tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23735245.post7780877034538383937..comments2024-02-23T20:49:09.057-08:00Comments on obsessivegiantscompulsive: Good Penny-Ante Signingobsessivegiantscompulsivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11362706004246875823noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23735245.post-11324020955242640962009-09-01T09:07:38.721-07:002009-09-01T09:07:38.721-07:00Marc, Bochy has not allowed Lincecum to go over 12...Marc, Bochy has not allowed Lincecum to go over 127 pitches this season, nor over 138 pitches over his career thus far. I don't think any pitcher has reached 160 pitches in the last ten years, at least, let alone by Bochy.<br /><br />That is one thing that I've liked about Bochy is his handling of the young pitchers and of the pitching staff overall. I've been very pleased with that.<br /><br />Plus, even before the Giants got Penny, the Giants announced that Lincecum would be pushed back a day, meaning that there will be a 5th starter pitching Weds, just was not sure who, though we knew for sure it was not Martinez, who was optioned just recently.obsessivegiantscompulsivehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11362706004246875823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23735245.post-20018835313736681292009-09-01T09:00:14.755-07:002009-09-01T09:00:14.755-07:00Cool, thanks Matt. Still, thinking more about it,...Cool, thanks Matt. Still, thinking more about it, from what I remember, they said the other week that even once Franchez is off the DL, he might need to rehab in the minors (what little days left) to get his hitting touch back. So he might not be back quite yet, maybe once we get home.<br /><br />Jim Thome was a DH all season. The last time he played 1B regularly was 2004 when he was 33. He's now 38. If he played 1B, he should be horrible there.<br /><br />Loney isn't hitting as well, but even when Thome was playing regularly, he wasn't that good, if I remember right, so if they play Thome at 1B over Loney, the improvement offensively will be offset by the defensive drop. Both are lefties, so no platoon possibility, I assume.<br /><br />So the only time he's really going to make a difference is in the World Series when they need a DH in the AL park. That's actually a strategy that I've talked about on my blog for the Giants to use. <br /><br />Garland, however, is a great addition for them. They have been searching for a 5th starter and now they got one. I have to assume that they did this because the Giants got Penny. <br /><br />And he's even better than his numbers, which is already good. He has a much lower ERA on the road (AZ is hitter's park) and LA is a pitcher's park. Plus, he has stepped it up and has a lower ERA in the 2nd half. <br /><br />I think he's the one that ensures they win the West, assuming he can pitch as well as he has and not flop for some reason. Also, it greatly improves their chances in the playoffs, getting another quality pitcher.<br /><br />About Contreras, the image that comes to me is the Peanuts Halloween special, where the Giants say "We got Penny", and the D-gers say "We got Garland" but the D-Rox say "We got a rock..."<br /><br />I've never liked Contreras much. He's a doable vet. His numbers are a bit inflated as his BABIP on the road is very high but his K/BB ratio is good, so eh's had some bad luck there. <br /><br />However, he had some injury problem in May and I think he's having one now. He was actually very good for a 8 game stretch after he got back from DL - 6 DOM and 1 DIS - but in his last 6 starts, 1 DOM and 5 DIS, which is horrible.<br /><br />I don't see how he's going to get better in September without resting up. Plus, he'll be pitching in Colorado now. He had a really good outing there the one time he has pitched there, but I doubt that he can continue that there, he has to prove it first because most pitchers don't do well there.<br /><br />Fangraphs has their take on this here: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/three-late-deals/<br /><br />Not much more than I noted, but one important fact is that Kuroda has a concussion and is out indefinitely, which I forgot. Still, any way you look at it, good addition in Garland, not so good Contreras, in fact, if anything, it could have cost them the wild card with that move.obsessivegiantscompulsivehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11362706004246875823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23735245.post-46062569848104725262009-09-01T07:09:58.367-07:002009-09-01T07:09:58.367-07:00Bochy said Franchez will be healthy enough to come...Bochy said Franchez will be healthy enough to come off the DL tomorrow.<br />How about the Dodgers getting Thome and Garland? The Rox getting Contreras? Everyone is getting ready for the final stretch.Matt Mongiellonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23735245.post-92039981726973230252009-08-31T22:34:25.685-07:002009-08-31T22:34:25.685-07:00I just realized something: to add Penny to the ro...I just realized something: to add Penny to the roster, we will have to clear a space on the 40 man roster. I have no idea who they will jettison. My most immediate thought would be Brian Bocock since he hasn't done anything offensively even at Advanced A to warrant a return to the majors. I can't think of any other player to put on the 60 man DL either, unless they decide to do that to Freddy Sanchez.<br /><br />I suppose they could put Burriss on it since he's out for the season but I don't see him listed as on the DL.obsessivegiantscompulsivehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11362706004246875823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23735245.post-88070945964953701822009-08-31T18:13:03.687-07:002009-08-31T18:13:03.687-07:00I've always liked Brad Penny - I think he'...I've always liked Brad Penny - I think he's a good choice. The 5th spot has felt like a cast of thousands, and not to get overly cliched, but Penny will keep us in those games. Anectdotal evidence aside, but being on the wrong side of a blowout is not where the Giants need to be, considering the offense.<br /><br />The BABIP on the road is encouraging, and I agree with you - maybe it's Fenway, maybe it's Boston, maybe it's the team, but Red Sox pitching stats I feel always need to be taken with a grain of salt. Not unlike the Yankees and the Rockies, there is a psychological element involved.<br /><br />I think this is a good thing. I also agree that while this is a pennant race and it is September, anything that keeps Bochy from using Lincecum for 160 pitches a game (i.e. helps the bullpen)is also a good thing.marcnoreply@blogger.com