2009 season thread

**hallzee** · 09-30-2009, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by Honus Wagner Rules

I finally going to catch a Giants game in person tomorrow! It's the last home game and Big Timmy is pitching!

Wags, really? Your first game this season? Well, glad you're going, and I can't throw stones - I usually get to 8-10 games a year (from way out near Lake Tahoe), and only made 3-4 this year!

Call me a "glass is half full" kinda guy - but if you told me that with 5 games left, the Giants STILL hadn't been mathematically (vs. "in reality") eliminated at the beginning of the year, I would have checked you into a rehab facility of some sort.

I guess the other piece of good news (other than seeing Big $ hit his carreer high in HR yesterday) is that Freddy's knee isn't all that bad. I had the same type of surgery on mine - the meniscus isn't a "hobbling" injury long term. Just a painful one until it's repaired.

**west coast orange and black** · 09-30-2009, 01:57 PM

wags: I'm sitting in section VR330, the nose bleed seats!

you goin' solo, or how many people total?

**west coast orange and black** · 09-30-2009, 02:01 PM

hallzee: ...if you told me that with 5 games left, the Giants STILL hadn't been mathematically (vs. "in reality") eliminated at the beginning of the year, I would have checked you into a rehab facility of some sort.

yeah, i was just talking with a friend earlier today about the giants still not being eliminated at their 158th game!
i did not read or hear anyone before the start of the season, or even 1/3 of the way through who thought that the giants would be today where they are.
they are 84-73 and, looking back at the games of this season, i think that they easily could be sittin' on 90 wins right now.

**Honus Wagner Rules** · 09-30-2009, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by west coast orange and black

wags: I'm sitting in section VR330, the nose bleed seats!

you goin' solo, or how many people total?

The wife is coming along.

**west coast orange and black** · 09-30-2009, 03:46 PM

^
lemme know if you want to get bumped up.

pm me, man.

**Honus Wagner Rules** · 09-30-2009, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by west coast orange and black

^
lemme know if you want to get bumped up.

pm me, man.

I PM'ed you.

**Honus Wagner Rules** · 09-30-2009, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by west coast orange and black

hallzee: ...if you told me that with 5 games left, the Giants STILL hadn't been mathematically (vs. "in reality") eliminated at the beginning of the year, I would have checked you into a rehab facility of some sort.

yeah, i was just talking with a friend earlier today about the giants still not being eliminated at their 158th game!
i did not read or hear anyone before the start of the season, or even 1/3 of the way through who thought that the giants would be today where they are.
they are 84-73 and, looking back at the games of this season, i think that they easily could be sittin' on 90 wins right now.

You know perhaps if Sanchy had tossed his no-no earlier in the season?

There seems to be a bandwagon starting to runn who think Sanchez is this close to being an elite pitcher. Since the no-hitter he has been quite good. If he can continue this into next season it would be a huge boost.

**Honus Wagner Rules** · 09-30-2009, 05:04 PM

One June 22nd Johnathan Sanchez took his fourth consecutive loss. His ERA stood at 5.54. At this point Sanchez was pulled from the rotation. He made two relief appearances before throwing his no-hitter on July 10th. From that first relief appearance Sanchez has been a different pitcher. Since June 28th Sanchez's line is:

15 GS, 91.1 IP, 6-4 W-L, 60 H, 110 K, 38 BB, 3.35 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 10.84 K/9, 3.74 BB/9, 2.90 K/BB

Sanchez has one more start on Sunday.

**Rich the Giants fan** · 09-30-2009, 10:07 PM

I am, and have been, a big believer in Jonathan Sanchez.

**hallzee** · 10-01-2009, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by Rich the Giants fan

I am, and have been, a big believer in Jonathan Sanchez.

It is amazing how that stint in the bullpen has set him straight, no? Prior to that, he could tear through a lineup the FIRST time through, and then get hammered the second time through. It seemed that he had a hard time concentrating.

He came out of the pen focused, so I'd have to say the trip to the woodshed worked. I think he's come of age.

**hallzee** · 10-01-2009, 12:03 PM

Wags, have fun at the game tonight... Make a sign, so I can pick you out on TV!

**CandlestickBum** · 10-01-2009, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by hallzee

Wags, have fun at the game tonight... Make a sign, so I can pick you out on TV!

Getaway day game, 12:45!

First and last home game of the year should always, always be day games.

**hallzee** · 10-01-2009, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by CandlestickBum

Getaway day game, 12:45!

First and last home game of the year should always, always be day games.

Yep - I knew that... I don't pay attention to game time on my work day, and just type night! That means I didn't see Wags on TV (and his "Grab some wood there, Bud!" sign), but at least the Giants are still on a roll, to help finish the season on a strong note. 4 in a row and counting with today's win!

**KHenry14** · 10-01-2009, 05:46 PM

Great day for the team. Timmy goes out in style with win #15, the Unit pitches in the 9th, and Richie Aurelia has a special send off. This is one game I would have loved to have been at.

**west coast orange and black** · 10-02-2009, 09:04 AM

wags:
Since June 28th Sanchez's line is:

15 GS, 91.1 IP, 6-4 W-L, 60 H, 110 K, 38 BB, 3.35 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 10.84 K/9, 3.74 BB/9, 2.90 K/BB

as of 2+ weeks ago sanchez had the second-highest swing-through percentage in the league. swing-throughs occur only when batters are fooled... which occurs when their timing is off and the pitcher has good/great stuff.

sanchez (2), lincecum (13), zito (14), cain (17) and johnson (19) all ranked in the top 20 in the league in swing-through.
pretty amazing collection of arms.

