[lex24]

68-94. And that is only because I expect the division, other than the Dodgers, to be fairly weak. If I’m wrong on that, they lose 100 games. They have the worst outfield in baseball. Not one hitter with presence in their lineup. Very little speed ( to the extent that even matters in today’s game) and no power. Pitchers are going to love facing the Giants. Scoring runs is going to be very difficult. The pitching should be adequate. But not great. MadBum will be traded at the deadline.

Zaidi is building from the bottom up. He has his work cut out for him.

[lex24]

68-94. And that is only because I expect the division, other than the Dodgers, to be fairly weak. If I’m wrong on that, they lose 100 games. They have the worst outfield in baseball. Not one hitter with presence in their lineup. Very little speed ( to the extent that even matters in today’s game) and no power. Pitchers are going to love facing the Giants. Scoring runs is going to be very difficult. The pitching should be adequate. But not great. MadBum will be traded at the deadline.

Zaidi is building from the bottom up. He has his work cut out for him.

[BrevinsBest]

68-94. And that is only because I expect the division, other than the Dodgers, to be fairly weak. If I’m wrong on that, they lose 100 games. They have the worst outfield in baseball. Not one hitter with presence in their lineup. Very little speed ( to the extent that even matters in today’s game) and no power. Pitchers are going to love facing the Giants. Scoring runs is going to be very difficult.  The pitching should be adequate. But not great. MadBum will be traded at the deadline.

Zaidi is building from the bottom up. He has his work cut out for him.

I'm always optimistic during spring training, but not this year. They are going to be really bad. I was actually happy to see the Giants didn't sign Harper because I'm more interested to see how Zaidi overhauls the roster. The next few years are going to be really rough though.

[BrevinsBest]

68-94. And that is only because I expect the division, other than the Dodgers, to be fairly weak. If I’m wrong on that, they lose 100 games. They have the worst outfield in baseball. Not one hitter with presence in their lineup. Very little speed ( to the extent that even matters in today’s game) and no power. Pitchers are going to love facing the Giants. Scoring runs is going to be very difficult.  The pitching should be adequate. But not great. MadBum will be traded at the deadline.

Zaidi is building from the bottom up. He has his work cut out for him.

I'm always optimistic during spring training, but not this year. They are going to be really bad. I was actually happy to see the Giants didn't sign Harper because I'm more interested to see how Zaidi overhauls the roster. The next few years are going to be really rough though.

[OutsiderFan]

It is comical to consider Larry Baer's insistence that the Giants aren't re-building. The cold, unpleasant reality is whether the Giants' front office and owners want it or not, and whether they like it or not, it's happening.

They can label it a re-build and get the goodwill that comes with doing so, or they can claim they are trying to compete, lose 90+ games, look foolish, and lose credibility with fans.

I was driving in Bay Area this am and heard Andrew Baggerly on KNBR.  He said between Coor's Field, Great American Ballpark, Citizens Bank, and Miller Stadium - the four most offensively friendly parks in the National League - the Giants were 1-18 last season.  He also said the Giants had the WORST strikeout to walk ratio in MLB.  So not only were they terrible offensively, they had the worst ROI from efforts their players put into producing offense in 2018.  

It seems Joey Bart is the Giants' best hitter in the organization right now. They seem to be starting him in San Jose this season, but doubtful he lasts long there. Might even be a September call-up to big club. The clear moves to make:

- Trade Belt, move Posey to First, and Bart is Catcher
- Trade Bumgarner to a contending team at trade deadline and maybe sign him as a FA in 2020

There will probably be many others. I'm way, way, way more interested in the prospects and what is happening in San Jose and Richmond than I am S.F. this season.

[OutsiderFan]

It is comical to consider Larry Baer's insistence that the Giants aren't re-building. The cold, unpleasant reality is whether the Giants' front office and owners want it or not, and whether they like it or not, it's happening.

They can label it a re-build and get the goodwill that comes with doing so, or they can claim they are trying to compete, lose 90+ games, look foolish, and lose credibility with fans.

