Random Rumor-Mongering

With the CC Sabathia non-sweepstakes behind us (leaving Brian Sabean more petulent and whiny than usual), the Giants offseason seems to have taken a turn for the boring.

Sabean has reaffirmed that the Giants will not go after Mark Teixeira, inferring he's not a player worthy of the franchise money he will assuredly get, though you could have fooled me. And Bruce Bochy has gone so far as to pencil in his 2009 lineup publicly, which ELM broke down nicely (pun intended).

Realizing the possibility of management returning to the mean (read: ineptitude) and not addressing the notion of Bengie Molina hitting cleanup, or that Rich Aurilia inexplicably remains on the radar, there absolutely has to be a third way. There are no less than four different ways to address the power vacuum where the team can stay competitive in the short-term while not hurting the long-term at all.

Dollars aside, Edgar Renteria's short-term deal is a good model: there isn't likely to be anyone ready at short for at least two years, and even though Renteria's defense is in decline, he's light years above anyone else the Giants trotted out there last year.

Sign Pat Burrell to a two-year deal that includes a first baseman's glove
Burrell is among the plethora of middle-tier free agents feeling the economic crunch. A Bellarmine product, there's been much talk he'd love to play for his de facto hometown team. Judging by his career stats at Pac Bell, I could see why.

He's a butcher at first? Maybe. He played first in the Phillies' farm system after playing third in the collegiate ranks only to shift to left to accommodate the indomitable Rico Brogna. He really hasn't played much at first since as the Phils have trotted out Travis Lee, Jim Thome and Ryan Howard for stretches during Burrell's tenure.

For two years, I'd give him a shot to be coached up by J.T. Snow. He's only 31, so the guy isn't on the downslope just yet.

And for those of you that think that he'd be "blocking" Travis Ishikawa or John Bowker, I commend your post-J.R. Philips/Desi Wilson/Damon Minor/Lance Niekro/Dan Ortmeier belief that a marginal Giants first base prospect could actually, you know, work out...

Sign or trade a bucket of baseballs for Ty Wigginton
Wigginton is arbitration-eligible and has been mentioned as a candidate to non-tendered ahead of tomorrow's deadline. The Astros simply can't afford him given their current financial situation, and should they even tender him, it shouldn't take much to get him as long as the Giants pay his salary.

Wigginton is a rich man's Rich Aurilia. He can play three infield positions and plays an adequate third. He hits for power. And the only reason his team doesn't want him is financial. Once again, he blocks no one and gives you insurance in a very fluid infield. Wigginton also allows you the ability to trade Molina if the right offer comes along and have Pablo Sandoval slide behind the dish.

Beyond the Boxscore even had Wigginton as one of the top ten third basemen of 2008. I like...

Offer Henry Sosa or Kevin Pucetas for Adrian Beltre
Beltre is good. He plays a good third. He hits well. He hits like .440 well at Pac Bell.

And given yesterday's trade, I'm not convinced that the new guy in Seattle's at all an improvement over the old guy. He certainly, at the very least, isn't interested in winning in the next two years.

As for the fact that Beltre's in a contract year? You retain roster flexibility and cost certainty. If the guy goes off, maybe he's apt to re-sign. He's certainly shown an affinity for the West Coast. You only got him for one of your mid-level prospects at a position where you're stacked...

Offer Pucetas AND Sosa for Dan Uggla
Not Jorge Cantu. Not Jeremy Hermida. Don't trade Sanchez. But this is an attractive package of decent pitching talent to a team with it's own cost certainty woes. You don't give up your top level prospects, and you bring in a proven power guy at a position of need. And you control him for a few years yet...

There are some moves that I wouldn't advocate, particularly signing Adam Dunn, who has hit hideously at Pac Bell and has a way that seems to sour teams and fans on him alike.

There's a legitimate case to be made for doing nothing, although I certainly won't. But you, my friends, can. Isn't the Internet terrific?

Comment! What you got, Armchair GM?

Shades of '82

With Rich Aurilia playing the part of Joe Morgan.

Still, have to agree with Bobblehead Boch when it comes to playing spoiler: September euphoria ought to be limited to the spectrum of actual contenders, not those teams that barely stave off 100 losses.

Comment! So what role are the Giants playing next September?

Good Takeaways From A Bad Long Weekend

- Dirty returns and puts together a nice quality start; San Francisc still loses.

- Manny Burriss at shortstop. I'm not sure if Sabchy is grossly inept, doesn't care, or is pulling an Andy Kaufman on the Lunatic Fringe, but I guess it's better to have a completely obvious good idea later rather than never.

If Manny can hold down the position, and all indications are that he can, it frees up second base for a spring training competition between Kevin Frandsen (who's rehab from an Achilles rupture seems to be progressing), Travis Denker (who has put together a nice stat line since his demotion to Fresno), and Eugenio Velez.

- Yippee ki-yay, Scott McClain got called up!

Call me a sap, but I want this guy to get one good year in the majors. I can't think of a better team for him to do it than this rudderless ship. Do you have any better ideas for acquiring a dirt cheap power-hitting corner infielder?

- Speaking of power-hitting corner infielders, The One just had the best month of his pro career.

- The Franchise goes tonight. For those of you haven't noticed, NL Cy Young frontrunner Brandon Webb hasn't been all that in his past two starts.

Another dominant outing by Timmy and, at the outset of September, he could be in control of his Cy Young destiny.

Comment! Why will you watch the Giants this September? Or, perhaps, why won't you (you bandwagon fan)?

Freak Is Fine, Giants Still Suck; Bye Bye Bowker?

