The Giants acquired Kevin Pillar from the Toronto Blue Jays, for the package of players that other teams had already decided not to take them from the Giants: Alen Hanson, Derek Law, and Juan De Paula. They also DFAed Michael Reed to clear 25-man and 40-man spots for Pillar.
Pillar is a below average hitter, roughly .700 OPS career hitter, but has been considered an elite defensive CF for most of his career, until the last season or two. Still, all the major WAR metrics (baseball-reference, FanGraphs, and Baseball Prospectus) valued him at 2.0+ wins in 2018 still, bad offense and declining defense.
Showing posts with label Derek Law. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Derek Law. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 03, 2019
Monday, April 02, 2018
Your 2018 Giants: Giants Bullpen is In Good Shape
I see people worried about our bullpen, so I thought I would tackle that concern.
Saturday, February 17, 2018
Your 2018 Giants: Signs FA Tony Watson for $9M
The Giants have agreed to sign free agent Tony Watson, former teammate and buddy of closer Mark Melancon (he apparently tried hard to recruit him even when he was briefly with the Dodgers; he pitched very well for them in the playoffs). Two years at $9M, plus games played escalators that easily push the contract to $14M, but all in 2019, none in 2018, plus a player's option for 2020.
To stay under the CBT penalty, his agent, Scott Boras (of course, he was the sneak that cost us a Top 10 pick in Matt White, when he found a loophole that made him a free agent; I won't fully forgive him unless Bryce Harper signs with us next off-season :^) ), helped figure out a way for the Giants to sign him, given their interest in him once the news that Will Smith would miss at least the first month of the season in his recovery from TJS. Apparently for the CBT, because it is a two year contract with a third year player option, for AAV purposes, it counts as 3 years, but because only $9M is guaranteed over the first two years of the contract, you divide the $9M by the 3 years.
Boras' financial accountant earned his salary with that move, and this might break the log jam of free agents, as other teams try to do similar contractual gymnastics to sign other free agents.
To stay under the CBT penalty, his agent, Scott Boras (of course, he was the sneak that cost us a Top 10 pick in Matt White, when he found a loophole that made him a free agent; I won't fully forgive him unless Bryce Harper signs with us next off-season :^) ), helped figure out a way for the Giants to sign him, given their interest in him once the news that Will Smith would miss at least the first month of the season in his recovery from TJS. Apparently for the CBT, because it is a two year contract with a third year player option, for AAV purposes, it counts as 3 years, but because only $9M is guaranteed over the first two years of the contract, you divide the $9M by the 3 years.
Boras' financial accountant earned his salary with that move, and this might break the log jam of free agents, as other teams try to do similar contractual gymnastics to sign other free agents.
Saturday, April 02, 2016
Your 2016 Giants: Big Six Top Giants Prospects
I sometimes post a Big Six Giants prospect list on my blog, but my answer to the Giants prospect chat will have to substitute for it this season. I like to read through the books and discuss why I like the top guys, and build my arguments why I think they are the top 6, but that is going to take a lot of time, and I like to get it done before Opening Day, and I just don't have the time. So this time, I'm just going to fan boy about the system.
Saturday, November 07, 2015
Your 2016 Giants: 40-man Roster Moves
Beyond the Aoki non-option, I realized that I should mention other roster moves that had been made recently. The Giants outrighted Juan Perez, Nick Noonan, Jackson Willilams, and Brett Bochy, which opened up spots for guys the Giants brought off of the 60-day DL, which was necessary once the World Series was won by the Royals (Congrats!), allowing Joe Panik, Andrew Susac, and Hector Sanchez back on the 40-man. Juan Perez was also brought off the 60-day DL, then was waivered and passed through. Oh, and I recall that Kevin Frandsen was released as well, at some point.
It appears that Perez was placed back on the AAA roster after passing through waivers. No news on what is happening with Noonan, Williams, or Bochy.
It appears that Perez was placed back on the AAA roster after passing through waivers. No news on what is happening with Noonan, Williams, or Bochy.
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Your 2015 Giants: Big Six Prospects
I've tried in prior years to discuss prospects, and so again I'm trying. I honestly don't think more than 6 prospects at any time is ever going to make the majors, and Christy Mathewson was nicknamed the Big Six (after a famous fire engine company in NYC), so I've named it in his honor in my blog posts so far.
But in recent seasons, more than six were interesting, and so I would at least mention ones who looked interesting to me in some way (honorable mentions). And I've never liked the format of combining by some combination of closeness, or potential impact, so I'm going to break them up in this post. Also, I'll mention interesting players for both pitching and hitting.
