"Stockpile starters" is a winning strategy in my book and the Giants have made another step in that direction. It isn't sexy or flashy, but it's solid, and the Giants need lots of solid. 31-year old free agent righty Tyler Mahle is signing a one-year deal with the club, it seems. No word on dollars yet. You may remember him from his time with the Reds (2017-2022). He was last with the Rangers so perhaps Ol' Boch recommended him.
The Giants aren't going to sign Framber Valdez or Ranger Suarez or any of the front-line free agents. They are going to make some moves around the margins. They will exceed last year's payroll but be well under the tax threshold. I suspect the bean-counters are going to hold the line. We'll have to wait for Spring Training to see if any of the stocking-stuffers emerge as studs because we didn't get any big, shiny presents to open.
Happy New Year, everyone! And remember: "In Buster We Trust(er)."
--M.C.
8 comments:
Another guy coming off an injured season.
Another Farhan type hire.
Yes to both! Very FZ.
But I get it. You have to keep improving the roster, even if only marginally, just to keep up with the Jones's (the NL West and the LA Juggernaut).
FZ was willing to constantly tinker and make tons of tiny improvements. I don't think Buster will be like that. But he'll have to keep the 40-man fluid and open to additions.
Obviously the Giants really need a young player and a young pitcher to step up and make some strides in their game. Perhaps a full season of Roupp. A more mature Birdsong. A more polished Ramos, Lee, or even someone like Gilbert or Eldridge. Maybe Bailey can start to hit.
Tatsuya Imai is to sign with the Astros. 3 years, 54 mil. Seems a wasted opportunity to me.
Agreed.
If he's a 2 WAR/yr. pitcher that's only $9M/WAR. Cheap for a free agent.
Why can't we sign Japanese players?
In this case, they didn't try.
This strategy could be fine if the giants were not in the N.L. west. The 3 divisions where marginal improvements seem hardly helpful, are the NL. West, the NL east, and the AL east.
The Giants need to improve by 10 wins. That's hard to do. I think they have to try harder! Obviously the best thing would be for a rookie star to emerge, but that's just waving fairy dust.
Here's a thought: Bo Bichette. He's a free agent and would require a very large contract, but he'll only be 28 in March. The Giants don't need a SS but they do need a second baseman. Think of how good the infield would be with Devers, Bichette, Adames, and Chapman. Wow!
But I cannot see the Giants attempting anything like that.
Post a Comment