As both a Giants fans and a one-time journalist (yes, I used to get paid for this crap back when the first Clinton was in office) the SSFGF correspondent has a lot of respect for sportswriters -- especially those on the beat. So when one of the best, the San Francisco Chronicle's Henry Schulman, has a Twitter thread running about potential trade targets, it grabs our attention.
Shulman responded to the always-pending question about possible mid-season moves with the typical "don;t get out over your skis" response:
I can foresee them making a trade for a complementary player, not a blockbuster, not this time of year. #SFGiants
Fair enough. It's not an outlandish statement and leaves open the door to a move, recognizing the team need help but not an overhaul' a profesional assessment from one whose profession is to assess. But Shulman does have a following (us included) so that little morsel had everyone from the guy who mows our lawn to the local dog-walker wodering who the Giants might acquire or part comapny with.
There were some good ideas about who and where the Giants can look for an upgrade, and there were the jokers who apparently start drinking early and make suggestions like Carl Crawford -- which sounds ludicrous right up until the press conference that put him (or someone like him) in an orange and black jersey.
There's no question the Giants are in need. Denard Span is all that remains of the Opening Day outfield; Hunter Pence is gone until at least early August and Angel Pagan is made of glass. Grego Blanco may be the best reserve in SF Giants history but his numbers don;t project to an every-day contributor. Jarrett Parker and Mac Williamson are unproven and Kelby Tomlinson is a stop gap.
The infield appears to be in pretty good shape, although Matt Duffy may start looking over his shoulder if he can't hit his weight way from AT&T Park. The bullpen is, well, awful. The numbers are decent but really, is there anyone down there that fills you with confidence when he climbs the mound? Yeah, us neither.
The top three guys in the rotation are getting it done. Spots 4 and 5 are a mystery. You can;t be sure who will show up and how they'll perform once the get there.
Jeez, how did these guys end up in first place?
Well, because for all their faults, this is a team filled with winners. It just needs a few more in key spots. But who? Whom? Hello, Grammar Police?!
The most glaring need is for a corner outfielder. With Pence not due back until after the trade deadline, the Giants can;t afford to wait. They can always hope one of the in-house candidates impresses, but the Giants are fortunate in that some of the more likely guys to be moved are outfielders. Jay Bruce of the Reds and the Brewers' Ryan Braun are at the top of that list. Braun doesn't seem to fit Shulman's definition of "complimentary player" and neither would come cheap, either in trade chips or the salary baggage they carry.
But a step down? How about Jon Jay? The Padres aren't going anywhere and the recent trade of James Shields would suggest the fire sale is underway. He's drawing under $7 million this year and will be a free agent at season's end. The Padres can't expect much, and it's a good audition for a guy the Giants could pursue anyway after Pagan departs. Like Blanco (also a free agent to be) can play all three outfield spots. The more I think about his, the more I like it. Johnny Cueto would really like it; Jay's owning of him would be limited to intra-squad games
This can't be the only idea out there. We've seen fans and the net float names like Josh Reddick or Alex Rios; one web site even suggests Belt might move to the outfield if Edwin Encarnacion or Jose Batista (bat flips included) becomes available.
Tell us what you think. Show us why you think he's a fit. Who goes to make room.
This is where it gets fun.
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| Braun; headed to San Francisco? |
I can foresee them making a trade for a complementary player, not a blockbuster, not this time of year. #SFGiants
Fair enough. It's not an outlandish statement and leaves open the door to a move, recognizing the team need help but not an overhaul' a profesional assessment from one whose profession is to assess. But Shulman does have a following (us included) so that little morsel had everyone from the guy who mows our lawn to the local dog-walker wodering who the Giants might acquire or part comapny with.
There were some good ideas about who and where the Giants can look for an upgrade, and there were the jokers who apparently start drinking early and make suggestions like Carl Crawford -- which sounds ludicrous right up until the press conference that put him (or someone like him) in an orange and black jersey.
 |
| Proposed trade target Jon Jay |
The infield appears to be in pretty good shape, although Matt Duffy may start looking over his shoulder if he can't hit his weight way from AT&T Park. The bullpen is, well, awful. The numbers are decent but really, is there anyone down there that fills you with confidence when he climbs the mound? Yeah, us neither.
The top three guys in the rotation are getting it done. Spots 4 and 5 are a mystery. You can;t be sure who will show up and how they'll perform once the get there.
Jeez, how did these guys end up in first place?
Well, because for all their faults, this is a team filled with winners. It just needs a few more in key spots. But who? Whom? Hello, Grammar Police?!
The most glaring need is for a corner outfielder. With Pence not due back until after the trade deadline, the Giants can;t afford to wait. They can always hope one of the in-house candidates impresses, but the Giants are fortunate in that some of the more likely guys to be moved are outfielders. Jay Bruce of the Reds and the Brewers' Ryan Braun are at the top of that list. Braun doesn't seem to fit Shulman's definition of "complimentary player" and neither would come cheap, either in trade chips or the salary baggage they carry.
 |
| Joey Bats or Joey Bat-Flip? |
This can't be the only idea out there. We've seen fans and the net float names like Josh Reddick or Alex Rios; one web site even suggests Belt might move to the outfield if Edwin Encarnacion or Jose Batista (bat flips included) becomes available.
Tell us what you think. Show us why you think he's a fit. Who goes to make room.
This is where it gets fun.
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