Aurilia, San Jose State, Stanford, Thomas Clayton, Thomas Howard, Tiger Woods, Tim Lincecum, Trevor Cahill, Willie Mays | 1 Comment
August 11th, 2009
Maybe it’s because they haven’t won a championship in San Francisco. Maybe it’s because of all the heartbreaking conclusions to seasons past. Maybe it bugs me more, because I’m too optimistic. (I even joked about the negativity just a few weeks ago.) Whatever it is, Giants fans are, by and large, pessimistic, and the 2009 Giants deserve better. The Giants play the game the right way, and has positioned itself for a pennant chase, despite mostly low expectations.
Sure, I’m as disgusted with Edgar Renteria’s at bats as anybody else. Bengie Molina’s inability to take a pitch drives me nuts. Randy Winn’s plate appearances can take away the optimism from even some of the most ardent fans. Jonathan Sanchez’s inability to get out of fourth and fifth inning jams, despite great stuff, is maddening. The Giants aren’t the only team with problems, however. The Dodger bullpen and rotation depth has been frustrating for their fans. Rockies fans have just about had it with Chris Iannetta, and Jason Hammel certainly doesn’t make them feel any better. You think Cardinals fans enjoy Rick Ankiel, Todd Wellemeyer, and Kyle Lohse?
As said before, every contender in the National League is flawed. There is no reason for Giants fans to feel worse about our problems than anybody else. It’s okay to point out the various inabilities of the team when at the office or the bar, but I have a problem when a packed house, in what is the biggest game of the year to that point, seems to lose all optimism because of one swing of the bat… in the fourth inning! Understandably, this team hasn’t mounted many comebacks this year, but they did come back from two runs down eight days earlier, and from three runs down just five days earlier.
While perusing the McCovey Chronicles Game Thread last night, you’d think the game was over after the Matt Kemp double (which, some would say, it was). There was even an “Open Depression Thread” started in the later innings with the team only down three runs. While I don’t care as much about what is said by those who aren’t at the game, it does give you an idea of the pessimistic nature many, and maybe most, Giants fans have about this franchise.
The Giants are probably the underdog in this 2009 playoff chase. However, that’s a major reason why they the fans to give them that extra adrenaline. Think of the 2007 Warriors upset of Dallas. The Warriors were the underdog, and it might have been a little hyperbole, but the players did say they couldn’t have done it without the fans. For that series, the Dubs had the greatest home-court advantage the NBA had seen in the last ten years. The Giants have a lot of these same types of fans, who try to get the crowd riled up. The problem is for every 7,000 loud die-hards, there are about 20,000 fans who are waiting to jump at the first sign of trouble.
All I ask, as a die-hard Giants fan, is for all of you who go to every game, or just go once in a while, to throw total support this team’s way for these final 21 home games. As an underdog, this team needs it more than others. Sure, the offense will be frustrating, but when we groan about it, we’re not filling in the Giants players on anything they don’t know. In a baseball world that has been obsessed with home runs, this team is still refreshing because they play solid defense and thrive on good pitching. Not to mention, this is still a mostly young team, that is going to need our full support for the next several seasons, when they are consistently in pennant races. So why not cheer as if we’re starting our rebuilding success a year early? After all, whether your optimistic or pessimistic, as die-hard fans, we’re going to be equally disappointed if this team misses the playoffs, right? (more…)
Categories: San Francisco Giants |
Tags: 49ers, A's, Alex Smith, Bengie Molina, Bill Hahn, Bruce Bochy, Buster Posey, C.J. Watson, Cal, Cardinals, Casey Blake, Dave Dravecky, David Forst, Dodgers, Edgar Renteria, Eugenio Velez, Giants, Gio Gonzalez, Jahvid Best, Jonathan Sanchez, Kirk Morrison, Kory Sheets, Mark Ellis, Matt Kemp, Mike Johnson, Mike Nolan, Mike Singletary, Nate Schierholtz, Orlando Hudson, Raiders, Randy Winn, Rich Aurilia, Robert Gallery, Rockies, Shaun Hill, Stanford, Stephen Jackson, Terry Donahue, Travis Ishikawa, Trevor Scott, Warriors, Will Clark, Zach Miller | No Comments
August 10th, 2009
I hate the Dodgers because that’s what I was born to do. But, there are plenty of other good reasons.
I hate the Dodgers because Tommy Lasorda is an uncoordinated, obnoxious fat ass.
