Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Batting Lineup Fun: 2009 Giants

Baseball Musing has a Lineup Analysis website based on the research of Cyril Morong, Ken Arneson, and Ryan Armbrust, that I use to study how the Giants lineup might produce given pre-season projections. The lineup has produced about what it was expected to do, somewhere in the low 4's.

I decided to input the stats from today for the lineup of roughly what we have been seeing the past two months:
  • Rowand
  • Winn
  • Sandoval
  • Molina
  • Schierholtz
  • Ishikawa
  • Renteria
  • Uribe
  • Pitcher/PH

Those are basically the hitters that would be in the lineup, and roughly lineup position. According the application, the above lineup would average 4.27 runs per game, and that is roughly what it has averaged the past two months; it has actually been higher because players like Ishikawa, Schierholtz, Rowand, Uribe were hitting much better during that stretch than their overall numbers today. That shows how important it is to look at both the players overall numbers and their numbers for the past month or two weeks even, to catch when a player is scuffling or doing much better.

The Lineup Analysis takes the OBP and SLG of each hitter and calculates the best lineup based on the stats.

Here is the best lineup according to the application:

  1. Rowand
  2. Sandoval
  3. Winn
  4. Uribe
  5. Schierholtz
  6. Molina
  7. Ishikawa
  8. Pitcher
  9. Renteria

This lineup would produce about 4.49 runs per game. Most of the top lineups were roughly the above, with one player or another swapped. A good number had Schierholtz and Ishikawa batting 3rd. Many also swapped Schierholtz and Ishikawa in the 5th and 7th position. The changes only cost the Giants maybe 0.05 to 0.1 runs per game, so changes don't really affect the overall number much. Mainly it was Rowand leading off, Sandoval 2nd, Winn 3rd, Uribe 4th, Molina 6th, Pitcher 8th, Renteria 9th.

So maybe Bochy knew a little something about lineup construction. Rowand was selected to be leadoff. Sandoval and Winn are swapped 2/3. Schierholtz and Ishikawa basically bats 5/6/7. It basically swaps Molina and Uribe. And hitting Molina 4th and Uribe 6th instead of the suggested reversed in this idealized lineup? It costs the Giants 0.01 runs per game. What is really costing the Giants runs is moving Renteria from 8th to 6th while dropping Uribe to 8th.

Downs Up, Sadowski too; Frandsen down and Aurilia DLed

Frandsen must have really pissed off management by mouthing off this spring. He's been sent down while Downs was brought up to start regularly at 2B. Bochy noted that Uribe is starting to slow down, so they are moving him back to the 2B/SS/3B role he had before while giving Downs a chance to start. But Downs is hitting basically what Frandsen is hitting, both in AAA and majors, and Frandsen is better defensively. Meanwhile, Uribe has actually been on a good hitting streak, .378/.439/.676/1.115 over the past 11 games.

Sadowski coming up was no surprise, but Aurilia getting DLed with a sore toe was. He reportedly was not happy about doing this, but if he does have a sore toe, he should welcome the chance to rest and let it heal. What they probably said was that they were going to release him if he didn't DL him. And there is the chance he might not come back to the majors and get released once he is healthy, if Bowker is hitting or Downs is hitting.

I suspect Aurilia's time with the Giants is drawing near. Many have had a problem with him, but he's been much better lately, after his early struggles which I attribute to dealing with his mother's failing health. He has been OK since then, but Bowker's hot hitting makes him a key prospect to check out because he's not only hitting for power but also getting on base. If he can translate that to the majors, he's the middle of lineup bat that would finally push Molina out of the cleanup spot.

14 comments:

  1. Woe is Aurilia. Getting $1 million for doing a lousy job. I wish God would smite me with that predicament.

    On a happier note, I'm glad we didn't get LaRoche, an expensive older version of Ishikawa.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I understand your sentiments on this and I've said it before for other players near the end of their line.

    But I think Aurilia is a good bench player for us. While he hasn't been used for this, he can back up all the infield positions in a pinch. A lot of our young players are all lefties, making his right-handed bat, particularly one that hit .321/.377/.526/.903 with 5 HR in 137 AB (27 AB/HR or 25 HR season) against LHP just the year before, great in a platoon situation - both Sandoval and Ishikawa had some problems with LHP previously in their career.

    And an infected big toe should probably affect his hitting in some way, as right-haneded batter pivots on that toe when swinging and puts a lot of pressure there. That would mute the power of his swing, I would think.

    The only way I would be OK with releasing Aurilia is if it opens up a spot for Frandsen to be the utility guy that the Giants apparently think he is, so that when Downs falters - there is a reason why he didn't rank high in our farm system in any analysts Top Giants prospects list this season and for past seasons and he wasn't that impressive this season either, until recently - then Frandsen could be there to finally get his opportunity that he deserved.

