January 12, 2012

Thank You, Andres Torres

Credit: Brian Rothmuller/Flickr

A little over a month ago, Andres Torres was dealt to the Mets for Angel Pagan. I have thought many times about writing down my feelings on this trade, and read many wonderfully penned tributes to him as a ballplayer, a Giant, and a man of great kindness and character. This story will not come close to touching those articles, because there is still too much emotion attached to the loss of Torres for me to write anything well.

In the summer of 2010, I was just getting acquainted with baseball. I had watched a handful of games, chatted briefly with fans on Twitter, and was for the most part enjoying myself. Baseball was fun, but it wasn’t my life.

That all changed one day in June, during a game I have frequently and unsuccessfully tried to recall. Perhaps it is a moment that exists more clearly in my memory than in any Gameday log. It was a late afternoon at AT&T Park, and Andres Torres was on first base. Without warning, he took off for second, then dove for third. I had never seen anything like it. (In fact, I’m pretty sure I didn’t know you were even allowed to steal a base, let alone two at a time.) I don’t remember the opposing team, the resulting play, or the outcome of the game, but I do remember feeling captivated by Torres, and over the next few weeks, the Giants as a whole.

That began the best first year I could’ve hoped for as a baseball fan—one that started with a heart-stopping play and ended with a World Series Championship. Every story I hear of Torres’s genuine care for others and unwavering dedication to the Giants has furthered my appreciation for his time spent in San Francisco. Above all else, I will always be grateful to him for helping me fall in love with Giants baseball.

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December 30, 2011

2011 in Review: Twitter Edition

The Giants’ 2011 season has been recapped and analyzed to death, so don’t worry—I’m not here to rehash Posey’s injury or the torturous one-run games. Instead, I thought it might be fun to take a look back via the internet’s most outspoken medium: Twitter.

The season started off well. We had a defending World Champion team. Nothing could go wrong.

@SFGiants Krukow: I told Posey that this doesn’t happen every year and Posey said “WHY NOT” so that’s our motto in ’11. #WhyNot

Torres hit a grand slam! Suddenly, we knew what it felt like to have an offense.

@extrabaggs That’s the first career grand slam for Andres Torres. All those shirtless workouts in True Religion jeans paid off.

Things quickly went downhill. For one, the Giants put half the team on the DL. At the same time. Okay, not at the same time, but it felt that way.

@nicolevogelsong We don’t need to trade for players with other teams; we’re busy trading with our own DL #goodplayersjusthealingup #Icantfreakinkeeptrack

And there was a 10-minute scare in July when CSN reported that Burrell would be released. Unfortunately, the rumor blew over before this could happen:

@gggiants The Giants should’ve milked this. They should’ve had Burrell make a surprise comeback Saturday. “GOOD GOD, THAT’S PAT BURRELL’S MUSIC!”

The injuries and lack of offense gave us a surplus of torture. Or, you know, denial of the underlying problems.

@TrippingOlney GIANTS FANS CALL IT “TORTURE.” EVERYONE ELSE CALLS IT “YOUR OFFENSE BLOWS.”

We were moved by Ryan Vogelsong’s emergence as a superb pitcher and inspiring figure.

@BrianWilson38 Vogelsong for Comeback Player of the year. There hasn’t been a better story in baseball. #perseverance

When we were tired of being inspired, we found angst in Brandon Belt’s disappearing act.

@maltman2010 Are the #sfgiants waiting until Belt becomes an adult giraffe to make him an everyday player? Will that be what it takes?

Tejada and Rowand were released. There was rejoicing and celebrating and joke-making for everyone!

@Every6thDay The #SFGiants had trouble getting Aaron Rowand to leave the clubhouse after releasing him on account of his refusal to take a walk.

September was fun. We were so excited by the prospect of winning that it rendered us nearly incoherent.

@SFOrangeMan ALL YOUR WIN STREAKS ARE BELONG TO US.

Then, when the Diamondbacks clinched the NL West, we protested with infallible logic.

@renees D-backs sounds too much like D-bags. And I don’t think that sounds as championy as Giants. Hello law of physics.

And, as the die-hard fans we are, we look forward to 2012 the only way we know how: with hope and high expectations.

@RomosBeard #2011in3words We’ll be back… #SFGiants #2012

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December 15, 2011

West Coast Fan[girl] Update

I’ve been absent since the Winter Meetings, partly due to some holiday travel (Vegas last weekend, Canada this weekend). While I don’t expect the hiatus to last too long, I wanted to give a brief update in the meantime.

