Giants back end is in good hands, uh, arms

A lot has been said about the new acquisitions for the Giants rotation. The bullpen?  Not so much.

Fans weren’t surprised when Jeremy Affeldt announced his retirement after last season. He’d had a great run that included three World Series rings, a Game Seven win, a way-cool GMC commercial and a fans base that loved him like a brother.

The Yankees had the more-lauded “Core Four”, but the San Francisco version took a back seat to no one. The “Fab Five” of Affeldt, Javier Lopez, Sergio Romo, George Kontos and Santiago Casilla own a combined 13 titles. Now the gang is no more.

Affeldt injury waiting to happen

It’s hard to fathom the love for a pitcher who posted an ERA close to 6 in his final, injury-marred season, but Affeldt’s contributions went well beyond the numbers. FanFest was proof as many of his now-former teammates were quizzed about his loss and were quick to acknowledge the hole he leaves behind. He may have worn other uniforms, but he’ll be remembered as a Giant.

For fans, two moments will stand out.

The 2010 Series might not have been had Affeldt not rescued the team. NLCS Game Six was the clincher and the image of Ryan Howard locking up on a Brian Wilson slider is etched into the collective psyche. But prior to that Johnathan Sanchez (do you remember him or have you mercifully blocked the memory?) went into total meltdown. The game was unraveling and a Game Seven on enemy turf loomed. Affeldt emerged from the phone booth bullpen bullpen wearing a cape, and the rest is glorious history.

And who could forget Game Seven in Kansas City. Madison Bumgarner’s five innings of scoreless relief is the stuff of legend, but that game started with Tim Hudson finding the tank dry in what proved to be his final start. Only Affeldt could be trusted to bridge the gap, and he was suitably awarded the decisive victory to go with his third ring. BTW, everyone seems to forget that when Travis Ishikawa went all walk-off to send the Giants to that Series, the winning pitcher was (pause for dramatic effect) Jeremy Affeldt.

Osich: The New Affeldt?

How do you replace that? Well, it helps that the Giants’ pen isn’t built around flamethrowers and characters. It’s about guile. They don’t overpower the game so much as they get it to play along

Josh Osich seems poised to be the new Affeldt, right down to the cranky shoulder. Early injuries raised doubts but once healthy he made the transition to the Majors look downright easy.  His make-up is very Affeldt-like as a lefty who can get out right-handed sticks as well.

Osich wasn’t the only guy to prove himself. Over the past season-plus we got a taste of what Hunter Strickland can be, both good and bad, but he looks to be San Francisco’s closer in waiting. 

Until that happens the ninth belongs to Casilla, who is the team’s Jekyl and Hyde.  He’s got a 2.22 ERA as a Giant and takes the ball when asked; 50-plus times a year. He’s more thrower than pitcher and his four-pitch arsenal sometimes gets in the way of just hitting spots, but he also has a postseason scoreless streak that stands at 19 appearances, so there’s that.

Just remember to wear a helmet if you're sitting in the first two rows.

The Giants still have Romo and Lopez to take up those same-side match-ups, with Romo an emergency option to close. Kontos fits nicely into the long role after re-upping for 2016.

Strickland: Closer to be and already cranky

In 2015 the Royals emphasized what the Giants have long known; a good bullpen goes a long way toward winning a crown. With the rest of the NL West failing to step up (think the Dodgers failing to net Aroldis Chapman and San Diego punting on Craig Kimbrel), it’s no stretch to say the Giants pen plays second fiddle to none.

The Giants will count heavily on the rotation, with new blood infused to supplement last season’s shortcoming, but the back end appears to be in good hands.

As long as they stay away from frozen hamburgers and don’t strain something trying to lift a four-year-old they’ll be fine, right Jeremy?