**Rich the Giants fan** · 10-02-2009, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by hallzee

It is amazing how that stint in the bullpen has set him straight, no? Prior to that, he could tear through a lineup the FIRST time through, and then get hammered the second time through. It seemed that he had a hard time concentrating.

He came out of the pen focused, so I'd have to say the trip to the woodshed worked. I think he's come of age.

Reminds you a lot of Matt Cain's BP stint earlier in his career, doesn't it?

**west coast orange and black** · 10-02-2009, 11:05 AM

so, how best to get the bat(s) the giants need?
nobody wants to see big man cain go, and sanchez seems on the cusp of becoming a solid, dependable starter.

**Honus Wagner Rules** · 10-02-2009, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by west coast orange and black

so, how best to get the bat(s) the giants need?
nobody wants to see big man cain go, and sanchez seems on the cusp of becoming a solid, dependable starter.

The only two "big" bat free agents this offseason are Matt Holiday and Jason Bay. They will be expensive. Rowand makes $12 million per season. If Rowand is being paid that much how much are Bay and Holliday worth? Another idea is Matt Cain for Prince Fielder. Fielder can mash but his defense is atrocious.

**CandlestickBum** · 10-02-2009, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by Honus Wagner Rules

The only two "big" bat free agents this offseason are Matt Holiday and Jason Bay. They will be expensive. Rowand makes $12 million per season. If Rowand is being paid that much how much are Bay and Holliday worth? Another idea is Matt Cain for Prince Fielder. Fielder can mash but his defense is atrocious.

Rowand is OVERpaid.

Make it Sanchez and I'd do it. Fielder is probably not going to have a long career, but he's still young and should have another solid 4-5 years before breaking down too badly.

I think Cain is the pitcher most likely to end up with more wins and innings (almost said SO's, but that's not Cain) over anyone else on our staff.

We got us a modern day Drysdale and Koufax, don't break em up!

Check out this unique interview of the two of em:

http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/arti...hing-him-pitch

**KHenry14** · 10-02-2009, 03:02 PM

I doubt that the Brewers would take Sanchez straight up for Fielder, so the question is who else do we throw in? My guess is that they might take Romo.

But before we trade a starter, a decision needs to be made on Mad Bum. If he's the real deal, then I say let Sanchez go. If he needs more seasoning, then perhaps wait a year on trading a starter.

Of Bay or Holiday, always choose the RH hitter for our ballpark when given a choice and the player are of equal quality. But honestly, I'd rather have Fielder.

**Honus Wagner Rules** · 10-02-2009, 03:27 PM

There is no way the Brewers trade Fielder for Sanchez. Cain would be a minimum and the Brewers may ask for Cain and another player.

About two weeks ago Buster Only spoke about this possible trade in his weekly ESPN chat.

Liam (Pleasanton, California)
Do you think Cain straight up would be enough for Fielder?

Buster Olney
Liam: To repeat, this all pure speculation, and based on nothing other than seeing how parts might fit. My guess is that the Giants would have to kick in a little something extra into a Fielder/Cain deal. What makes the Cain/Fielder think intriguing is that Cain has an unbelievably affordable contract for 2010 and a great and affordable option for 2011 -- over the next two years, he is signed to earn a total of $10 million. Fielder, alone, will make $10 million next year, and could make $15-18 million in arbitration in 2011. The Giants would get the slugger they need for their lineup, a perfect guy for their franchise, and the Brewers would get an elite pitcher with a great contract; Cain and Gallardo could be the backbone of a strong rotation. And the Brewers could try Gamel at first base. Again, to repeat: ALL SPECULATION.

Rich (NYC)
Wait- why would the Giants have to kick in something extra if Cain is so much more affordable?

Buster Olney
Rich: I ran this by a couple of talent evaluators today about all this, and they agreed with my thought that Fielder might have a touch more value as a player than Cain. Again, we're not talking about a huge difference, where the Brewers would demand Buster Posey or something like that.

**west coast orange and black** · 10-02-2009, 03:31 PM

khenry14: Of Bay or Holiday, always choose the RH hitter for our ballpark when given a choice and the player are of equal quality.

in ten full seasons at mays field, right-handed players have hit exactly 30 homeruns to the right of straightaway center compared to more than 700 homeruns to the left of straightaway center.
besides that, almost all lefty sluggers not named bonds have had difficulties putting up decent slugging numbers at the yard.
it bears repeating that at the all-star game batting practice -- when the big boys really really really wanted to put on a show -- only 3 balls went over mays wall in right... 'til bonds stepped in the box and blasted 7 or 8 consecutive ones into the water.
many lefties, particularly slugging lefties, just don't wanna play in the city.

**west coast orange and black** · 10-02-2009, 03:33 PM

wags: Another idea is Matt Cain for Prince Fielder.

this one first surfaced in march last year.
it ain't happening.

**Rich the Giants fan** · 10-02-2009, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by west coast orange and black

so, how best to get the bat(s) the giants need?
nobody wants to see big man cain go, and sanchez seems on the cusp of becoming a solid, dependable starter.

The Giants have A LOT of good, young pitching prospects that could be packaged. Too bad they don't still have Alderson and Barnes.