In the wake of the incredible Cain-Lee performance, there hasn't been that much discussion on the incredible feat of Bartolo Colon. 38 straight strikes. Unreal. Colon has been excellent so far this season. And assuming he stays healthy, he will be on the block for a contender come the deadline.
Beane, of course, loves to trade to NL West contenders that aren't the Giants. So - what are the odds that Colon ends up with either the Dodgers or the D'Backs. I'm saying about 70%.

The state of the Giants outfield "depth" is such that I am actually thinking about what it would look like to have Blanco make the team. That leaves the 5 non-regulars as - Stewart (I hope), Pill, Fontenot, Theriot and Blanco. That also means, of course, that Belt starts out in Fresno, but I'm just assumng that happens anyway. Not saying I want it to, just assuming so.

Blanco has one and a half offensive skills. He walks and he can run a bit. Hey, maybe that is enough to be the fourth outfielder right now. Speaks volumes. Pray that Melky, Angel and Nate stay healthy.

its not that he is incompetent - in fact, he's been a pretty good GM over the years and at times, an excellent one.  The problem with Brian Sabean is that he is a jerk.  And that rears its ugly head every time he is questioned.  Sabean does not take any responsibility when things go bad.  Ever.     Moreover, when challenged, even slightly, he lashes out.  And the result ain't pretty.  He did so again in his interview  Wednesday.  In so doing, he gratuitously threw both Brett Pill and Brandon Belt under the bus.  First, he says this about Pill:   
""He's had a nice year statistically. I think he's got a base-hit swing. But how much damage within that swing he could provide, I'm not sure. If we all were sold with any of those guys, they'd already have been up here trying to help us."  Wow.  Translated - he's a AAAA guy.  Now that may be true.  But why say it.  How bout - Brett's had a great year in AAA and we look forward to seeing if he can help us in the future.  We did not feel he was ready right now."  Then he takes out Belt:  ""We've seen his ups and downs -- Belt is far from a finished product or an established major league player yet," Sabean said."And he's playing of late, and he's showing one of the reasons that he had to go back to the minor leagues. He's also showing flashes of helping us, and he has helped us win a couple games."  Unbelievable.  How bout this instead:  Brandon has shown flashes of the player we know he will be.  Its a learning process and he's been forced by circumstances to be up somewhat sooner than we would have liked.  It's unrealistic to think he'll be the savior.  That is too much pressure to put on a young player.  But we really like what we see. 

As I said - Sabean's biggest problem is he's a jerk.  And it truly comes to light when anyone has the temerity to suggest that he may have been less than perfect.

July 31 approaches.  It is always an important part of the year.  Not just who the Giants do or do not pick up.  But also who the competition does or does not aquire.. So, I'd love to see someone post a list of deadline targets - not just for the Giants - but also the Rockies and D'Backs. 

I just can't see the Giants standing pat.  The offense is not going to turn around without an infusion of some talent.  I don't see them getting the "one big stick" (ie Reyes, Beltran) as that will be too costly in terms of who they have to give up.  But I'm hopeful they get a couple of decent pieces to improve the anemia.

Thoughts?

This has been an amazing year to date.  Horrible injuries.  An early schedule that only the most ardent Ginat hater could like.  And a pile of one run victories.  Add it up and its incredible that this team is two games up.  With the deadline fast approaching - what do you see the Giants doing?  Has Crawford settled the fears at SS?  Or is their still a move to be made their if his bat goes south.  Catcher is, I believe, an acute need.  But who?  I've talked about Pudge - but only because I think he will be the cheapest to obtain.  Giving up any realprospects for a catcher makes no sense - unless they have determined that Buster is not gonna catch anymore.  Trading Sanchy?  I think his value has dropped precipitously.  Plus we have to see if Vogelsong is for real.  In short, it should be a very interesting month or so.

I'm interested in your thoughts on this one.