    Also, Downs has benefited from being good only at home, while Frandsen has been equally good at home and on the road.

    The big plus for Downs, I must admit, is that he had 20 HR last season, and look to provide more power (as well as more SB) than Frandsen ever would. But Frandsen can play defense, which I think is more important to the pitchers, and any value we could get for him in trade would be predicated on him hitting for us in the majors, which he can't do unless he 1) get the chance to do it and 2) do it.

    I am not just a Frandsen apologist. If he can start and do well, he could become a good trading chip or even our starting 2B in 2010. If he fails, Downs is only 26 for next season, and would get his chance then, if not late this season if Frandsen does falter. And BA says that Downs profile as a utility player, whereas Frandsen had enough skills and potential that he had cracked the Top 10 before.

    ReplyDelete
  3. ..."while Frandsen has been equally good at home and on the road."
    really?
    isn't he batting .125 or something?
    maybe "equally bad" is more appropriate.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You may not a Frandsen apologist, but you sure seem to be an Aurilia apologist. There is no justification for keeping Aurilia on the roster anymore. I understand the right handed hitting issue, and you would have a point if Aurilia could still hit. The fact is that he can't get it done at the plate anymore. That fact is obvious if you watch his at-bats. Mediocre pitchers are abusing him at the plate....and it's sad to watch. It has nothing to do with his big toe, his father passing away, or any other excuse yo may want to come up with. He's done.......toast.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well, anon - brave, by the way - if you are one of those with psychic powers who can divine off limited major league at-bats how good a hitter is, well, you shouldn't be commenting on a dumb blog like mine and making good money with your powers.

    Otherwise, those who are a bit more knowledgeable about baseball know that I was talking about Frandsen's AAA hitting, which is really the only area of valid comparison between the two hitters this season.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Boof, we probably differ on what being done or toast, means.

    Aurilia has been valuable, in my opinion, hitting .262/.333/.405/.738 with 2 HR in 42 AB since May 31st. That's not too bad in limited play off the bench.

    I'll admit that he's not the hitter he once was, but after his early struggles, whatever the reasons may be, he has turned it around and been OK for almost two months now, as a hitter.

    ReplyDelete
  7. All I can say is that you must not be watching his at-bats then. If you had been watching, there is no way you could ever say that he's been OK for 2 months. If that were the case, He's still be on the roster instead of on the DL with a trumped up injury. Even the Giants management could not justify his place on the roster anymore and they were the last ones to concede this point.........other than you, of course.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yes, you are going to go there, the team made the decision, so you are right and I am wrong.

    Sure, if that works for you, I'm fine with it.

    So, if the Giants bring him back and he stays all season, then I'm right? :^)

    And I must be right because the Giants management gave Sabean a two year extension two years ago, and I was about the only person openly happy about that decision.

    Just to be clear to newbies, I'm being sarcastic here. Even if the team had failed to develop, I still think the two year extension was warranted. He had set up the team well in rebuilding it, he was picking up good prospects, and, more importantly, keeping the good prospects. I think he deserved the chance to see what he could do further with what he had built up.

    I'm glad it worked out, since I love the Giants, but even if the team had tanked, I think it would still have been the right move, based on process. And I would be saying that Sabean would need to be let go and hoping Neukom would do so.

    And yes, I have not been watching. I guess you missed this exchange, boof, but this point was made clear earlier this season when another commenter questioned me on this.

    I don't have time (or rather the money) to watch, much as I would enjoy, plus I don't have cable. I listen often on the radio, and follow online. And I analyze using Baseball-Reference.com's data.

    Aurilia's performance hasn't been what I would like, but really, when you are talking about a bench player who occassionally starts, you should not be really expecting much from him anyway, else he would be a starter somewhere else.

    So I'm not going to argue anymore with you regarding this, because the 25th guy on the team isn't worth arguing about more than I have done, for me. I was already done a comment or two ago, but I'm stubborn sometimes. I've made my point, if you don't accept, cie la vie.

    And if you didn't notice, I didn't think Aurilia was that big of a deal, enough to make the sole content of the post. I only chase my tail when commenting and forgetting that it's only about the bench player.

    And if there's anything I hate, it is people getting angry over bench players. There is a reason they are bench players. They aren't that good.

    I might have a preference, but there are people who act like it's the end of the world because one player or another player on the bench, and ergo, the GM is el Stupido because of that.

