Needing additional depth in an uncertain outfield situation, the San Francisco Giants acquired centerfielder Angel Pagan from the New York Mets during Tuesday's winter meetings for Andres Torres and Ramon Ramirez.
Pagan becomes the second outfielder San Francisco has traded for this offseason, following a trade in November that brought in Melky Cabrera who will likely start in center field.
Statistically speaking, Pagan provides little offensive upside over Torres but carries less of an injury risk--something that General Manager Brian Sabean needed to address considering the health of the outfield at the end of last season.
Outfielders such as Torres, Cody Ross, Nate Shierholtz and Aubrey Huff all missed time with injury last season, forcing the Giants to count on career journeymen like Justin Christian down the stretch for offense.
The upside that Pagan does provide is his ability to play all three outfield positions capably, as he enters the 2012 season with a career fielding percentage of .983 splitting time between left, right and centerfield.
As a right fielder, Pagan has played in 90 games and more than 530 innings without committing a single error--an asset that could considerably help the Giants defensively considering the design of their ballpark.
But Pagan's production at the plate the last two seasons may be what enticed Sabean to pull the trigger-- a stat line that has yielded back-to-back seasons of at least 30 steals and an on-base percentage better than .320 in each.
With the trade, Torres now has an opportunity to at least compete for a starting position in centerfield for the Mets, an opportunity that may have eluded him in San Francisco after Sabean brought in Cabrera in November.
Ramirez will also serve an important role for New York, leaving a crowded bullpen in San Francisco for a much less slated pen for the Mets.
It's likely Sabean has one or two other moves still up his sleeve, but expect the Giants to continue to make small acquisitions in areas of need rather than splurge on a blockbuster free-agent.
Angel Pagan (Career Statistics)
At-Bats: 1809
Batting Average: .279
Home Runs: 33
RBIs: 209
SBs: 95
OBP: .331
Best Season: (2010--NYM)
At-Bats: 633
Batting Average: .290
Home Runs: 11
RBIs: 69
SBs: 36
OBP: .340
Last Season (2011--NYM)
At-Bats: 532
Batting Average: .262
Home Runs: 7
RBIs: 56
SBs: 32
OBP: .322
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Giants trade Jonathan Sanchez to Kansas City for outfielder Melky Cabrera
Looking to add another outfielder and potential leadoff hitter, San Francisco acquired Melky Cabrera from the Royals earlier today in exchange for starting pitcher Jonathan Sanchez.
Cabrera is coming off of a 2011 season that saw the 27-year old post career offensive numbers across the board. His .305 average, 18 home runs, 87 RBIs and 20 stolen bases were all career bests for Cabrera, who departs Kansas City after just one season.
Trading Sanchez is a strong indication that the Giants have faith in either Barry Zito or Eric Surkamp to win the fifth and final spot in the rotation in 2012.
After going 13-9 with a 3.06 ERA in 2011 for the world champion Giants, Sanchez posted a 4-7 record and a 4.26 ERA in 2011 for San Francisco before ending up on the disabled list for most of the second half.
With a no-hitter already on his resume, Sanchez undoubtedly has the tools to pitch well at the major league level but has battled control issues for most of his young career (5.9 BB per nine innings in 2011).
A change of scenery may be the best fit for Sanchez, as he goes to a rebuilding Kansas City team that is loaded with young talent and looking to contend down the road as their prospects develop.
Dealing Cabrera to the Giants was another step towards the future in Kansas City, opening up the center field job for top prospect Lorenzo Cain who will likely step in as the leadoff hitter for the Royals in 2012.
The Giants also sent minor league pitcher Ryan Verdugo to the Royals along with Sanchez to complete the deal, carving even deeper into what used to be a strength of the minor league organization.
Verdugo joins a long list of Giants pitching prospects who were traded in 2011 as San Francisco made an attempt to go for their second straight division title.
