Originally posted by SanDiegoGiant:
Your points are well taken. I bring up LaRoche just because his numbers are so glaringly better than anyone on the Giants but Pablo. Do I really want LaRoche? Probably not, but if the Giants want to make a move(s) towards the W.C. this year and not mortgage the future, then its a move that should have been made.
The move that really potentially scares me that I could see the Giants making now that Renteria is hurting and 2b is a revolving door..... is....trading for the Bucs double play duo (Wilson and Sanchez). Now that the Bucs are not going to resign the two. I could see Sabean making a panic move if the boys get swept today and then lose minimum 2 of 3 in Denver, becuase guess who is coming to town on Monday folks......you guessed it, those Pirates who just made our bats look anemic and what better time to pull of a trade with a team who's currently playing in your ballpark. Sabean i feel would give up way too much.
I think its time for Sabean and Bochy to go. Sabean continually signs wahsed up or guys who don't fit into AT&T parks mold. Did he really think Rowand was going to hit 30 bombs after playing in Cracker Jackville in Philly. The defense and the leadership is great, but for 12 million for 5 years? Barry Zito enough said. And now the last year's signing of Renteria for 9 million a year. You have got to be kidding me.
Bochy this guy cannot put out a line-up to give the Giants the best chance to win. First example, the line-up in Pittsburgh the first game back, has Aurilla and Torres starting! What the @#%* is that? His lefty's can't hit lefty's garbage is tiresome. I say if we are going to go young then bring up Decker who has managed a lot of the younger guys and get some youthful enthusiasm on this team instead of the fossil mentality that we have had for the last decade.
One last thing, I think if Holliday's agent was anyone but Boras, he would already be a Giant.
Lets keep our fingers crossed the boys wake up before its too late.
I don't know if you saw it in San Diego but the normally level headed Ray Ratto recently ejaculated this article one day before Bochy left Zito in to eat 9 earnies the day before the break.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...SPBG18MLRV.DTL
After reading I wrote a comment to him and said we should wait and see like Neukom planned all along. I really think Sabe's has his hands tied now and Neukom has to sign off on anything he may consider. Obviously the primo prospects are off limits in any deal and he'll make do with what they allow him to trade and hope to catch lightning.
In a way I feel sorry for Sabean under the last years of McGowan and a little sorry for Dusty Baker's plight at the end of 2002 despite his hubris.
Here's whatt I wrote Ray. (No reply) Wonder if he regrets the column.
In baseball circles Sabean is regarded as somewhat of a buffoon for his persistant gaffes in personnel decisions that have spanned these last 5 years of our descent intio mediocrity.
While he is rightly given a pass in not discussing the Zito deal (largely McGowans call) there's little to suggest his recent past decisions are the reason for the teams recent turnaround.
When you look back over them and his overall tenure in the job he hasn't made a stellar deal since Jason Schmidt. The fiasco's Ratto discusses regarding A.J., Benitez, Hillenbrand, require more than a flip dismissal as "being hamstrung by philosophy". After all doing your job means speaking up if you believe management is being careless or persueing the wrong course in development.
Certainly he WAS in the position of deferring to their wishes in keeping Barry the Ca$h Cow happy, but the endless string of overpriced broken down has beens he foisted on the payroll is laughable. From Eric Davis, through Dunston, to Ray Durham and a host of others- all have contributed less than their cost both on and off the field. Keeping Jose Castillo at 3rd for over a 1/2 season last year over Sandoval seems ludacris now and thinking Fred Lewis was anything more than a butcher in the field is even more distressing.
The off season moves including Renteria (8 Million) and supposed set-up man Howry (weakest in the pen) have been mediocre as well. Uribe has been a pleasant surprise in a limited role but he wasn't even rostered in spring. Other than the complete flame-out of Burriss and Frandsen he wouldn't even be on the team. He got a ton out of the Unit but we'll see how soon and at what strength he returns, and if you look at it the team has had vitually NO injuries or DL time to take away from their output.
If that is the kind of track record that requires renegotiation before the end of the season plays out, he's lucky to be still employed by the paper after the column.
As much as Bochy has done (and it's a lot considering the amount of credit he gets), he is really more of a vetrans coach then a developer of young players. He was brought in because he could handle the Bonds aftermath without complaining and to pacify the media with his deflective persona after the KNBR/Felipe Alou flap. He may merit consideration for renewal depending on the results this season but not before those results are in. I'd have preferred to see a younger man at the helm after the 70 year old Alou. The team isn't in need of a father figure.
There is a lot of talk right now as to whether the Giants need to make a move/trade to bolster their roster for a stretch run or if the pitching and defense and timely hitting will be enough to get to and advance in the playoffs. I think they must and will make a move. If so it will be Sabean's last chance at a masterstoke which could signal he isn't as washed up as he seems around the league. He will be in charge of his own future then and he will decide whether he keeps his job or not when he makes those calls.
As evidenced by the early action in trades (especially the Braves lately) There are moves to be considered and statement that can be made right now for those who seize the opportunity.
Let's see what they do before handing them jobs on marginal improvements.