    Unfortunately, I get dragged into that, mainly because I am anal sometimes, but I'm stopping myself today.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Well, I will say it does display his stupid & stubborn tendencies for keeping washed up veterans on the roster when, by your own admission, this is a rebuilding team and they should be committing to this process. Keeping Aurilia on the roster and having him take away at-bats & playing time from a developing youngster is the definition of stupidity. This and other examples like this is why there is so much exasperation with the tenure of Sabean.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Well, I will say it does display his stupid & stubborn tendencies for keeping washed up veterans on the roster when, by your own admission, this is a rebuilding team and they should be committing to this process. Keeping Aurilia on the roster and having him take away at-bats & playing time from a developing youngster is the definition of stupidity. This and other examples like this is why there is so much exasperation with the tenure of Sabean.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Yes, a developing prospect can really build up his skills and abilities sitting on the bench and getting a total of 46 PA, 40 AB over the PAST TWO MONTHS (what Aurilia got).

    If we are trying to develop a utility player, then maybe I can see dumping Aurilia and playing this utility prospect but even then, at 40 AB since the start of June, if we really have someone slotted to be a utility player, you may as well keep him in the minors, where he can start and continue to perhaps develop, then dump Aurilia in the offseason and bring this utility prospect up at that time. Why use up MLB time on this prospect sitting on the bench when we already have Aurilia?

    And that's if you have someone you are sure is a utility guy. If you still think there is a chance that he might develop and be a starting player for you, making him sit on the bench for few ABs would be stupid to do, he needs to play everyday in AAA to see if he can develop.

    Rebuilding does not mean going with a whole team of young and/or developing players. Most teams have vets serving one role or another on their team. You also don't want your team to suck totally unless you are trying to get a Top 5 pick. We are not trying to get that this season.

    So it is a fallacy to assert that a rebuilding team commits to the process by not carrying any vets. Very few teams in history has "committed to the process". In fact, one of the team lauded for their handling of rebuilding, Atlanta, signed a number of veteran free agents to supplement the gaps that they had on their team. They did not commit, as you define it Boof.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Again, why all the anger over the 25th player? It is not like Frandsen (or whomever) sitting on the bench would help him develop into a starting player. Playing everyday in AAA would. Sitting him on the bench just readies him to be a utility player. But we already have someone on the bench and contributing, so why use up MLB service time on this prospect who you don't think much of now, we can keep him longer by keeping in AAA longer.

    That's why I don't understand why people call GMs stupid over the 25th man on the roster. It don't really matter much unless you have someone who you don't think very much of as a prospect and to save money you carry him on the bench. And even then that is not going to mean the difference between making the playoffs or not. If he was that good, he would be starting.

    In addition, Aurilia was never just a bench player, he was insurance if Ishikawa or Sandoval faltered and the Giants needed someone to step him and provide some modicum of offense. Without that type of backup, the team could really fail badly, and the Giants could not afford that with the fanbase that we have.

    So it is not simply a matter of a vet taking a young prospect's place, it is a matter of having a good enough backup in case prospects fail, that is why they added Uribe to the mix even though Frandsen might have been a good choice for that type of role. If Ishikawa don't work out, Aurilia could take 1B. If Sandoval don't work out, Aurilia could take 3B or Uribe could take 3B if Aurilia has to man 1B. Plus Burriss would be covered by either too, if he failed, and again it depends on who else failed.

    Now that things are a bit more settled as to who is doing well and who is not, Aurilia is not as useful, but I see no reason for sitting anyone else in his place. If it is Frandsen, why? He might still develop with regular play in AAA. If it is a prospect who is lower in the minors, why? He probably won't do better than Aurilia and he would cost the team the rookie minimum as additional cost.

    So that is why I don't understand why people call Sabean stupid for his decision to keep Aurilia around. It really adds nothing to the future of the team to have a young prospect taking that role, in fact, it could hurt if you feel that he might still have some potential. And it would cost more money because you owe Aurilia already.

    And it is the 25th man. I would rather worry about a starting position. I would rather worry about the starting rotation. I would even rather worry about the closer and set-up guys. The 25th man is not key to whether a team succeeds or not, unless he starts hitting so well that he becomes a starter. But that so rarely happens that I would not worry about that.

    ReplyDelete
  13. The frustration & exasperation with Sabean's tenure is due to an overwhelming body of repeated bad decisions, of this was just one example of the type of thinking. In the grand scheme of things, it's a blip on the radar, but it is a reminder of all of those types of actions that brought a vast majority of the fanbase to call for Sabean's tenure to end.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sometimes you don't see the forest for the trees.

    If anyone expects perfection out of their GM, they will be sadly disappointed. All I really care is if the organization is headed in the right direction: as I have been saying for a few years now, so far, so good, I like the direction.

