[Phogge]

Slater went 0-3 with three strikeouts.  First hiccup at the major league level.

To be fair, Slater was out of the starting lineup because he had a fever. But Longoria got hurt and Bochy had to switch around some players, inserting Slater in right. Bad time to get sick - today, the outfielders are 8 for 12 after 6 innings as the Giants are benefitting from playing at altitude.

Giants lead 17-2 in the 8th. How did the Rockies get their safety?

Bochy was in touch with his Inner Shaw and punted from the Rockies 29. It was blocked and picked up by Toner who in his attempt to run got turned around and was tackled in the Stanford end zone.

[Phogge]

Slater went 0-3 with three strikeouts.  First hiccup at the major league level.

To be fair, Slater was out of the starting lineup because he had a fever. But Longoria got hurt and Bochy had to switch around some players, inserting Slater in right. Bad time to get sick - today, the outfielders are 8 for 12 after 6 innings as the Giants are benefitting from playing at altitude.

Giants lead 17-2 in the 8th. How did the Rockies get their safety?

Bochy was in touch with his Inner Shaw and punted from the Rockies 29. It was blocked and picked up by Toner who in his attempt to run got turned around and was tackled in the Stanford end zone.

[BobK]

Not just play two but win two
2-1.

O

[BobK]

Not just play two but win two
2-1.

O

[Mick]

Not just play two but win two
2-1.

O

And they're three back of Philadelphia for the wild card. On June 29, they were 12 games under .500, now they're four games under .500  They're the hottest team in baseball since June 23, they lead MLB in homers and runs scored in July, they've won 10 of 12, their pitching is coming back, the new guys are playing great, Austin Slater's a budding star and nobody wants to play the San Francisco Giants!

[Mick]

Not just play two but win two
2-1.

O

And they're three back of Philadelphia for the wild card. On June 29, they were 12 games under .500, now they're four games under .500  They're the hottest team in baseball since June 23, they lead MLB in homers and runs scored in July, they've won 10 of 12, their pitching is coming back, the new guys are playing great, Austin Slater's a budding star and nobody wants to play the San Francisco Giants!

[Goose]

Realistically, they are still a very flawed team. However, getting hot in the second half and clawing their way to the playoffs is not impossible, because most of the NL teams are also very flawed. Some of the "new blood" may be just enough to get them there. If Posey and Crawford post what used to be "normal" years for them, it would mean they played great in the second half, since they played not-so-great in the first half. Probably won't happen But it could.

[Goose]

Realistically, they are still a very flawed team. However, getting hot in the second half and clawing their way to the playoffs is not impossible, because most of the NL teams are also very flawed. Some of the "new blood" may be just enough to get them there. If Posey and Crawford post what used to be "normal" years for them, it would mean they played great in the second half, since they played not-so-great in the first half. Probably won't happen But it could.

[BostonCard]

Not just play two but win two
2-1.

O

And they're three back of Philadelphia for the wild card. On June 29, they were 12 games under .500, now they're four games under .500  They're the hottest team in baseball since June 23, they lead MLB in homers and runs scored in July, they've won 10 of 12, their pitching is coming back, the new guys are playing great, Austin Slater's a budding star and nobody wants to play the San Francisco Giants!

And/but we should try to get maximum value from the veterans and focus on rebuilding, right?  The upside is that the Giants get hot at the right time and take this momentum into October.  The downside is that this is a mirage that lasts just past the trade deadline, and the front office buys into it and decides not to trade for the future, but that the team reverts in The last couple months and winds up a few games out of the wildcard but without a rejuvenated farm system.

BC

[BostonCard]

Not just play two but win two
2-1.

O

And they're three back of Philadelphia for the wild card. On June 29, they were 12 games under .500, now they're four games under .500  They're the hottest team in baseball since June 23, they lead MLB in homers and runs scored in July, they've won 10 of 12, their pitching is coming back, the new guys are playing great, Austin Slater's a budding star and nobody wants to play the San Francisco Giants!

And/but we should try to get maximum value from the veterans and focus on rebuilding, right?  The upside is that the Giants get hot at the right time and take this momentum into October.  The downside is that this is a mirage that lasts just past the trade deadline, and the front office buys into it and decides not to trade for the future, but that the team reverts in The last couple months and winds up a few games out of the wildcard but without a rejuvenated farm system.

BC

[OutsiderFan]

Man are the Giants frustrating.  Just when you think they are headed for another possible run at 100 losses, and are resigned to getting your season's satisfaction out of what they can acquire at the trade deadline to help re-stock a mediocre farm system, the team starts playing .600 ball and is 3 GB of Wild Card #2 and 5 GB of Wild card #1. They were 14-13 in June and now 10-2 in July. Meanwhile, the Rockies, Padres, Phillies, and Brewers, all ahead for now, are going in the opposite direction.  