The West Coast Fan[girl] relaunch is on hold for a while, at least until I can come up with another name and logo that I’m equally fond of. I’m trying to make my peace with the word “fangirl” and give it a positive connotation with this blog—hopefully that comes across in these posts!

While I’ll try my best to keep this site updated once or twice a week, you can also check out the other sites I write for: Around the Foghorn (San Francisco Giants) and the newly launched Needle Ball (Seattle Mariners).

Speaking of the Mariners, I’m looking for contributing writers to join me at Needle Ball. Although Aerys Sports is a network headed entirely by women, male and female writers are encouraged to apply. Just shoot me an email (contact info in the sidebar), and I’ll get you set up!

Hope you’re all having a pleasant holiday season… only 119 days, 7 hours, and 38 minutes until Opening Day 2012!

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December 6, 2011

Winter Meetings: Mariners Recap

Things are even quieter on the Mariners front with tight-lipped GM Jack Zduriencik. Still, with Prince Fielder on the table, there’s bound to be a trade or two brewing in the next few days.

Trades

December 5 – Nothing to report.

December 6 – None.

December 7 – Zip.

December 8 – Brewers Double-A LHP Lucas Luetge is the Mariners Rule 5 draft pick. From Geoff Baker: “[he] will compete for LH role in M’s pen.”

Trade Rumors

December 5 – Zduriencik plans to play it cool with Prince Fielder, gauging the team’s needs and the dwindling competition as Milwaukee, Washington, and Toronto bow out.

The M’s are eying a number of players: IF Carlos Guillen, RHP Andrew Bailey, and Japanese SS Munenori Kawasaki. A meeting has been scheduled with Carlos Guillen’s agent, Wil Polidor. Geoff Baker thinks that Bailey can be acquired with a top prospect and several others. The trade might also allow the M’s to move Brandon League if necessary.

Chone Figgins may have snagged a deal with the Rockies, according to Greg Johns. Colorado is interested in moving outfielder Seth Smith, provided the Mariners eat a substantial amount of Figgins’ contract. If not, Zduriencik plans to invite Figgins to compete for third base during Spring Training.

December 6 – ESPN Insider Jim Bowden tweeted that the Mariners are front runners for Fielder, since the Brewers, Cubs, and Blue Jays are after shorter contracts. Before you try to pre-order a new Fielder jersey, however, Zduriencik debunked this claim. Nothing has changed since yesterday, or if it has, the M’s are keeping it under lock and key.

December 7 – Rumors were even vaguer today, as Zduriencik is in talks with various teams for veteran pitchers and outfield/infield help. No offers have been extended, and none will be for a while.

Fielder’s agent, Scott Boras, had some positive things to say about Seattle when he met with the media this afternoon. From Greg Johns: “They’re a franchise that, if they are successful, the fans really, really support the team. Frankly, it’s that iconic dynamic we talk about with those franchise players, where a competitive team can mean an additional million fans.” It’s nice to be singled out, especially with the range of interest Fielder has sparked so far. Hopefully he feels the same way about the M’s when he sits down with Boras in the next few weeks.

In a live chat earlier today, Shannon Drayer mentioned possible trade targets other than Fielder (shocking, I know), from Cincinnati LF/1B Yonder Alonso to Boston CF Jacoby Ellsbury and Miami SS Hanley Ramirez. Of course, this is pure speculation so far, but it doesn’t hurt to have other players in mind in case Fielder’s price tag gets too high.

2012 Updates

December 6 – Mustache-less manager Eric Wedge met with the media to field questions about the lineup in 2012. Ichiro and the leadoff spot are no longer exclusive, after the star outfielder’s down year in 2011. Where he ends up is yet to be determined, depending on offseason developments. In a nutshell: nothing new.

Franklin Gutierrez is bouncing back from his injuries, and is on his way to filling the No. 2 slot. To quote Wedge (via Greg Johns’ article for Mariners.com): “I would love for him to really come in and fight for that and do that, because I think he’s capable of doing some things up there.”

Wedge is also looking to move some players around; again, depending on how things shape up in the offseason. Greg Johns reported that designated hitter Mike Carp may see more time in left field, while third baseman Chone Figgins could play a utility role.

December 8 – More Rule 5 draft activity: the Rangers picked up the M’s double-A outfielder Efrain Nunez.