I was driving in Bay Area this am and heard Andrew Baggerly on KNBR.  He said between Coor's Field, Great American Ballpark, Citizens Bank, and Miller Stadium - the four most offensively friendly parks in the National League - the Giants were 1-18 last season.  He also said the Giants had the WORST strikeout to walk ratio in MLB.  So not only were they terrible offensively, they had the worst ROI from efforts their players put into producing offense in 2018.  

It seems Joey Bart is the Giants' best hitter in the organization right now. They seem to be starting him in San Jose this season, but doubtful he lasts long there. Might even be a September call-up to big club. The clear moves to make:

- Trade Belt, move Posey to First, and Bart is Catcher
- Trade Bumgarner to a contending team at trade deadline and maybe sign him as a FA in 2020

There will probably be many others. I'm way, way, way more interested in the prospects and what is happening in San Jose and Richmond than I am S.F. this season.

[BostonCard]

Could be worse...

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the...b-history/

They should be nicknamed the Baltimore Who.

BC

[BostonCard]

Could be worse...

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the...b-history/

They should be nicknamed the Baltimore Who.

BC

[Phogge]

I can’t stand Belt. I’d give him a steady diet of sliders, low and in. He has never shown what Matt Williams showed. Was sent down and was taught to lay off balls low and away and had a very good career.

However I believe this team will be scrappy and finish within five games of .500. I think Parra has one good season left. Panic doesn’t get hurt and the rotation settles down. Plus they should eat Melancon’s contract and make Moronta the closer.

Baer should be patted on the back (with a Louisville Slugger) and shown the back door... permanently. Make Bart watch two hours of Yadier catching every day. Make Bum the #1 pinch hitter.

[Phogge]

I can’t stand Belt. I’d give him a steady diet of sliders, low and in. He has never shown what Matt Williams showed. Was sent down and was taught to lay off balls low and away and had a very good career.

However I believe this team will be scrappy and finish within five games of .500. I think Parra has one good season left. Panic doesn’t get hurt and the rotation settles down. Plus they should eat Melancon’s contract and make Moronta the closer.

Baer should be patted on the back (with a Louisville Slugger) and shown the back door... permanently. Make Bart watch two hours of Yadier catching every day. Make Bum the #1 pinch hitter.

[qwerty49]

The sure sign of doom is if Crawford hits any higher than 6th in the lineup. Last year he was George Brett in May and June and Johnnie LeMaster the rest of the season.

A Gold Glove guy but lifetime .253 and Bochy had him at cleanup for a while.

Time for another Scutaro or Burrell or Ross to emerge from the dustbin to give the offense a spark.

[qwerty49]

The sure sign of doom is if Crawford hits any higher than 6th in the lineup. Last year he was George Brett in May and June and Johnnie LeMaster the rest of the season.

A Gold Glove guy but lifetime .253 and Bochy had him at cleanup for a while.

Time for another Scutaro or Burrell or Ross to emerge from the dustbin to give the offense a spark.

[BobK]

QWERTY bats 3rd
Lex 4th
Phogge 5th and on the mound
Bobk bats 6th

No problem

[BobK]

QWERTY bats 3rd
Lex 4th
Phogge 5th and on the mound
Bobk bats 6th

No problem

[Phogge]

After college got $25 per game in a very fast semi pro league Bobbbbbbbbb. Playing center and LEADING OFF!

[Phogge]

After college got $25 per game in a very fast semi pro league Bobbbbbbbbb. Playing center and LEADING OFF!

[Mick]

I really like the idea of trading Belt and putting Posey at 1B full time.  It's an oddity of the Giants' camp that all four catchers except Posey are playing well.  Vogt is 6 for 12 with 1.071 OPS, Bart is 7 for 16 with 1.221 OPS, Marte is 3 for 8 with 1.069 OPS, Rivera is 8 for 22 with .962 OPS.  Garcia is hitting just .174, but has two HRs and a double in his four hits.  He's slated for AAA.  Posey is 2 for 16, both singles.  I think he's done at catcher.

