[lex24]

Interesting article by Angelina Martin. She claims that Mike Petriello used FanGraph's WAR projections to determine the league's most improved roster. The result? Giants had the fourth best offseason (added 7.2 WAR) behind the Mets, Yankees and Rangers.

Giants greatly improved roster despite odd offseason, WAR stat shows

Petriello says that the Giants both improved the roster and had a disappointing winter. They didn't get Arson Judge and they didn't get Balsa Wood Ankles Correa, but...they built an entirely new outfield with Haniger and Conforto, they retained Joc Pederson, the reinforced their rotation with Stripling and Manaea, they had a of immense proportions bullpen upgrade in Rogers -- Taylor, that is. And Luke Jackson, whenever he returns. And DeSclefani will return.  And Logan Webb is sharing his world class changeup grip to the entire pitching staff.  They have a few new catchers -- and just about anyone is an upgrade from Bart. Maybe Joey Bart will recapture his August, 2022 magic and be his own upgrade. They'll have Villar for the full year, and Wade and Estrada can concentrate on one position.

88+ wins...

The funny thing is that most of the Giants should have an excellent, if not full turnaround year.

78.

Vegas' O/U line for Giants season wins is 88.5...

Ex-Stanford pitcher Tristan Beck is starting the opening game of the Cactus League today. Former Stanford player Austin Slater gets the start in the outfield. With two ex-Cardinals on the field, how can the Giants lose? I pity the Cubs...

Easy under…. :)

Beck might get a shot for at least a cup of coffee. Giants had something like 67 players last year. 32 of whom are no longer in the organization. I wanted him up last year, but he wasn’t on the 40. Is now. Of their starting pitchers in the minors (which now means they can go 5 on a good day) he’s behind Harrison and probably Winn. Although Harrison will be handled differently. He will get a call when they think he’s ready to stick. Beck more likely to get a call when the inevitable injuries strike and they need a guy for an emergency start. Kind of like what Hjelle has been doing.

Trades don’t happen that much in the spring. But if the Giants could trade Hjelle and another mid level prospect for a backup middle infielder that can actually field, I’d be quite happy. If he can run as well, I’d be thrilled.

Speed is, I think, coming back as an element of the game. At least I hope….

Speaking of speed - Padres 2 hours 29 min.  Rangers 2 hours 33 min.  Pitch clock is going to make a big difference.  It will be nice for the Giants game to be over by 9:30 instead of 10:15. Those late games are rough. Especially when they blow it and I keep running it through my mind. Silly I know.

My guess is the clock impacts relievers that throw gas the most. Doval has mentioned it. Not easy to throw 102 and quickly repeat. That is going to be good for the game. Controlling injuries to pitchers going to be even more important. One possible impact ( down the road) might be the return of pitchers. You remember them. Guys that changed speeds, hit targets, in/out, up/down, worked fast, used their defense. Could get through 7 . I’m hopeful.

Someone mentioned Rick Reuschel the other day. Loved to watch him. He’d just pump fastballs - varying the speed, and movement and location. Ground ball after ground ball. Fielded his position. Could hit - although if ahead late he’d often just stand in box take 3 and sit. There are no Rick Reuschel’s today. He didn’t “miss bats” enough. He just got hitters out.

[lex24]

Interesting article by Angelina Martin. She claims that Mike Petriello used FanGraph's WAR projections to determine the league's most improved roster. The result? Giants had the fourth best offseason (added 7.2 WAR) behind the Mets, Yankees and Rangers.

Giants greatly improved roster despite odd offseason, WAR stat shows

Petriello says that the Giants both improved the roster and had a disappointing winter. They didn't get Arson Judge and they didn't get Balsa Wood Ankles Correa, but...they built an entirely new outfield with Haniger and Conforto, they retained Joc Pederson, the reinforced their rotation with Stripling and Manaea, they had a of immense proportions bullpen upgrade in Rogers -- Taylor, that is. And Luke Jackson, whenever he returns. And DeSclefani will return.  And Logan Webb is sharing his world class changeup grip to the entire pitching staff.  They have a few new catchers -- and just about anyone is an upgrade from Bart. Maybe Joey Bart will recapture his August, 2022 magic and be his own upgrade. They'll have Villar for the full year, and Wade and Estrada can concentrate on one position.

88+ wins...

The funny thing is that most of the Giants should have an excellent, if not full turnaround year.

78.

Vegas' O/U line for Giants season wins is 88.5...

Ex-Stanford pitcher Tristan Beck is starting the opening game of the Cactus League today. Former Stanford player Austin Slater gets the start in the outfield. With two ex-Cardinals on the field, how can the Giants lose? I pity the Cubs...

Easy under…. :)

Beck might get a shot for at least a cup of coffee. Giants had something like 67 players last year. 32 of whom are no longer in the organization. I wanted him up last year, but he wasn’t on the 40. Is now. Of their starting pitchers in the minors (which now means they can go 5 on a good day) he’s behind Harrison and probably Winn. Although Harrison will be handled differently. He will get a call when they think he’s ready to stick. Beck more likely to get a call when the inevitable injuries strike and they need a guy for an emergency start. Kind of like what Hjelle has been doing.

Trades don’t happen that much in the spring. But if the Giants could trade Hjelle and another mid level prospect for a backup middle infielder that can actually field, I’d be quite happy. If he can run as well, I’d be thrilled.

Speed is, I think, coming back as an element of the game. At least I hope….

Speaking of speed - Padres 2 hours 29 min.  Rangers 2 hours 33 min.  Pitch clock is going to make a big difference.  It will be nice for the Giants game to be over by 9:30 instead of 10:15. Those late games are rough. Especially when they blow it and I keep running it through my mind. Silly I know.

My guess is the clock impacts relievers that throw gas the most. Doval has mentioned it. Not easy to throw 102 and quickly repeat. That is going to be good for the game. Controlling injuries to pitchers going to be even more important. One possible impact ( down the road) might be the return of pitchers. You remember them. Guys that changed speeds, hit targets, in/out, up/down, worked fast, used their defense. Could get through 7 . I’m hopeful.

Someone mentioned Rick Reuschel the other day. Loved to watch him. He’d just pump fastballs - varying the speed, and movement and location. Ground ball after ground ball. Fielded his position. Could hit - although if ahead late he’d often just stand in box take 3 and sit. There are no Rick Reuschel’s today. He didn’t “miss bats” enough. He just got hitters out.