If the Giants continue winning 2/3 games for the next two weeks they will hold a Wild Card spot at the trade deadline. My suspicion is Giants ownership will not allow any trading away of anyone at the deadline if this is the case, because they will not be able to stop themselves from looking forward to more butts in seats in August and September with the team on such a run. An ownership who's MO has been "play meaningful games in September" isn't going to give that up.

[OutsiderFan]

Man are the Giants frustrating.  Just when you think they are headed for another possible run at 100 losses, and are resigned to getting your season's satisfaction out of what they can acquire at the trade deadline to help re-stock a mediocre farm system, the team starts playing .600 ball and is 3 GB of Wild Card #2 and 5 GB of Wild card #1. They were 14-13 in June and now 10-2 in July. Meanwhile, the Rockies, Padres, Phillies, and Brewers, all ahead for now, are going in the opposite direction.  

If the Giants continue winning 2/3 games for the next two weeks they will hold a Wild Card spot at the trade deadline. My suspicion is Giants ownership will not allow any trading away of anyone at the deadline if this is the case, because they will not be able to stop themselves from looking forward to more butts in seats in August and September with the team on such a run. An ownership who's MO has been "play meaningful games in September" isn't going to give that up.

[Phogge]

Hey guys just name the players they can get for Bum and Smith. If the names include Verdugo maybe I would go for it. But nobody is going to trade a “can’t miss” for them.

[Phogge]

Hey guys just name the players they can get for Bum and Smith. If the names include Verdugo maybe I would go for it. But nobody is going to trade a “can’t miss” for them.

[BobK]

I got lost on winning is frustrating

Sign Smith now.

[BobK]

I got lost on winning is frustrating

Sign Smith now.

[OutsiderFan]

I'm not a fan to see the team waddle around .500, Bob.  If you're not 10+ games over .500 at the trade deadline, you aren't a legit contender and fooling yourself into thinking staying status quo is going to improve the situation in terms of near and long-term planning.

The Athletic just did an article on contending NHL teams. One of the most consistent over the last decade has been the SJ Sharks. A primary reason is because they have been willing to make really tough personnel decisions that at the time were quite unpopular, but in the end made the team more competitive more consistently.

I do want Giants to trade the established assets for more younger ones, and re-sign them as Free Agents, but I also realize it will be politically unfeasible for the Giants to unload those guys to teams with a similar record and place in standings.

Just be glad I'm not this guy, Bob.  He doesn't even seem to recognize the Giants are now just 3 GB of a playoff spot. I'm at least acknowledging the trade priority for the Giants may be changing.
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/2719...y-deadline

[OutsiderFan]

I'm not a fan to see the team waddle around .500, Bob.  If you're not 10+ games over .500 at the trade deadline, you aren't a legit contender and fooling yourself into thinking staying status quo is going to improve the situation in terms of near and long-term planning.

The Athletic just did an article on contending NHL teams. One of the most consistent over the last decade has been the SJ Sharks. A primary reason is because they have been willing to make really tough personnel decisions that at the time were quite unpopular, but in the end made the team more competitive more consistently.

I do want Giants to trade the established assets for more younger ones, and re-sign them as Free Agents, but I also realize it will be politically unfeasible for the Giants to unload those guys to teams with a similar record and place in standings.

Just be glad I'm not this guy, Bob.  He doesn't even seem to recognize the Giants are now just 3 GB of a playoff spot. I'm at least acknowledging the trade priority for the Giants may be changing.
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/2719...y-deadline

[BobK]

There are 15 National League teams 2 are 10 Games over 500. So you should only root for those 2 teams. I disagree
Go Giants

[BobK]

There are 15 National League teams 2 are 10 Games over 500. So you should only root for those 2 teams. I disagree
Go Giants

[Goose]

I'm not a fan to see the team waddle around .500, Bob.  If you're not 10+ games over .500 at the trade deadline, you aren't a legit contender

There are 15 National League teams 2 are 10 Games over 500.    So you should only root for those 2 teams.   I disagree
Go Giants

This year, you are both correct. There are really only two "legit" contenders (maybe fewer, as those two teams got their great stats against teams that are not legit). However, that leaves three places up for grabs to non-legit teams. The giants could walk away from that phantom, or they could chase it. I expect they will chase it. Is that wise? I am sure we will discuss it until the outcome is clear.

The Giants may be justified in taking a chance on making the playoffs this year if they don't get any good offers for what they want to trade. Too many other teams are "on the bubble" for any of them to go into "buy at any cost" mode, so there just isn't that much out there. There isn't any non-legit team that can feel sure they are "one player away" and therefore can mortgage their future. That could change in the next two weeks, but it seems improbable.

