July 10th, 2009
I haven’t said much about Pablo Sandoval not be selected for the All-Star game because this “last man vote” was great publicity for him (not that he wants it). Most of the baseball world was finally taking notice of what Giants fans have been watching all season: A portly but athletic, versatile, fun-loving, smart, high-effort guy who is a breath of fresh air because he plays the game the right way.
Despite the newfound publicity, it won’t be a big deal nationally if Sandoval doesn’t make the All-Star game as an injury replacement. While his numbers dwarf many other players on the team, it’s an East Coast media-driven country. Down the road, however, when Sandoval is getting the same type of respect as Albert Pujols (and he will, as we’ve made clear before), this slight will look moronic. Sandoval is going to consistently be one of the top five players in baseball in the next five years, while playing in a pitcher’s park. Historians will look back at his first full season and wonder why he wasn’t playing with baseball’s best in mid-July.
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Categories: San Francisco Giants |
Tags: 49ers, A's, Bill Neukom, Buster Posey, Charlie Manuel, Freddy Sanchez, Giants, Ian Kinsler, JaMarcus Russell, Jason Giambi, Jesse English, John Bowker, Kent Huskins, Madison Bumgarner, Pablo Sandoval, Raiders, Rickey Henderson, Rob Blake, Scott Hairston, Sharks, Stephen Curry, Steve McNair, Tim Alderson, Tim Lincecum, Warren Sapp | No Comments
July 3rd, 2009
The Giants have been fortunate this season to have one of the best bullpens in baseball. Considering they have six full-time relievers with ERA’s of 3.50 or lower, you won’t find a pen with greater depth. Whether it’s baseball or business, you need to play your cards right when it comes to supply and demand. There are enough contending teams who are desperate for relief help, and the Giants not only have a lot of options, they have a number of low-cost options.
The three best and most untouchable relievers are obviously funnyman Brian Wilson (he may drive you nuts but he can’t go anywhere this season), Jeremy Affeldt, and Sergio Romo. Most teams would kill to have that triumvirate leading their bullpen. That’s the Giants bullpen core, and the team should make sure that these three are surrounded by at least two remaining solid pieces. Out of the group of Brandon Medders (3.03 ERA), Bobby Howry (3.86), Merkin Valdez (3.38), and Justin Miller (2.16), Sabean should trade one or two arms. This group doesn’t have tremendous value but they do have decent value when you factor in contending teams such as the Yankees, Rangers, Tigers, Rockies, and Angels all have bullpen ERA’s of 4.20 or higher. These are also teams that are looking for multiple relievers, not just one arm. And, the five teams listed above aren’t the only teams looking for bullpen help.
Let’s explore the potential bullpen trade chips:
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Categories: San Francisco Giants |
Tags: 49ers, A's, Al Davis, Andrew Bailey, Barry Zito, Bobby Howry, Brad Ziegler, Brandon Medders, Brian Wilson, C.J. Watson, Earthquakes, Edgardo Alfonzo, Fred Lewis, Giants, Greg Papa, Jeremy Affeldt, Joe Cannon, Justin Miller, Kent Huskins, Lance Armstrong, Manny Ramirez, Merkin Valdez, Pablo Sandoval, Raiders, Ron Artest, Ryan Sadowski, Ryane Clowe, Sabercats, Sergio Romo, Sharks, Warriors | No Comments
July 2nd, 2009
As annoying as last night’s debacle was, Brian Wilson’s two TV appearances yesterday was much more of a train wreck. He was on ESPN’s First Take and the Giants Pregame Show on Comcast SportsNet and continued to be as unfunny as Steve Lyons. Even worse, the hosts of the shows, Dana Jacobson and Scott Reiss, laughed along with Wilson’s unfunniness.
Why so many of these TV folks try to hype up Wilson as a funny person is beyond me. Maybe it’s because of the boring TV show, Life of Brian, where admittedly I’ve only watched a few minutes. I just know those few minutes I watched, I’ll never get back. A guy walking around with a video camera, only amusing himself is not what I call great TV. I’d rather watch Full House re-runs. Jacobson called it dry humor yesterday, but if it’s not funny, it’s someone making themselves look ridiculous (particularly with that hair).
Maybe I’m making a big deal about nothing, but considering how the Giants are finally in the national sports news for being a respectable team for the first time in five years, Wilson appears to be poor representation. Basically, he looks like douche bag. That’s what I would be thinking if I were a fan of another team watching Wilson for the first time. ”Who is this loser and what is that dead animal on his head.” (more…)
Categories: San Francisco Giants |
Tags: 49ers, A's, Amare Stoudemire, Andy Roddick, Bobby Howry, Brian Boucher, Brian Sadowski, Brian Wilson, Charlie Steiner, Chris Mullin, Dallas Braden, Edgar Renteria, Giants, Jack Cust, Jason Giambi, Jermaine Dye, Kent Huskins, Kurt Suzuki, Leon Powe, Michael Kay, Mike Grier, Pablo Sandoval, Patrick Willis, Raiders, Sharks, Tony LaRussa, Vernon Davis, Warriors | No Comments