From Extra Baggs:

He’s OK, according to his agent, and expects to make his next start. The liner hit him on the tibia just below the knee. Bad bruise. You may breathe normally now.

Well [gasp] said.

Give [gasp] me [gasp] one [gasp] second.

Okay, now, in case you passed out and/or blacked out the rest of the game, I'm sure you assumed, correctly, that the other, less talented, Giants lost...badly.

Which means it's time for, you guessed it, a reactionary move!

Once again, from the always intrepid Andrew Baggarly:

All signs point to Bowker going down

Once I noticed that Travis Ishikawa wasn’t in the lineup for Fresno tonight at Portland, I went into a whirlwind trying to figure out whether he was on his way to Houston. (Late update: He pinch-hit in extra innings, so no, he wasn’t enjoying a bag of peanuts on the first Southwest flight to Houston Hobby.)

But there are indications that something is coming, as they say. For one, Brian Sabean showed up today. Demoting John Bowker is a fairly significant move given the tenor of this Giants season. It’s certainly a call that the GM wouldn’t want to make from afar. Plus, when you break the news to a player with Bowker’s potential future role in the organization, it’s probably best that the GM is in the room.

Add to that Bruce Bochy’s non-denial….”We’re talking about it” … and even with the roof closed at Minute Maid Park, you could tell which way the wind is blowing.

To me, the decision isn’t whether to send down Bowker but whether to replace him with Ishikawa or Pablo Sandoval. (I checked, and yes, Sandoval played for Connecticut tonight.)

So, though it looks like nothing is immediate, there's a good chance we'll see some type of transaction this series.

Optioning Bowker would be a blow for the half-assed youth movement for this franchise - the kid came up with a bang and had a very solid first two months in the big leagues. Right now, though, he's in a 9 for 75 slide, and sounds pretty lost in his approach.

However, the real impetus for a switch would not simply be to get Bowker some pressure-free regular ABs in the minors, but the lights-out hitting of prospect-turned-has-been-turned-prospect-again Ishikawa. Most of you remember him as a smooth fielding first baseman who had a cup of coffee with the 2006 team, only to regress and find himself in Single-A last year. But this year's been a different story altogether:

Travis Ishikawa is hitting .312 with 16 homers and 46 RBIs since his June promotion from Double-A. Ishikawa, 24, played 12 games for the 2006 Giants, backtracked last year when he was demoted to Class A San Jose (in part because of injuries) but re-emerged as a viable prospect this year.

In his first eight games of August, he hit seven homers. Of his 53 hits, 38 have gone for extra bases. Counting his stats from Double-A and Triple-A, he has 24 homers and 94 RBIs, numbers that he didn't come close to producing in any of his first six years of pro ball.

Although most local scribes feel Sando-Yeti is in the mix for a call-up, Ishikawa, who is the same age as Bowker, makes a lot more sense, both because of his fielding prowess at first as well as the logical development curve of the 21 year old Sandoval.

Then again, who said logic plays a part in any of these moves?

Carney and Manny On the plus side, Manny Burriss appears to be in the team's long term plans. But Carney Lansford thinks that he needs to spend a lot of extra time this off-season hitting from the left side. Looking at the stats, he's got a point.

AuRayLia? In the above pieces, both Baggarly and John Shea speculate that, with All-Star rookie sensation Evan Longoria out, the Rays may have an interest in Rich Aurilia. Don't know if this is a case of two reporters echoing one another's idea or an actual corroboration of a legitimate rumor, but it's worth noting.

Henry Schulman, however, appears to be plum crazy.

Who's Afraid Of Jim and Randy Wolf? For the second time this year, the Giants faced Randy Wolf while his brother, Jim, umped. Pardon me, Mr. Selig, but it would seem that with the less than holy officiating going on throughout the sports world, there would be a provision that would recuse said umpire from umping his kid brother's games.

Arms Race On a positive note, the Giants farm system has talented pitchers coming out of their ears these days. You've all heard of Madison Bumgarner (who had another magnificent start Saturday) and Tim Alderson, both '07 first rounders.

But two other heralded prospects shined on Monday:

Three left-handers in the Giants organization took no-hitters into the sixth inning Monday night. Jonathan Sanchez's effort at Houston was the most conspicuous, but he was joined by San Jose's Clayton Tanner and Augusta's Scott Barnes on the Class A level.

Gillaspie Shines And finally, while Buster Posey remains unsigned ahead of tomorrow's deadline, Conor Gillaspie has had a hot start in the Arizona Rookie League, driving in 7 runs in his first 20 PAs to go along with a .316 average.

Taking the liberty of speaking for all Giants fans, when it comes to third base, this is our most desperate hour. Help us, Obi-Con; you're our only hope.

Comment! Which youngster will make the biggest splash for the Giants?

Bravos, Bums, Buster and Bonds

The good? A nice series win on the shoulder of The Franchise on Wednesday.

The bad? The return of Bad Zito, who, among other things, continues this cast's frustrating inability to put away the most has of has-beens, giving up a three run shot to 34 year old catcher Danny Ardoin, a guy who hasn't hit a home run in three years.

The ugly? Six days out, Buster Posey, the supposed future of the Giants, still hasn't signed, joining third rounder Roger Kieschnick and fourth rounder Brandon Crawford in the calling-Sabean's-bluff crowd. Things could get ugly around these parts if the front office pisses away any goodwill it garnered with it's first position player oriented draft in eons.

Before you throw yourself out the nearest window, check out this interview Eric SanInocencio conducted over at Baseball Digest Daily Live with Jim Callis at Baseball America on the issue of the signing deadline and the situation with Posey.