I hate the Dodgers because of Eric Gagne. Remember those retarded Gagne “Game Over” shirts? Funny, I don’t see anyone wearing those these days. Even more hilarious, is that ebay seller wants $13.99 for that shirt. Do you get a free bottle of HGH with that shirt? Amazing how nobody was making suspicions on a guy who’s fastball jumped 10 MPH after a failed career as a starter.
I hate the Dodgers because their organization has welcomed a “Raider Nation” fan mentality at Dodger Stadium. Actually, that’s a major insult to Raiders fans because they aren’t even this bad. If you wear an opposing team’s colors, you could get stabbed, or get shot, or, at least, have a beer poured on your head. The stands in the upper level and bleachers are filled with gang-bangers. If you look at the story of the stabbing from this year, you’ll find that the stabber, Arthur Alvarez is an unemployed gang member. Is there any other kind? And that wasn’t the only incident. When fans complain to Dodger security, security asks the threatened fans to leave instead of disciplining the hoodlums who are causing this mess. I can’t believe this isn’t a bigger deal because most Dodger fans do act in a civilized way, and they are disgusted when they hear about these antics.
I hate the Dodgers because some of their fans, again these hoodlum types, are so ignorant that their most used comeback for Giants fans is “faggots” or “homos”. Amazing how these morons apparently have never visited West Hollywood.
I hate the Dodgers because their fans also use the “at least we won a championship” comeback. Admittedly, this one hurts, but isn’t there a statute of limitations when you haven’t won one in 21 years? Or have only won one playoff series in 21 years. The Rockies have won more playoff series than the Dodgers in the last two decades.
I hate the Dodgers because of Ross Porter. When I was going to college in L.A., a buddy (dodger fan) and I were heading to a friend’s house to watch the Giants/Dodgers on TV (the Bonds 2-run homer and pirouette game in 1997). While listening to the pregame on the radio, Porter is discussing who should be on the Dodgers playoff roster. Even my friend said, “Why is he talking about this right now?” You have a two-game lead over your rivals with two weeks left in the season, and a huge two-game series against your rival, and you’re talking about the playoff roster and whether Eddie Murray should be on it? It was sweet, not only because the Giants swept the series and won the division, but because Murray hit into the rally-crushing double play that turned the pivotal second game around. Thanks, Ross.
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Categories: San Francisco Giants |
Tags: Andruw Jones, Barry Bonds, Brian Johnson, Bruce Bochy, Carlos Perez, Casey Blake, Chad Billingsley, Chan Ho Park, Darren Dreifort, Delino DeShields, Dodgers, Eddie Murray, Eric Gagne, Eric Karros, Eugenio Velez, Fred Claire, George Sherrill, Giants, Guillermo Mota, Ismael Valdes, James Loney, Jason Schmidt, Joe Morgan, Joe Torre, Jose Offerman, Journey, Kevin Gross, Kevin Malone, Mark Sweeney, Matt Kemp, Mike Piazza, Ned Colletti, Pablo Sandoval, Rich Aurilia, Rockies, Ross Porter, Scott Proctor, Steve Perry, Tommy Lasorda, Trevor Wilson, Vin Scully | 4 Comments
August 10th, 2009
Please check back throughout the day. We will have a couple of posts, including a preview of tonight’s Giants/Dodgers game.
Giants
It was the weekend that got away, writes Henry Schulman.
It was a rough afternoon for Matt Cain and Pablo Sandoval, writes Andrew Baggarly.
The pressure’s on Jonathan Sanchez, notes Schulman.
Time to boo Manny, writes Scott Ostler.
Hensley “Bam Bam” Meulens gets a lot of credit for Eugenio Velez’s success.
More on Aaron Rowand and Sanchez at Inside Baggs.
Last night’s minor league lines include a couple of hits for Buster Posey.
On this, the 20th anniversary of Dave Dravecky’s comeback game, he writes a very cool letter to the editor in the Chronicle. I was 13 years old when my Dad took me to see Dravecky pitch on that August afternoon at the ‘Stick. It will always be one of the most memorable events of my life. I remember the entire crowd standing whenever Dravecky would get into a two-out, two-strike situation with a Reds hitter. I remember Dravecky amazingly taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning and the standing ovation we gave him when he finally exited the contest. I remember the unbelievable chills each fan had on that warm day. As an impressionable teenager, it helped give me greater understanding of what it meant to be a Giants fan and the special bond we form with so many players. A player that plays the game with heart and great courage, as Dravecky did (on a much higher level), is someone that will always be remembered fondly in our book.