Division rivals and “mystery team” for the last few days, the Angels nabbed LHP C.J. Wilson and superstar first baseman Albert Pujols for a whopping $325M. Now, more than ever, the M’s need to jump into the free agent pool for Fielder.

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December 6, 2011

Winter Meetings: Giants Recap

The Winter Meetings are officially under way, which means the next two days will be filled with a barrage of trades, rumors of trades, and even more rumors of trades. In the Giants’ camp, Sabean and Bochy have been very chatty about their plans for 2012, emphasizing their ever-improving veterans and spouting some interesting strategies featuring Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval.

Trades

December 5 – None so far, but the Giants definitely, absolutely, totally did N.O.T. bid on Japanese shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima.

December 6 – Mets OF Angel Pagan acquired for Andres Torres and Ramon Ramirez. Full analysis to come later.

Update: If you thought that trade was a bit lopsided, as I did, Baggarly reported that the Giants will also receive cash or a player TBA.

December 7 – Nope. Sabean is shutting the door on any further trades at this point.

December 8 – The Giants received Single-A RHP Luis Rojas from the Mets in the Rule 5 draft.

Trade Rumors

December 5 – Giants are beginning talks with Lincecum and Beltran. Other players sparking SF’s interest include Mark DeRosa (minor league deal) and Ryan Ludwick.

Cody Ross appears to be looking for a 3-year deal, but would settle for 2 years with the Giants, who are his first pick. If not, rumor has it he’s headed for a hitter-friendly park. Where he’ll find that, I’m not sure, but perhaps the Marlins will snatch him up again in their free agent frenzy.

Possible trade pieces from the Giants include Ramon Ramirez, Jeff Keppinger, and Andres Torres. Andrew Baggarly reported that Jeremy Affeldt was never on that list, despite interest from multiple teams.

December 6 – Another deal in the works involves an unspecified AL team and Jeff Keppinger. Given the recent trade for Angel Pagan, it seems unlikely that the Giants will pursue Carlos Beltran for much longer.

Three more players to say N.O. to: Carlos Quentin, Jed Lowrie, Martin Prado. Sabean also mentioned that a 3rd, 4th, or 5th place hitter is out of the question.

December 7 – Monday is the deadline for re-signing either Jeff Keppinger or Mike Fontenot. Both would bolster second base behind Freddy Sanchez, and Fontenot is capable at short as well. Of course, the Giants are also banking on Emmanuel Burriss to provide depth at short with Brandon Crawford.

The list of non-trades expanded to include Hanley Ramirez, Cody Ross, Carlos Beltran, and, oddly enough, Edgar Renteria. You can forget about that fifth starter, too. Zito has locked down that role for 2012, with Eric Surkamp as his backup.

Cody’s was the saddest story today. Baggarly tweeted that Sabean and Ross “could never get on the same page,” but further interviews with the 2010 NLCS MVP revealed that not only were the Giants his first choice, he was willing to “give them a hometown discount, whatever to help their payroll.” Perhaps the most heartbreaking quote? “It’s sad because I really wanted to come back,” Cody said. “They never made me an offer.”

December 8 – There has been limited talk about re-signing first baseman Travis Ishikawa, who is healed up from his shoulder surgery last season. The catch? Belt would have to start 2012 in Triple-A.

2012 Updates

December 5 – Huff is ready to play left field again. John Shea tweeted that Bochy’s ideal outfield has Nate Schierholtz in right, Melky Cabrera in center, and Huff in left field. He also likes Brandon Crawford at short.

Buster Posey will be seeing more games at first base. While switch-hitting catcher Hector Sanchez has been turning heads in winter ball, Sabean also named Pablo Sandoval as a potential backup catcher for Posey, at least in games where an extra bat is needed.

Where does this leave Brandon Belt? Assuming he doesn’t start in Fresno (which is looking very likely at the moment), he may end up as a late-inning replacement for Huff or share the role of first baseman with Posey and Brett Pill.

December 6 – Not sure where to shelve this, but the Giants were named the Topps Organization of the Year. The title is awarded to the team that displays “outstanding performance, depth, and talent,” both in its major league club and minor league system. A ceremony will be held on Thursday, December 8.

Straight from Amy Gutierrez, Brandon Belt’s comments on his time in the Dominican League:

“I felt that I did really well. I hit .300 and consistently hit the ball well. I feel like I improved my consistency the most. I feel like my biggest problem on the Giants this year was my inconsistency and I felt like I tremendously improved that in the Dominican since I only had 3 games where I did not get a hit.”