Callis thinks Posey, as well as Pirates pick Pedro Alvarez, who went #2 overall, will sign in the last hour, and throws out a few reasons (think green and presidential) why it makes a lot of sense for them to do so.

(Callis draft discussion starts at about 20:00, Posey discussion at 27:45.)

Also, Boch thinks Barry Bonds could be back at Pac Bell tonight.

TD Minus 6 Hours (Now With Live Blogging!)

Let's get this out of the way first: I hope you'll excuse me for my Oedipus eyes after watching Benedict Davis throw out the first pitch out in a DODGERS JERSEY.

What's worse, though, is he could have stayed on the mound and dominated this lineup. Instead, the most talented youngster Chad Billingsley did the honors, finishing off a series victory for Captain Colletti's Band o' Men.

More importantly, we're now six hours away from the non-waiver trade deadline and all sorts of interesting things are happening:

~ Manny Ramirez may be heading to the Marlins in a three-team blockbuster, although time is working against the principals.

The rumored deal would send Ramirez to Florida, Marlins outfielder Jeremy Hermida to Pittsburgh and Pirates outfielder Jason Bay to Boston, with all other pieces still to be worked out.

~ An agreement has been reached to send Ken Griffey, Jr. to the Chicago White Sox. Now Griffey, having 10-and-5 veto rights, needs to okay the deal.

~ The Yankees decided that they're the Yankees so they went ahead and bought an overpaid mercenary to replace the injured Jorge Posada.

~ And, as you all know, stars such as Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia have already been moved.

Oh, wait, I'm sorry, you wanted Giants deadline news?

Well, I'm not in the business of fabricating, but I hear Brian Sabean is working the lines hard to rid Bill Neukom of contracts to fund a San Francisco production of No, No, Nanette.

Okay, there's one piece of gossip that has the Twins looking into acquiring Rich Aurilia. Although the Twins have been rumored to be using Boof Bonser (as in the third pitcher the Giants sent to the Twins in the...wait, seriously, you don't know this story?) as trade bait, don't really see how a Rich for Boof deal makes much sense - principally, because I don't know how Rich is worth that much.

It looks like everyone, from the Marlins to the Phillies to the Tigers to the Cardinals, have rumored interest in Jack Taschner.

And the Bengie Molina to the Marlins for Mike Jacobs talk has officially reached the players' ears:

Jacobs, who has 22 home runs, said he wouldn't be surprised if he is dealt to the Giants for catcher Bengie Molina.

It's no secret the Marlins have coveted Molina, who would solidify their catcher position.

Jacobs said he caught wind on Tuesday that he could be headed to San Francisco. So when he was removed after six innings, he wondered in the dugout if he was about to be dealt.

"It crossed my mind," Jacobs said after the Marlins edged the Mets, 7-5, on Wednesday. "Nobody said anything to me."

Jacobs's average be damned, I will never ask for anything again if Sabean pulls the trigger on that deal, pulls a rabbit out of his hat and trades Randy Winn for a Crazy Crab bobblehead and moves John Bowker to right.

But, because I just said it combined with the fact that it makes perfect sense, absolutely none of those things will happen.

Baggarly weighs in. Did you know that The Franchise is half Filipino?

Oh, and don't worry, Balloonhead Bochy ain't sweatin' it - he's going fishing with Felipe.

[9:01AM]: ESPN's Jerry Crasnick is saying that Molina won't be dealt. I'm going to choose to believe that Crasnick is a damned dirty liar - at least for four hours.

[10:07AM]: Scratch the Marlins off Taschner's possible destination list - they just traded for 68 year old lefty Arthur Rhodes.

[11:18AM]: Schulman opines that nothing's brewing but has this tidbit (that I won't let myself believe):

By the way, a source told me that the Twins do want a second baseman, and the Giants and Twins have been talking. Despite denials by Brian Sabean and Bruce Bochy, they might have stuck Jose Castillo at second base throughout the Dodgers series to showcase him for Minnesota. You'll know Friday when you see who's at second base agains San Diego.

[11:34AM]: There have been some rumblings of the Giants' potential interest in Adrian Beltre, but it doesn't appear talks are going anywhere.

Looks like one of those "one man's crap is another's (salary) dump" kind of things (I really need to start laying off the poop jokes).

[1:30PM]: The deadline passed a half hour ago and there seems to be nothing doing. Deals can be announced much after the fact, but that would be giving this front office the benefit of the doubt. And that's just stupid.

Comment! Open deadline thread engage!

Silver Lining-Free Zone

I'm sure you're all aware of the skeletal plot of a contrived sports movie: a team of scrappy unheralded players perseveres through a period of complete incompetence, meeting the expectations of every outsider, only to band together and prove that the sum is greater than the value of its parts, leading to a sappy and painfully predictable ending.

This Giants team is the antithesis of that. Except you have the same general disregard you did for these guys as you did for the duration of Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch.

The Giants, from the top levels of management down, demise into preseason expectations is officially complete. Let's count the ways, shall we?

The Lineup: You all remember Jason Johnson, right? Oh wait, why should you? Quick refresher: the guy was a craptastic pitcher for the Orioles in the late 90s and early 2000s before eventually pitching his way out of the MLB and onto the Seibu Lions last year.

So, obviously, he shuts the Giants down for six.

To add insult to injury, Chan Ho Park came into relieve and also proceed to do away with the lineup in a cruel and efficient manner.

Don Drysdale was up in the ninth, but I can only assume Joe Torre, classy guy that he is, spared us his wrath.

Brian Sabean: He actually sold a part in Ray Durham, so there's that. And it doesn't look like he wants to buy, which is okay.

