SB Nation User Blog: BigO

Look who's pitching Saturday against the Bucs!

BigO — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:34:36 -0000

Look who's pitching Saturday against the Bucs!

Anyone else notice this in today's Chron? Who knew that the Giants had this kind of pull?

Angels reportedly eyeing Omar

BigO — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 05:48:00 -0000

Angels reportedly eyeing Omar

Rosenthal has it that, since Eckstein looks like he'll land with the Snakes, the Halos are considering making a play for Vizquel before the deadline.

I'd be glad to see Omar get a last (?) chance with a playoff team, but the Angels...?

BP on Giants Suspects

BigO — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:19:01 -0000

BP on Giants Suspects

Pretty sure you need a subscription for this one, but Jay Jaffe knocks the upper levels of the Giants system. I know, we do that all the time, but he also tries to ruin the Pablo-Ishi high...

Another roster move

BigO — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:30:29 -0000

Baggarly reports that we've made another swap with Fresno, this time for a fresh arm: Geno's going down, and Matt Palmer is coming up. Apparently this was needed because we've been abusing the bullpen over the last little while. Not as exciting as yesterday, but I'm all for seeing all these new guys.

Baggs also points out that we'll need to make another move to get the 40-man back down to size prior to today's game. He makes it sound like it will not be a trade. Maybe Merkin will be put on the 60-man?

He's not only the best prospect in the Giants system, but rates as one of the best pitching...

BigO — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:41:01 -0000

He's not only the best prospect in the Giants system, but rates as one of the best pitching prospects in all of baseball

- BP's Kevin Goldstein, on LHP Madison Bumgarner

Deadline rundown

BigO — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:22:31 -0000

Deadline rundown

I expect it is proprietary content, but BP's John Perrotto has a nice new list of what different teams are liable to do at the deadline. He classifies the Giants as "on the fence", says we're "still in contention", and that we'll be looking to move the likes of Durham, Aurilia, and Vizquel. Nothing new, right? EXCEPT then he says that the Giants would "be willing to trade some of their top pitching prospects for a young hitter who can bat in the middle of the order". Wow. I hadn't heard that anywhere else recently.

BP article

BigO — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:26:21 -0000

BP article

An article from BP outlines where contending teams are hurting most. Here is the link, for those with subscription.

Since WInn and Durham are, imho, our most tradeable commodities, it would seem (given the weaknesses pointed out in the article) that the following teams would be good matches for a deadline deal:

Braves (Winn)
Yankees (Winn and/or Durham)
Cardinals (Durham)
Indians (Winn and/or Durham).

Kline released by Phils

BigO — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:17:29 -0000

The Phils official site says so. Guess he bumped an ump the day before he was let go as well. That certainly makes for an easy excuse to send a guy packing. I hope he gets another gig - and expect he will - but I do not want him to return to the Giants, even on a minor league deal. I saw Latroy Hawkins (one of our other ex-relievers) throw in Oakland last night; this is only relevant because we dealt Latroy for Kline, and because I needed 75 words.

Last chances

BigO — Thu, 29 May 2008 23:05:48 -0000

Our boys will face the Unit tonight, Maddux tomorrow, and (it seems) Pedro next Tuesday. Unless I'm out of the loop on the way these things go, all 3 are first-ballot HOFers. This lineup, and Omar's record, have me thinking about taking advantage of seeing some of these superstars play a time or two before they have to hang 'em up. (I must be getting old, because you used to have to whack me over the head to recognize these kinds of things).

I actually saw the Unit in his first start of the year at the Phone Booth, and his difficulties had me thinking it may have been the last time. Clearly wrong. I expect Maddux will be around for a while, since it isn't as though he relies on velocity to befuddle hitters. Pedro? Well, let's just say that I'm considering trying to get down to the park next week. He's not yet 40, but who knows when one of these injuries will sideline him for good?

I'm also slowly realizing that I want to make a point of watching Omar closely when I get to games this season. He may not have the range, but you just can't replace the style and fluidity.

Anyone else extra conscious of this stuff lately? Any particular player you want to make sure to see? I expect Barry's departure was enough of this for some.

Time to deal the Special Agent

BigO — Thu, 22 May 2008 16:58:38 -0000

With the emergence of Sir Alex as a lefty in the pen, I figure it's time to deal Jack Taschner. Yes, it might make sense to wait until the deadline for this, but then a decision about Erick Threets is imminent, and he happens to be a southpaw as well. If you use the cutting edge WPA stat, Jack is one of the top set-up relievers in baseball (he's in the top 40 in WPA, so he could be the best reliever on a pen-weak team).

The trouble with the idea is that I don't know that you could pry even a second-tier prospect for him. But maybe there is a contending team really desperate for a lefty out of the pen. Any specific teams that come to mind? If you could get someone worthy of a 40-man spot, we could probably still transfer Roberts to the 60-day DL, no?