    If you want to fret and condemn every bad decision made, please feel free to do so. If you want to cling to your breast every past mistake, never to let it go, that is your right.

    All I really care is if the team is developing the way I think a team needs to develop to bring us a winning team. I accept that there must be a rebuilding period where the team stinks. I accept that the Giants made a number of moves, basically in desperation to bring in a winner while Bonds was with the team.

    But all I care about, right now, is that Sabean has put together a good team that looks to get even better with the horde of young talent brewing in the minors, and soon to join the majors, and that the team looks like it can be a major competitor in the NL West for at least the next 5-6 seasons, and if things go our way, perhaps the whole decade.

    ReplyDelete

Labels

1984 Draft (1) 2007 Draft (15) 2007 Giants (52) 2008 Draft (22) 2008 Giants (53) 2008 season (6) 2009 Draft (18) 2009 Giants (87) 2009 season (24) 2010 Decade (12) 2010 Draft (11) 2010 Giants (137) 2010 NL ROY award (1) 2010 season (19) 2010's (3) 2011 Draft (9) 2011 Giants (84) 2011 season (8) 2012 Draft (11) 2012 Giants (93) 2012 season (11) 2013 Draft (3) 2013 Giants (39) 2013 season (5) 2014 (1) 2014 draft (5) 2014 Giants (79) 2014 season (16) 2015 Draft (4) 2015 Giants (50) 2015 season (10) 2016 Draft (1) 2016 Giants (45) 2016 season (6) 2017 Draft (3) 2017 Giants (27) 2018 Draft (8) 2018 Giants (50) 2018 Season (8) 2019 Draft (1) 2019 Giants (27) 2019 season (2) 2020 Decade (1) 2020 Giants (9) 20201 Draft (1) 2021 Giants (3) 2022 Giants (2) 2023 Giants (14) 2023 season (1) 2024 Giants (7) 25 man roster (10) 25th man fallacy (1) 3B (1) 40 Man Roster (10) 49ers (1) 5-day rotation (1) 51/49 decisions (1) 6-man rotation (5) 89 Quake (1) 89 World Series (1) A-Ball (1) A-Gon (1) A-Rod (3) A's (6) AA-Ball (1) Aaron Rowand (25) Abiatal Avelino (1) accomplishments (1) ace pitcher (2) ace starter (3) Adalberto Mejia (6) Adam Duvall (5) AFL (4) aggression (1) Albert Suarez (5) Alen Hanson (3) Alex Cobb (1) Alex Dickerson (2) Alex Hinshaw (3) Alex Pavlovic (1) Alexander Canario (2) All-Star Game (1) almost perfect game (1) Alonzo Powell (1) Amphetamine (3) analysis (24) Andre Torres (14) Andres Torres (2) Andrew Baiiley (1) Andrew Bailey (1) Andrew McCutchen (2) Andrew Suarez (5) Andrew Susac (11) Andy Baggerly (2) Andy Sisco (1) Andy Suarez (9) Angel Joseph (1) Angel Pagan (17) Angel Villalona (30) Anniversary (1) appendicitis (1) Aramis Garcia (2) Arbitration (19) Armando Benitez (5) Armando Gallaraga (1) art of failure (1) Asia-Pacific signing (1) assessment (1) Astros (3) At the Rate They Are Going (1) ATT Park (1) Aubrey Huff (20) Austin Jackson (2) Austin Slater (5) Award (4) BABIP (3) Bam Bam Meulens (1) Barry Bonds (30) Barry Zito (77) baseball (1) Baseball America (3) Baseball Prospectus (6) Baseball Prospectus Bias Against Giants (4) baseball strategy (9) Baseball Study (18) baserunning (2) batting peripherals (1) batting stance analysis (1) batting title champion (1) Beat LA (9) bench players (4) Bengie Molina (14) Benjamin Snyder (1) Bert Blyleven (1) best manager (2) best practices (2) Beyond the Box Score (1) Bias Against Giants (1) Big 6 (9) Big Picture (3) Bill Hall (1) Bill James (1) Bill James Handbook (2) Bill Mueller (1) Bill Neukom (21) Billy Beane (3) biography (1) Blake Riverra (1) blog news (3) Blog Philosophy (3) Bob Howry (2) Bob Mariano (1) Bobby Evans (4) Boston Red Sox (1) Brad Hennessey (5) Brad Penny (2) Brandon