That sounds like Buster who has a real knack for saying the right thing. I wouldn't be surprised if he was a Senator some day. What I'd like to see is Posey managing. Seems like he's perfect for the job, especially in this media-saturated landscape. Aaron Boone had no experience managing but the Yankees chose him over more traditional picks and his time on TV was a selling point. Buster is really good in front of a microphone. His calm demeanor and natural reticence, along with his good looks--and that tinge of a Southern accent--make him a camera magnet. Hensley Muelens can manage the Giants until Posey retires and takes over. Wouldn't that be fun?Buster Posey: “I value who I am and who I will be as a husband and father first and foremost. At the same time, I enjoy my job and plan on doing my job.”
Drew Pomeranz also goes on the IL and Tyler Beede takes his spot. Aramis Garcia will handle the catching duties with Stephen Vogt.
--M.C.
p.s. The Giants got beat 12-11 in a cold, snowy Denver today. Derek Holland had a disaster start, giving up three runs in the 1st and four in the 2nd. Tyler Austin had two three-run homers, both big blasts, to lead the comeback effort (it was 8-8 after his second in the top of the 6th) but they ultimately fell short. The bullpen wasn't up to the task as Tyler Beede, Mark Melancon, and Sam Dyson gave up six hits, five walks, and five runs.
16 comments:
Gerardo Parra signed a contract with the Nationals.
The Giants need to seriously consider the so-called "opener" strategy.
The opener strategy may not be a bad idea when a guy like Holland has to face Story and Arenado as the second and third batters of the game. Perhaps if Kiki Hernandez leads off against Bumgarner, we could put in an opener for one batter. Bumgarner would never stand for that, but it could help get him a win. He is most vulnerable in the first, especially against a guy who has bizarre ownership against giants lefties.
Get Gott and/or Bergen to get the first six outs and then Smardj, Holland, DRod, and Pom can come in and face the bottom third. THEN they can get through the lineup once or even twice before we bring in Moronta/Watson/Dyson/Smith.
I'm still trying to understand what the advantage of an opener would be. It looks to me like your strategy, Mark, simply adds a reliever (or two) at the start of a game, thus using more pitchers/game, and making the regulars (starters) workload less. Not sure that isn't just a way to introduce another one or two variables that could fail. It would certainly increase the workload of the relief/opener staff.
Well, the workload would be the same. Just put relievers in sooner. And use starters like long relievers. If you can get 5 or 6 from them you use the same number of pitchers.
Anything is better than the crap we've seen this last few times through the rotation.
It appears that the starters are not prepared to face the 1-2-3 and 4-5-6 batters at the start of the game. So give the relievers that job. Bring the starters in to work the bottom third which gives them the best chance to get outs. Then they can pitch as far as they can go into the game, ideally 18 outs, equivalent to a 6-inning start. Even 15 outs (a 5-inning start) will work. Then you are in the end game, 7th-8th-9th innings, which you play the same way as now.
It's not more of a workload, just a shifted workload. It assumes that starters can still get 15-18 outs. That's the part that's not working. If that doesn't work then no strategy (other than new pitchers) will work.
But then they face the 1-2-3 hitters, just not right off the bat. I always think about the 90's Braves. They were on tv all the time on TBS and usually playing just as I got home from work. Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, those guys were ALWAYS ready to pitch when they walked onto the mound. I think Leo Mazzone was the reason, and I think rather than burning relievers at the beginning of games, the Giants would be better served by learning what he was doing and making Herges do it.
Yes. They get an inning to face weaker hitters before they have to face the best hitters.
And I agree, if the problem is coaching (preparation, advanced scouting, data, etc.) then by all means get newer and better coaching. Or coaches. Or both.
I only suggest the opener as an extreme response to an extreme stretch. Giants pitchers were absolutely dreadful these last few series. D-Rod has given up 9 HR in 41 IP. He gave up 9 HR in 118 IP last season. Holland's allowed 10 in 34 IP, he gave up 19 in 173 IP last year. It's everyone: MadBum 7/49, Smardj 10/37, Pom 8/30.
Like I said earlier I like how Bum has looked recently and I'm excited that he is healthy and poised to pitch well going forward. But the Giants may need to make some radical changes if the starters do this sort of thing again. The 1st inning woes need to be fixed.
Giants picked up a new OF and DFA'd the RHP (Andrew Moore) that they had just claimed.
His name is Aaron Altherr and he is 28 and had a good year for Philly in 2017 but a lousy one in 2018 and has been really bad so far in 2019 and was cut loose.
D-Rod sent down. Erik Kratz activated.
Nice to see Parra hit a grand slam as it took Washington over the top to beat the Dodgers. As soon as we jettison somebody they get hot. I know it was time for Williamson, but I was a little surprised that they released Parra. I know he was not hitting yet, but despite that his fielding had him at a nice positive WAR. Kruk and Kuip kept saying he is the type of player that can get hot and carry the team for a couple of weeks. I guess that hot streak will come with somebody else. Saturday's game had two questionable calls, that hurt the giants. One was Duggar's steal of third. Called out. Looked safe. On replay he still looked safe, but N.Y. agreed with the call and he was out. Also in the ninth with two out, on the 1-1 pitch, looked quite a bit inside to Belt called strike two changing the AB. Of course Belt then struck out. Giants had their chances and lost on a bloop hit, inches away from being caught by Williamson. Wonder if Parra would have had it.
It happens. Guys sometimes just need a change. The Giants need guys who can hit and get on base. A 32-year old hitting under .200 can't keep his job even if he's a good fielder. You have to have some offense--in today's game--at every position. Giants have one big-glove/no-hit guy (Kevin Pillar) in the OF, they don't need two. At least Pillar has some pop, that plays in his favor. Let's hope Mac can get his bat going soon.
The big issue right now is the starting pitching. Another poor start forced the Giants to play catch-up. They came close, and a bloop hit beat them, but they were in a hole in the 1st inning. Giants don't have enough firepower to fight back every night. We are seeing improved hitting from Longoria and Duggar, so that's good.
Word is Breyvic Valera was waived and claimed by the Yankees. That's another All-Name Team candidate! At least we still have Abiatal Avelino.
It would be great if Mike Yastrzemksi was named "Tulsa" or "Cordwainer" or "Gunner" or something instead of "Mike." Yaz has that history behind it for a great baseball name, not to mention the Scrabble points, but "Mike" means it comes up a little short for nomination to the All-Name squad.
M.C. the thing is Parra has a track record, and the law of averages suggests that he would come out of this slump. Not as if he was the only one on the team not hitting. If good hitters are key to playing, than Pablo should be playing every day. Parra was no rookie and in his past he could get hot for a period of a few weeks. This team definitely needs the defense. I could see him in a platoon with Williamson.
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