Barry Zito had a magical run last season, and earned a spot in the franchise's pantheon with his start for the ages in Game Five of the LCS, and his gritty showdown with the game's best in Game One of the Series. But now he's done. Finished. Kaput. His career as a Giants pitcher will come to an end in two months, as it seems impossible to imagine the team offering him $18M to stay when they can pay him $7M to go. And it seems increasingly likely that he will miss some starts. Ol' Boch was cagey about that in the post-game interview, but you have to think they've already pencilled in a few extra rest days for the beleaguered lefty. Since beating Miami at home on June 22nd, Zeets has thrown 25-1/3 innings over six starts, allowing 39 hits and 21 runs, and the team's gone 1-5. He's still listed as the starter for Sunday's game in Tampa Bay, but if it were me I'd find a Mike Kickham, Eric Surkamp, or Guillermo Moscoso for that duty. The team is home against the Brewers right after that--why not give Barry-Z an extra day off and a chance to pitch in friendlier confines? His road WHIP is 2.352 and teams are hitting like Ted Williams against him. Literally, his road BAA is .406!
The Giants have seven wins in the month of July. They have a chance to make it eight today behind Chad Gaudin. They had ten wins in the month of June. They are 19-32 on the road. They are in last place, eleven games behind the Dodgers. What, exactly, are the Giants going to do at the trade deadline to change that? I'll tell you: nothing. They can't acquire any player or combination of players that will make a big enough difference. If they sell, they are building for 2014, not for the rest of the season. If they are going to salvage the last two months (57 games), they are going to do it with the hand they've got. You don't throw good money after bad in poker, and you don't reinforce failure in war. This team has players who can win baseball games. The fact that they are not winning baseball games does not change the truth of the first statement. If the Giants win 35 of their remaining games (.614 ball) they'll finish the season with 81 wins and a .500 record. If the Dodgers win only 25 of their final 57 games (.438 ball, exactly what the Giants are doing now), they will finish with 82 wins. That's what "11 games behind" means. Like I said before, the math ain't pretty.
C'mon, Giants. Win some goddamn games.
--M.C.
6 comments:
Well put. The Cards might be without Molina for a while. The wildcard might open up. You never know, so you play hard. The Giants are just lifeless right now. This is the worst ball I've seen...
Well, I was at Doyer Stadium for the 2008 opening day, Zito got shelled. I was on the upper deck with a bunch of Dodger fans on a three day drunk. I decided to call it a day after 4 and went elsewhere. That season didn't go well. We had Jose Castillo at 3B and Brian Bocock at SS. That was pretty lifeless.
Zito has been a great redemption story. It appears the Baseball Gods had a pretty big bill, and it was due.
For sure. The Baseball Gods always get their payback.
This is exactly the point I have been trying to make. A big move would be a panic move from a weak hand. I'm sure we have had plenty of offers - our best players for ovrpriced mediocrity, and I have been awfully glad we have not pulled the trigger (yet) just because the lunatic fringe thinks we have to do something. Lopez is apparently still ripe for the rumor mill, and maybe a pitching prospect will appear. We do have a starting rotation problem going into next year.
Keeping everybody and Sabean going to the RDF to get clearance for mid-season extensions. Very interesting. Hey, I love Javy Lopez. Best LOOGY in the game. Giants need to tweak some things. My eyes are already glazing over at the Camp Panda stories getting dreamed up...
How about a big RMC welcome for Roger Kieschnick, now starting in left field. Bats left, throws right, 26 years old, 6ft 3in 220#.
He was in the San Jose Giants games I attended, was it 4 or 5 years ago? I went to see Buster Posey. He hit a homer for me that day, thank you very much, but he was the DH that day, so I didn't get to observe his catching. Also playing that day were Angel Villalona (a murderer) and Nick Noonan. On the roster was Madison Bumgardner, who did not happen to start that day.
I recommend minor league baseball to everyone. Go if you can. It's cheaper.
If we have 30 games in August lets go at least 25-5 and see what happens!
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