Bednar (1) Brandon Belt (50) Brandon Crawford (25) Brandon Hicks (1) Braves (5) breakout (2) Brett Bochy (4) Brett Pill (9) Brewers (1) Brian Anderson (1) Brian Bannister (3) Brian Bocock (2) Brian Cooper (1) Brian Horwitz (3) Brian Ragira (2) Brian Sabean (50) Brian Wilson (14) Bridegrooms (6) Bruce Bochy (36) Bucky Showalter (1) bulllpen (8) Bullpen (33) Business Plan (23) Buster Posey (102) Byran Reynolds (2) Byung-Hyun Kim (1) Cained (4) call-ups (3) Candlestick Park (1) Cards (13) Career Prospects (4) Carl Hubbell (1) Carlos Beltran (4) Carlos Gomez (1) Carney Lansford (2) Carson Whisenhunt (1) Carter Jurica (1) Casey Kelly (1) Casey McGeHee (3) catcher injury (5) catching (3) CBT penalty (1) CC Sabathia (1) censorship (2) CEO (2) Chad Gaudin (5) Charles Culberson (5) Charlie Culberson (3) Chase Johnson (3) cheating (1) Chillax (1) Chris Brown (1) Chris Gloor (1) Chris Heston (19) Chris Lincecum (1) Chris Marrero (1) Chris O'Leary (1) Chris Ray (4) Chris Shaw (4) Chris Stewart (4) Chris Stratton (30) Chris Strattton (1) Christian Arroyo (7) Christmas (1) Christopher Dominguez (4) Christy Mathewson (1) Chuckie Jones (2) Clay Hensley (3) Clayton Blackburn (10) Clayton Tanner (3) Closer (9) closer by committee (3) Coaches (4) coaching changes (1) Cody Hall (2) Cody Ross (8) Col (1) Comeback Award (1) Commissioner (1) comparison (3) competitive advantage (1) Competitive Balance Tax (2) Competitive Cycles (2) competitiveness (2) Conner Menez (1) Connor Joe (3) Connor Nurse (1) Conor Gillaspie (25) contender (1) contract extension (3) contract negotiations (2) contract signing (7) Coordinator (1) core competency (1) Core Rotation (1) Cory Gearrin (5) Cory Guerrin (1) Cory Hart (1) Craig Whitaker (2) Cubs (1) Curt Young (1) cuts (1) Cy Young Award (5) cyber-relief (1) D-backs (16) D-gers (36) D-Rocks (3) D-Rox (17) D.J. Snelten (3) Dallas McPherson (1) Dan Ortmeier (11) Dan Otero (2) Dan Runzler (6) Dan Slania (3) Dan Uggla (1) Daniel Carbonell (1) Daniel Slania (2) Dany Jimenez (1) Darren Ford (1) Dave Righetti (1) Dave Roberts (11) David Aardsma (1) David Bell (1) David Huff (2) David Loewenstein (1) Decade of the Giants (12) decline (1) Defense (11) Deferred Money (1) deleted comment (1) Denard Span (3) depth (1) Dereck Rodriquez (7) Derek Holland (18) Derek Law (11) Detroit Tigers (1) DFA (3) DH (2) Dick Tidrow (2) dictionary (1) direction (1) Dirty (1) DL (3) dodgers (15) Donald Snelten (1) Donovan Solano (1) Draft (11) Draft Analysis (27) Draft Bonus (7) draft list (3) draft philosophy (2) draft signing (3) Draft Strategy (12) Draft Study (9) Draft Success (4) drafting (5) Dres (16) Drew Pomeranz (1) DRS (1) Dynasty (3) Earl Weaver (1) Edgar Renteria (13) Eduardo Nunez (4) Edwin Escobar (5) Ehire Adrianza (26) Eli Whiteside (4) Elimination game (1) EME (2) Emmanuel Burriss (18) end of an era (1) epic season (6) era (1) Eric Byrnes (1) Eric Surkamp (6) Erik Cordier (1) Eugenio Velez (12) evaluation (3) Evan Longoria (3) Evan Longoriia (1) extension (7) fan outrage (10) fan rants (2) fanfest (1) FanGraphs (2) Farhan Zaidi (35) feature reliever (1) felony conviction (1) Fielding (5) Fielding Stats (4) finger injury (3) first post-season press conference (3) Francisco Peguero (4) Fred Lewis (3) Freddie Lewis (17) Freddie Sanchez (4) Freddy Sanchez (7) Free Agency (8) free agent misses (1) Free agent possibilities (28) Free agent signing (22) Free agent signings (21) front office (3) Gabe Kapler (1) Game Score (3) gamer-tude (1) Garrett Williams (1) Gary Brown (26) Geno Espinelli (1) George Kontos (10) Ghosts