Panik is crushing it, hitting .517, I think he'll do great this year.  Prototypical #2 hitter when healthy.  1.058 OPS this spring.  Belt hitting .371, he's going to be okay, I think.  He had three very strong years of about .850 OPS from 2015 to 2017, then dropped to the mid .700s last year. Longoria is hitting .286 with .856 OPS.  Hope he continues to improve.  After today, Duggar is hitting .310.  Posey went 2 for 4 today and Crawford went 3 for 4, both are at .200.  Solarte is hitting .308.  Williamson went 2 for 4 and is hitting .256.  

Here's some team spring training figures:

1.  Giants fielding #3 among 15 NL teams and #3 in throwing out base stealers.
2.  Giants are #5 in ERA and #7 in WHIP among NL teams.  They have given up the fourth fewest HRs and the fourth fewest walks.  Tied for 5th in NL in strikeouts.
3.  Giants are 10th in OPS, 5th on on base percentage (OBP), 3rd in batting average, but 10th in runs scored.  Last in doubles, first in triples; an oddity.  sixth in most strikeouts.

The games I've seen, the regulars have done pretty well and the minor leaguers and some of the OF free agents are terrible.  Best case scenario is 88 wins and the 2nd wild card.  worst case scenario, 93 losses IMHO.  probable outcome, 80-82.

[Mick]

I really like the idea of trading Belt and putting Posey at 1B full time.  It's an oddity of the Giants' camp that all four catchers except Posey are playing well.  Vogt is 6 for 12 with 1.071 OPS, Bart is 7 for 16 with 1.221 OPS, Marte is 3 for 8 with 1.069 OPS, Rivera is 8 for 22 with .962 OPS.  Garcia is hitting just .174, but has two HRs and a double in his four hits.  He's slated for AAA.  Posey is 2 for 16, both singles.  I think he's done at catcher.

Panik is crushing it, hitting .517, I think he'll do great this year.  Prototypical #2 hitter when healthy.  1.058 OPS this spring.  Belt hitting .371, he's going to be okay, I think.  He had three very strong years of about .850 OPS from 2015 to 2017, then dropped to the mid .700s last year. Longoria is hitting .286 with .856 OPS.  Hope he continues to improve.  After today, Duggar is hitting .310.  Posey went 2 for 4 today and Crawford went 3 for 4, both are at .200.  Solarte is hitting .308.  Williamson went 2 for 4 and is hitting .256.  

Here's some team spring training figures:

1.  Giants fielding #3 among 15 NL teams and #3 in throwing out base stealers.
2.  Giants are #5 in ERA and #7 in WHIP among NL teams.  They have given up the fourth fewest HRs and the fourth fewest walks.  Tied for 5th in NL in strikeouts.
3.  Giants are 10th in OPS, 5th on on base percentage (OBP), 3rd in batting average, but 10th in runs scored.  Last in doubles, first in triples; an oddity.  sixth in most strikeouts.

The games I've seen, the regulars have done pretty well and the minor leaguers and some of the OF free agents are terrible.  Best case scenario is 88 wins and the 2nd wild card.  worst case scenario, 93 losses IMHO.  probable outcome, 80-82.

[OutsiderFan]

Mick, after your posting Giants Spring training numbers last year that suggested a good offense in the making, I'll be skeptical about anything Spring numbers.

[OutsiderFan]

Mick, after your posting Giants Spring training numbers last year that suggested a good offense in the making, I'll be skeptical about anything Spring numbers.

[lex24]

I like Mick’s optimism. Hope he’s right.

[lex24]

I like Mick’s optimism. Hope he’s right.

[Mick]

Mick, after your posting Giants Spring training numbers last year that suggested a good offense in the making, I'll be skeptical about anything Spring numbers.

Agreed.  Giants won 7-2 today, Belt 3 for 3, Longoria 2 for 3, Sandoval 1 for 1, Posey 1 for 3.  Bumgarner gave up one run in six and 2/3 innings.  Melancon gave up one run in the ninth.  Panik, Hanson, Garcia, Ramos hitless.  No errors for the Giants.

[Mick]

Mick, after your posting Giants Spring training numbers last year that suggested a good offense in the making, I'll be skeptical about anything Spring numbers.