Big roster decisions loom.  Personally I think the first move is obvious.  Release Tejada.  He's been downright awful,  One of the worst players in the major leagues.  But of course that means eating a contract.  Second move a bit tougher.   Look at the outfield.  You have 6 - 3 that are safe - Torres, Nate,and Ross.  (I'nm including Belt as both an outfielder and an infielder as he will do both) Assuming Tejada is released you have backup infielders in Burriss, Fontenot and Belt.  My guess is Belt goes down.  And if he's not playing every day that is what needs to happen.  My preference is to release a veteran outfielder.  Rowand first choice .  Burrell second.  But only if Belt is going to play most everyday.  This will be interesting if nothing else.

I"m assuming that DeRosa goes on the DL, but Rowand doesn't.  Based on those assumptions:

1.  Burris for DeRosa

2.  Belt for Ford

Obviuosly they need another infielder and I prefer burris to Rohlinger.  The second move is harder.  Ford is nice to have on the bench.  But he's a luxury that is difficult to afford on this team right now.  Belt provides a potential bat.  Plus Burris can play Ford's pinch running role.

Harmon Killebrew was one of the greatest sluggers of all time.  Hard to believe that he wasn't a first ballot HOF.  You folks would have loved him.  Only hit .256  but had a lifetime .376 OBP and .509 slg pct.  Drove in a lot of runs too.  But don't hold that against him :)

Never heard a bad word about him. 573 HR's which was 5th behind AAron, Mays Ruth and Robinson  when he retired.  And he did not play in any bandboxes.  The Killer hit tape measure shots. 

Rest in Peace Harmon. 

Lets face it, this team is not one that is going to have anything approaching set lineup.  DeRosa and Torres coming back assure that.  I suspect its a rotation of three infielders - DeRosa, Tejada and Fontenot sharing the left side and a rotation of 5 outfielders - Torres, Burrell, Ross, Schierholz and Rowand.  if you REALLY want to get confused, call Belt up and add him to the mix. 

My vote is for a Torres/Rowand platoon in center - until Rowand completely stops producing - which probably will happen, with Burrell, Ross and Nate mixing on the corners depending on the hot hand. 

Bochy is at his best when he tinkers.  I just wish he'd include Tejada in the group of those that sit when they don't produce.  Bochy tends to let the long time vets marinate much longer before sitting them.  With Tejada, its time.  If DeRosa is healthy (a dubious proposition) he should get a shot.

I know there has been discussion on this.  But I can't help but raise the issue again as I'm interested in people's thoughts.  I'm focusing on the last non-pithcer spots.  You have the 8 "regulars" , Whiteside and DeRosa are next in line.  Fontenot is safe.  That leaves two spots.  Assuming a defensive specialist SS isn't available late in spring (and I'd love the Giants to pick one up if that does occur), its three players (Ishi, Rowand, Schierholtz) for two spots.

To me, Nate is by far the most valuable of the three.  He is a good left handed pinch hitter, an excellent outfielder (I'd like to see him getting reps in Center and Left) and has speed - a commodity in very short supply on the Giants.  He's my 12th.

That leaves Ishi and Rowand.  Unless the Giants release Rowand (and I think they should) its Ishi that loses out.  He has no wheels, not a lot of power and the Giants have Belt  lurking.  If anything were to happen to Huff, Belt probably gets the call up.  Or they can move Pablo to first and play DeRosa at third. 

I just don't see how Ishi makes the roster.  

As for Rowand, the only way he gets released is if he starts being difficult.  There was some suggestion of that in the article I read on him playing LF yesterday.   I don't see how he really helps this team anymore.  Whether he stays or is let go is one of the interesting stories that will play out the next couple weeks.

Been a long time since I've been here.  Is it me, or does the Giants roster appear to be set barring injuries etc.

To me the only question is 11 vs 12 pitchers.  Here is how it looks:

OF (6):  Burrell, Nate, Rowand, Ross, Torres, DeRosa - All locks.

inf (4 locks) Huff Sanchez Tejada, Sandoval

C (2) Posey Whiteside

P (11 locks) Lincecum, Sanchez, Cain, Bum, Zito, Wilson, Romo, Ramirez, Casilla, Lopes, Affeldt

That is 23 locks. Leaving  2 spots between - Burris, Ishikawa, Runzler and hoping against hope Belt.  Burris is likely cause they need a backup SS.  That leaves Ishi and Runzler for the last spot unless Belt makes it impossible to send him down. 