But for Ganesha's sake, snippets like these make me want to unleash the lunatic inside:

Sabean will listen to offers for Molina and Winn, but the Giants would have to win the deal. In other words, the Giants would have to receive, for openers, a young position player who could fill a glaring need. In the Giants' case, that is power. As Sabean said on his radio show Thursday, "I personally don't see those deals out there."

I'll forgo the outrage bit and simply state this opinion: I would trade Molina and Winn (and their 2009 contracts) for Pablo Sandoval and Nate Schierholtz in a heartbeat.

If anyone's offering a the Air Bud Trilogy for the entirety of their contracts, please just do it now.

But then, to destroy my spirit even more, Schulman weighs in with this:

"I think you have to be open minded because of the division we're in," Sabean said Tuesday.

[Snip.]

[In relation to Molina] The Marlins are said to be dangling first baseman Mike Jacobs, who has 22 home runs this year. John Bowker, at 24 is three years younger and, in the Giants' eyes, could become a better hitter than Jacobs.

Meanwhile, teams are stepping up conversations about left-handed reliever Jack Taschner, but again, the Giants are reluctant to deal a commodity - namely, a left-handed setup man whom the team can control for the next three years - that would not be easily replaced.

Really? Think we're all set at first with Bowker (who I love)? Not worth taking on a 27 year old plus power corner infielder who has more than twice as many homers as anyone else on our team in an extreme pitchers park?

Oh, don't know if you forgot, but John Bowker is an OUTFIELDER!

Better get used to this bunch of clowns.

And finally...

Bruce Bochy: That's right, I've turned. Jose Castillo, after doing his best Chuck Knoblauch on Monday, was out there again last night. Bochy's defense?

"We want to take somewhat of a look at him," Bochy said.

[Snip]

"I like the way he swings the bat," Bochy said.

Schulman puts it more bluntly:

Jose Castillo started at second base for the second straight game. Manager Bruce Bochy said the Giants want to evaluate him as a potential second baseman for the future.

Translation? The 2009 Bruce Bochy-led Giants will live and die by Shrekstillo.

It is an absolute disgrace that our team has once again been hijacked by a huge headed BB. Taking a look at a repeated failure like Jose Castillo while Manny Burriss toils on the bench? Hell, I'm not the biggest Eugenio Velez booster, but at least he hasn't been released by the Pirates and the Marlins.

I almost wish that Bochy copped to showcasing Castillo rather than implying that he's a part of this team's future. The Giants picked this guy up off waivers mere days before the start of the season because, lo and behold, Sabean had done nothing to address the position after the departure of Pedro Feliz.

That's like being forced to lick a piece of dog poop by the local bully, deciding it doesn't taste as bad as you thought, and making it a part of your regular diet.

(Yeah, the 12 year old in all of you should probably check out Step Brothers if you haven't already.)

I can't even look at these guys right now.

Oh yeah, the Giants lost.

Trade Deadline News No Match for Veriz*n Crappiness

You can pin the no-post weekend on a certain unnamed internet service provider that, quite frankly, never delivered on their said promises of a telecommunications entourage.

I'm sure the loyal crazies, er, readers of the blog were up in arms over the lack of my pontifications regarding the ghastly D'Bag sweep of the good guys. A few positives, including a Fred Lewis four-hit game against one of the best, albeit, ugliest lefties of all time and another lights-out start by The Franchise in the game that shall not be mentioned.

(On an unrelated note, in case any giant-headed managers are reading: Scott Linebrink > Akinori Otsuka > Alan Embree > Steve Reed > Jim Poole > Your Mom > Everyone > Tyler Walker)

And now, your Monday Before The Deadline Primer!

~ Randy Winn: Winn seems to be drawing tepid interest from the corner outfielder-poor Metropolitans. ESPN speculates that the Giants are amenable to sending some cash with Randy in order to facilitate getting actual talent back.

The Yanks had been scouting Winn, but it looks like they've addressed their outfield vacancy by dealing for Xavier Nady.

~ Bengie Molina: The Marlins and the Yankees have emerged as potential suitors for Molina.

Following the Yanks' emptying out of their already thin cupboard in the Nady/Damaso Marte deal, the Marlins would seem to be a preferable match for the Giants. They have a lot of depth on the farm if not top-line talent (that seems to be pretty much all with the big league club, Cameron Maybin exempted). Given the Marlins depth at the corner infield spots, there could be a match here somewhere.

~ Rich Aurilia: Looks like the Cards may be interested.

As a fungible piece in the last year of his deal, I'm sure he could get moved for a low-level prospect. But he's one guy I don't necessarily want to see get moved. He's a solid backup and a great presence on this team, the kind of guy who will mentor the youth and embody the notion that this franchise was once relevant.

~ Jack Taschner: Left-handed reliever. Available. If the Giants want to trade him, they will be able to. The Marlins are also looking for a lefty reliever, so there's a larger trade possibility here.

~ Tyler Walker: Seriously, he has come up in rumors involving his the Rays, for whom Walker moonlighted in 2006.

If Tampa is willing to cover 3% of his salary and promises not to make fun of the Giants, that's Brian Sabean's biggest win since the Jason Schmidt deal.

~ Omar Vizquel: No real news that I can find. A team could theoretically opt for him as an insurance policy. Once again, wouldn't expect anything but some salary relief.

~ Matt Cain: Included simply out of due diligence, although indications seem to be strong he's not even close to being on the block.

Then again, Brian Sabean does have a certain cloak and dagger element to his oft-questioned ways, so I would never take him at his word.