of Giants Drafts (2) Giants (10) Giants Announcer (1) Giants blogs (3) Giants Chat (4) Giants Classic Rotation (1) Giants Defense (4) Giants Draft (15) Giants Drafts (8) Giants Farm System (34) Giants Franchise record (2) Giants Future (66) Giants GM (12) Giants Greats (3) Giants hitting manual (1) Giants Leadership (1) Giants manager (1) Giants No-Hitter (5) Giants Offense (34) Giants Offseason (24) Giants Pitching (10) Giants President of Baseball Operations (3) Giants Strategy (44) GiDar (1) Gino Espinelli (1) glossary (1) Gold Glove Award (1) good players (4) good will (1) Gorkys Hernandez (2) Graphical Player (1) great players (4) Gregor Blanco (18) Gregor Moscoso (1) Gregory Santos (1) Guillermo Moscoso (2) Guillermo Mota (2) Guillermo Quiroz (1) Gustavo Cabrera (4) Hall of Fame (10) Hall of Shame (4) Hank Aaron (5) Happy Holidays (2) Hate mail (1) Hayden Birdsong (1) healthy (1) heart-warming (1) Heath Hembree (8) Heath Quinn (1) Hector Correa (1) Hector Sanchez (12) Heliot Ramos (11) Henry Sosa (8) HGH (1) Hidden Game (1) high expectations (1) high school focus in draft (1) high velocity hitters (1) high velocity pitchers (1) hiring (2) hiring process (1) Hitter's League (1) Hitting (19) Hitting Coach (1) hitting mechanics (3) hitting pitchers (2) hitting streak (1) Hitting; (1) Home Run Career Record (7) Home Run Hitting Contest (1) Hunter Bishop (4) Hunter Pence (25) Hunter Stickland (1) Hunter Strickland (9) Ian Gardeck (1) Idea (4) IFA (1) improvement (2) Indictment (1) Infield (1) injury (7) instant replay (2) instructor (1) Interesting Question (1) International Free Agent Pursuits (5) International Signings (5) interview (5) Investment (1) Ivan Ochoa (2) J.P. Martinez (1) J2 (1) Jack Taschner (4) Jackson Williams (3) Jacob Dunnington (1) Jacob Gonzalez (2) Jacob Junis (1) Jacob McCasland (1) Jae-gyun Hwang (1) Jake Dunning (2) Jake Peavy (39) Jake Smith (1) Jake Wong (1) Jalen Miller (1) Jandel Gustave (1) Japanese Starters (1) Jarrett Parker (10) Jason Heyward (1) Jason Maxwell (2) Jason Stoffel (1) Javier Lopez (5) JC Gutierrez (3) JD Davis (1) Jean Machi (6) Jeff Kent (1) Jeff Samardzija (28) Jeff Suppan (1) Jeremy Affeldt (12) Jeremy Shelley (2) Jerome Williams (1) Jesse English (2) Jesse Foppert (1) Jesus Guzman (4) Jimmy Rollins (1) Joaquin Arias (14) Joe Panik (18) Joe Torre (1) Joey Bart (5) Joey Martinez (2) Johan Santana (1) John Barr (1) John Bowker (22) John Thorn (1) Johneshwy Fargas (2) Johnny Bench (1) Johnny Cueto (31) Johnny Monell (1) Johnny Rucker (1) Jonah Arenado (1) Jonathan Mayo (1) Jonathan Sanchez (49) Jordan Hicks (1) Jordan Johnson (1) Jorge Soler (1) Jose Canseco (1) Jose Casilla (1) Jose Guillen (3) Jose Mijares (3) Jose Uribe (2) Josh Osich (9) JT Snow (1) Juan Perez (6) Juan Uribe (9) Juggling Monkey (1) Julian Fernandez (7) Julio Urias (1) Jung Hoo Lee (2) jury (1) Just Say No (1) Kelby Tomlinson (5) Kendry Flores (2) Keury Mella (2) Kevin Correia (2) Kevin Frandsen (22) Kevin Gausman (3) Kevin Pillar (2) Kevin Pucetas (10) KNBR (1) Kung Fu Panda (30) Kyle Crick (16) Kyle Harrison (5) laid off (1) Larry Baer (3) Larry Ellison (1) Lead-off (2) leadoff (1) left-handed (1) Lew Wolff (1) LHP (1) Lineup (17) lineup construction (4) Lineup position (1) links (1) Logan Webb (3) Lon Simmons (1) long relief (2) Long-Term Contract (22) long-term planning (3) losing streak (1) Lucius Fox (3) luck (2) Luis Angel Mateo (2) Luis Matos (2) Luis Toribio (1) lunatic fringe (1) Mac Marshall (1) Mac Williamson (12) Madison Bumgarner (185) Mailbox (1) Malcolm Gladwell (1) management