I wrote this after reading the comments from fans after GM Scott Harris left to take over the Tigers. Some complain about how the Tigers have a better prospect situation. Others complain about Zaidi's tactics.
Seems like people need to get clear on some things about Zaidi and the Giants, and a bit on the Tigers too.
I wrote this a while back in a comment about losing GM Scott Harris. Then I added more...
Then Pete Putila was hired...
Then I found this post again, it was mostly writtten, but now I've added the section on the hiring of Putila, since it is related.
I wrote most of this (I also added new thoughts) in response to the comments made in response to the interview Tim Kawakami did with Farhan Zaidi (only subscribers):
So I read this blurb (in July) on the Dodgers at The Athletic (subscription required to read):
Their biggest need is likely to bolster a bullpen that is now down Blake Treinen, Daniel Hudson and Tommy Kahnle. Craig Kimbrel has been shaky just about every time out. The cracks are forming. While trading for a frontline starter to replace Walker Buehler would help, as would fortifying their bench with a quality fourth outfielder, they just need enough arms right now. — Fabian Ardaya
And that reminded me of the biggest problem I have with Zaidi's current strategy for pitching, what I would call the Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) of Pitching: and I'll quasi-quote him here, he's not looking for starting pitchers, he's looking for pitchers who can help him get to 162 starts in a season.
I wrote this in a thread comment on TA about the possibility of trading for Soto. Many comments were about Sabean's Modus Operandi, as well, so I addressed that too. Then, as I am wont to do, I added other stuff, thoughts come at me all day... (and sorry, wasn't able to finish before the trade deadline, where Soto was traded to the Padres)
Seeing complaints about the Giants offense and how they should have went out and signed a big bat hitter.
And while I wanted them to sign Seiya Suzuki, especially at the contract that the Cubs signed him to, for whatever reasons (per Baggarly, there were other non-baseball factors), I at least can understand why he chose to do what he did. So I decided to revisit the scenario of going with strong defense: strong pitching paired with strong fielding, and show the magic of having great pitching and fielding.