Am I missing anything?

For two years most of us, me included ragged on Brian Sabean for acquiring Renteria.  18.5 million for two years. Are you kidding me.  People would talk about his clutch performances and the response was usually - too small a sample, etc etc etc.  And then this.  Unreal. 

Baseball is a statistician's dream.  There are so many great ways to crunch and analyse the numbers.  There is so much one can glean from those numbers.

But it is also about things that numbers just cannot expalin.  Why a guy 13 years after winning a WS can rise up and hit TWO game winning HR's when he hit THREE HR's all season.

Unbelievable.

Thanks Giants.  I never thought I'd actually see this day.  And thanks Edgar.  You were worth every penny. 

This is not a general, Nate is getting screwed post.  That has been hashed and rehashed.  This is specific.  The Giants-Pads series this year has been defined by low scoring one run games.  This series promises to be no different.

Petco is a big outfield.  Playing both Burrell and Guillen is dangerous - especially when one considers that the Pads offense still centers around speed and, for lack of a better word, opportunism.  Last nite was a great example.  Some guy named Durango beats out an infield hit on a ball that Theriot double pumps and is late getting off the throw.  He promptly steals second.  Gonzales gets an INT and Tejada gets the big hit. 

Burrell deserves to play because he actually is a threat to go deep - anywhere.  And he's had some huge hits.  That leaves right field.  What Bochy needs to conside is what is the more likely outcome:  Guillen helping with power (so far he's shown very little to say the least) or Guillen   allowing  a ball to drop ad/or getting to a base hit slowly, thus allowing the extra base.  Personally I think that is an easy call.

So why not Ross?  Simple - he's looked absolutely awful against right handers. 

That leaves Nate.  He's the best Rightfielder of the three.  He can run a bit.  And he's had some good at bats lately.  Plus he's coming off a huge hit.  Why not give it a shot and see if you catch lightning in a bottle.   Maybe that carries over at the plate.

Problem is:  to do this would require Bochy to step outside his comfort zone.  He won't (or can't) do that.So that means, I suspect that we see Guillen tonight and against Stauffer and Latos and Ross against Richards. 

Which brings me to a major difference between Black and Bochy.  Black is willing to take major risks.  How else do you explain changing 2/5th of your rotation in Septemeber.  Bochy is not.  I think that is a huge advantage for the Pads.

If I knew how to do this without a fanpost I would have done so.  So excuse me. 

Here is my request:  How bout having TWO post game threads.  One  devoted ONLY to discussing the game and the Giants.  That would be particularly nice as the Giants chase a pennant.  The other can be the more free form thread that is the only option currently available.

The only other option now is for a fan post on a particular aspect of the game in the hopes that people stay on course and discuss the game.  i tried that once and it didn't go over well.  The general tenor was "this should be in the post game thread not a fan post"  I'm not  complaining,  just "reporting."

Again, I'm not being critical of the "free form" post game threads.  I understand that people become "friends" on these boards and have fun simply conversing.

I'd just like an option to go to a baseball/giants/game only thread without having to weave through 1,500 posts - many of which have nothing to do with the game/giants and/or baseball.

Thanks for "listening"

Even though the Giants went 2-4 on their last road trip, i was somewhat pleased because they didn't lose any ground.  They were playing in tough venues while the Pads were in LA to face a fading Dodger team and in Arizona against the pathetic Snakes.  So holding serve was just fine by me.

Now there is an even tougher trip.  Philly (with the Giants scheduled to face both Oswalt and Hamels, St. L (hard to say exactly who they face as the Cards have two off days next week :  But they will get Carpenter and I have to think LaRussa will skip his 5th starter.  That will mean they get Wainwright as well) then a very tough Reds team here.  If they can scratch out a 5-4 over that span that would be terrific.  It's the 2-7 possibility that scares me.

The Pads play 4 at Chi, 3 at Mil then home for 3 against the Snakes. Big advantage Pads. I'm just hoping playing in the smaller parks will hurt them a bit.  The Cubs have been playing a little better.  And Milwaukee is always capable of scoring a bunch of runs.

