SB Nation User Blog: oldjacket

Molina quiz

oldjacket — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:44:09 -0000

Molina quiz

Inpsired by the end of the game that didn't happen on Sunday.

Open question: how slow is Bengie? I say he's slower than a manatee swimming in wet concrete.

Open Yabu Confusion Post

oldjacket — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:21:40 -0000

Yabu baffles me.

When I watch him pitch, with all that movement and craftiness, I think "Damn, he's good!"

When I look at his shiny ERA, I think that my impression is confirmed. Then I look at his strikout rate and walk rate and FIP, and I think how the hell does he have that ERA? You can't forge an ERA out of sheer craftiness, can you?

Then I look at his GB%, and see that it's a pretty solid 50.9%. That kinda explains the shiny ERA, right? Except that his LD% is an unexceptional 22.3%. That trick doesn't usually work!

So, what do you think? Are you buying this guy? I guess I'm kinda leaning towards "not really" in the he's really about as good as Jack Taschner sort of way. I don't think we're in for another Henneplosion or Chulkification, but let's keep our expectations set for decent if not spectacular.

Possible Hijack for those who dislike talking about 39 year old middle relievers: I really do believe in Brian Wilson despite his palpitationy closes.

Poll

You buying Yabu?

Optimism Fanpost

oldjacket — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:42:18 -0000

Hey, I just want to remind everybody how awesome Lincecum's punchout of Pujols after falling behind 3-0 was.

To be 3-0 with this offense, and leading the league in K/9 . . . The Kid's been everything we could ask for.

To fill up the required word count, I give you these sentences:

colorless green ideas sleep furiously

A picture of Rich Aurilia trying to hit.

oldjacket — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:37:21 -0000

A picture of Rich Aurilia trying to hit.

Exceeding low expectations

oldjacket — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 22:53:10 -0000

I'm pleased with Brian Bocock.

Yes, he is a graduate of the Ruben Rivera school for Runners Who Can't Run Good and Can't Do Other Stuff Good Too. But the D has been exceptional in the regular season, so far. He looks good turning the Duece, hasn't made any terrible throws.

The best part has been the offense.I know this has a lot to do with my expectations of him, and probably a lot to do with him hitting eighth as well. But,he has an Approach! 6 walks! That's an awful lot for a Giant. And does he pay royalties to Lansford for that opposite field nubber based hitting style? Love it.

Of course, it's only been a week, and I'm sure the scouting departments aren't knocking themselves out trying to come up with ways to get Brian Bocock out (especially since the best way so far is let him get on - he'll do the work from there).

This is the kind of season we're looking at. I'm just happy that one part of the team hasn't been as bad as I expected.

Cut Kline?

oldjacket — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:00:24 -0000

Shouldn't we cut Steve Kline? It seems like a harsh thing to say, but we have an awful lot of out of options guys with some potential. We also have more lefty relievers than any last place team should want or need. If we lose, say, Threets because of SK's roster spot I would feel like this is bad roster management.

What do y'all think?

(I'm from the foothills, we say y'all. If you think it doesn't sound classy, imagine I said vous)

Poll

Cut Kline?

an Offseason that would make me happy

oldjacket — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 14:53:47 -0000

Like many here, I haven't been particularly happy with Giants roster construction over the last couple of years. I thought I would make a list of what would make me happy so that if the Giants aren't doing what I would like, I could distinguish that from say, knee-jerk whining.

*Don't waste money. Free agents that take playing time from young, cheap possibly good players are a DO NOT WANT! Every dollar not spent is a dollar and ten cents we can put towards someone at a time when they might make a difference.

*That being said it's okay to go after an impact guy if someone of his quality just doesn't come along every year. ARod falls into this category obviously, but I suspect that his contract would cripple any one who isn't the Yankees. It's possible that Tori Hunter is this kind of guy, but that would surprise the hell out of me.

*more undrafted free agants from overseas plz!

*It would be really nice to trade most of the vets, but it is understandable that this may be hard to do. Not much of a demand for Aurilia/Durham/Roberts.

*It's okay to resign Dreamy and Peter Happy to short term deals. There is absolutely nothing in the system to take their place and strong defense can keep the young pitchers from wanting to slit their wrists or get traded.

*It's okay to improve the bullpen, but sweet Jeebus don't spend a ton of money doing it. Exhibit A: 2007 Balmer Orioles. There are very few areas of a team where an extra dollar seems to be more likely to find you a less effective player, but bullpens seem to work that way.

*It's okay to trade a pitcher or two, but we had better get some value. Even for Lowry, who once upon a time had good periphereals and results. Other things equal, trading Correia is a better idea than trading Sanchez.

What about the bullpen?

oldjacket — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 05:56:22 -0000

I know most everyone here is basically looking at next year or maybe even the year after that.

The bullpen is full of youngish guys who have been playing. My question is have we learned anything about them? Is there anybody you would like to see back next year? Anyone that you doubt can be useful to the team?

THis is how I see the skill sets.

Kevin Correia - Gives up too many home runs and too many walk in too many high leverage spots. Can strike a guy out, and may actually get better.

Jonathan Sanchez - This year Sanchez has been one of the better strikout pitchers in the league, and one the worst at giving out walks. Could be good enough to start, could be a lights out reliever, could be Felix Rodriguez.

Randy Messenger - Doesn't strike anybody out, doesn't walk anybody, doesn't give up the long ball, but he doesn't seem to be able to handle high leverage duties.

Brad Hennessey - Similar to Messenger but a few more K's and a few less walk's. Leads the bullpen in WXRL.

Vinnie Chulk - Chulk is better than league average at almost everything you would want a pitcher to do, but I still don't trust the guy, and neither does Bochy. Doesn't really seem to flourish in the high leverage stuff.

Jack Taschner - Taschner is like Sanchez in every category, but a little less so. He strikes out almost a batter per inning, but he'll walk the ballpark. Perhaps because he keeps the ball out of play, he's stranded more inheritated runners than any other Giant this season.

Poll

Who's off the bullpen island?

What Fun!

oldjacket — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 19:08:38 -0000

My season tickets pool's seats are right next to the visitors bullpen. It was quite satisfying to see Benitez smile when I yelled "Blownitez" at him. Too bad we didn't quite provoke a meltdown.

Best game to attend all year.

p.s. I heart Mark Sweeney now.

ATTN: Sacramento McCoven

oldjacket — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 03:51:15 -0000

Is there an excellant bar to catch the first game of the season in this town? In the past I have made use of Original Pete's but they only have three bar stools, but those go quickly. A decent selection of beers is nice but optional.