Sweeney Out?
It appears that everyone’s premonitions regarding Mark Sweeney as the odd man out are materializing. In a San Jose Mercury article aptly titled ‘Sweeney unlikely to stay a Giant‘ we learn that Sweeney was not a part of a team meeting involving the veterans. The other rumor is that Sweeney was placed on waivers this week but no one claimed him. I’ve heard nothing but good stuff about Sweeney as a person but his pinch hitting numbers from 2006 just don’t bode well for him (.205/.295/.256). The biggest surprise from the Mercury article is the following quote:
A club source said the Giants are so intent on keeping outfielder Jason Ellison and first baseman Lance Niekro, both of whom are out of options, that they are resigned to starting the season with just an 11-man pitching staff. Even with the extra position spot, there doesn’t appear to be room for Sweeney at the end of the bench.
I don’t think anyone saw this coming, the possibility of keeping both Ellison and Niekro is one that escaped me as well. The Giants have reportedly been shopping Ellison as of late but with no takers. A 11-man pitching staff would limit the bullpen to 6 pitchers. We know for sure that Benitez and Kline will be there but who else? You’ve got to wonder if Brian Wilson is pitching his way back to Fresno? His line today of (.1 IP 3H 5R 2BB) might be enough to make the Giants believe that he needs more work. I expect the bullpen to resemble something like Benitez, Kline, Correia, Chulk, Wilson(?), and Hennessey(?). The more I think about the pen the uneasier I become.
Brian Sabean should strap on his dumpster diving gear because it might be time to start divin’ for some relief.
Other Updates
I just finished my first Philip K. Dick book today and I’m anxiously looking forward to reading more of his work. I read We Can Build You and completely enjoyed it. I really fell in love with the book, lots of humor twisted with future concepts of what exactly it is to be human. And plus, any book that has a robotic Abe Lincoln is a-ok with me. Any other PDK fans out there? Any recommendations as to what I should look into next?
27/03/2007 at 7:42 pm Permalink
Yes, me, too. I really did think they would keep Sweeney. a) how he handled the amphetamines thing with Bonds, b) veteran, c) LH pinch hitter. But he had a miserable Spring, defensively as well as offensively. Plus, he says he is only about 90% back from his arthro surgery.
It does seem to me that Sabean has changed his approach a little bit. The regulars notwithstanding, I think there is more consideration given to younger players/prospects. I am surprised that they would go to such lengths to keep Ellison and Niekro.
Boy, do I share your concern about the bullpen. Up until the last couple of days I thought it would be OK, not great. Now, I am really wondering what we have down there. I think they gave a lot of guys, especially guys who pitched for the team last year, every opportunity - and almost to a man they just pissed all over it. Taschner, Munter, Wilson have all richly earned a trip to Fresno. So, I think you have Benitez, Kline, Correia (not by merit), Hennessey (only by default). Actually, Hennessey and Correia make the squad because of what they did last year. The next best group is Atchison, Kim (despite one gruesome inning), Misch, Chulk. I think Chulk gets the nod. The last spot, I think, goes to Sanchez, not because that’s what they wanted, but because all the others refused to get on the bus.
28/03/2007 at 6:13 am Permalink
Frank,
I was wondering how Sanchez might be utilized now with the flame outs of Wilson and several other bullpen members. The Giants could decide they need to shore up the pen and stick Sanchez in but I hope they let him keep getting regular work in AAA as a starter. He will need the arm strength if Russ Ortiz can’t hack the 5th spot.
Is it just me or does the bullpen look worse than it did last year? The season hasn’t even started but spring training hasn’t exactly eased my fears.
28/03/2007 at 11:23 am Permalink
Boy, I am with you. And I just don’t understand it (the bull pen), how they can all look so horrible at the same time. Even Kline has been awful, but I would expect he would revert to his usual numbers by Mid-Maya anyway. Henn and Correia both have been as bad as they have ever been in the majors _ I don’t rtead anything that explains it. It is possible that Chulk, despite his promise is just a 5 ERA pitcher. And Munter, Taschner? I don’t mind them as the #s 10 and 11.
I agree, I was really hoping that we could give Sanchez a full year in Fresno to both work on his slider and to see how he does in a full year of starting - and if he progresses he might be ready for a starter’s slot next year. Now, I think they have no choice but to bring him up in the pen. I hope they bite the bullet and send him down, but how can they when the alternatives sport ERAs over 9 against AAA and AA players. Now I think it is unfortunate they sent down guys like Misch and Geise so early. I think they + Atchison are better than anything else we have to put in the pen. But I don’t think any of the three of them will make it.
I actually think Ortiz will be our 3rd best starter this year. He has been improving pretty steadily since the middle of last year (when they found his mechanical flaw) and has improved steadily this Spring