If the Giants can come through this stretch at or near where they are now, they have a real  shot.  The Pads schedule is tougher in Sept.  But the big hope I have is that their pitching (and in particular their bullpen)  tires and falters  down the stretch.  If that happens, the Pads will sink hard.

Of course, winning the division may also require the Giants going at least 5-2 versus the Pads in their last 7.  That may be the tallest order of them all given the history.

I posted my Sanchez rant right after the loss.  Didn't have the patience to wait for Grant.  And was mightily pissed.  Plus, the 1500 comment threads get a little tedious at times.  Especially because they morph into discussions on all sorts of topics.

I got blasted some for my "inappropriate" fan post - the argument being I should have just posted a comment.  I'm not complaining, I'm just stating a fact.

I enjoy this site.  I particularly enjoy Grant's writing .  He in informative and entertaining.  I love the Minor Lines as it gives me a little glimpse into the future.

I've learned something about Sabermetrics.

But I admit - I don't understand how this board "works".   Are there generally accepted ground rules for a "fan post" versus a simple comment.  If so, what are they.

What a bullsh*t performance.  The Giants get him two runs.  He immediately gives them right back.  Key ab in 2nd, chance to lay a bunt down to set up an inning against a struggling pitcher.  Fails.  6th inning tie game - two first pitch nothing fastballs right down the middle to the Pads best hitters.

Sweep my ass Jonathan.  Next time - shut up and play.

As for Aaron Rowand.  I hope I never see him start another game as a Giant.  We all bitched and moaned all day about Jose Guillen.  Well I know one thing - he's not Aaron F*****G Rowand.  Great game.  Clown a ball in center to give the Pads an extra run.  Get picked off second base.  How the hell do you do that when you are not even remotely a base stealer.  Then a meek K to end it.  Give me Guillen any day.  I don't care what he does.  I've seen Rowand one too many times.

Latos vs. Bumgarner.  Not good. 

1-8.  5 one run losses.  Unf****g real.

Figured I'd take a shot at this after sleeping on the news.  First, I'm relatively neutral about what Sabean did.  I have never been a Martinez fan and I doubt he will be more than a middle inning guy at best in the ML.  He simply doesn't have the pitches to start. Bowker was going to go in any trade.  I think most of us knew that.  I'm on the fence as to whether he will be an effective corner ML outfielder.  He doesn't run well.  He's average defensively.  So he has to hit big.  Not sure that he can.  Still think he should have gotten a better shot here.  But that's bridgewater. 

I DO think they could have obtained Lopez for less.  I just don't see how he rates two guys that have at least had some ML experience.  That would have left Bowker as a piece in a better move.  I see what Ohman brought and on first blush it doesn't appear to be much.  Is Lopez better than Ohman - or is that a high propsect that the Orioles received?

I know nothing about the guy they gave up for Ramirez.  I assume he was not a top or even mid level prospect.  He better not be.

Second, and this is my main problem, I think both the Dodgers and the Padres improved themselves considerably for the short term.  Couple that with the Phils getting Oswalt and the Giants playoff chances were reduced a bit.  I was partiuclarly disturbed that the Pads got Ludwick for ONE minor leaguer.  Is the guy the Pads traded a top prospect?  If not, why couldn't the Giants have entered that sweepstakes - although they don't need a RH bat as much as they need a LF bat.  Which brings me to Podsednik.  That one hurt I think.  A lefthanded bat with speed would help the Giants a lot.  I'd love to know what they offered and what they were asked.

Third, I am VERY pleased they didn't trade Sanchez.  And had they traded Bum I would have smashed my computer to bits.  You do not trade 20 year old ML starting pitchers with incredible upside (redundant - if you are 20 and pitching effectively in the ML you obviously have that upside) unless you get an absolute stud with several years left on a contract.  That guy wasn't/isn't  out there. 

The so-called pundits keep saying the Giants pitching depth allows them to trade Sanchez.  I completely disagree.  Its not cause I love Sanchez.  i don't.  He's a 6 innning guy and is remarkably inconsistent.  It is that Bum will start to fade (he's not used to the innings) and they simply don't have a guy to plug in the 4 or 5 slot.  Wellemeyer?  Please.  The last thing I want the Giants to do is to weaken the back end of their rotation.  Especially when the Dodgers strenghtened the back end by getting Lilly.