Young arms like Zack Wheeler, Henry Sosa and now Verdugo have all now been traded, transforming the Giants minor league pitching depth from one of the best in the league to one that has few top prospects remaining.
The worst part may be if the Giants are unable to sign free agent outfielder Carlos Beltran and/or infielder Jeff Keppinger, who were both acquired before the deadline for Wheeler and Sosa respectively.
Trading for Cabrera may be a hint that Beltran isn't in the Giants price range for 2012 and beyond, which would mean Wheeler was sent to the Mets for two months of Beltran's services if he does in fact sign with another team.
The acquisition of Cabrera also means that fellow center fielder Grady Sizemore may no longer be in the Giants plans as had been rumored, unless Cabrera is moved to a corner outfield position which isn't out of the realm of possibility.
Cabrera is coming off of a 2011 season that saw the 27-year old post career offensive numbers across the board. His .305 average, 18 home runs, 87 RBIs and 20 stolen bases were all career bests for Cabrera, who departs Kansas City after just one season.
Trading Sanchez is a strong indication that the Giants have faith in either Barry Zito or Eric Surkamp to win the fifth and final spot in the rotation in 2012.
After going 13-9 with a 3.06 ERA in 2011 for the world champion Giants, Sanchez posted a 4-7 record and a 4.26 ERA in 2011 for San Francisco before ending up on the disabled list for most of the second half.
With a no-hitter already on his resume, Sanchez undoubtedly has the tools to pitch well at the major league level but has battled control issues for most of his young career (5.9 BB per nine innings in 2011).
A change of scenery may be the best fit for Sanchez, as he goes to a rebuilding Kansas City team that is loaded with young talent and looking to contend down the road as their prospects develop.
Dealing Cabrera to the Giants was another step towards the future in Kansas City, opening up the center field job for top prospect Lorenzo Cain who will likely step in as the leadoff hitter for the Royals in 2012.
The Giants also sent minor league pitcher Ryan Verdugo to the Royals along with Sanchez to complete the deal, carving even deeper into what used to be a strength of the minor league organization.
Verdugo joins a long list of Giants pitching prospects who were traded in 2011 as San Francisco made an attempt to go for their second straight division title.
Young arms like Zack Wheeler, Henry Sosa and now Verdugo have all now been traded, transforming the Giants minor league pitching depth from one of the best in the league to one that has few top prospects remaining.
The worst part may be if the Giants are unable to sign free agent outfielder Carlos Beltran and/or infielder Jeff Keppinger, who were both acquired before the deadline for Wheeler and Sosa respectively.
Trading for Cabrera may be a hint that Beltran isn't in the Giants price range for 2012 and beyond, which would mean Wheeler was sent to the Mets for two months of Beltran's services if he does in fact sign with another team.
The acquisition of Cabrera also means that fellow center fielder Grady Sizemore may no longer be in the Giants plans as had been rumored, unless Cabrera is moved to a corner outfield position which isn't out of the realm of possibility.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Giants Hot Stove: Free Agent Chatter
Don't expect San Francisco to pony up for one of the marquee free agents available this winter unless they are somehow able to restructure or reload the long-term money commitments to Barry Zito, Aubrey Huff and Aaron Rowand (who will be getting paid the remainder of his contract in 2012 despite no longer being on the roster). High-dollar candidates such as Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder and Jose Reyes will all seek $100+ million dollar contracts that will keep them under contract for years to come--numbers that are almost certainly out of general manager Brian Sabean's price range. Instead look for the Giants to go after short-term fixes at positions of need such as center field and shortstop while they await the arrival of highly regarded prospects like center fielder Gary Brown and shortstop Joe Panik. Here are a few free agents that could be on San Francisco's radar this off season.
(CF) Grady Sizemore
A former All-Star and gold-glove award winner, Sizemore has battled an array of injuries the past few seasons that have prevented him from repeating the success he had early in his career.
There is little doubt that Sizemore has the ability, but two consecutive years of sub-par play have greatly reduced his market value and was enough to convince Cleveland to let him walk.
