A recent news from spring training regarding Derek Law (here's article by Pavlovic) got me singing the praises of Giants management again.
ogc thoughts
The way most teams would run their team is to just go with the vets and many Sabean Naysayers say that about our GM most of the time. Here's the latest evidence that he goes strictly by talent (and he can't help if if most times the vet has more talent than the prospect fans mistakenly think has more): he has openly spoke about Derek Law making the bullpen, based on what he did in 2013, noting that it would not surprise him if Law is in contention.
Now, for me, looking at Law's numbers, I would agree. When I see a pitcher who has that type of pitching dominance, with his K/9, combined with a stupendous ("stupid" is the term Cainer would use) K/BB ratio (all in Pavlovic's article), I've seen the Giants jump those players quickly to the majors (Jonathan "Dirty" Sanchez is the name that comes to mind for me). And those players tend to succeed in the majors.
However, most teams that have two very capable relievers in Machi and Kontos, heck, more than capable, Kontos was excellent in 2012 for us, and Machi was pretty good himself in 2013, plus a hot prospect in Hembree, who looks like he should make the rotation, they are going to play down the possibility that Law might win a spot. That way, the team has a lot of backup in the minors, just in case the bullpen needs a replacement.
But the Giants have been talking about upgrading the bullpen and the beat writers and fans have been berating the Giants for signing the same guys and not picking up anyone, without acknowledging that a healthy Affeldt is a great addition, nor that keeping Lopez is much better than losing him, and especially that Hembree and Law (and I would add Osich) are great young relievers who have a lot of talent and is getting very close to taking MLB roles and excelling in them. And this pronouncement by Sabean that they are hoping that Law can come in and make the roster is another sign of that.
Most prospect lists downgrade relievers because of their limited role, but forget that relievers play very important roles nonetheless in the turning of leads into victories on any team. Hembree, Law, and Osich could be significant additions once they are ready and performing. And the bullpen last season suffered from both injuries (Affeldt) and sub-par performances (Kontos, Rosario and Mijares). So the Giants look in good shape to improve their bullpen, albeit, internally.
And speaking of which, the Giants have been taken to task for their statement of improving the starting rotation and yet only adding Hudson. What seems to be forgotten in this discussion is that Hudson is a huge improvement over Zito. HUGE! On top of that, Cain had his blip in the early part of the season, and looks back to his old self in his last 10 starts. And Bumgarner seems to improve each and every year, and at age 24, probably will improve again, similar to what Cain did in his early career, improve each year. So we went from one good starter in 2013 in Bumgarner, to having three good starters in him, Cain, and Hudson. Huge improvement in the rotation!
Potentially Timmy Lincecum will mature as a pitcher, and become a much better pitcher, and Vogelsong, if he has anything remaining, should be able to will himself to another good year. The guy gets really intense on pitching days, and if has anything remaining in his tank of tricks he could also be formidable. The giants have a lot of young pitching talent in the minors, some of whom should be able to be mainstays of the rotation and/or bullpen in a very short time.
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