[Giants]

Gausman just wasn’t the same guy in the second half. Let’s wait until the season starts before we panic guys.

I think that long term free agent pitcher contracts turn into Barry Zito or Johnny Cueto too often.  Super-expensive, and they get one good year out of them.  Giants got an 18-5 year from Cueto when he was 30, then Cueto turned 31 (same age as Gausman is now) and he has won 21 games total in the five seasons since then.  Zito had a seven year contract with the Giants and had one (1) winning season...and had a 4.15 ERA during that season.

As far as Gausman goes...he was unhittable through June 23, at which point his ERA was 1.49 and he was 8-1.  Then on 6/29 he gave up three runs and five walks in five innings and on July 5 he gave up two runs (just five base runners) in seven innings with 8 strikeouts.  ERA 1.74.  He hit the wall on July 19; two HRs in three innings, no decision.  Gave up six earned runs on July 24th to pick up his fourth loss (ERA climbed to 2.21) and gave up three runs in 4 1/3rd on 7/30, losing again to fall 9-5.  After 110 innings...he hit the wall.

I don't think SF wanted him for one season, and knew that he wanted a multi year contract.  At 5 years, $110 mms., I anticipate one good year, and at some point Shapiro or Atkins, maybe LaCava ends up losing their jobs.

I agree about the risk of long term pitcher contracts, but if you don't spend on pitching you need to spend on hitting and fielding.

Regarding the 1H/2H numbers, I addressed that above. If he actually hit a wall then his strikeout and walk rates would have declined instead of improved.

Carlos Rodon and Seiya Suzuki are the two guys I think SF should focus on.  I think they could get Rodon at below market term/$$ due to his health concerns and Suzuki at market rate.

[Giants]

Gausman just wasn’t the same guy in the second half. Let’s wait until the season starts before we panic guys.

I think that long term free agent pitcher contracts turn into Barry Zito or Johnny Cueto too often.  Super-expensive, and they get one good year out of them.  Giants got an 18-5 year from Cueto when he was 30, then Cueto turned 31 (same age as Gausman is now) and he has won 21 games total in the five seasons since then.  Zito had a seven year contract with the Giants and had one (1) winning season...and had a 4.15 ERA during that season.

As far as Gausman goes...he was unhittable through June 23, at which point his ERA was 1.49 and he was 8-1.  Then on 6/29 he gave up three runs and five walks in five innings and on July 5 he gave up two runs (just five base runners) in seven innings with 8 strikeouts.  ERA 1.74.  He hit the wall on July 19; two HRs in three innings, no decision.  Gave up six earned runs on July 24th to pick up his fourth loss (ERA climbed to 2.21) and gave up three runs in 4 1/3rd on 7/30, losing again to fall 9-5.  After 110 innings...he hit the wall.

I don't think SF wanted him for one season, and knew that he wanted a multi year contract.  At 5 years, $110 mms., I anticipate one good year, and at some point Shapiro or Atkins, maybe LaCava ends up losing their jobs.

I agree about the risk of long term pitcher contracts, but if you don't spend on pitching you need to spend on hitting and fielding.

Regarding the 1H/2H numbers, I addressed that above. If he actually hit a wall then his strikeout and walk rates would have declined instead of improved.

Carlos Rodon and Seiya Suzuki are the two guys I think SF should focus on.  I think they could get Rodon at below market term/$$ due to his health concerns and Suzuki at market rate.