But in recent seasons, more than six were interesting, and so I would at least mention ones who looked interesting to me in some way (honorable mentions). And I've never liked the format of combining by some combination of closeness, or potential impact, so I'm going to break them up in this post. Also, I'll mention interesting players for both pitching and hitting.
Friday, November 21, 2014
Your 2015 Giants: New 40-man Roster Additions and Subtraction
Pavlovic reported on the 40-man roster additions and subtraction before the Rule 5 Draft that will be happening soon. Being added are four RHP:
As often happens, the 40 man roster got filled beyond, so a player was DFAed: Juan Gutierrez. Obviously, if the Giants sign any of their free agents - Sandoval, Romo, Peavy, Vogelsong - they will need to open up a spot for them and more players will be DFAed.
Sandoval Thoughts
Speaking of Sandoval, lots of rumors going around, one that the Giants already offered 5 years and $90M, another almost polar opposite that Sandoval basically was insulted that he wasn't signed before reaching free agency, and will sign with another team. I don't want him at that contract so I'm kind of hoping he wants to move on if that is really the offer.
I can't believe that the Giants offered 5 years and $90M, though, the more I think about it. If that is really their best offer, why didn't they offer that in spring training or late in the season, a la Pence. Just because you agree not to negotiate don't mean you can't throw out a number and ask them to think about it. And Sandoval probably would have signed a contract like that. And it is such a huge leap from 3 years and $40M, that just don't make sense to me, especially given how poorly he hit this season, he's certainly capable of better but other teams tend to look at recent performances for a clue to future, and Sandoval has been lacking and dropping since 2011, a double whammy.
No, this looks like something a desperate agent would release to the press in order to make other teams think that they need to outbid the Giants. Because, as an inexperienced agent who apparently screwed up his only other negotiation and gave the Royals a sweetest of hearts deal for their starting catcher - I don't see how he did his fiduciary duties for his client, I would bet that if Perez wanted to sue his agent on the grounds of incompetence, he would probably win - he don't know how to actually negotiate and drive the hard bargains necessary to win his client a bigger contract. And he showed off his inexperience in spring with his poor handling of the press and saying the things he said. So he could have released this "fact" in hopes of pushing another team to go higher, towards what he wants.
Only, most reports are that Boston only want to go four years AND place weight bonuses as part of the contract. And there is no way the Padres or Blue Jays will pay that much money for Sandoval, SD certainly, Toronto however, has pulled off stupid moves before, and might yet have another one up their sleeves. Bobby Evans thinks that Sandoval wants to decide by Thanksgiving, so we should soon see if any of this is true or not.
As I've written before, I think the Giants can be fine offensively without Sandoval, and I look forward to seeing what Duffy or Adrianza can do at 3B, with Arias as a floor on what we get from the position. Better than paying Sandoval a contract that 1) don't fit in with what he has actually produced, 2) don't fit in with the market for 3B, 3) don't fit in with his lack of responsibility with regards to the $17M contract he got previously. We will see.
- Derek Law: He had a great 2013 and was prominently promoted as a possible 2014 addition to the bullpen, but unfortunately he needed Tommy John surgery. Was considered the future closer by some (including me) before the injury. Assuming he comes back like Strickland did from his TJS, we could have a sterling future bullpen of Law, Strickland, Okert.
- Ray Black: 100 MPH fast ball but wild as heck. Pavlovic noted that teams were interested in him.
- Cody Hall: He has been doing well as a reliever rising up the farm, but Law and Strickland got most of the headlines. 9.9 K/9 (but 26 YO in AA) and 4.07 K/BB ratio (excellent).
- Joan Gregorio: People are down on him because of his higher ERA and high walk rate, but his K/BB was above 2.0, which is the mark of a good pitcher, generally. He's only 23 YO for the 2015 season, so if he can work out whatever issues he had while in San Jose, and put in a good season, he would be on track for making the majors at age 25-26, which is not that bad.
As often happens, the 40 man roster got filled beyond, so a player was DFAed: Juan Gutierrez. Obviously, if the Giants sign any of their free agents - Sandoval, Romo, Peavy, Vogelsong - they will need to open up a spot for them and more players will be DFAed.
Sandoval Thoughts
Speaking of Sandoval, lots of rumors going around, one that the Giants already offered 5 years and $90M, another almost polar opposite that Sandoval basically was insulted that he wasn't signed before reaching free agency, and will sign with another team. I don't want him at that contract so I'm kind of hoping he wants to move on if that is really the offer.
