The Giants' "post Bonds" era

[Honus Wagner Rules]

OK, Giants' fans how do you see the post Bonds era unfolding? This has been a tough season for the Giants. The pitching has been awful. There has been lots of injuries as well.

When Bonds retires the Giants will have some cash to spend. What should they do with it? I'm not sure the Giants have a plan to put into effect once Bonds retires. WCOB, have you heard anything?

[KHenry14]

I've read quotes from both Sabes and Magowan that this has been under discussion for a while. And as we've talked before, it's not just Barry's contract that will be expiring, so Sabes will be filling other positions besides LF. So in theory, there is a plan in the works. The question becomes if it happens after this season (I believe it will) what free agents will be available, and what can we hope to fill in from Fresno.

For example, will Frandsen be ready to fill Ray-Ray's shoes? Will Fred Lewis be ready to get one of the open OF spots? Both Finley and Mo are probably in their last years, so there will be at least two OF spots open, Lewis might grab one, but which F/A might get the other? And what about Catcher and 1B? Matheny can't last forever, and Neikro will probably not blossom into a big time 1B. And a decision will need to be made about SS at some point, although the way Omar is playing, that may not be for a while! And our relief pitching is in desparate need of an upgrade too. But the team is set with Feliz, Winn and Vizquel at least for a couple of years, And Schmidt and Lowry look to be good for a few more years as SP's.


To sum up, most of the Bonds money will go to a big time OF, whomever is the best of the F/A crop. Also money will be spent at 1B and in the Pen. I suspect they wont go for a big time starter, with the hope that Cain will turn it around and Hennessey will do the job.

This reminds me a bit like the Chicago Bulls situation after Michael left. Jerry Krause had been chomping at the bit to build a team his way in a post-Jordan era, and he botched the whole thing. Here's hoping Sabes does a better job that Krause did.

[SF Kid]

Yopu guys think Bonds will try and play in the American league as a DH or do you think he'll just say screw it?

I can't imagine continuing to go through what he's been going through. The boos, the investigations, the Grand Juries -- gotta be getting mighty old.

[thecoach]

I expect big changes next season, and if thing do not get better maybe before that. I do not think Neikro is the answer at 1b but the kid Travis Ishikawa, they brought but last time Neikro was on the DL might be. I would like to see hime given the chance.

I think Kevin Frandsen will replace Ray Durham at 2b. I hope Omar Vizquel returns as he still plays a great shortstop and seems to be a great leader and role model. Pedro Feliz is the type of player I think coud be replaced, but how many players do you want to turn over in one season.

Barry Bonds as much as I hate to say it needs to go to another team if he wants to continue to play. Winn I want back along with Finley if he wants to return for one last season. Moises Alou for me could stay or go. I like his bat but he is injured alot. Also if his father goes, and I think he will, one way or the other may cause Alou to leave. So next season if Bonds, Durham, Neikro, and maybe a pitcher or two leave we will have money available to shop for a 1b, and a top line OF. also a closer you could rely on would help. I would love to know what some of you are thinking?

[SF Kid]

Our bull pen is a mess. The closer situation is just a mess too. I was so angry the other day when Benitez, our close,r gives up back to back HR's to tie the game. That was just not unacceptable. Giants fans as a whole have to hold their breath and cross therri fingers when Benitez comes in to pitch. That isn't how it's suppose to go in the last of the ninth. And if Worrell isn't gone soon I'm going to lose my mind. That experiment is WAY over.

[thecoach]

Kid...I agree, but I don't think we need to go outside the team to find the closer. We have some great young arms so let use them!

[SF Kid]

Yes this is possible. But Mr. Alou seems clueless on how to handle a pitching staff. Allowing pitchers to remain in the game late after throwing over 110 pitches is crazy in today's game. Teams just aren't built that way. So I'm not comfortable with anything he does with the pen.

I'll feel more comfortable when we get a manager that has some sense of handling a pitching staff.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Kid...I agree, but I don't think we need to go outside the team to find the closer. We have some great young arms so let use them!

Umm...like Joe Nathan?

[Honus Wagner Rules]

What's Merkin Valdez doing this days? Is he at Fresno?

[thecoach]

Merkin Valdez is pitching in Fresno and has an ERA of 4.24 in 23.1 inn.

[thecoach]

Honus Wagner Rules..You had to remid me of Joe Nathan. What a Bad Trade! And we gave up two additional pitchers besides Nathan.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Honus Wagner Rules..You had to remid me of Joe Nathan. What a Bad Trade! And we gave up two additional pitchers besides Nathan.

Yes, Francisco Liriano and Boof Bonser, both starting pitchers for the Twins now. Liriano is being called the "next Johan Santana"! At least I have Liriano on my fantasy baseball team.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Merkin Valdez is pitching in Fresno and has an ERA of 4.24 in 23.1 inn.

Isn't Valdez being converted to the closer's role?

[thecoach]

Isn't Valdez being converted to a the closer's role?

With an era 4.24 I hope not!

[SF Kid]

With an era 4.24 I hope not!

That's true.

Funny, as much as I complain about Benitez he does have a 1.88 ERA. It's just nail biting time when he gets into a game. I suppose that is a learned response.

[thecoach]

That's true.

Funny, as much as I complain about Benitez he does have a 1.88 ERA. It's just nail biting time when he gets into a game. I suppose that is a learned response.

That 1.88 ERA means nothing if you give up the runs at the wrong time as a closer!

[SF Kid]

That 1.88 ERA means nothing if you give up the runs at the wrong time as a closer!

So you think the guy with te 4.21 ERA would be abtter idea?

[thecoach]

So you think the guy with te 4.21 ERA would be abtter idea?

NO,NO. What I am saying is it is when you give up the runs that count! A guy that has a 2.00 ERA and gives up 2 runs a month in a game that he has a 3 run lead is better that the guy who gives up his runs with a 1 run lead but shuts everyone down everyone down when the lead is 10. As a closer it is not the number of runs you give up it when you give them up!

[KCGHOST]

The Giants could be in for some dark days. Sabean's disdain for high draft choices and and then trading away quality pitchers is not a prescription for having a stocked farm system.

Freeing up Barry's $20M mean you can a couple - three players. Choose wisely, Grasshopper.

[SF Kid]

I agree with you KCGHOST. the Giznts have built this team around Barry Bonds. We almost got to the top of the mountain but fell short. we've continued to try by brining in aging veterans. We have a lot of age and we're in for a rebuilding. I'm not looking for any sort of WS push for 5 years or more. Sad.

[thecoach]

I agree with you KCGHOST. the Giants have built this team around Barry Bonds. We almost got to the top of the mountain but fell short. we've continued to try by brining in aging veterans. We have a lot of age and we're in for a rebuilding. I'm not looking for any sort of WS push for 5 years or more. Sad.

Yes I agree, but the Giants have the main part of the puzzle in a good to very good starting rotation. If they can put together a bull pen to go along with the rotation they may get there sooner. There are many young arms in the pen right now to choose from. It is how to use them that is in question.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

The Giants need that one monster position player they can build a team around. Unfortunately, the Giants don't have that young monster position player. Fred Lewis? Please!!

[Honus Wagner Rules]

That's true.

Funny, as much as I complain about Benitez he does have a 1.88 ERA. It's just nail biting time when he gets into a game. I suppose that is a learned response.

Kind of like when Johnny "Disaster" LeMaster used to come to the plate? THe problem with Benitez is that he's not getting enough work in. Sometimes he'll go over a week without seeing any action. How can he be expected to be sharp with his pitches with such little work? He does have a 1.88 ERA but his WHIP is 1.67 and he has a 10K/10BB ratio. That's terrible.

[thecoach]

The Giants need that one monster position player they can build a team around. Unfortunately, the Giants don't have that young monster position player. Fred Lewis? Please!!

I agree that they need that one center piece and that will have to come from either a trade or free agency. Fred Lewis, I think will be a journeyman player at best.

The rest of the puzzle I think they have or at least a good start. Lets look for better day ahead.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

I agree that they need that one center piece and that will have to come from either a trade or free agency. Fred Lewis, I think will be a journeyman player at best.

The rest of the puzzle I think they have or at least a good start. Lets look for better day ahead.

I look around the majors and see some serious young talent, Tiexiera, Blalock, Mauer, Wright, Fielder, Weeks, Cabrera, Sizemore, etc. How come the Giants NEVER have those kinds of young players?