[lex24]

Duggar traded. At least they received something in return instead of just releasing him. The Giants longterm problem is managing the gap between now and the time when the so-called "prospects" are ready. Vaun Brown, Pomares, Luciano, Schmidt, McCray, Sean Roby, etc. Matos is hurt, Bishop, Toribio and Bailey are near the Mendoza Line in Eugene.

A question for the latent general managers on this thread. The Giants need to fill three or four gaps for 2023. A real closer with real stones, a third baseman, a right handed hitting OFer and a starter. How can they do it? Prospects? of immense proportions cash outlay? Not going to be easy.

Third base - Giants have a prospect, David Villar. He’s never listed as one of their top prospects.  Yet he hit 20 HRs last year in Richmond (historically a tough place to hit in a tough hitting league) and has 20 HRs with an OPS over 1.000 in Sac. He’s 25. He is not on the 40.  Giants keep sticking guys like Yearmin Mercedes and Donovan Walton on the 40.   I’d rather see Villar on the 40 and called up.  Let’s see what he’s got.  He could be another good RH bat.  Or he could be Brett Pill. But they won’t know until he’s called up.  

I’ve seen enough of Donovan Watson. Can’t hit.  Has an arm like a wet noodle.

Longoria looks like he’s 60.  Bat slow.  And it takes a triple to score him from second. I’d like to see Villar up and get some ABs. Both Susan Slusher and Melissa Lockard (covers Giants minor league system for “The Athletic “) speak very highly of him. So, maybe he’s a possibility in ‘23.  If not later this year. 

Doval is fine.  If I’m the Giants, I have him spend the off season working on  a change up.  Something he can use vs lefties.  Right now he’s fastball, slider only. Both are plus pitches. If he can add a decent change up, he’s gonna be very very good. I also think the staff screwed him up a bit by having him focus on a slide step.  I get why they did it (although no one runs much these days), but he seemed to struggle with it.  I think they have told him to scrap it.  He won’t be the first closer that is easy to run on.  

I do think they will seek bullpen help at the deadline.  But so will every other contender.  Won’t be a closer - costs too much in prospects.  But depth pieces. They will also add some next year.  FA and scrap heap reclamation projects.  But I don’t expect them to sign a closer.  

As for starting pitching,  Rodon will exercise his option.  So, they will lose him. They will find someone on FA market.  But most likely a middling starter or two they can sign for 3 years or less at a “reasonable “ price. Like they did with Wood and DeSclafani. 

Giants passed on every available RH hitting OF this off season.  Despite an obvious need.  So, unless Johnson and Company change course and stop pretending they are a mid level team, I don’t expect a big splash there.

I’ll add one other need - speed.  Giants may be the slowest team I’ve ever seen. Course, half the team has some leg issue.  You could grab 4 guys off this website and beat Longoria, Belt, Flores and Crawford in a relay. Add Pederson and Ruf to the list of plodders. And of course, Tommy La Stella. Who as far as I can tell brings almost nothing to the table. His best skill historically has been low K with a decent OBP. Both not happening. He’s slow and is a liability defensively.

 Slater fastest guy on team.  I read recently he is the only Giant in top 25% speed wise.  The lack of speed hurts them defensively and offensively.  Giants don’t seem to care, however.  Walks and homers….  And GPS positioning…. 

Giants have also decided they don’t need “stars”. It’s all about process and depth. Mix, match.  Platoon.  Etc.  Grab a bunch of fringe players, dump them in Sac and slot them in when necessary.  If they fail - dump and bring up the next guy.  It’s dizzying. Some have worked out quite well. Wade last year.  Gonzalez this year.  Others have failed.  The Stuart Fairchilds and Papierskis….  

 Personally, I think you can do process and depth AND have a couple stars to anchor your lineup.

---

David Villar... Sacto, 20 HR, 58 RBI, .279. Bring him up (to the tune of lock him up)!

Like seemingly most Giants prospects, Villar has a very high strikeout rate. The theory is that is keeping him from being called up or even put on the 40.

Everyone strikes out a lot.  No one else in AAA is putting up anything close to his other numbers.  What do they have to lose by giving him a shot?  Yearmin Mercedes?  Donovan Walton.  Please…..

