Standing on the shoulders of Giants

Saturday, July 31

Giants Accept Defeat, Deal Rodriguez

With Neale Fenn

By shipping Felix Rodriguez, the Giants have wrapped up their case for 2004. The arrival of perennial bench-warmer Ricky Ledee might have a few misguided fans nodding with approval (under the Pedro Feliz guise of "450 at-bats and he'll drive in 100 runs"), but back in the real world, Brian Sabean has succeeded only in shedding payroll. The $3.15 million Rodriguez was due to earn in 2005 will now be set aside for an acquisition in the off-season, perhaps even that big bat to protect Bonds. At this deadline, the memory of last year's Sidney Ponson debacle was too fresh in Sabean's mind, while the chances of adding a decisive piece to the puzzle were as few as they were overpriced. In short, the Giants were too far behind. Let the Cubs and the Dodgers mortgage their futures instead.

Typically, San Francisco are not getting much bang for their buck. Ledee is a free agent at the end of the season. It should come as a relief then -- and indeed, is probably the only relief that's coming -- that Ledee, not being a particularly good player, is not a long-term piece of Sabean's plans. Otherwise, the Giants would have another case of A.J.-itus on their hands. Speaking of Pierzynski, and relief, that's where Joe Nathan rears his ugly mug. With a vengeance.

Sadly, the Giants' bullpen is no better without Rodriguez. His 53 appearances this season are sixth among NL relievers. Don't think that Jim Brower can handle the extra load. He's second in the list, with 57. Rodriguez has an ERA of 3.43, and a WHIP of 1.39. The other members of the bullpen sport a combined era of 5.50, and a WHIP of 1.65.

On being shown the door, Rodriguez had only "Get out of my face, all of you" to say to reporters. Ultimately, the durable right-hander may have failed to endear himself to the Giants' faithful with his 96mph fastball, 96 mph fastball repetoire, but Jeffrey Hammonds he most certainly is not. He rejoins Tim Worrell in Philadelphia to deepen a formidable bullpen, led by Billy Wagner. The Phillies in fact could end up pipping the Giants for the wild-card. That would be retribution for Rodriguez.

All things considered however, narrowly missing the play-offs would be a good result for San Francisco. Even should Ledee hit .400 with 20 home runs in 100 at bats, the Giants will still finish only five games over .500. Sabean, for his part, played his limited cards very well. The Cards on the other hand (momentarily in town to display their prowess) have shown how a team can succeed with a payroll around $85 million: By taking chances, not Brett Tomko. On that note, the Dodgers added Brad Penny and Hee Sop Choi. They're already 5
1/2 games ahead.

John Schlegel, ever the optimist, anticipated a different outcome:
"One way or the other, the Giants intend to get their two pressing needs met before the deadline. This was very likely the first step of two."

The "other step" was probably supposed to be Kris Benson; perhaps Victor Zambrano; even Penny. Sabean instead has opted, at last, for the long term. Adding an arm would not be enough. Losing one would not be enough. If indeed the Giants wish to address their shortcomings by subtracting, then all the rotation needs is losing Kirk Rueter. Maybe that's what Mr. Schlegel had in mind.

Friday, July 30

Flawed Fundamentals

Top of the 7th vs. San Diego
D. Cruz ------ struck out swinging (3 pitches)
D. Mohr ----- struck out swinging (6 pitches)
N. Perez ----- struck out swinging (3 pitches)


There's work to be done by the bay -- beginning, perhaps, with a change in expectations. Calls of a new closer coming to town should be forgotten. It is time to close the door on the 2004 campaign.

The creases that need ironing in San Francisco are beyond the fabled mustering of Brian Sabean. On the back of their success against the worst teams in the majors, the ballclub has limped into contention. Against Colorado, Arinzona and Montreal, the Giants are 8-5, 9-4 and 2-0 respectively. The Giants' overall record of 56-48 is not only third in their division, but sixth in the league. Minus Jason Schmidt's starts, the team is 43-41. Even in Schmidt's starts there has been room for three bullpen-blown gems -- one each in May, June and July.

Inconsistency, no doubt, will be the Giants' epitaph this season. Tosh. They have played as well as the experts (including you) predicted. From the April outset, they have made mistakes in characteristic fashion. In 104 games, they have committed 64 errors, ninth best in the National League. The teams with tighter defense -- Los Angeles, Chicago, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Minnesota and Oakland -- tend to end up playing baseball in October.

Meanwhile, the Giants have hit into 102 double-plays. The league average is 80. They have stolen 29 bases. The league average is 50. And despite leading the National League in on-base percentage (.352) they have scored only the third most runs. 561 strikeouts might be the second fewest in the National League, but the Giants need to learn that it takes more than putting the ball in play to score runs. With a lack of selectivity at the plate, and flexibility on the basepaths, this offense will continue to sputter. The addition of a left-handed bat might do enough to convince us that the post-season is still a possibility. It's remote, but it has been done.

Wednesday, July 28

The Notepad

When he turned 40 on July 24th, Barry Bonds had 683 home runs for his career. He is adrift of Hank Aaron's 755 by 72. Aaron, incidentally, hit 42 round-trippers after he turned 40. Carlton Fisk has the most home runs by a player older than 40, with, ho-hum, 72. A little extra incentive perhaps for Bonds to DH with the Angels through 2007.

Deivi Cruz leads the Giants with 19 doubles. His 189 at bats is also the fewest if you don't include the likes of Damon Minor and Todd Linden.

Since arriving in San Francisco in July 2001, the Giants are 66-21 in Jason Schmidt’s starts. His personal ledger of 50-18 is the best among Major League starters since then.