Progress is wonderful, but there’s still a sticky situation at first base. Like I’ve said before, I hope he gets the recognition and consistent playing time he needs and deserves, even if it’s not at AT&T Park.

December 7 – Bochy wants to give Belt consistency, he really does. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean Belt won’t be yanked up and down the minors; it only means he’s more likely to see playing time at first base than left field. That is, if he can beat out Posey, Pill, and Huff for playing time first.

Reports from John Shea indicate that Pat Burrell may be returning to the Giants organization in 2012, with strong support from Sabean. His role is yet to be specified.

December 8 –  For those surprised that Burriss will be returning in 2012, here’s a sneak peek into the Giants’ plan for him: playing time at third base, short, second base, and possibly the outfield as well.

Brandon Crawford IS the Giants 2012 shortstop. No ifs, ands, or buts there.

Brett Pill is a necessity, not so much for his skills at first base, but for his right-handed hitting. Andrew Baggarly speculated that with a solid glove, Pill may beat out Huff and Belt for the everyday job. Speaking of the plethora of available first basemen, Baggarly had this to say about Brandon Belt: “Expect Buster Posey, back in the everyday mix, to be instrumental in helping Belt develop composure, confidence, and an even-keel attitude.”

Negotiations with Cain and Lincecum continue to develop. Lincecum wants eight years with an opt-out clause; the Giants would like four years and club options. No numbers have been specified for Cain’s contract, but the Giants will be pulling out all the stops to keep him in San Francisco.

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December 2, 2011

Mariners Sign Darren Ford

These are the moments when I love rooting for two teams. A few weeks ago, the Giants released center fielder and pinch runner Darren Ford, and today, he signed a minor league deal with Seattle, which includes an invitation to Spring Training.

Ford is best known for his speed. In 2011, he stole 25 bases in 75 games, and was used primarily as a pinch-runner in his 26 major league appearances. He contributed 48 hits, 30 runs, and 15 RBIs in the minors, for a line of .265/.340/.370.

Defensively, Ford has an impeccable record in San Francisco, with a perfect fielding percentage and no errors. Don’t get too excited, though—he only started 16 games and completed 45.2 innings.

Unless the Mariners plan on moving Gutierrez or Saunders, Ford’s role in Seattle should remain relatively unchanged. He’s a solid backup outfielder with a decent bat and a lot of speed. Hopefully, he’ll make a splash in Spring Training and see a call-up to Safeco Field next fall.

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December 1, 2011

Book Review: As They See ‘Em

How many umpires can you name? One, maybe two?

Let’s say you’re a well-studied baseball fan, and can list up to 25 major-league umpires. Even then, do their names stick in your mind because of their prowess in calling balls and strikes, their precision in determining a foul ball—or do you know their names simply because they hurt your team with a bad call?

In As They See ‘Em, New York Times columnist Bruce Weber puts himself in the shoes of an umpire. Literally. He begins by attending the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring, one of two approved umpiring schools in the U.S.

Everything is tested and re-tested, from the precise position an umpire uses to determine pitches, to his fortitude in the face of opposition from managers, players, and fans. Once a full month of physically and emotionally taxing work concludes, umpires are evaluated by the Professional Baseball Umpiring Corporation (PBUC). Depending on the jobs available, only a few dozen advance to minor league positions.

As Bruce makes his way through the system, he interviews former and current umpires, delves into the infamous fall-outs and poor relations with MLB head honchos, and explains the difficulty of balancing seniority and diversity on the field. He expresses compassion for the plight of umpires—long drives, constant harassment, and tense relationships—while still maintaining a fair attitude towards those who believe umpiring is a flawed part of baseball.

After all, this book is more than a defense of umpires. Bruce certainly covers all the bases, touching on history, recurring conflicts, and unfair practices. Yet he doesn’t leave the book open-ended. Instead, he spends the last chapter detailing a plan for improving the umpiring system—without the use of robots or excessive instant replay (and it has something for statheads to get excited about, too).

In light of the expanded instant replay rules in the new CBA, As They See ‘Em is well worth your time. For any fan of baseball, it’s a must-read.

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November 30, 2011

Free Agent Carousel

The Giants aren’t the only ones making strides as the Winter Meetings draw near. Yesterday, Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik held a conference call to outline his plans for the team this offseason.

Seattle has already committed to one trade so far, acquiring catcher John Jaso from Tampa Bay, and relinquishing RHP Josh Lueke, as well as undetermined minor league or monetary compensation.

