I apologize for the look of the blog. It's not my doing. Google's product ("Blogger") seems to have a mind of its own. I cannot make the blog display the sidebars where I have all the links and images. I'll try to figure it out, but this is legacy software (read: old) and who knows what kind of support is out there.
Meanwhile, you can still read the posts and make comments.
--M.C.
The Giants avoid historic ignominy by securing their 63rd win and guaranteeing that the team will not lose 100 games. A small victory to be sure but a victory nonetheless in this victory-starved season.
Big nights from two players who represent the future for SFG: Blade Tidwell and Bryce Eldridge. Tidwell threw a sterling 6-2/3 to stymie the Cardinal offense on just three hits. It's hard to know if the 25-year old righty from Tennessee is going to make it as an ML starter but we have to start somewhere! It's clear the organization likes him and is going to give him the opportunity to "serve notice" and grab a rotation spot.
Bryce hit his 17th homer (461 feet!) and his 23rd double. I think it is safe to say that this kid is the "real deal" and will be a middle-of-the-order force for the club next year and beyond.
It's an early game tomorro, 10:15 Pacific.
Go Giants!
--M.C.
Looks like the big slugger is done for the year. He apparently needs surgery on a "core" muscle. The problem is supposedly similar to that which sidelined Matt Chapman earlier in the year. Devers will be operated on this week and should be fully ready for 2027.
The Devers contract is a massive one. There was a lot of talk early in the season when he was not hitting about the Giants being "underwater" on the deal. That they wanted to move him, that the deal was "weighing down" the team payroll, that the contract was an "albatross," yadda-yadda-yadda.
Big contracts come with those attendant stories. They are just part of the narrative. The fact is, Rafael Devers is an elite MLB power hitter whose salary is perfectly in line with the going rate for such players. He's paid at a level commensurate with his talent. If one WAR is worth $10M then a 3-WAR player is worth $30M annually. Devers bWAR this year is 3.8, last year it was 4.3 (1.9 in 90G with SF), and 3.9 the year before that.
One thing we know is that Rafi could hit 50 homers and it wouldn't move the needle much on the team's win total. The Giants need pitching! But if/when they do get some decent pitching (and fielding), Devers' bat will be a difference-maker.
And I can't wait to see 22-year old Bryce Eldridge next season!
There's talk of shutting down Logan Webb as well. That's probably a good move. There's a good chance he's just thrown too many damn innings and he needs a break.
--M.C.
