tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7941261488380355005.post6802102974765696456..comments2024-03-18T20:39:01.965-07:00Comments on Raising Matt Cain: Dollars and SenseM.C. O'Connorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12258035192484655635noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7941261488380355005.post-8869654128439385152010-01-06T16:58:32.681-08:002010-01-06T16:58:32.681-08:00I'm guessing we signed Uribe for two reasons: ...I'm guessing we signed Uribe for two reasons: (1) in case Renteria has to be DFA'd or (2) to play 3B, moving Sandoval to 1B.<br /><br />LaRoche is a lefty, I think that's his big appeal. His career OPS (.834) and OPS+ (116) beats every current Giant (other than Pablo), but first baseman are usually decent hitters. Last year's .843 mark puts him 19th out of 25 MLB regulars at 1B, though, beating out no. 21 at .831, Nick Johnson.<br /><br />If you go for wOBA, LaRoche is 21st at .357 and Johnson is 16th at .373. LaRoche, as a 2.4 WAR player (same as Johnson), winds up in the bottom third of the same group.<br /><br />LaRoche and Johnson would both be upgrades--that's the scary part.M.C. O'Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12258035192484655635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7941261488380355005.post-29354216865240838432010-01-06T11:28:42.681-08:002010-01-06T11:28:42.681-08:00Which makes you start to wonder even more, when yo...Which makes you start to wonder even more, when you read something like this:<br /><br />"LAROCHE SAYS NO TO THE GIANTS <br />Buster Olney of ESPN is reporting that Adam LaRoche turned down a two-year $17 million offer from the Orange and Black."<br /><br />Should we ever, in a million years, be offering a mediocre player like Adam LaRoche $8.5M per year? Is he really worth half as much as Matt Holliday? On the other hand, yet again, are we going to be left with nothing? Our supposed best option was Nick Johnson, & the Yankees, of all people, jumped in & signed him. And, for they signed him for less money than we just offered for an inferior player???<br /><br />Why don't they just create a Super League for the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Angels, Phillies, & Cardinals? Then, the other teams could compete in relative parity in a lesser developmental league. It might be more satisfying than living under the illusion that our intention is to build a strong team.<br /><br />By the way, aren't Vlad & Carlos Delgado still available? I'd rather have either of them on a 1-year $8.5M deal than Adam LaRoche on a 2-year $17M deal.Ronnoreply@blogger.com