 One thing that I think would be interesting to see is to look at Sabean's trade deadline moves over the course of his career and see not what the guys received did, but what the guys we traded did. 

I assume that the Giants are not going to pick up a bat.  Dunn is the only reported name worth pursuing and the cost will be too high.

Right now, I have no confidence that Pablo will turn things around.  Forget his BA.  Bad as it is, the real issue is his Slg PCT.  Dismal.  Around .270 for his last 65 games.  That's Johnnie Lemaster territory.  I'm not about to give up on a 24 year old that hit .330 over a season.  But THIS YEAR looks lost for Pablo.  This offseason will be key.  Either he decides to lose weight and work on his craft or he will be a one year wonder.

He has to sit if he doesn't turn things around quickly.  That opens up things for Uribe at third.  First base now would be Ishi against right handers.  But I don't anticipate that he will continue his success. 

That brings me finally to the question I led with.  Is Brandon Belt ready now?  I know its been a short time in the minors.  But he's ripping it up.  He has always been a contact guy and now he's a contact guy with power.  I haven't seen him.  I know some have.

If Pablo continues to struggle, Ishi falters and the Giants don't get Dunn - three real possibilities- then perhaps Belt gets the call.

It's amazing how quickly things have changed.  DeJesus would have been a nice pick-up if the price was only two minor leaguers (assuming neither was Wheeler or Belt - and I don't think Sabes is that stupid).  Hart is now banged up and he was too expensive anyway.  None of the other bats we hear about are particularly inviting - given the cost.

And of course now its all about a left handed reliever.  The Giants do not have a real choice.  They have to sign someone.  That, of course, is known by all GM's and thus the Giants will have to overpay.  Hopefully not by too much.

And then there is Roy Oswalt.  I know he isn't in the Giants vision.  But I wonder if he should be.  He's signed through 11 (with an option for 12 that probably will be waived by Oswalt prior to any trade).  The Dodgers are making noises of signing him and that is scary.  You MAY be able to get him for Sanchez, Bowker/Schierholtz and a prospect or two (again not named Wheeler or Belt).  A staff of Lincecum Cain Oswalt Bum and Zito is an enticing thought.  It is not going to happen.  But if I were Sabean I'd look long and hard at entering the sweepstakes.  All they can say is no.

13 pitchers has already arguably cost the Giants a game. They are headed into a very important series.  To have a bench as limited as this one makes no sense. 

Bring up Burriss.  He can play defense and he can run.  That gives you a speed/defense option late in the game.  Sure would have been nice yesterday. 

Or put another way - what do they lose in sending Bautista down and calling up another position player.  i don't want another situation where Bochy has no options. 

What we are experiencing at this point of the season is what I think many if not most of us knew but did not want to admit:  this is not a very good baseball team.  Sure they can beat up the lousy teams.  Because their pitching alone is strong enough to do that.  But when they play stronger teams - teams that have both good pitching and the semblance of a lineup - they are in big trouble.

Bochy is, imo, a lousy manager for this team.  But truth be told. John McGraw couldn't do that much with this team.  THE TALENT ISN'T THERE. Certainly, not  1-8, and  as we are seeing on an almost daily occurence, not in the bullpen (other than Wilson.)

In a way, winning 88 games last year hurt this franchise.  It fooled the brass into thinking that they were "real contenders."  But they are not. 

A while ago I posted a potential trade based on my hope (I like a lot of us have been fooled - that optimism thing is dangerous)  that they'd be true contenders as of July 31.  I should have known better.  What concerns me the most is that they will be just close enough for Sabean to believe they are in contention and thus trade some prospects for yet another aging veteran.  Indeed, i fell into that thinking mode in suggesting they go after Berkman.

That assumed they'd be in it in mid to late July. Again, I should have known better.  They may be " in it" based on standings.  But they won't be in reality.  Simply put - this team is not as good as the Dodgers, Rockies, Mets, Braves, Marlins, Phillies, Cardinals and dare I say it Padres.  They ain't winning anything.

