SB Nation User Blog: Smoke on the Water

Outside the box draft thought...

Smoke on the Water — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:32:44 -0000

So by now, we've all heard most of the names who are widely considered to be possibilities to go to the Giants at No. 6 in the draft. Some of us are still holding out for a miracle (Dustin Ackley/Aaron Crow), others have settled on the high upside bats (Grant Green/Donovan Tate), and still others would be perfectly content if the Giants plucked another high upside starter from the high school ranks.

Well, in a draft like this, without the star power college bats, that, say, last year had (God what I wouldn't give for a shot at a Justin Smoak or Brett Wallace at #6 this year), any of those seem like it could be an interesting selection, and quite valid. Basically, with so little certainty this year, it would be difficult to picture a selection that was so far out of left field that it actually sent many fans off the deep end, ranting and raving about the ineptitude about Brian Sabean. Matzek? Ok. Tate? Let's hope they're able to develop him. Strasburg? OMGWHTFBBQ!

But lately, I've been thinking of one selection that WOULD probably piss a lot of people here off. And it seems like I'm not the only one. Check out the notes for the Giants on Jonathan Mayo's recent mock draft.

That Drew Storen mention? Yeah, that's the guy who's got me thinking.

Storen, for those who don't know, has been Stanford's lights out closer for the past two seasons. He's a draft eligible sophomore largely expected to be the first reliever off the board, somewhere in the late first round. He's got electric stuff and tremendous control-- outside of one or two rough outings, he was nothing short of spectacular for the Cardinal this season. In 42.2 IP, he recorded 66 strikeouts and just eight walks. And that was against top-notch competition. Aside from the usual Pac-10 slate, Storen did very well against Vanderbilt and Texas in the non-conference schedule. In short, it sure looks like he's got everything it would take to be a top-notch major league reliever.

But here's where I sort of start to get interested... because other than the fact that relief pitching is what he did in college, I have to wonder if there's any reason Storen couldn't be viewed as a prospect to start, and be damn good at it, at the ML level. In full disclosure, I'm a Stanford student and somewhat of a homer. I've met Storen once or twice, but really he's more a friend of a friend. But the rumors have it that part of the reason he's been so eager to leave school early (even before he cemented his status as a first round talent) was that he WANTS to start. Indeed, prior to the start of this season, I really thought that's where he should be, personally. And I kinda wonder if Stanford's season might've gone differently if he had. I know of no reason why he couldn't start, and sort of feel like when a guy is so obviously the best pitcher on your staff, you need to give him that chance. But that's never something that Stanford did.

So, anyway, I wanted to throw this out there as an idea: say the Giants drafted Storen, but with the notion to give him a shot as a starter. If that failed, he could, theoretically, always return to the bullpen and be a top closing prospect (I feel like he's got that kind of mentality where a little failure as a starter role wouldn't crush his confidence as a reliever). Grant posted a little earlier that there is no such thing as a safe pitching prospect, because, well, TINSTAAP. And that's a valid point. But so far as it goes, I have to believe that a pitcher with Storen's numbers against top competition and raw stuff make him about as safe as pitching prospect gets-- as a reliever at least. Add in the possible upside of ace stuff as a starter, and, well, I think maybe you get the picture. I'm starting to become intrigued by the possibility of shocking the baseball world and drafting Storen at sixth. He's got that great combination of possibly a really high ceiling, coupled with a solid floor as well. Worst case scenario, he's a very good bullpen arm or flames out (as is a possibility with any pitcher). Best case? Front of the rotation star.

I'm definitely intrigued. Not sold (far from it), but intrigued at least. What do you think of Storen? Is there a prospect out there who you think might be a good fit for the Giants at six that isn't getting much attention as a possibility at that spot?

Khalil Greene to St. Louis

Smoke on the Water — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:04:02 -0000

Khalil Greene to St. Louis

Who's the new most despised single player in the division? I feel like Greene took that baton from Gagne... Manny wasn't really around long enough, but I'm sure he was well on his way. My vote goes to Andre Ethier-- I hate how much he kills Cain.

Also, just a gut feeling, but I'm betting Peavy is still on his way out too, contrary to the link's speculation.

Jayson Stark backs Lincecum for NL Cy Young

Smoke on the Water — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:39:20 -0000

Jayson Stark backs Lincecum for NL Cy Young

It's about freaking time somebody over at espn brought this up.

OT: Manny on the outs in Boston

Smoke on the Water — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 22:29:42 -0000

I just noticed in Buster Olney's blog that there's apparently been yet another incident of "Manny being Manny" with the Red Sox, and if Boston sports columnists are to be believed, he could be gone soon.

I should start by mentioning that there's obviously no way Ramirez fits the Giants plans, seeing as how he's 36 and all. I should also mention that I, personally, doubt that Manny will be traded because Theo Epstein seems like a smart guy who should realize that dealing away one of the best right handed hitters in history is probably a bad move when you're in the middle of a fairly tight pennant race. Boston has a lot of very good hitters, but you can make the argument that Manny is the only one of them who's truly GREAT right this minute (or at least he can be when he wants to). True, that might change when Big Papi returns, and JD Drew is playing lights out right now, but Ortiz isn't back yet and counting on Drew to maintain awesomeness has always been a bad bet in the past. Long story short, Manny is a big part of what makes Boston's offense go, and I honestly doubt that they'll trade him.

But this wouldn't be a very fun fanpost if I stopped there. So I got to thinking: IF they were to trade Manny, where would he go? Well, it seems that we could assume a few things--

1) it would be to a team that wants to win now. So no teams in rebuilding mode.

2) You've got to have a big budget, because he's going to cost you $20 million.

3) The Sox probably wouldn't want to trade him to another contender in the AL. They're going for it all this year and it would be pretty embarrassing to get the crap kicked out of you by a motivated Manny in the postseason.

4) The Sox would want something decent in return. Something that says "We didn't give up one of the best hitters in the game for nothing. See Manny didn't win, WE WON." Since they're fairly set at most positions right now and there wouldn't appear to be a 1-1 deal out there where they could find a corner OF to replace Manny right away, that probably means prospects/young players.

So why don't you do what I did. Sit there, add those up, and how do you not come up with the Dodgers as a logical destination? They need power. They've got youth to deal. They're in the NL, and they're trying to win a very weak West right now.

Secret agent Ned, now is your time to shine. Kershaw and Kemp for Manny. Do it. Do it now. LA still gets bounced in the postseason by one of the better teams in the Central/East, and they give up a pair of their best prospects for a few years of a declining, malcontent LF.

Comment Starter: Do you think Ramirez will be traded and would the Dodgers be a fit?

Links to sources below (Olney's blog is Insider only so I didn't list it, but if you have an Insider account, I'm sure you know where to go):

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/07/26/now_hes_a_guaranteed_out/

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/columnists/view/2008_07_26_Latest_episode_means_it_s_time_to_get_rid_of_Manny_Ramirez_/srvc=sports&position=0

[/end mostly baseless speculation]

Also, it's my first fanpost. it may well suck. but at least it was 75 words :)