The Rangers, as I've harped on before, would be a perfect match in any potential Cain trade. But the only thing I'm seeing is that the Giants are scouting Hank Blalock.

While the writer in the above article has a point that Sabean ain't all that, I will pay the gas-cost inflated ticket price to fly to Dallas and punch him in the face if Madison Bumgarner or Tim Alderson were to be included in a package to secure Blalock.

Don't really know what to believe, but for a guy who hasn't hit very well in recent seasons in a hitter's paradise while battling back problems, I simply don't see the Giants moving anything more than a couple B-level (read: not Bumgarner, Alderson, Villalona) prospects for him.

For the record, I would still think that's too much.

Comment! Open trade possibility thread! Great opportunity for first time commenters.

Straws Clutched Much?

So the Giants continue their domination of the Washington Natgonnaworkhereanymores. Rich Aurilia, Omar Vizquel, and Bengie Molina each contributed mightily to the win. And would-be Olympian Geno Espineli get his first ML W.

Now I may come off as snarky, negative, and mostly detached in my ramblings about this team, but I'll tell you what, a win's a win, and it always feels good.

Disclaimer having been declared, comments like these detract from said win (over the worst team in the league, records be damned):

Will manager Bruce Bochy really plant Vizquel on the bench in August if he keeps hitting the way he has in this series? Vizquel is 4-for-6 since he had "the talk" with Bochy and general manager Brian Sabean on Tuesday about his curtailed role after the trade deadline.

Already, Bochy is rethinking his plan to rest Vizquel and an equally hot Bengie Molina today. Finally, Vizquel said after his first three-hit game since May 15, he is starting to feel it with the stick.

And Richie, God bless him, has used the two straight wins over the contraction-worthy Nats as a platform for his pro-vet agenda:

"There's a wealth of knowledge in this clubhouse with a few guys," Aurilia said. "I hope people realize that and take advantage of it."

Hey, Sabean! Can that guy for insubordination!

But seriously, don't let the craptastic wins fool you: trade 'em all.

Sandoval Still At Large: The Yeti of hopeful Giants fanboys (and girls) remains tucked in a weird expanse of the Northeastern United States where pastels and boating shoes are the norm...for boys. For now, OBnB fave Steve Holm is back up with the parent club to replace the departed Eliezer Alfonzo.

I expect this won't be the last transaction pertaining to Giants catchers we see this season. And you just have to wonder, what with Big Money heating up and news like this coming out of the Bronx, could Sabean actually pull the trigger to deal our admirable if overmatched cleanup hitter?

Schierholtz an Olympian: Congrats to Nate! Perhaps this will prompt management to call him up and give him a good look. Not because he earned the spot, mind you, but because they're jerks.

Further Proof That Farm System Doesn't Suck: Rotoworld took a break from fantasizing about major league ballplayers in their mothers' basements to fantasizing about minor league ballplayers in their mothers' basements, releasing a Midseason Top 150 Prospects list.

Giants check in with five (it would have been six with Buster Posey signed - he would have been at #32); Madison Bumgarner leads the pack at #21.

Comment! Where are potential landing spots for Aurilia, Molina, Vizquel (yes, Omar Vizquel), Jack Taschner, Randy Winn et al? Throw out your trade package ideas.

Optimists Need Not Apply

Rejected slogans for the 2008 Washington Nationals:

"The Nats: Good for What Ails Ya"

"Wily Mo Pena Is, Like, Really Strong - Strongman Strong"

"We're Going to Be Good...NAT!"

Whatever it ended up being, the Giants certainly don't seem to be fazed, taking their fifth straight from the woebegone Nationals. The Big Money that we enjoyed so much through May made his triumphant return with two (trade him now) homers, and Barry Zito improved his trade value to dizzying highs in running up his record to 5-12.

Duh: In an utterly shocking development, Bruce Bochy informed Omar Vizquel that he will not be the regular starter at short. But wait, there's more: that is effective post-trade deadline. In making that bit of news public, the Giants reinforce the notion that they have not one iota of knowledge as to how to effectively manage assets.

Sandoval Soon?: The esteemed Andrew Baggarly reports that Eliezer Alfonzo has been sent back to Fresno, closing the chapter on one of the more puzzling Giant callups of the 21st century.

But here's where it gets interesting. According to Baggs, Steve Holm would appear to be the beneficiary in the interim, but there's a chance that as early as next week (pending deadline deals), Pablo Sandoval, arguably the best hitter in the Giants system right now, could get the callup. The 21 year old catcher/corner infielder has followed up a stellar high A stint with an equally impressive line in about a month of AA ball.

After shellacking the rehabbing David Ortiz-led Portland SeaDogs last night, Sandoval is hitting .343 with 6 HRs and 27 RBIs in 110 ABs, all while hitting at notorious pitcher's park Dodd Stadium.

Roberts Activated: Um...did you know he stole second base in the ninth inning of Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS?

From within that piece, the would-be heir apparent to Ray Durham looks to make an early comeback.

Espineli Up: In my euphoria of being a Giants fan these days, I somehow overlooked that the Giants brought up right handed slop thrower Geno Espineli. In a hilariously tragic twist, the callup stripped Geno of his ability to pitch in the Olympics next month - you know, the last Olympics in which baseball will be played.

That's just cold, Sabes.

Lost For Words, We Go Simpsons

Since the Giants historic collapse on Sunday against the Kansas City Monarchs, I have found it difficult to write about this team with anything less than an apocalyptic tone - something I have attempted to avoid given the early feedback I received on the abundance of latent negativity in my posting.