The worst thing that could happen is another 85ish win season.  That will again drive the illusion that the team is "close."  They are not.  Two years ago we were promised that the team would go with youth.  That promise evaporated quickly.  They are just about as old 1-8  (and amazingly enough even slower) now then they were in "08.  

As long as vets such as Rowand, Molina, Renteria are on the team, Bochy will feel compelled to play them.  Meanwhile, I still don't know if "younger (they are getting older by the day)  players like Schierholtz and poor John Bowker can play everyday at this level.  Heck that is even true for Ishi - although I can't complain about Huff.

This leads me to hope that they are in a selling mood come July.  Renteria, Molina, Rowand should  go. But they are not tradeable.  No one will give anything in return.  And Sabean won't have the balls to release them.  At this point its addition by subtraction.  Won't happen of course, but I can dream.

Huff is the tougher call.  He's in a one year deal.  No reason to believe he'll be back next year.  He's been terrific.  Thus, you may actually be able to get something for him. 

More than anything else, I yearn for someone other than Bochy and Sabean having the keys to the organization.  But that is not going to happen either.

So, as I said, reality bites.  Our reaity is another year of this crap.

What do you do?  Stand pat.  Or make a deal.  Assume that the Giants are in  it (we should know the answer to that in two weeks).  I realize this is akin to mental masturbation (as someone posted about these trade threads) But as Rodney Dangerfield so eloquently put it:  "Don't knock masturbation, its sex with someone I love."  Plus, as Grant says - My fake trade is better then your fake trade."

I'll start.  I go after Lance Berkman.  He's 34.  He has had an awful year after getting hurt.  He's in the last year of a contract (with an $15,000,000 team option).  His upside is huge as he's had a monster career, plus he's a switch hitter.  Getting in a race may be the adrenaline shot he needs. 

I'd give up ishikawa and Pucetas to start.  Doubt I could get him for that.  It's the third that's tough.  I'd give up either Gillaspie or Ford.  The latter probably makes no sense as Houston has Bourn.  The former has underperformed but is a first rounder.  It gets tricky if they want either Neal or Crawford.  I'd say no at that point.

Have at it.  I'm sure Sabes reads this for help!

No pitchers as that (at least to me) is a separate category.  As I see it there are three candidates:  Huff, Uribe and Andres Torres.  As for me, i pick Torres.  He's been the catalyst at the top of the order.  Good OBP.  Steals bases.  Has gotten some big hits.  He has been a terrific outfielder in all three spots.  Amazing contribution from a guy that was the 5th or 6th OF  coming into the season.  Big question:  can he continue to play this well?  In any event, a great story so far.

That's right.  A Sunday game versus Pittsburgh is the most impt game so far this year.  Because if Timmy struggles  I start to think something is not right physically.  And that is scary. 

Personally, I think he needs to reestablish the fact that he has a plus fastball.  That means first and foremost, throwing a lot more fastballs.  His pct of fastballs thrown keep dropping.  Tomorrow I hope he's around 60% fastballs.

I also wonder if he's trying to throw too many pitches.  Fastball, curve, changeup is, i think sufficient given the quality of each of those three pitches.    I don't think he also needs the slider.  Plus I recall reading he was tinkering with the cutter.

Hell he's pitched great games with 90% fastballs and changeups. Right now simplifying things makes sense to me.

We need our Freak back tomorrow.

Now that you've had the pleasure of watching Freddie Sanchez for a couple of weeks, do you see why he was IF HEALTHY, a good pick-up?  I'm not defending Sabean.  Far from it.  I want him out of here.  But there is a tendency to blast anyone he gets just cause we are so damn sick of Sabean.

Freddie Sanchez is a hell of a baseball player.  He is a perfect two hitter - can hit and run (wasn't that hit and run with Torres in the 9th a thing of beauty - when is the last time you saw a Giants hitter execute a hit and run like that in ANY situation, much less a crucial one) , puts the ball in play, has the ability to gap hit (he had over 50 doubles one year in Pitt and over 45 the next), and hits for a high average.  He doesn't walk a whole lot - but that is more of a function of the fact that he puts the ball in play rather than the overanxious undisciplined grip and rip types that we all know and hate.  Plus he's a damn fine  second basemen.