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Categories: San Francisco Giants |
Tags: 49ers, A's, Ahmad Brooks, Bobby Crosby, Brett Anderson, Buster Posey, Cal, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Dave Dravecky, Eugenio Velez, Giants, Hensley Meulens, Jonathan Sanchez, Manny Ramirez, Marcus Ezeff, Mario Henderson, Matt Cain, Michael Crabtree, Mike Nolan, Pablo Sandoval, Raiders, Sanjay Lal, Stephen Strasburg, Ted Tollner, Vernon Davis | No Comments
August 5th, 2009
Greg Papa does a great job on Chronicle Live and on Giants Pregame shows, but this never-ending Barry Bonds discussion needs to cease… NOW. Some New York writer does a piece on the loose Giants clubhouse minus Bonds, and Comcast needs to interview the writer on the Pregame Show and discuss it on Chronicle Live? Seriously, is this really news? I’m pretty sure Bonds hasn’t played a game in a Giants uniform in almost two years.
Of course, it doesn’t get any better when idiots call Chronicle Live suggesting the Giants need to sign Bonds. Why is it the people with no clue, are always the ones who have the guts to call and give their uninformed, misguided opinion?
Anyone that thinks Bonds would give the Giants a huge upgrade is out of their minds. (I can’t believe I’m actually going to break this down.) Clubhouse chemistry talk aside, there is little chance he could be the same hitter when he left. A great deal of Bonds’ success in his last couple of seasons was the walks (132 in 2007). Pitchers wouldn’t be dancing around Bonds as they did then. Why would you pitch around a hitter who hasn’t played in two years, is 45, and is smaller than he was two years ago?
Of course, there is also the defense, where Bonds was one of the worst defensive leftfielders in the game (which is saying something because there are a lot of bad ones). I don’t think his range has improved since he left the game and moved into his mid 40’s.
The real reason Bonds’ name gets brought up on Comcast is because TV heads are mostly void of original thought. They love discussing the same subject over and over again. It’s why we can’t get away from Brett Favre, Michael Vick, and Jon and Kate. I’m sure it won’t be the last time we see Bonds discussed on Comcast. Personally, I’d like to hear more about players that are actually on this 2009 Giants team.
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Categories: San Francisco Giants |
Tags: 49ers, Barry Bonds, Bear Pascoe, Bengie Molina, Bip Roberts, Brian Sabean, Bruce Bochy, Buster Posey, Cal, Dany Heatley, Darrius Heyward-Bey, David Baas, Desean Jackson, Don Nelson, Dre Bly, Eugenio Velez, Jahvid Best, Jeremy Roenick, Joe Martinez, Jonathan Sanchez, Kentwan Balmer, Khalif Barnes, Manny Lawson, Marshawn Lynch, Michael Crabtree, Mike LaCoss, Mike Mitchell, Mike Singletary, Pablo Sandoval, Plaxico Burress, Raiders, Sharks, Stanford | No Comments
August 3rd, 2009
Starting with today’s game in Houston, West Coast Bias will try (emphasis on “try”; I don’t have much of a life, but a part of one.) to preview most of the Giants’ remaining 57 games. We’ll attempt to bring you the most possible information on each Giants game, so you can impress your buddies at the bar… or maybe even beat your bookie.
Giants (58-47) at Houston (52-53) 5:05 PST
Matt Cain (12-2, 2.12) vs. Mike Hampton (6-8, 5.36)
Yesterday’s 7-3 Win vs. Phillies
- I don’t like to give a lot of credit for a six-inning start, but Barry Zito deserves the accolades. There was some questionable fielding by Freddy Sanchez at second and also a couple of foul pops that weren’t caught, but Zito hung in there when he could have folded up the tent after the Giants were trailing 3-1. After he got the lead, Zito responded with a fantastic 1-2-3 sixth, as he struck out both Ben Francisco and Ryan Howard. It’s probably a good time for Bochy to start letting Zito pitch deeper in games.
- Sanchez was a little shaky in the field, but the guy can definitely hit, and he already has one of the biggest Giants hits this season with that two-run knock to right-centerfield. (Let’s face it: It wasn’t looking good after the top of the fifth.) Considering the solid contact he made throughout the day, you couldn’t ask for a much better offensive Giants debut. And, I’m all for the #21 number.