So, I took a step back, but right when I was about to start feeling better about this current run of absolute incompetence, Bobblehead Bochy verbally craps on my brief moment of clarity:

When Ray Durham had to be the designated hitter in Kansas City on Saturday night because of an ankle injury, manager Bruce Bochy had a perfect opening to start either Emmanuel Burriss or Travis Denker at second base. Instead, he went with the more experienced Jose Castillo.

[Snip]

One thing is certain: Bochy likes Castillo, who has been a stabilizing defensive force and has 21 doubles, yet owns an unimpressive OPS of .727.

"He's got power. He's an intriguing player," Bochy said. "He runs fairly well. I think he has the tools to be an everyday player. Now, that's up to him. I think he's improved his work ethic since he's been here. I think he sees this as a great opportunity."

Could Castillo be a long-term solution at third base?

"He has shown how talented he could be if he plays every day," Bochy said. "I'd like to see what he's done at the end of the year."

And there goes my dwindling hope of any success for the next decade.

On the Plus Side

- Manny Burriss might be getting the call as soon as Omar Vizquel's ego gets stroked one last time in Cleveland.

- From within that piece, it looks like Barry Zito may be bringing back the once maligned Crouching Tiger mechanics.

Please, someone, somewhere, call Rick Peterson.

Meanwhile, 3-Dot Loser has a decent idea regarding the situation.

- Anyone remember that episode of the Simpsons where Homer unwittingly becomes head of the local nuclear power plant worker's union? The one where Lisa needs braces?

But, in a cruel twist of dramatic fate, Mr. Burns is simultaneously trying to screw the workers out of dental insurance in exchange for a keg.

Well, thanks to a Google, I can share the joy of it with all of you who don't:



There you go.

Well, my point (besides finding a reason to post one of the best Simpsons gags ever) is that I had a similar feeling as Homer today.

The first Giants-related article I read today filled me with bittersweet optimism. In detailing the Giants organization's bright future in terms of starting pitchers, Marc Hulet at The Baseball Analysts opened with this succinct diagnosis of our unbalanced system:

It is easy to knock the San Francisco Giants organization for being unable to produce a productive, everyday position player in... well, let's just say years. But a quick glance at the minor league system shows that there are some very impressive numbers being put up by some intriguing pitching prospects.

A few hours pass.

And then I stumble upon this article on the slightly better, if still maddening, Rangers franchise and the plight of rookie exec Nolan Ryan.

In some ways, the Rangers are on the same developmental curve as those scrappy Tampa Bay Rays. They can put a dynamic lineup on the field, but the young pitching has to catch up with the everyday talent. How close is Texas to making a run at its first postseason berth since 1999? That hinges in large part on whether Eric Hurley and former Braves prospect Matt Harrison continue to progress, Thomas Diamond makes a successful comeback from Tommy John surgery and 20-year-old Neftali Feliz is as dynamic as his numbers in Class A Clinton (93 strikeouts in 74 1/3 innings) suggest.

Although general manager Jon Daniels' moves have been hit-and-miss, the Texas organization is awash in position player prospects. First baseman Chris Davis leads the minors with 23 homers and 73 RBIs and is making a strong case for a call-up. Catcher Max Ramirez, acquired from Cleveland for Kenny Lofton last July, was hitting .363 with a .662 slugging percentage when the Rangers summoned him from Double-A Frisco on Saturday to replace the injured Gerald Laird.

Texas has a top young shortstop, Elvis Andrus, and an elite catching prospect, Taylor Teagarden, in the minors, and that doesn't factor in the rest of the haul that Daniels acquired in the Mark Teixeira and Eric Gagne trades last summer.

You see where I'm going with this?

Terrible offense, Rangers need pitchers; terrible offense, Rangers need pitchers; terrible offense, Rangers need pitchers; terrible offense, Rangers need pitchers; terrible offense, Rangers need pitchers; terrible offense, Rangers need pitchers; terrible offense, Rangers need pitchers; terrible offense, Rangers need pitchers.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to try to fish Carl's pencil out of my butt.

???

Who were those guys?

Excuse my confusion, but those mysterious men in gray scored in double digits - for the first time all season. (They were the second to last to get there, however, with the Royals still reliably being the Royals.)

I gave Feliz-lite grief yesterday for his atrocious hitting with the bases loaded, but the team as a whole entered last night's play hitting .094 (3 for 32) in such situations. In yesterday's win, they went a blistering 3 for 4.

Jonathan Sanchez acting the part of poised pitcher while the opponent's starter repeatedly got rattled? You had to see it to believe it. In the words of Boch:

"He's just really growing as a pitcher. He had it all going tonight, and aside from the command, he was very composed. It's great to see how poised he has become."

Some great stuff from opposition press about the throttling the Giants delivered last night. Melvin calls it their worst loss of the year. Fantastic.

A legitimate leadoff hitter, cleanup hitter, and #5 hitter really does wonders for an offense. It's too much to ask that Bengie and Rowand keep up this whiffle ball streak, but it does underscore what the presence of one legitimate power bat could do for this team.

If only there was one available...

As for that #6 hitter - well, he had a good game, actually a good month, but I still say he kills any of our fathers if he gets a chance.

I can't wait until his value invariably bottoms out with a bottom injury and he gets traded for Shea Hillenbrand.

Some more good news: with yesterday's win, the Giants move to 5-3 and clinch a winning road trip.

Bad news: a suddenly decent Big Wet Rat takes the mound against Zito tonight.

Dirt McGirt Didn't Talk This Much

Trouble a-brewing for Ol' Dirty Sanchez?

