OT: Giants 2021

[wco81]

Yeah the Giants of all teams should know about dominant pitchers in the post season.

Though they defeated some good ones in winning their WS, including a younger Scherzer.

But Dodgers have won all 9 of Scherzer's start so far. Unless he gets injured, he's likely to start 2 or 3 more games and then be a key part of their post season rotation.

[HiRez]

But Dodgers have won all 9 of Scherzer's start so far. Unless he gets injured, he's likely to start 2 or 3 more games and then be a key part of their post season rotation.

If they have to use Scherzer heavily to force a play-in game, hopefully he'll be unavailable to pitch in that game.

[tarantism]

Today seemed like it was going so well...Dodgers were down, Giants took the lead. A three game lead would sure have been nice with 9 to go.

I think the Quintana experiment might be over. I was hoping he'd maybe show some of the form that had him as a top hurler in baseball but he looks cooked.

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[Samurai]

Seriously beginning to think Doval should be our closer, even if Jake McGhee were healthy. Doval has the stuff (100 mph, devastating slider) and ice in his veins that is closer-material.

[wco81]

You know the thing is, I hadn't watched baseball in awhile and I'm struck by how many pitchers throw 100 now.

There used to be only a handful of pitchers like that, like Randy Johnson, Nolan Ryan. Pedro Martinez. And more recently Chapman was one of the few closers who threw that hard.

Now, you see a lot of pitchers most people never heard of throwing that hard.

Maybe they changed the way they measured the pitch speed? In any event, hitters are cranking 97 or 98 MPH 4-seam fastball, getting around on those pitches and pulling them.

Back in the day, a pitcher with a 94 MPH fastball would dominate some games, just throwing mostly fastballs.

[tarantism]

Seriously beginning to think Doval should be our closer, even if Jake McGhee were healthy. Doval has the stuff (100 mph, devastating slider) and ice in his veins that is closer-material.

Kaplar is showing trust in him, as evidenced by throwing him out there in a high leverage tie ballgame at Coors field today. He's risen to the challenge and should at the very least have earned a spot on the playoff roster.

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[wco81]

Belt injured.

Xrays inconclusive they said.

Belt isn't in Zaidi's long-term plans but he's hit the most HRs as a Giant since Bonds hit ike 45 in 2004.

In fact no Giant has hit 30 since then.

If they can get him for say a couple of years at under $20 million a year, could be worth it because they may not have a prospect to hit 20 or more HRs. Zaidi can try to find another journeyman to bring some power production though.

[tarantism]

Belt injured.

Xrays inconclusive they said.

Belt isn't in Zaidi's long-term plans but he's hit the most HRs as a Giant since Bonds hit ike 45 in 2004.

In fact no Giant has hit 30 since then.

If they can get him for say a couple of years at under $20 million a year, could be worth it because they may not have a prospect to hit 20 or more HRs. Zaidi can try to find another journeyman to bring some power production though.

I thought he signed a 1 year extension?

Hopefully the hand doesn't keep him out long. I imagine he will be back for the playoffs, but they might be cautious until then.

Edit: yeah I guess he didn't. Dunno where I heard that he did.

[Scoots1994]

In the stretch, I think the Giants end the regular season on top.

Right now the wild card is Dodgers/Cardinals ... it won't be fun to open the post-season against either of them. This year it feels like the post season seeding should be based on record

[sonnyhill]

Belt injured.

Xrays inconclusive they said.

Belt isn't in Zaidi's long-term plans but he's hit the most HRs as a Giant since Bonds hit ike 45 in 2004.

In fact no Giant has hit 30 since then.

If they can get him for say a couple of years at under $20 million a year, could be worth it because they may not have a prospect to hit 20 or more HRs. Zaidi can try to find another journeyman to bring some power production though.

I thought he signed a 1 year extension?

Hopefully the hand doesn't keep him out long. I imagine he will be back for the playoffs, but they might be cautious until then.

Edit: yeah I guess he didn't. Dunno where I heard that he did.

I like your thinking on Belt and have enjoyed watching Belt's development and discipline when at the plate. Yet, the team also has LaMonte Wade Jr., a younger and less-expensive option with more versatility and athleticism, ready to plug-in and play.

Watching how Zaidi has built this roster, rebuilt the farm system and hire Kapler to manage the team has been quite enjoyable.

The media and the pundits did not expect the Giants to do well this season and we fans are being treated with a great team to watch and root for.

The argument against the "Moneyball" approach to building a roster is that while it allows for a team to win over the course of a 162-game schedule, it has challenges in the post season. It will be interesting to see how the Giants do in the playoffs.

Go Giants!!!

[wco81]

I mean have the A's ever won a WS under Billy Beane?

I'm not sure they even won a playoffs series.

They definitely punch above their weight.