I just am hoping against hope that he remains healthy.

We've been clamoring for lineup changes.  Some, have suggested Huff playing in left field.  Well we got both yesterday.  But can we be happy about it?  No.  Because what does Bochy do with these changes:  what he ALWAYS does, he goes older.  And in this case slower.  It is all he knows how to do.  Huff in left might be fine - if Posey was around to play first so as to give Posey a day off from catching.  (Lets face it folks, there is no reason other than Sabean's pride that Molina is still the starter.  He has 10 RBI and 6 extra-base hits hitting in a 4/5 slot 40+ games into the season.  He's a below average defensive catcher and of course, a huge liability on the bases.  Posey should be behind the dish, now.  But Molina's  gonna be the guy all year.  GREAT!)  

So  yesterday we have Huff, Rowand and Torres as the outfield.  No Bowker.  And even more quizzical, no Nate.  What has Nate done to deserve being benched?  He had a shoulder ding that kept him out a couple days, but since Saturday he's said he's ready to go.  But he sits.  Rowand?  Can't sit him.  Never mind that he's hitting .235, with a .273 OBP.  Never mind that he looks awful at the plate.  Never mind that Torres is a better defensive center fielder, opening up the corners for Bowker and Schierholtz.  Gotta play those guys with the "proven track records."  Even if those "proven track records" are mediocre at best.

Also we've wanted Uribe at short.  At least I have.  Well, now we may get it.  Renteria's hammy is not  good.  And hammy's can be a bitch.  I know its cool to rag on Rent.  We do it for sport.  Why is a little unclear to me.  It's not his fault that Sabean overpaid him.  Nor is it his fault that Sabean signed him instead of the guy he should have signed, Orlando Hudson.  All Rent has done this year (when healthy - and admittedly that HAS been a problem) is hit  .326 with an OBP of 372.  Plus he's been solid at short.  I got news for you - if he's DL'd its gonna hurt.  Not only does that mean Uribe everyday at ss (I think he's better playing 4 or 5 games a week), but there is NO legitimate backup.  Gawd help them if Uribe goes down.

Soon, we all are going to start talking/thinking about deadline trades.  Well, I've reached the conclusion that I don't want a trade made.  Not because I don't think they need to make moves, but because I have absolutely no confidence in Sabean's ability to make a good deal.  I don't want one or two  prospects traded for a rental player that will underperform in SF.  We'e seen that before.  If he can get someone just for cash, fine.  Otherwise, I just think he'll screw it up.

I can't see this as a contending team.  It's too slow.  It's too power deficient. Its too old. It's too impatient.   Mostly, its too Bochy and too Sabean.  So all I can hope for is if they have another 80 something win season, the so-called leadership will decide its not enough and we can get some change around here.  I'm not holding my breath.

Six in a row to the Pudres.  But its worse than that.  They lost to the Richard and Latos twice.  They scored a TOTAL of 8 runs in 6 games.  That's right EIGHT.  Richard is 13-12 lifetime with a 4.52 ERA.  Latos is now 7-8 with a 4.45 ERA.  Neither have a ton of innings etc.  But both have been hit pretty hard by OTHER teams this year.  Latos was lit up by Florida and Atlanta and hurt by Colorado.  He had given up 7 HR's in 34 inn's prior to today.

Latos line against the giants:  16 innings 5 hits 0 runs. 

Richard:  ATl lit him up.  Colo handled him.  Against the Giants:  13 1/3 and 3 runs.  14 hits.  3 walks.  One of the runs he gave up was on a two out balk with the pitcher hitting.

Today was one of those "lets see how fast we can get ourselves out days."  If you saw more than 3 pitches, I guess you were ostracized.

Sanchez has given up 2 runs on 5 hits in 15 innings against the Padres.  He's 0-2.

Again - beyond pathetic. 

I simply can't take it anymore.  I've given Sabean every benefit of the doubt.  i blamed 07 and 08 on the fact that they kept Bonds too long and essentially sacrificed two years so he could chase a record and the owners could rake in the money.  I blamed that on Baer not Sabean.