Baggarly reports in today's Mercury News that Jonathan Sanchez was none too pleased about being lifted in the fifth in yesterday's W.

Left-hander Jonathan Sanchez said he couldn't understand why Bochy lifted him in the fifth inning after he issued a one-out walk to Chase Utley and Ryan Howard hit a game-tying triple.

"I thought he was just coming out to talk to me," said Sanchez, who had thrown 89 pitches. "It's not like I'm getting hit around. They got one good hit, Howard's (triple). That's it."

Got to side with Bobblehead Boch on this one. The quick hook was more than warranted after Sanchez grooved a belt high 0-2 fastball to a slumping Howard that he hit for a 420 foot triple.

And this wasn't an aberration: Sanchez had issued 5 walks in 4.1 IPs for a total of 9 baserunners. If Boch doesn't limit the damage right there and then, Giants most likely don't have a chance in the later innings.

Furthermore, O.D.S. hasn't earned the right to air his grievances with the manager to the media. Love ya, but keep the trap shut and channel that energy into throwing strikes, bud.

- Within that piece is a preview of tonight's Zito-Oswalt mismatch, er, matchup tonight as a good 'Stros team hits town.

Look Out Allegheny!

Tonight at PNC Park:

Barry Zito (0-6, 7.53 ERA, 11K:15BB, 1.95 WHIP)
vs.
Not Barry Zito (not those statistics)

If I'm Pittsburgh, I like my chances.

John Ryan of the Merc blog puts odds on how long Baked Zito stays out there:

Pulled in or after first inning: 100/1. I know, I know, the first-inning ERA is 13.50 this season, and that has been his biggest problem for years. But he’d almost have to give up nine consecutive home runs to force Bochy and Righetti to pull the plug that quickly.

Pulled in or after second: 15/1.

Pulled in or after third: 6/1.

Pulled in or after fourth: 7/2. The favorite. I predict he’s yanked with two out in the fourth.

Pulled in or after fifth: 5/1.

Pulled in or after sixth: 8/1.

Pulled in or after seventh: 12/1.

Pulled in or after eighth: 75/1.

Complete game: 150 kajillion gazillion bobillion/1.

On a related note, in what is fast becoming a series of losses to Pennsylvania, a poll finds that Pac Bell Park is the #5 most beautiful ballpark in the country, right behind (you guessed it) PNC Park.

Meanwhile, it appears that Omar Vizquel will not be an everyday shortstop upon his return, according to Bruce Bochy. This of course is preamble to Friday, when Bruce Bochy announces that, coming off eight months of rest, Omar Vizquel will play every day.

Don't you love these guys?

Pirates' Booty (Kicking)

"You can't stop Nate McClouth, you can only hope to contain Nate McClouth."
- Anonymous

An ugly loss tonight in which Dirty gave up seven runs on six hits (and three walks) in 4.1. True to form, Sanchez was graceful in defeat:

Sanchez wasn't happy with what he said was a too-flat PNC Park mound.

"I was trying to adjust, but I was leaving the ball up a lot the whole game. That's why I got hit," Sanchez said. "That's the worst mound I've ever pitched (on). It was flat."

Of course, graceful is a subjective term.

Brad Hennessey was predictably awful in relief, and prodigal son Jose Castillo did his best Pedro Feliz impression by smacking an utterly meaningless 3 run homer to cut the deficit to 8 in the 8th frame. Oh, and since the indomitable southpaw Zach Duke took the mound, Bruce Bochy decided to play the matchup game and sit team left-handed batting OPS leader (by a large margin) Fred Lewis for the equally indomitable Dan Ortmeier. Note that tonight was the beginning of a string of 6 straight games in which the Giants face lefties - and they only get better. Manager on down, a disgusting display all around.

All of a sudden, the Giants are looking down the barrel of three straight losses (and a potentially disastrous road trip) with Barry Zit0-6 making his triumphant return tomorrow night.

Worst of all, nobody even seems to care about this early May Giants-Pirates game tonight. I mean, it's not like Indiana has a baseball team or anything.

- The MLBPA is up to it's old tricks, as they launch an investigation into possible collusion by owners, citing the cases of future Hall of Famers Barry Bonds and Kenny Lofton, who remain unsigned.

Kenny Lofton is old. And not that good. And also not really a good clubhouse presence. So there's that.

On the other hand, although Bonds is old, he's also still pretty good. So what's the hangup? Let me point to the real world applicability of this situation:

Interviewer: "Well, you seem to have an impeccable track record, quite an impressive resume, indeed. What would your salary demands be?"

Interviewee: "Really, anything. I mean, you would think I'd command a premium salary, but try me. Seriously, lowball me if you like, my response may be surprising."

Interviewer: "That's very interesting to know. Before we proceed, is there anything further that may affect your work that you would like to disclose to Acme Corporation?"

Interviewee: "My teamwork issues aside - off the record, on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being intolerable and 10 being totally cool, what's your honest opinion of federal indictees cutting out of work early for their grand jury proceedings?"

Interviewer: "Thanks for stopping by."

What to do with Barry Zit0-6

Amid Bruce Bochy's strong insinuation after yesterday's abomination of a start that Barry Zito may be out of the rotation and off to the bullpen, DL, or somewhere else, the local press hits come rolling in.

(Photo courtesy The Snitch)

Rick Hurd of the Contra Costa Times believes it's all about confidence, pointing to Zito's shockingly recent excellence in the 2006 ALDS:

Trouble is when it goes missing, because it takes more than devouring videotape for mechanical flaws to get it back. Zito's lack of velocity and inability to command the zone may be killing him -- his eight-pitch leadoff walk to Jerry Hairston Jr. set the tone for a six-run, 39-pitch first inning -- but when Zito speaks of "not being aggressive, not attacking the strike zone, and not pitching to contact," it's worth wondering if his troubles may be originating elsewhere.