I can't believe that the Giants offered 5 years and $90M, though, the more I think about it. If that is really their best offer, why didn't they offer that in spring training or late in the season, a la Pence. Just because you agree not to negotiate don't mean you can't throw out a number and ask them to think about it. And Sandoval probably would have signed a contract like that. And it is such a huge leap from 3 years and $40M, that just don't make sense to me, especially given how poorly he hit this season, he's certainly capable of better but other teams tend to look at recent performances for a clue to future, and Sandoval has been lacking and dropping since 2011, a double whammy.
No, this looks like something a desperate agent would release to the press in order to make other teams think that they need to outbid the Giants. Because, as an inexperienced agent who apparently screwed up his only other negotiation and gave the Royals a sweetest of hearts deal for their starting catcher - I don't see how he did his fiduciary duties for his client, I would bet that if Perez wanted to sue his agent on the grounds of incompetence, he would probably win - he don't know how to actually negotiate and drive the hard bargains necessary to win his client a bigger contract. And he showed off his inexperience in spring with his poor handling of the press and saying the things he said. So he could have released this "fact" in hopes of pushing another team to go higher, towards what he wants.
Only, most reports are that Boston only want to go four years AND place weight bonuses as part of the contract. And there is no way the Padres or Blue Jays will pay that much money for Sandoval, SD certainly, Toronto however, has pulled off stupid moves before, and might yet have another one up their sleeves. Bobby Evans thinks that Sandoval wants to decide by Thanksgiving, so we should soon see if any of this is true or not.
As I've written before, I think the Giants can be fine offensively without Sandoval, and I look forward to seeing what Duffy or Adrianza can do at 3B, with Arias as a floor on what we get from the position. Better than paying Sandoval a contract that 1) don't fit in with what he has actually produced, 2) don't fit in with the market for 3B, 3) don't fit in with his lack of responsibility with regards to the $17M contract he got previously. We will see.
Monday, March 03, 2014
Why I Love Giants Management: Part Deux
A recent news from spring training regarding Derek Law (here's article by Pavlovic) got me singing the praises of Giants management again.
Monday, February 03, 2014
Your 2014 Giants FanFeast
The Giants had their annual FanFest and Baggerly, Schulman, Pavlovic, and Haft posted good bits of info (I would just link, but some spread it out over a number of posts, so find their links to the right if you don't already have them bookmarked, THE sources to go to for comprehensive Giants info).
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Your 2013 Giants: The Best Minor League Rotation: San Jose
I was inspired by Shankbone's post on the rotation. Plus, there were great quotes on some of them in a recent Sabean interview (Pavlovic).
Mostly, BA, in their round up on each of the minor leagues for 2013, had all five members of the San Jose rotation in their Top 20 ranking of prospects in the California League (here, scroll down to Cal League). Here were their ranking:
No other team had their entire rotation in their league's Top 20 ranking, though the Blue Jays came close in the rookie Appalachian League with four pitchers, but their top guy was 6th and I'm not sure if any were relievers. Diamondbacks had three pitchers in the Northwest League. Padres had three in the Midwest League. Marlins had three in Florida State League. Padres had three in Texas League.
Other Giants making a league's Top 20 list include:
On top of that, these guys dominated the BA Giants Top 10 ranking as well:
Crick was rated with both the best fastball and best curveball, showing how advanced he is. Clayton Blackburn had the best Changeup. Ty Blach had the best control. (and I would note that Derek Law had the best slider; plus FYI, Brown was considered the best athlete, Adrianza the best defensive infielder).
Here is the Giants entire Top 10 prospect list for 2014:
Here are the Sabean quotes from Pavlovic:
ogc thoughts
So my title lied, not just about the best minor league rotation, but other minor league info as well.
Wow, I never looked before for this, only a team's fan would notice, but that has to be a pretty rare thing to happen, to have 5 of your top prospect pitchers to not only be in the same league, but also rank among the best in the league that same season. Blackburn just made it in at 20th, and I think that he's really talented and was hurt by his poor showing in Stockton (3 horrific starts there; his numbers otherwise were in line with his 2012 stats in Augusta adjusted for a hitter's league).
Crick was in BA's Top 100 last season, if I recall right, so I expect him to stay in it for 2014. I wonder if Escobar will get into the ranking as well. I don't think any other prospect will make it on for 2014.