[lex24]

Duggar traded. At least they received something in return instead of just releasing him. The Giants longterm problem is managing the gap between now and the time when the so-called "prospects" are ready. Vaun Brown, Pomares, Luciano, Schmidt, McCray, Sean Roby, etc. Matos is hurt, Bishop, Toribio and Bailey are near the Mendoza Line in Eugene.

A question for the latent general managers on this thread. The Giants need to fill three or four gaps for 2023. A real closer with real stones, a third baseman, a right handed hitting OFer and a starter. How can they do it? Prospects? of immense proportions cash outlay? Not going to be easy.

Third base - Giants have a prospect, David Villar. He’s never listed as one of their top prospects.  Yet he hit 20 HRs last year in Richmond (historically a tough place to hit in a tough hitting league) and has 20 HRs with an OPS over 1.000 in Sac. He’s 25. He is not on the 40.  Giants keep sticking guys like Yearmin Mercedes and Donovan Walton on the 40.   I’d rather see Villar on the 40 and called up.  Let’s see what he’s got.  He could be another good RH bat.  Or he could be Brett Pill. But they won’t know until he’s called up.  

I’ve seen enough of Donovan Watson. Can’t hit.  Has an arm like a wet noodle.

Longoria looks like he’s 60.  Bat slow.  And it takes a triple to score him from second. I’d like to see Villar up and get some ABs. Both Susan Slusher and Melissa Lockard (covers Giants minor league system for “The Athletic “) speak very highly of him. So, maybe he’s a possibility in ‘23.  If not later this year. 

Doval is fine.  If I’m the Giants, I have him spend the off season working on  a change up.  Something he can use vs lefties.  Right now he’s fastball, slider only. Both are plus pitches. If he can add a decent change up, he’s gonna be very very good. I also think the staff screwed him up a bit by having him focus on a slide step.  I get why they did it (although no one runs much these days), but he seemed to struggle with it.  I think they have told him to scrap it.  He won’t be the first closer that is easy to run on.  

I do think they will seek bullpen help at the deadline.  But so will every other contender.  Won’t be a closer - costs too much in prospects.  But depth pieces. They will also add some next year.  FA and scrap heap reclamation projects.  But I don’t expect them to sign a closer.  

As for starting pitching,  Rodon will exercise his option.  So, they will lose him. They will find someone on FA market.  But most likely a middling starter or two they can sign for 3 years or less at a “reasonable “ price. Like they did with Wood and DeSclafani. 

Giants passed on every available RH hitting OF this off season.  Despite an obvious need.  So, unless Johnson and Company change course and stop pretending they are a mid level team, I don’t expect a big splash there.

I’ll add one other need - speed.  Giants may be the slowest team I’ve ever seen. Course, half the team has some leg issue.  You could grab 4 guys off this website and beat Longoria, Belt, Flores and Crawford in a relay. Add Pederson and Ruf to the list of plodders. And of course, Tommy La Stella. Who as far as I can tell brings almost nothing to the table. His best skill historically has been low K with a decent OBP. Both not happening. He’s slow and is a liability defensively.

 Slater fastest guy on team.  I read recently he is the only Giant in top 25% speed wise.  The lack of speed hurts them defensively and offensively.  Giants don’t seem to care, however.  Walks and homers….  And GPS positioning…. 

Giants have also decided they don’t need “stars”. It’s all about process and depth. Mix, match.  Platoon.  Etc.  Grab a bunch of fringe players, dump them in Sac and slot them in when necessary.  If they fail - dump and bring up the next guy.  It’s dizzying. Some have worked out quite well. Wade last year.  Gonzalez this year.  Others have failed.  The Stuart Fairchilds and Papierskis….  

 Personally, I think you can do process and depth AND have a couple stars to anchor your lineup.

---

David Villar... Sacto, 20 HR, 58 RBI, .279. Bring him up (to the tune of lock him up)!

Like seemingly most Giants prospects, Villar has a very high strikeout rate. The theory is that is keeping him from being called up or even put on the 40.

Everyone strikes out a lot.  No one else in AAA is putting up anything close to his other numbers.  What do they have to lose by giving him a shot?  Yearmin Mercedes?  Donovan Walton.  Please…..