Agreed.  Giants won 7-2 today, Belt 3 for 3, Longoria 2 for 3, Sandoval 1 for 1, Posey 1 for 3.  Bumgarner gave up one run in six and 2/3 innings.  Melancon gave up one run in the ninth.  Panik, Hanson, Garcia, Ramos hitless.  No errors for the Giants.

[lex24]

Melancon should be released. Admit the mistake and move on.

[lex24]

Melancon should be released. Admit the mistake and move on.

[Phogge]

Cut him and offer Butterfield. LOL.

[Phogge]

Cut him and offer Butterfield. LOL.

[OutsiderFan]

Did Butterfield visited Cal this past weekend?

On Melancon, he was a guy I really wanted the Giants to land. He was tremendous for Pittsburgh, and then the Nationals nabbed him in a trade over the Giants, the year the Giants had the best record in MLB at the All-Star Break, and then had the worst record after, with a disintegrating bullpen responsible for countless losses.  They still made the Wildcard, but needed Melancon then. Instead, apparently unable to understand the team they had, the Giants signed Melancon as a high priced free agent the following off season, and it has been nothing but snake eyes for the player and team since. 

At least they got Joey Bart with the #2 overall pick a year after signing him, so thanks, Melancon!

[OutsiderFan]

Did Butterfield visited Cal this past weekend?

On Melancon, he was a guy I really wanted the Giants to land. He was tremendous for Pittsburgh, and then the Nationals nabbed him in a trade over the Giants, the year the Giants had the best record in MLB at the All-Star Break, and then had the worst record after, with a disintegrating bullpen responsible for countless losses.  They still made the Wildcard, but needed Melancon then. Instead, apparently unable to understand the team they had, the Giants signed Melancon as a high priced free agent the following off season, and it has been nothing but snake eyes for the player and team since. 

At least they got Joey Bart with the #2 overall pick a year after signing him, so thanks, Melancon!

[Mick]

Did Butterfield visited Cal this past weekend?

On Melancon, he was a guy I really wanted the Giants to land. He was tremendous for Pittsburgh, and then the Nationals nabbed him in a trade over the Giants, the year the Giants had the best record in MLB at the All-Star Break, and then had the worst record after, with a disintegrating bullpen responsible for countless losses.  They still made the Wildcard, but needed Melancon then. Instead, apparently unable to understand the team they had, the Giants signed Melancon as a high priced free agent the following off season, and it has been nothing but snake eyes for the player and team since. 

At least they got Joey Bart with the #2 overall pick a year after signing him, so thanks, Melancon!

Agreed, re: Melancon.

Bart is batting .412 (only Vogt, Panik and Belt among the starters are doing better) this spring with a 1.150 OPS.

BTW, Giants have 10th best batting average of 30 MLB teams this spring.  OPS is #24, though.  They're second in the majors in triples, but last in doubles and 23rd in HRs.

[Mick]

Did Butterfield visited Cal this past weekend?

On Melancon, he was a guy I really wanted the Giants to land. He was tremendous for Pittsburgh, and then the Nationals nabbed him in a trade over the Giants, the year the Giants had the best record in MLB at the All-Star Break, and then had the worst record after, with a disintegrating bullpen responsible for countless losses.  They still made the Wildcard, but needed Melancon then. Instead, apparently unable to understand the team they had, the Giants signed Melancon as a high priced free agent the following off season, and it has been nothing but snake eyes for the player and team since. 

At least they got Joey Bart with the #2 overall pick a year after signing him, so thanks, Melancon!

Agreed, re: Melancon.

Bart is batting .412 (only Vogt, Panik and Belt among the starters are doing better) this spring with a 1.150 OPS.

BTW, Giants have 10th best batting average of 30 MLB teams this spring.  OPS is #24, though.  They're second in the majors in triples, but last in doubles and 23rd in HRs.

[cardcrimson]

Melancon should be released. Admit the mistake and move on.

The first time I watched him pitch for the Giants, he was as high-strung as a shrew. I remember thinking, "This guy is a closer?".

[cardcrimson]

Melancon should be released. Admit the mistake and move on.

The first time I watched him pitch for the Giants, he was as high-strung as a shrew. I remember thinking, "This guy is a closer?".