Still, there are many gaps to be filled, and an offense that needs heating up in 2012. Prince Fielder is the big question mark on the Mariners’ list, but with $15M in extra cash, Zduriencik is understandably hesitant. As quoted by MLB.com’s Greg Johns: “There are so many factors there and no one knows where that number will end up. As much as you might have desire to go down a path, the length and dollars tie into that.”

Johns revealed that the M’s are looking at strengthening the team in many positions, building around a young—and still-developing—core. Nothing seems to be out of the question as the Mariners head into the Winter Meetings, from starting pitching to extra shortstops and third basemen.

A list of names and positions mentioned:

At this point, it’s nice to have options. I don’t expect the M’s to hook Fielder, and it may be more economical to go after a few veteran players instead. I’d rather see a team of young stars cemented by a few temporary vets than one or two big bats trying to carry the team.

Keep up with the Mariners’ moves and follow Greg Johns (@GregJohnsMLB) on Twitter for up-to-date information as the meetings develop, December 5-8.

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November 29, 2011

Notes on the Return of Sabean and Bochy

Sabean and Bochy are coming back.

A tweet from Amy Gutierrez confirmed that both managers have been extended through 2013, with an option for 2014. From my Twitter feed, most Giants fans appear to be mildly (or very) unhappy, but no one is surprised with the news. It’s been no secret that Larry Baer prioritized the return of Brian and Bruce from the moment he stepped into his new role as CEO.

What does this mean for the team? More veteran players, less playing time for youngsters like Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford? Probably. Here are a few notes from the conference call with Brian Sabean, as reported by John Shea and Andrew Baggarly:

- Sabean is scheduled to talk with Beltran’s people today. It’s nice to see the Giants are still interested in negotiating a contract with him, especially since…

- There is no plan to sign any big free agents, like Prince Fielder or Jose Reyes. Instead, the focus will be on affording the current pitching staff. Baggs summed it up perfectly in his blog post: “The franchise motto: It’s the pitching, stupid.”

- Sabean is impressed with the improvements Belt and Crawford made in the Dominican League and Arizona Fall League. No surprise here, though—he still hasn’t decided whether the Brandons will lock in positions at shortstop and first base/left field this spring.

- Speaking of winter ball, Pablo Sandoval is cutting his visit to Venezuela short. Apparently, this has more to do with his conditioning program than the Wilson Ramos kidnapping earlier this month.

- More uncertainties: re-signing Cody Ross, shopping for a fifth starter.

Check out Andrew Baggarly’s notes for more information on offseason developments. And, if you’re firmly in the pro-Sabean and Bochy camp, take a look at this article by Giants Nirvana, detailing the ways Boch has helped out the club in recent years.

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November 27, 2011

My Christmas Wishlist

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, it’s time to start thinking about what I want for Christmas. After much deliberation, I’ve narrowed it down to my top five “must-haves” of this winter.

1. One World Championship Trophy.

2. A division title for the Mariners. After all, it’s their last chance to win a four-team division before the Astros’ big move, and I’m not so sure the Rangers can pull off a World Series visit three years in a row.

3. Carlos Beltran. Despite the surplus of center fielders on the Giants’ 40-man roster (and until Melky proves his worth beyond 2011), Carlos is the only one with a batting average over .300.

4. A real, live offense for the Giants. Start with a couple big bats, add some stolen bases, home runs, clutch hits, and the Giants might prove an offensive threat in 2012.

5. Andres Torres. I’m not going to offer justification here. I just want him back in SF.

And let’s not forget the stocking stuffers:

- Danny Hultzen’s major league debut. AFL Rising Star and Top Prospect, Hultzen already has an impressive and lengthy minor league resume from 2011 alone. If all goes well in Spring Training, I have no doubt we’ll see him on the mound at Safeco Field very soon.

- Cody Ross. Again, no justification is needed. If you doubt his value on this list (or, for that matter, the team), watch this video.

- A little extra pocket money, to be used for bats and starting pitchers. It should go without saying that both the Mariners and the Giants could use some solid offense.

Over at Around the Foghorn, Bryan Rosa reported (via Frank Russo) that the Yankees offered four players for Matt Cain, which potentially included Jesus Montero/Nick Swisher and a few minor league pitchers. The Giants immediately refused the trade, but with an ever-increasing payroll, they may not be able to afford their stars much longer.

Now, I just need to postmark this list and send it off to Santa Bud Selig. What’s on your list this year?

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