I've watched time and time again as the Giants sign mid level (at best) aging Free Agents, contending that they actualy can't sign the big guys cause they don't want to hit at AT&T. 

I've excused his thin skin.

But I just can't do it anymore.  His public persona is beyond the pale.  He seems to revel in being a jerk.  Time and time again he makes claims about great offers made to free agents that they don't get only to have the player say that the Giants didn't really pursue them.  I guess I could assume they are all lying.  But after a while, you have to see the obvious.

I grow weary of the constant double standard of the organization - if you are an old player with a "proven" track record (never mind if the proof was 3 years ago) you get chance after chance after chance.  if you are younger (in terms of ml service) you produce NOW or you sit - or get sent down.

I'm sick to death of the inability to understand that this team plays in a park that is condusive to having at least SOME speed.  Big gaps, hard to hit it out.  How bout signing some guys that can run - and better yet - run AND have decent OBP.  They do exist. 

I'm sick of signing free agents (or worse yet trading for veterans) that are damaged goods.  My gawd what the frig is the team doctor doing?

I'm sick and tired of what I perceive as a stunning lack of imagination.  Leading again to Posey.  Sabean has bought into this "he has to learn to call games" crap - or worse yet, he's generated it.  Not ready my ass.  The guy should be behind the plate at least a couple times a week.  He can play first base the rest of the time.  Then next year when Molina is gone he's got the role full time.  This way he's eased into it.  Not a bad way to go.  He'll learn a lot about "handling games" on those days he doesn't catch by watching or better yet - from 1b.  If Molina bitches about a reduced role - too flipping bad.  I mean for christ sakes they are now pinch running for him in the 7th inning of a 1 run game with the odds being that exactly what happened yesterday - Whiteside up  in the 9th two outs etc.  yeah that's Bochy I suppose.  But they are twin sons of different mothers anyway.

Brian Sabean - Torture.

I

I am 90% certain that the Giants brass will make the wrong move.  The right move is to option Velez.  Indeed, I'll go one step further - it's a no-brainer.  Why?  Easy.  He does not know how to play baseball.  forget the stats for a minute (I shudder to think of the responses on this board to that comment :) )  although they are bad enough.  Let me give you the rationale from simply watching the guy play:

1.  The swing.  Velez has one great physical attribute.  His speed.  Yet - how often do you see him leg out an infield hit?  Not very often.  Certainly not at the level one would expect from a guy with this speed.  Why?  Check out how he finishes his stroke.  Essentially tied up in the batters box after he takes that ridiculously long swing.  Yes, as Krukow loves to say - "he will surprise you once in a while with his power."  Great.  In 500 AB's the guy may hit 10 HR's.  I harken back to the days of the running Cardinals.  Vince Coleman was a guy with blinding speed.  When he broke in, he swung for the fences too much for Whitey Herzog's liking.  He set up a system - every fly ball Coleman hit, he was fined for.  Coleman became effective by using his speed - infield hits, walks and a tone of steals.  Velez will never do any of that.

2.  Base running:  The Dodger debacle.  I'm sure it was discussed, but his sheer lack of baseball knowledge was emphasized in the Dodger series.  No one out, he's on second and there is a runner on first.  3-2 pitch he's running.  Passed ball.  he tries to score.  Called out.  Took the team out of a rally.  In the first inning.  Forget the fact that he may have been safe (bad call).  He had no business running in the first place.

3.  Defense.  I don't know his UZR.  And I don't care.  Forget the bobble against SD in the leftfield corner.  That happens.  The bonehead mistake came later that inning.  Runner on third, one (or no) outs Ball to left center.  He almost collides with Torrez.  It's not the near miss.  Its the fact tht he was even in the vicinity.  Torrez was in the far better position to make a throw to the plate, as he was coming in and would not have to turn to make the throw.  Velez getting in his way made it impossible for Torrez to get anything on his thro

With Downs able to play middle infield, there is no rational reason for keeping Velez and optioning Bowker.  Yes the Giants need some speed.  But Velez isn't baseball fast.  By that I mean he doesn't use his speed.  So honestly, he has to be the one to be optioned.

My guess - the Giants will option Bowker.  Sigh.