I don't know if the Tampa Bay Rays use the money ball approach. They must, because their payroll is so little?


The thing is, Zaidi hasn't spent real money yet. He's trying to bring down the payroll, something which he never would have to do if he was still with the Dodgers.

But the option is there, for him to spend money if he wants to.

A season ago, the Giants ownership apparently got the team to bid on Harper and Zaidi didn't seem that enthusiastic.

Well Harper has hit 35, 13 (58 games in the pandemic season) and so far 34 HRs. His WAR was 4.2, 1.7 and 5.8 currently which is #10 in the MLB. Crawford on the Giants has the highest WAR at 5.3 or #16.

Would Harper help in RF? Probably, though maybe not worth the value of his contract.

But Giants have enough revenues that Zaidi could splurge if he thought he needed one more piece. Dodgers gave Bauer a huge contract for one or two seasons and his personal life basically made that a costly bet. Hell Bauer has two more seasons of player options at $35 million. Maybe the Dodgers are hoping MLB never reinstates him or they will try to sever that contract, which will be challenged.

Otherwise, they have to look at re-signing Scherzer, Kershaw, Janssen, Seager and Chris Taylor, who's having a big contract year.

So Giants may be able to compete next year, though they have a lot of UFAs as well -- Belt, Solano, Bryant, Gausman, DiSclafani, Wood, Quintana, Watson, Leone.

[Scoots1994]

The MLB postseason is dominated by pitching ... and the Giants staff is capable ... and are mostly free agents.

[sonnyhill]

I mean have the A's ever won a WS under Billy Beane?

I'm not sure they even won a playoffs series.

They definitely punch above their weight.

I don't know if the Tampa Bay Rays use the money ball approach. They must, because their payroll is so little?


The thing is, Zaidi hasn't spent real money yet. He's trying to bring down the payroll, something which he never would have to do if he was still with the Dodgers.

But the option is there, for him to spend money if he wants to.

A season ago, the Giants ownership apparently got the team to bid on Harper and Zaidi didn't seem that enthusiastic.

Well Harper has hit 35, 13 (58 games in the pandemic season) and so far 34 HRs. His WAR was 4.2, 1.7 and 5.8 currently which is #10 in the MLB. Crawford on the Giants has the highest WAR at 5.3 or #16.

Would Harper help in RF? Probably, though maybe not worth the value of his contract.

But Giants have enough revenues that Zaidi could splurge if he thought he needed one more piece. Dodgers gave Bauer a huge contract for one or two seasons and his personal life basically made that a costly bet. Hell Bauer has two more seasons of player options at $35 million. Maybe the Dodgers are hoping MLB never reinstates him or they will try to sever that contract, which will be challenged.

Otherwise, they have to look at re-signing Scherzer, Kershaw, Janssen, Seager and Chris Taylor, who's having a big contract year.

So Giants may be able to compete next year, though they have a lot of UFAs as well -- Belt, Solano, Bryant, Gausman, DiSclafani, Wood, Quintana, Watson, Leone.

The Giants are in a really good place as it pertains to how to allocate dollars for payroll next season as more money comes off the books with expiring contracts.

The versatility of this roster along with the strength of the Giant farm system and expiring contracts give Zaidi lots of space to maneuver.

I especially like the position players on this team and the depth of the bullpen; yet, it would not surprise me to see the team make a splash in free agency and pick up a #1 starter and perhaps a "more traditional" closer-reliever.

Keeping my fingers crossed for the team to win the division and hoping that Belt's fractured thumb heals up correctly.

[shazam_guy]

The Belt news is horrible. That poor guy has just been snake-bit. He doesn't even crowd the plate, particularly, but he keeps getting hit. He's only played half a season this year, but has carried the team when he's been in.

Injuries suck. We've had a lot of them. I'll get back to enjoying the season soon, but the news about Belt makes me sad.

[tarantism]

Doval should be the closer even after McGee returns.

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[shazam_guy]

If Doval will let his catchers call the game, I think he might be the closer of the future. Certainly when you start with a 100 mph fastball and a pretty good slider, you've got the right ingredients.

[wco81]

Belt is on the 10-day IL but saw a headline that it may take as much as a month to heal.

[sonnyhill]

If Doval will let his catchers call the game, I think he might be the closer of the future. Certainly when you start with a 100 mph fastball and a pretty good slider, you've got the right ingredients.

Camilo Doval = Hunter Strickland with a brain!

[shazam_guy]

Way to collapse, Padres. Couldn't hold a 9-5 lead. When was the last time San Diego beat the Dodgers this year? I swear they're looking for ways to lose to LA.

[watch1958]

Way to collapse, Padres. Couldn't hold a 9-5 lead. When was the last time San Diego beat the Dodgers this year? I swear they're looking for ways to lose to LA.

4home runs off one guy in one frame.