Nice comments from Sabean on a number of prospects. He expounds a little more about why the Giants like Escobar, though not a lot. Same for Crick and Mejia. Funny that Law was rated with the best slider by BA, and yet Sabean points out his "hard overhand curveball that you don't see. The action is almost like a splitter." Biggest bit of info was his thoughts on Susac: "I think we all agree that he's got a chance to be a frontline catcher."
Plus the Pavlovic blog also noted this on Hanchez: "People look at him as a potential frontline catcher."
As much as the Giants made a point that Posey is their catcher, I have to hope that once Susac or Hanchez show enough to be a frontline catcher, the Giants move Posey to another position (hopefully 3B, pushing Sandoval to 1B and Belt to LF), with the duo being co-starters. It makes no sense to keep Posey there long term once there proves to be a viable starting catcher, the wear and tear on his body is tremendous, and the nicks and pains of the catching position can only hurt his ability to stay consistent offensively, where his value is most prominent, particularly since he's been mostly just average defensively as a catcher since coming back from his ankle injury.
I understand needing to make that message known today, in support of arguably their biggest star player, but in the best interests of the long-term success of the team, he needs to move off the position within the next 3 seasons, before his 30 YO season (he's 27, 28, 29 next three). That fits time wise with Susac and Hanchez, they probably won't be ready until 2015 at the earliest, but if continue to develop, should be ready by 2016. With the hints that Sandoval might be extended, that move would cause a three player shuffle, but Posey can't hit like he can and earn the money on the back end of the deal if he's crippled playing catcher.
Good Timing: Need to Replace Pitching
Something I discussed, I think, on Shankbone's, is the Giants need to replace pitchers in the pitching staff over the next 2-3 years. Here are the guys 30 and over right now:
That's 11 pitchers who could be in the pitching staff in 2014 season, out of 12 on the 25-man roster, with Bumgarner the only youngster among the bunch.
Luckily, they should not all break down and leave the team at the same time, some can and will last into their late 30's. But even if just half of them need replacement, that is 5-6 pitchers needed at the major league level. So while we should count our lucky stars that we have so many young pitching prospects rising up quickly, I must remind all of us of the Big 3 we were counting at about 10 years ago, in Foppert, Ainsworth, Williams. Then there was Lowry as well. So we might need each and every one of them to refill our pitching staff over the next few years, leaving no surplus to trade off. Just keep that in mind when dreaming of trades.
Mostly, BA, in their round up on each of the minor leagues for 2013, had all five members of the San Jose rotation in their Top 20 ranking of prospects in the California League (here, scroll down to Cal League). Here were their ranking:
- #3: Crick
- #6: Escobar
- #10: Mejia
- #15: Blach
- #20: Blackburn
No other team had their entire rotation in their league's Top 20 ranking, though the Blue Jays came close in the rookie Appalachian League with four pitchers, but their top guy was 6th and I'm not sure if any were relievers. Diamondbacks had three pitchers in the Northwest League. Padres had three in the Midwest League. Marlins had three in Florida State League. Padres had three in Texas League.
Other Giants making a league's Top 20 list include:
- #2: Arroyo (Arizona Rookie League)
- #14: Mella (Arizona Rookie League)
- #18: Jones (Arizona Rookie League)
- #8: Chase Johnson (Northwest League)
On top of that, these guys dominated the BA Giants Top 10 ranking as well:
- #1: Crick
- #2: Escobar
- #4: Mejia
- #8: Blach
- #10: Blackburn
Crick was rated with both the best fastball and best curveball, showing how advanced he is. Clayton Blackburn had the best Changeup. Ty Blach had the best control. (and I would note that Derek Law had the best slider; plus FYI, Brown was considered the best athlete, Adrianza the best defensive infielder).
Here is the Giants entire Top 10 prospect list for 2014:
- #1: Kyle Crick (best fastball and curve)
- #2: Edwin Escobar
- #3: Chris Stratton
- #4: Adalberto Mejia
- #5: Mac Williamson
- #6: Christian Arroyo (best hitter for average)
- #7: Heath Hembree
- #8: Ty Blach (best control)
- #9: Joe Panik (best strike-zone discipline)
- #10: Clayton Blackburn (best changeup)
Here are the Sabean quotes from Pavlovic:
Edwin Escobar (Sabean said he’s likely headed for Triple-A): “Escobar has been asked about quite a bit, which is good. He’s right on schedule to take the next step and have a baseline of innings for being called up, or if he’s not called up he’ll have 185-plus innings at the end of next year. He’s a strike-thrower. He’s very aggressive in the zone.”
