Eephus
Footballguy
The Giants are coming off a 76-86 season and needed a good September to avoid the NL West cellar. A dropoff in pitching was the biggest reasons. Even though they were better than league average in runs allowed, their adjusted ERA+ was dead last in the National League. Their offense was surprisingly good when AT&T Park effects are factored in. Posey and Pence were both solid and Brandon Belt put up the quietest breakout year imaginable.
They're a pretty big spending club. Even though the Dodgers' payroll is $75M/yr. higher, the Giants outspend their other divisional rivals by around $50M each. The Zito albatross is finally off the books with one final $7M buyout. They've locked in Posey, Cain, Pence and Bumgarner through at least 2017. Pence's 5/$90M seemed like an overpay at the time but looks better in the context of the Choo and Ellsbury contract.
Some apologists will blame injuries for the 2013 collapse but I'm not buying. Cain and Vogelsong missed time but the Giants still got 118 starts from their top four starters. But outside of Bumgarner, they just weren't that good. The bullpen took a similar step back from their Championship season. Scutaro struggled through some injuries but you need a plan B when you have a 37 year old in the lineup. Angel Pagan was the biggest loss because it really exposed the lack of OF talent in the organization.
GM-for-life Brian Sabean apparently still hasn't figured out free agency. You don't have to resign your own players and you can sign guys from other teams. The former include Pence, Vogelsong, Javier Lopez (3/$13M) and Lincecum (2/$35M). I've talked about Pence already. Vogelsong was terrible last year and is 36 years old but I guess 1/$5M is market rate for bad, old starters. Lopez is an overpay but has been effective in his role. Salaries for low inning relievers seems really insane to me. I don't think the Lincecum deal can be explained in baseball terms, there must be some advanced economic analysis that says he's worth that much to the bottom line. Or else, maybe Sabean is just clueless.
New faces include old face Tim Hudson in the rotation and Mike Morse allegedly in the outfield. I don't hate either deal but ask me again in May. Hudson (2/$23M) has been consistently good since the Clinton administration and Morse (1/$6M) moves Gregor Blanco back to a less important role. Morse promises some homers, strikeouts and defensive comedy and it's good to see any new player. I think they still need another OF but I don't have two World Series rings.
The minor league cupboard is pretty bare. Heath Hembree should help in the pen but their young starters are a year or two away. Catcher Andrew Susac had a fine year in AA and if all goes well, could revive Posey to 3B discussion in 2016. Gary Brown should finally reach the majors this year but nobody is particulary excited any more except his family.
Offseason questions:
1. Can Lincecum, Hudson and Vogelsong provide above average pitching in 2014?
2. Will Sandoval roll out the door in free agency?
3. Do Brandons Belt and Crawford have any remaining upside?
4. How bad an OF can Morse possibly be?
5. Can Pagan stay in the lineup?
6. Will Pence relax now that he has his big contract?
7. Is there enough talent and magic around to overcome the Dodgers' fat wallet and the Diamondbacks' curious transactions?
8. Do we need to worry about San Diego and Colorado since the Giants finished a lot closer to them in 2013?
They're a pretty big spending club. Even though the Dodgers' payroll is $75M/yr. higher, the Giants outspend their other divisional rivals by around $50M each. The Zito albatross is finally off the books with one final $7M buyout. They've locked in Posey, Cain, Pence and Bumgarner through at least 2017. Pence's 5/$90M seemed like an overpay at the time but looks better in the context of the Choo and Ellsbury contract.
Some apologists will blame injuries for the 2013 collapse but I'm not buying. Cain and Vogelsong missed time but the Giants still got 118 starts from their top four starters. But outside of Bumgarner, they just weren't that good. The bullpen took a similar step back from their Championship season. Scutaro struggled through some injuries but you need a plan B when you have a 37 year old in the lineup. Angel Pagan was the biggest loss because it really exposed the lack of OF talent in the organization.
GM-for-life Brian Sabean apparently still hasn't figured out free agency. You don't have to resign your own players and you can sign guys from other teams. The former include Pence, Vogelsong, Javier Lopez (3/$13M) and Lincecum (2/$35M). I've talked about Pence already. Vogelsong was terrible last year and is 36 years old but I guess 1/$5M is market rate for bad, old starters. Lopez is an overpay but has been effective in his role. Salaries for low inning relievers seems really insane to me. I don't think the Lincecum deal can be explained in baseball terms, there must be some advanced economic analysis that says he's worth that much to the bottom line. Or else, maybe Sabean is just clueless.
New faces include old face Tim Hudson in the rotation and Mike Morse allegedly in the outfield. I don't hate either deal but ask me again in May. Hudson (2/$23M) has been consistently good since the Clinton administration and Morse (1/$6M) moves Gregor Blanco back to a less important role. Morse promises some homers, strikeouts and defensive comedy and it's good to see any new player. I think they still need another OF but I don't have two World Series rings.
The minor league cupboard is pretty bare. Heath Hembree should help in the pen but their young starters are a year or two away. Catcher Andrew Susac had a fine year in AA and if all goes well, could revive Posey to 3B discussion in 2016. Gary Brown should finally reach the majors this year but nobody is particulary excited any more except his family.
Offseason questions:
1. Can Lincecum, Hudson and Vogelsong provide above average pitching in 2014?
2. Will Sandoval roll out the door in free agency?
3. Do Brandons Belt and Crawford have any remaining upside?
4. How bad an OF can Morse possibly be?
5. Can Pagan stay in the lineup?
6. Will Pence relax now that he has his big contract?
7. Is there enough talent and magic around to overcome the Dodgers' fat wallet and the Diamondbacks' curious transactions?
8. Do we need to worry about San Diego and Colorado since the Giants finished a lot closer to them in 2013?
Last edited by a moderator:
