Comments on: That’s All She Wrote

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:15:43 +0000

@Matt

I like your Threets idea. He was DFA’d but made it through waivers unclaimed. I think he has to re-sign a minor league deal with the Giants for 2009 right?

@Wax

Velez’s 2nd half is nice but small sample size alerts abound. It was mostly the product of a .350+ BABIP. I think they’ll run Velez into S/T as competition for 2nd base but I think his window is getting smaller and smaller all the time.

By: waxpack

waxpack — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:13:19 +0000

Nice analysis, Chris. Also enjoyed reading the interview.

I agree with Matt on Velez–I was going to ask what’s the general consensus on Velez next year. Seems like he’s earned, at the very least, a good look with his improved hitting, much of it situational. I could be overlooking something and I’m sure there’s arguments against Velez being a part of the picture next year–but, to his credit, I don’t think anyone predicted him coming back from the minors and contributing how he did.

By: Matt311

Matt311 — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:28:33 +0000

How about Burriss for giving us hope for life after Vizquel?

And how about Velez…he is the unsung hero after such an abysmal start to the year. In 120 AB’s over August and September he batted over .300 and slugged over .450. If Frandsen doesn’t come out strong next year I would have no qualms about putting Velez in there (batting 8th).

My sleeper pick for next year’s 5th starter: Eric Threets

Garbage bin: I’m done with Hennessey, Correia, Taschner, Walker…they all give up too many runs, and too many home-runs.

By: delorean

delorean — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:25:11 +0000

3. Not sign Joe Crede.

well done, there.

By: daveinexile

daveinexile — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:41:13 +0000

I think under good stuff I’d add pretty much the whole young infield group. I am not saying they will all stick or be All Stars but for the first time in many years the team should be able to soak up most of the innings at 7 of the 9 positions without signing a single new free agent or a trade. The expectations being Third and Bottom of the rotation starter (s). Its not glamorous but that’s a big step for us. It means any acquisitions should be clearly much more talented instead of the more recent M.O of needing to find a warm body, any warm body, to get the team through. I would be a lot more jacked then I already am, about it if they had an extra 4-6 weeks of play time this season .

Leads me to the bad. Someone needs to pull Bochy aside. I think he was a good choice for Veteran dominated team like the beginning of ‘07. But the extra risk for no reward he took with Tim and constantly choosing to squeeze extra innings form Cain & Tim instead of the $126MM, 30 year old arm that is a sunk cost should not go unnoted by the new boss if he really is into a develop your own team strategy. I also lay a good bit of Rowand’s poor numbers on Bochy’s door step. If he is slumping, or hurt, then sit him for bit of a rest. Its not rocket science.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:09:36 +0000

@Keep Cain

Nice name, I like it!

You make a good point. AT&T was tough on lefties this year. Check out the park factor splits at First Inning.

http://firstinning.com/pf/?type=lhh&min=250&lg=NL&season=2008&desc=hr

The Giants would probably do better to find a RHB if they want power. And you’re right that Cain provides better value than Fielder does. Especially if Fielder hits like he did in 2008.

By: Keep Cain

Keep Cain — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:03:36 +0000

One more factor I haven’t seen anyone bring up – trading for a lefty bat like Fielder would just be a stupid move. We play half our games in a stadium that’s absolutely brutal on power hitting lefty’s (other than BB of course). To trade for someone like Fielder you would have to expect his power numbers to decrease significantly. With that in mind, would you get as much value from Fielder as you would from Cain? Not even close.