[Goose]

I'm not a fan to see the team waddle around .500, Bob.  If you're not 10+ games over .500 at the trade deadline, you aren't a legit contender

There are 15 National League teams 2 are 10 Games over 500.    So you should only root for those 2 teams.   I disagree
Go Giants

This year, you are both correct. There are really only two "legit" contenders (maybe fewer, as those two teams got their great stats against teams that are not legit). However, that leaves three places up for grabs to non-legit teams. The giants could walk away from that phantom, or they could chase it. I expect they will chase it. Is that wise? I am sure we will discuss it until the outcome is clear.

The Giants may be justified in taking a chance on making the playoffs this year if they don't get any good offers for what they want to trade. Too many other teams are "on the bubble" for any of them to go into "buy at any cost" mode, so there just isn't that much out there. There isn't any non-legit team that can feel sure they are "one player away" and therefore can mortgage their future. That could change in the next two weeks, but it seems improbable.

[BobK]

Actually they are as many as 7 buyers in the AL. So it’s very possible Bum and one or two other starters could be traded. Actually Shark May be the 2nd choice of others

But trading Smith would be dumb and dumber unless they know they can’t resign him.

[BobK]

Actually they are as many as 7 buyers in the AL. So it’s very possible Bum and one or two other starters could be traded. Actually Shark May be the 2nd choice of others

But trading Smith would be dumb and dumber unless they know they can’t resign him.

[Phogge]

Tittle for Cordileone. Trading old for young. How did that work out mr. Spadia?

[Phogge]

Tittle for Cordileone. Trading old for young. How did that work out mr. Spadia?

[BobK]

Or my favorite. Forgive me Phogge
Trading Young Foster for Duffy.

Beware

[BobK]

Or my favorite. Forgive me Phogge
Trading Young Foster for Duffy.

Beware

[Phogge]

Bobbbbbbb, I told you writing that name would send me to the mattresses. I'll meet you under the bleachers at Del Oro HS, high noon on Wednesday.

[Phogge]

Bobbbbbbb, I told you writing that name would send me to the mattresses. I'll meet you under the bleachers at Del Oro HS, high noon on Wednesday.

[Goose]

Actually they are as many as 7 buyers in the AL.    So it’s very possible Bum and one or two other starters could be traded.  Actually Shark May be the 2nd choice of others

But trading Smith would be dumb and dumber unless they know they can’t resign him.

I am sure there are plenty of teams that WANT Bum. The question is, how much will they be willing to give up, especially for a short-term rental?

[Goose]

Actually they are as many as 7 buyers in the AL.    So it’s very possible Bum and one or two other starters could be traded.  Actually Shark May be the 2nd choice of others

But trading Smith would be dumb and dumber unless they know they can’t resign him.

I am sure there are plenty of teams that WANT Bum. The question is, how much will they be willing to give up, especially for a short-term rental?

[OutsiderFan]

The only teams that should consider making offers for Bumgarner and Smith are those who think they can put them over the top for a World Series.  That list is very short.

[OutsiderFan]

The only teams that should consider making offers for Bumgarner and Smith are those who think they can put them over the top for a World Series.  That list is very short.

[BobK]

Meet you at the baseball bleachers as we have a baseball commit from Del Oro.

I’ll refrain except in person in the future lol

[BobK]

Meet you at the baseball bleachers as we have a baseball commit from Del Oro.

I’ll refrain except in person in the future lol

[qwerty49]

Meet you at the baseball bleachers as we have a baseball commit from Del Oro.  

I’ll refrain except in person in the future lol

Just tell him you meant to say Matt Duffy.

[qwerty49]

Meet you at the baseball bleachers as we have a baseball commit from Del Oro.  

I’ll refrain except in person in the future lol

Just tell him you meant to say Matt Duffy.

[Mick]

I'm not a fan to see the team waddle around .500, Bob.  If you're not 10+ games over .500 at the trade deadline, you aren't a legit contender and fooling yourself into thinking staying status quo is going to improve the situation in terms of near and long-term planning.

Giants were fewer than 10 games over .500 at the trade deadline in 2012 and 2014.  They were 15 games over in 2010.

[Mick]

I'm not a fan to see the team waddle around .500, Bob.  If you're not 10+ games over .500 at the trade deadline, you aren't a legit contender and fooling yourself into thinking staying status quo is going to improve the situation in terms of near and long-term planning.

Giants were fewer than 10 games over .500 at the trade deadline in 2012 and 2014.  They were 15 games over in 2010.