- Eugenio Velez can be downright scary in the field, but it’s nice to see someone come up from Fresno and start hitting right away… because, in this organization, there isn’t much patience for those who don’t.
- Not that anyone was concerned, but Jeremy Affeldt got back to his usual ways after a shaky outing on Thursday.
- A salute to the crowd for creating an “almost playoff-type” atmosphere. I particularly like the crowd getting loud for Velez’s at bat in the sixth inning. If you don’t think that stuff pumps up these guys, you’re crazy. For one, think about someone like Sanchez, who’s never played in a pennant race before.
Giants Notes
- 21-31 on the road
- 14-10 vs. NL Central
- 2-1 vs. Astros in 3-game set at AT&T one month ago.
- Coming off 6-1 home stand where the pitching posted a 1.14 ERA.
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Categories: San Francisco Giants |
Tags: Astros, Barry Zito, Bengie Molina, Carlos Lee, Edgar Renteria, Eugenio Velez, Freddy Sanchez, Giants, Hunter Pence, Jeff Keppinger, Jeremy Affeldt, Jose Valverde, Lance Berkman, LaTroy Hawkins, Matt Cain, Michael Bourn, Miguel Tejada, Randy Winn, Roy Oswalt, Ryan Garko | No Comments
August 3rd, 2009
While I stand by my argument that the Giants gave up too much for Freddy Sanchez, and should have used Tim Alderson as trade bait for a hitter with more pop, my entire support is thrown his way now that he’s a Giant. Yesterday, Mike Krukow made mention of how Sanchez told him that he enjoys hitting in the NL West parks because of their enormous outfields. It certainly makes sense for a line-drive hitter, such as Sanchez.
Brian Sabean should have told us this when he made the trade, instead of reminding us that Sanchez was a “professional hitter”. When you keep telling us that Sanchez is a “professional hitter”, all you’re doing is reminding us that most of our team is filled with “unprofessional hitters”. (Even if it’s true, we don’t need to be reminded.) If Sabean had told me that Sanchez owns the Dodgers and Rockies, I still wouldn’t have agreed with the price tag, but I would have definitely felt a little better about the deal.
When you look into the numbers, Sanchez is very comfortable against the Giants competition in the NL West, with the exception of the Padres. (Of course, he fits right in since the Giants can’t win in San Diego anyway.)
| OPPONENT |
AVERAGE |
OPS |
|
BALLPARK |
AVERAGE |
OPS |
| LAD |
.342 |
.827 |
|
Dodger |
.333 |
.787 |
| COL |
.373 |
.948 |
|
Coors |
.403 |
1.028 |
| ARZ |
.327 |
.829 |
|
Chase |
.327 |
.826 |
| SD |
.234 |
.575 |
|
PETCO |
.250 |
.628 |
As for the Giants, he was a career .340, .841 OPS hitter against, and the ballpark talk wasn’t just talk. Sanchez loves AT&T to the tune of a .378 batting average and .929 OPS. It’s those fantastic OPS numbers against NL West opposition that are very encouraging. WCB did say that this trade could look good if Sanchez posts an OPS over .800 in these final couple of months.
Considering that 34 of the final 57 games (59.6%) are against NL West opponents, that .800+ OPS for Sanchez suddenly seems very possible. With all of the heavy intra-division scheduling during the regular season (44.4%), maybe Sanchez’s numbers could actually improve slightly on his Pittsburgh stats. One things for sure: If he beats up on L.A. and Colorado this season, he’ll fit in very quickly.
Now about that defense:
I’m going to give Sanchez the benefit of the doubt on his defense because his metrics (tied for fifth-best among all second basemen) are so solid. However, Giants fans that saw him yesterday and the three games the Giants played in Pittsburgh have seen some very shaky fielding from Sanchez.
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Categories: San Francisco Giants |
Tags: 49ers, A's, Alex Smith, Brian Sabean, Cal, Darren McFadden, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Earthquakes, Eugenio Velez, Freddy Sanchez, Giants, Greg Ellis, Javon Walker, Joe Martinez, Kevin Pucetas, Khalif Barnes, Marion Bartoli, Marvel Smith, Michael Crabtree, Mike Krukow, Mike Singletary, Patrick Willis, Raiders, Rajai Davis, Tim Alderson, Tim Lincecum, Tom Cable, Vin Mazzaro | No Comments