change (3) management issues (5) managerial value (5) Manny (1) Marc Kroon (2) Marco Luciano (3) Marco Scutaro (12) Mark DeRosa (8) Mark Gardner (1) Mark Melancon (4) Marlon Byrd (1) Martin Agosta (7) Marvin Miller (1) Masahiro Tanaka (1) Mason Black (1) Mason McVay (1) Matsuzaka (1) Matt Cain (160) Matt Chapman (1) Matt Daniels (3) Matt Downs (2) Matt Duffy (8) Matt Graham (1) Matt Holliday (1) Matt Krook (2) Matt Moore (15) Matt Morris (2) Mauricio Dubon (2) Mechanics (4) Media (17) Media Bias (17) media hypocrisy (1) Media Trade Idea (3) Medical (1) Mediocy (11) Mediots (6) Melk-Gone (1) Melky Cabrera (14) Melvin Adon (1) memories (1) mental (1) Merkin Valdez (8) Message in a Bottle (1) methodology (2) MI (1) Michael Conforto (1) Michael Main (1) Michael Reed (1) Michael Trout (1) middle infield (2) Miguel Cabrera (2) Miguel Gomez (1) Miguel Tejada (5) Mike Fontenot (3) Mike Ivie (1) Mike Kickham (9) Mike Leake (11) Mike Matheny (1) Mike Morse (10) Mike Yazstremski (2) milestone (1) minor league (1) minor league contract (4) minors (11) mismanagement (1) misnomer (1) mistakes (2) MLB (2) MLB stupidity (2) MLB Success (7) MLB Trade Rumors (1) MLBAM (1) MLBTR (1) MLE (1) Mock Draft analysis (8) Modern Portfolio Theory (1) Modus Operandi (2) MPT (1) MVP (2) Natanael Javier (1) Nate Schierholtz (45) Nathanael Javier (1) Nationals (1) Naysayers (2) Negotiations (1) Neil Ramirez (1) NewPQS (8) Next Gen (1) Nick Hundley (2) Nick Noonan (27) Nick Pereira (1) Nick Vander Tuig (2) Nick Vincent (1) NL Champions (2) NL West (29) NL West Division Title (20) NL West Future (1) NLCS (22) NLCS MVP (2) NLDS (8) Noah Lowry (14) non-roster invitees (2) non-tenders (3) Nori Aoki (4) NPB (1) NRI (1) Oakland A's (4) OBP (1) oddities (1) Offense (4) offensive era (1) ogcPQS (6) Omar Vizquel (3) one-run games (3) Opener (1) openers (1) Opening Day (6) opening day pitcher (3) opening day roster (11) Optimism (1) Osiris Matos (2) Outfield (3) overturned (1) Ownership (7) Pablo Sandoval (97) Padres (1) Panda (6) Pandoval (1) passing (1) Pat Burrell (15) Pat Misch (5) Patrick Bailey (1) Payroll (11) PECOTA (1) Pedro Feliz (12) PEDS (10) Perfect Game (2) perjury trial (1) personal (2) Personal Reminiscence (2) Pessimism (1) Pete Palmer (1) Pete Putila (1) Pete Rose (3) Peter Magowan (2) Phil Bickford (3) Phillies (7) philosophy (1) Phoenix Theory of Rebuilding (1) Pierce Johnson (2) Pitch Count (3) pitch framing (1) pitch value (1) Pitcher hitting 8th (1) pitcher’s health (1) Pitchers League (1) Pitching (27) pitching analysis (4) pitching development (3) Pitching Rotation (89) pitching staff (6) pitching strategy (2) plate discipline (1) platoon players (2) Play Ball (1) player acquisition (1) player budget (2) player development (7) playoff (2) playoff analysis (2) playoff hopes (37) playoff roster (2) playoff rotation (6) Playoff Success (27) Playoff Win Effective (3) Playoff Win Efficient (2) Playoffs (44) postmortem (2) PQS (109) press conference (2) pressure (2) priorities (1) Projected Record (6) projection (2) projections (2) promotion (2) prospect (3) prospect analysis (7) prospect future (1) prospect handling (1) Prospect of Note (3) prospect promotion (1) prospect study (2) Prospects (46) quality starts (1) questions (1) radio great (1) Rafael Rodriquez (8) Rajai Davis (2) Ralph Barbieri (1) Ramon Ramirez (3) Randy Johnson (10) Randy Messenger (2) Randy Winn (14) Rangers (5) Ranking (4) rant (1) raspberry (1) rationalization (1) Ray Durham (5) re-sign (2) realist (1) Rebuilding (5) Rebuilding Myths series (1) rebuttal (1) Red Sox (1) Reds (5) rehab (1) reliever (3) relievers (1) Relocation Concession (2) Research (2) resource scarcity (1) rest for starters (1) Retired (3) Retirement (3) return (1) Reyes Moronta (3) RHP (1) Ricardo Genoves (1) Rich Aurilia (7) Rick Peterson (1) Rickie Weeks (1) Ricky Oropesa (3) right-handed (1) risk mitigation (2) risk profile (1) Roberto Gomez (1) Rockies (2) Rod Beck (1) Roger Kieschnick (13) Roger Metzger (1) Ron Shandler (2) Ron Wotus (1) Ronnie Jebavy (1) Ronnie Ray (1) rookie debut (1) Rookie of the Year (1) Roster (4) rosterbation (2) Rotation by Committee (1) Rotation Chaos (1) ROY (2) Royals (3) Rule 5 (2) Rule 5 Draft Pick (5) rumors (9) run differential (1) run prevention (1) run production (1) runs support (1) Russ Ortiz (11) Russell Carleton (1) Ryan Garko (2) Ryan Klesko (4) Ryan Rohlinger (2) Ryan Theriot (3) Ryan Vogelsong (93) Ryder Jones (2) Sabean Naysayers (7) Sabermetric Thoughts (6) sabermetrics (5) SABR (1) Salary speculation (3) SALLY (1) Sam Dyson (7) Sam Long (1) Sam Selman (1) Sam Wolff (1) San Jose Giants (1) San Jose Relocation (3) Sandro Fabian (2) Sandy Rosario (1) Santiago Casilla (9) scenarios (1) Scott Boras (1) Scott Harris (2) Scott McClain (2) Scott Shuman (1) Scouting (2) Sean Hjelle (5) season review (1) secret sauce (2) Sergio Romo (17) Seth Corry (6) SF Giants (2) Shilo McCall (1) Shohei Ohtani (3) Shohei Otani (2) Shooter (1) shutouts (1) Signature Song (1) signing (13) Silly-Ball (3) South Atlantic League (1) South Bay Rights (1) SP usage (1) spin rate (1) splits (2) Sports Illustrated (1) Spring Training (16) stabilized stats (1) standings (1) starting CF (1) starting lineup (19) starting pitching (96) starting rotation (4) Statcorner (1) State of the Giants (1) statistics (2) STATS (1) Steamer (1) Stephen Vogt (1) Steroids (7) Steve Edlefsen (4) Steve Johnson (3) Steve Okert (8) Steven Duggar (7) strikeout rate (2) Sue Burns (1) sunk costs (1) superstition (1) tactics (1) talent evaluation (4) Tax (1) team culture (1) Team of the 2010's (2) Team of the 2020's (1) Team of the Decade (4) Team Speed (1) Team Support (1) Thank You (2) The Evil Ones (tm) (1) The Giants Way (2) The Hardball Times (1) The Hey Series (19) The Hey Zaidi Series (4) Thomas Joseph (3) Thomas Neal (9) Tigers (4) Tim Alderson (17) Tim Hudson (39) Tim Lincecum (195) TINSTAAPP (1) Todd Linden (3) Todd Wellemeyer (6) Tommy Joseph (3) Tony Watson (4) Top 100 Prospects (1) Top 14 Roster (1) Top Draft Position (4) top Giants prospects (5) top player list (1) top prospect list (6) Trade (12) Trade Analysis (22) Trade Idea (9) Trade PTBNL (2) Trade Rumors (30) trading (1) training staff (2) Training Tool (1) Travis Blackley (1) Travis Ishikawa (47) Trevor Brown (5) Trevor Gott (1) tribute (1) Tristan Beck (2) turning point (1) Ty Blach (23) Tyler Austin (1) Tyler Beede (10) Tyler Cyr (1) Tyler Horan (1) Tyler McDonald (1) Tyler Rogers (2) Tyler Walker (2) umpire mistake (3) Umpires (3) USA Today (1) utility (1) Voros McCracken (1) Waiver Roulette (1) Waldis Joaquin (5) walks (1) Wall of Fame (1) WAR (4) Warrior Spirit (1) Wendell Fairley (10) What-If Scenario (3) wild card (1) wild card race (1) Will Bednar (1) Will Clark (1) Will Smith (7) Will Wilson (3) Williams Jerez (1) Willie Mac Award (1) Willie Mays (1) winning on the road (1) Winter League (1) winter meetings (3) World Series (28) World Series Champions (13) WS Ring Bling (1) xBABIP (1) xwOBA (1) Yankees (1) Yusmeiro Petit (40) Zack Cozart (2) Zack Wheeler (9) Zaidi MO (2) Zaidi Rotation (3) ZiPS (1) Zito Role (2)