Brian Sabean says stuff:
“What we learned this year is the most important thing is the final score, winning the game, and Bruce and his staff established that mindset,” Sabean said. “I can’t think of a series we were intimidated. … It was a learning-curve year and we know what our failings are, what we need to improve. We’re going to try to create a product on the field that’s about winning the game. No matter the artistic value, if some of our statistics aren’t too flattering, you still have to finish things off. We did that 88 times and that’s something to be proud of.”
Insanity bolded. I honestly have no idea what Sabean is talking about here, but he quickly reverts back to some old fashioned “WE WON GAMES!” silliness. I’m beginning to think he might not get it. Just once, once, I’d like to see an objective analysis of what went wrong with the ’09 ballclub. Instead, Sabean comes off as almost quasi-defensive about the team. If you’re unwilling (or unable) to understand your faults, I’m not sure you’ll ever be able to improve yourself.
Here’s a list of artistic statistics for the Giants this past year:
OBP – .309 (last in the majors)
BB% – 6.7 (last in the majors)
wOBA – .305 (last in the majors)
Yes, the Giants won 88 games last year. Who wasn’t proud of that? I can’t wait for Jermaine Dye to be on this team.
C’mon, David Eckstein would be a better fit!
David Eckstein? Professional hitter. Plays the game the right way. Grinds out at-bats. Plays hard. Great clubhouse presence. Will help teach the young guys how to play the game.
You’re both wrong. It will be 3 years ~$20MM for Fred Sanchez, 4 years ~$40MM for Bay, 3 years ~ $18MM for Uribe to start at 3rd, & Molinia for another 2 years in the cleanup spot (because you can’t chance hurting his feelings). This might be the worst off season, as Giants’ fan, I can remember since when the Giants were on the way to Tampa.
I look at Figgens and Holiday and just know this team will sign neither one ( because it would block the above moves) or offer up an 8 year contract. I see a cheap + defensive SS in Everett and realize they will never go near him. It is just so beyond frustrating.
Nothing quasi-defensive about that statement — it’s full-on defensive. One wonders if Sabean might be a better GM if he were able to set aside his hard-headed (and frankly insane) commitment to covering his ass at the expense of building a winning ballclub.
Am I the only one who wants no part of Figgins?
Wrong side of 30? Check.
Coming off a career year? Check.
Substandard free agency class? Check.
Sabean has a track record of overpaying FAs? Check.
All the ingredients are here for a massive overpay.
I see Figgens at $10-12MM a year for 2 year ( or even a Frucal $30MM/3yr) >>>> then Fred Sanchez at well over $4MM base of 2 years. Figgens have not had an over a 42.9 Swing % in about 7 years. Sanchez has had over a 50 Swing% for the last 4 seasons. The OBP & wOBA is not close in my opinion. If the Giants are going to go out of the ~$4MM/year market for 2nd basemen that’s the risk I want them to run. I think the front office will want to make a splash with a “name” and Figgens might be our best ( least damaging) bet.
At this point I would prefer the ~$4MM/ year at 2nd base crowd though. Try and get Everett for like a 1 & 1 or maybe straight up 2 seasons to be insurance policy and spell Renteria (both in starts and as a late game defense replacement) and be around to buy time for the farm Short Stops to climb the ladder. Personally I would inclined to try an year contract on an injury risk guy in Beltre or Nick Johnson if the base price is reasonable. But Sabean is here to stay so these things are not likely to happen.
I’m not sure how I feel about Figgins. Initially, I’m not all that opposed to him. Good OBP, good defense, adds some runs by his very good baserunning.
His player-type seems to age well, too.
I’m not sure he’s a .350 wOBA hitter going forward, but he should be a league average guy with the bat while playing pretty good defense. I guess it all depends on how much he’ll be valued on the market. But, I think I kinda like the idea of him at 3B.