It would make sense, because self-confidence and success go together like the chicken and the egg, and right now, the wolf has invaded and eaten both.

"Obviously, it's not great," Zito said of his confidence. "But it's not bad, either. I know what I've done, and what I can do."

Lowell Cohen of the Press-Democrat has a good "Behind the Music" report of the clubhouse following yesterday's game:

It happened in the clubhouse after Zito had failed again - eight runs in three innings, an unacceptable start. Zito was getting ready to speak with the media. He didn't have to speak. He had been yanked from the game hours before and he could have gone home and no one would have blamed him. But he waited to answer all the tough questions because he sees that as part of his job. A public-relations man stopped him, said the manager wanted him.

Zito apologized to the writers and walked down the long hallway to the manager's office and walked in and shut the heavy door. Bochy told him the Giants are thinking of making a change with him, the pitcher with the third-largest total contract in baseball. Options include skipping a start, putting him in the bullpen or letting him take his next turn as usual.

Andrew Baggarly of the Mercury News points to concerns, voiced by the ominous "Giants officials" about his mechanics and a possible too many chefs problem:

There was little new in Zito's analysis. He faulted himself for not being aggressive enough, but said he hasn't "delved into the intricacies" of why he has failed to do so.

Zito has consulted many pitching gurus throughout his life and Giants officials have felt at times that the left-hander had too many people whispering in his ear - especially when he arrived in spring camp last year with a totally new delivery that was soon scrapped.

But Zito said he is working only with Bochy, pitching coach Dave Righetti and bullpen coach Mark Gardner.

"I'm not going out there knocking down anyone's door looking for solutions," Zito said. "The solution is inside me and it's up to me to turn it around. Nobody can tell me a magic key that's going to turn it. It's me and my own will and my strength."

And crazy Uncle Scott Ostler believes it's something, ahem, supernatural?

It's hard to pinpoint what's wrong with Zito, but the answer could be as simple as: location, location, location.

Not the location of Zito's pitches, although that's a huge worry. The bigger problem might be the location of Zito's locker.

The row of four locker stalls along the north wall of the clubhouse, once the kingdom of Bonds, has become Kreepy Korner.

The other resident of the Korner is Matt Cain, who is 0-2.

Zito and Cain, the Giants' Nos. 1 and 2 pitchers, have started 11 games and have a combined 0-8 record.

Actually, got to give Ostler some props there - he's got a point.

Dare we utter the unfathomable, though? That perhaps, belying his sweet demeanor and leadership role, that there's something else going on with Zito? There haven't been too many cases where a pitcher suddenly loses MPHs off his fastball at the age of 29.

Personally, I don't believe that Zito messed with PEDs, but it's only a matter of time before someone does voice that concern, media personality or otherwise. This contract is gathering steam in the national media as one of the worst ever, and speculation about the whereabouts of Zito's fastball will only escalate.

Unfortunately, it seems that the trials and tribulations of one Barry that seemed to drag down this team have been replaced by the trials and tribulations of another. Will this have a similar effect the team? And what do you think is up with Zit0-6?

Bochy's Veteran Loyalty

DISCLAIMER: This is not an endorsement of Bruce Bochy, but I did want to dig a little deeper on the seemingly widespread consensus that Bochy is blindly loyal to veteran players

I don't know what's going to need to happen to get Ray Durham and Rich Aurilia to permanently be out of the lineup. I actually don't mind the thought of carrying Rich as a backup - he can play three of four infield spots adequately and short in a pinch and is a good clubhouse guy - but Ray's got to go.

This leads me to the thought as to whether or not Boch has fairly received criticism regarding a blind loyalty to vets. When the Giants hired him, there were myriad articles by local beat writers referencing the Padres' displeasure with him as he continued to rely on an aging Vinny Castilla, prompting his release against Bochy's wishes. I believe it was a reference to this retrospective piece by Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

One thing I noted was that, in addition to a real sense of leadership that Castilla brought to the clubhouse, there were absolutely no alternatives at third for the Pads at the time, unless you count Geoff Blum and Mark Bellhorn, themselves no spring chickens. So the Castilla situation isn't particularly reminiscent of what's happening at second and first base here.

Eric Young was another oft-bandied example of a vet playing over a deserving youngster, but Boch played youngster Josh Barfield almost exclusively at second base in 2006 on his way to amassing 530 ABs, with Young playing the role of utility infielder. Now that may have been an edict by higher management, but it doesn't necessarily support the theory that Boch is blindly loyal to vets.

Other overly-coddled veterans in the article included Phil Nevin and Brian Giles. Again, in both cases, there didn't seem to be a particularly competent kid pushing them, unless you include Xavier Nady and Ben Johnson. Condemning Nady and Johnson may be a fallacy as they were not given a chance in the first place, a charge that has been made against Giants management in the past in the way we handled our youngsters. However, not watching those Nady and Johnson closely, it's very tough to say. And the Padres did win back-to-back division titles in 2005 and 2006.

So, I guess my point here is that, while, at this point in time, it looks like Boch is completely clueless in playing Durham and Rich over Velez and Ort, respectively, that this may not be a reinforcing of a previous "known" notion that was perpetuated by the media - that, in fact, other factors may be in play, including a decree for him to showcase those vets from Sabes.

The thought at least gives me (false, perhaps) hope that our regular lineup will fundamentally change from what we're seeing very early on in the season.