Kyle Crick: “Crick kind of had a chopped up season. Whether it’s him or any prospect or almost any pitcher in that (fall) league, sometimes the stat line doesn’t tell you the best story. He had real good, inconsistent stuff. The power to his stuff was impressive.”
Adalberto Mejia: “It’s just about overall maturation. He’s a big-bodied guy who is still learning his delivery, balance in his delivery.”
Plus a couple more on other prospects, since Sabes noted it:
Derek Law: “Obviously was dominant and didn’t give up a run (in the AFL) and it really turned our heads because it by and large is a hitters’ league … I’m really interested to see what he does against Major League hitters in spring training. He’s got a breaking ball, being that hard overhand curveball that you don’t see. The action is almost like a splitter.”
Andrew Susac: “I think we all agree that he’s got a chance to be a frontline catcher. He had a real good fall league. He’s got to clean up some things, concentration behind the plate from pitch to pitch. He needs to work on his shifting and his blocking but that’s true for any catcher as they go through the minor leagues.”
ogc thoughts
So my title lied, not just about the best minor league rotation, but other minor league info as well.
Wow, I never looked before for this, only a team's fan would notice, but that has to be a pretty rare thing to happen, to have 5 of your top prospect pitchers to not only be in the same league, but also rank among the best in the league that same season. Blackburn just made it in at 20th, and I think that he's really talented and was hurt by his poor showing in Stockton (3 horrific starts there; his numbers otherwise were in line with his 2012 stats in Augusta adjusted for a hitter's league).
Crick was in BA's Top 100 last season, if I recall right, so I expect him to stay in it for 2014. I wonder if Escobar will get into the ranking as well. I don't think any other prospect will make it on for 2014.
Nice comments from Sabean on a number of prospects. He expounds a little more about why the Giants like Escobar, though not a lot. Same for Crick and Mejia. Funny that Law was rated with the best slider by BA, and yet Sabean points out his "hard overhand curveball that you don't see. The action is almost like a splitter." Biggest bit of info was his thoughts on Susac: "I think we all agree that he's got a chance to be a frontline catcher."
Plus the Pavlovic blog also noted this on Hanchez: "People look at him as a potential frontline catcher."
As much as the Giants made a point that Posey is their catcher, I have to hope that once Susac or Hanchez show enough to be a frontline catcher, the Giants move Posey to another position (hopefully 3B, pushing Sandoval to 1B and Belt to LF), with the duo being co-starters. It makes no sense to keep Posey there long term once there proves to be a viable starting catcher, the wear and tear on his body is tremendous, and the nicks and pains of the catching position can only hurt his ability to stay consistent offensively, where his value is most prominent, particularly since he's been mostly just average defensively as a catcher since coming back from his ankle injury.
I understand needing to make that message known today, in support of arguably their biggest star player, but in the best interests of the long-term success of the team, he needs to move off the position within the next 3 seasons, before his 30 YO season (he's 27, 28, 29 next three). That fits time wise with Susac and Hanchez, they probably won't be ready until 2015 at the earliest, but if continue to develop, should be ready by 2016. With the hints that Sandoval might be extended, that move would cause a three player shuffle, but Posey can't hit like he can and earn the money on the back end of the deal if he's crippled playing catcher.
Good Timing: Need to Replace Pitching
Something I discussed, I think, on Shankbone's, is the Giants need to replace pitchers in the pitching staff over the next 2-3 years. Here are the guys 30 and over right now:
- Lincecum (30 YO season in 2014)
- Cain (30 YO in 2015)
- Vogelsong (36 YO)
- Hudson (38 YO)
- Romo (31 YO)
- Affeldt (35 YO)
- Kontos (30 YO in 2015)
- Casilla (33 YO)
- Lopez (36 YO)
- Machi (32 YO)
- Petit (30 YO in 2015)
That's 11 pitchers who could be in the pitching staff in 2014 season, out of 12 on the 25-man roster, with Bumgarner the only youngster among the bunch.
Luckily, they should not all break down and leave the team at the same time, some can and will last into their late 30's. But even if just half of them need replacement, that is 5-6 pitchers needed at the major league level. So while we should count our lucky stars that we have so many young pitching prospects rising up quickly, I must remind all of us of the Big 3 we were counting at about 10 years ago, in Foppert, Ainsworth, Williams. Then there was Lowry as well. So we might need each and every one of them to refill our pitching staff over the next few years, leaving no surplus to trade off. Just keep that in mind when dreaming of trades.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
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