Sizemore would be a great fit in San Francisco if healthy and doesn't come with the risk factor of making a mistake by committing to a long contract.
It's easy to forget after his recent struggles that Sizemore was once a player who hit more than 20 home runs and stole more than 20 bases for four consecutive seasons from 2005-2008.
Buster Olney of ESPN has reported that Sizemore wants a one-year contract that will allow him to re-establish his market value by having a good season for whatever team he lands with.
His price tag is at an all-time low and it may be the perfect time for the Giants to "buy low" this off season, while hoping to "sell high" if Sizemore does in fact return to form in 2012.
Signing Sizmore would also allow the Giants to give their top prospect Gary Brown more time in the minors, allowing him to be the starter in 2013 if all goes to plan.
(SS)Yuniesky Betancourt
The Brewers may be a dark horse candidate to jump in the Jose Reyes sweepstakes if first baseman Prince Fielder does in fact depart as a free agent.
The first sign of this was Milwaukee parting ways with Betancourt, who finished 2011 with 68 RBIs for the Brewers and drove in 78 the year before as a Kansas City Royal.
That kind of offensive production at shortstop isn't easy to find, but Betancourt won't get anywhere near the money of Reyes or Jimmy Rollins--two of the best free agent shortstops available in years.
If the Giants aren't certain Brandon Crawford is ready to take over every day at shortstop, Betancourt could be a great option for Sabean to sign to a short-term contract, while the Giants await Crawford's development as well as the arrival of this year's first round pick Joe Panik.
(OF) Jason Kubel
With the Twins looking to rebuild, several of their key contributors from the past few seasons will likely be moving on to make way for a wave of young players.
Kubel is one who is likely on his way out of Minnesota, playing in just 99 games last season as he battled injuries that kept his offensive production down.
Like Grady Sizemore, Kubel is a player who has had solid offensive seasons in the past, but will have a greatly reduced price tag this off season because of his age, injuries and recent performance.
In 2009, Kubel eclipsed the 100-RBI mark, driving in 103 while hitting 28 home runs for the Twins.
As recently as 2010, Kubel hit 21 homeruns and drove in 92--but his 58 RBIs in 2011 will likely mean he can be had for a reasonable free agent offer this offseason.
Kubel could compete with Nate Shierholtz and Cody Ross if Carlos Beltran does not return to the team, and would be a significantly more affordable target than attempting to re-sign Beltran who has injury questions himself.
(CF) Grady Sizemore
A former All-Star and gold-glove award winner, Sizemore has battled an array of injuries the past few seasons that have prevented him from repeating the success he had early in his career.
There is little doubt that Sizemore has the ability, but two consecutive years of sub-par play have greatly reduced his market value and was enough to convince Cleveland to let him walk.
Sizemore would be a great fit in San Francisco if healthy and doesn't come with the risk factor of making a mistake by committing to a long contract.
It's easy to forget after his recent struggles that Sizemore was once a player who hit more than 20 home runs and stole more than 20 bases for four consecutive seasons from 2005-2008.
Buster Olney of ESPN has reported that Sizemore wants a one-year contract that will allow him to re-establish his market value by having a good season for whatever team he lands with.
His price tag is at an all-time low and it may be the perfect time for the Giants to "buy low" this off season, while hoping to "sell high" if Sizemore does in fact return to form in 2012.
Signing Sizmore would also allow the Giants to give their top prospect Gary Brown more time in the minors, allowing him to be the starter in 2013 if all goes to plan.
(SS)Yuniesky Betancourt
The Brewers may be a dark horse candidate to jump in the Jose Reyes sweepstakes if first baseman Prince Fielder does in fact depart as a free agent.
The first sign of this was Milwaukee parting ways with Betancourt, who finished 2011 with 68 RBIs for the Brewers and drove in 78 the year before as a Kansas City Royal.
That kind of offensive production at shortstop isn't easy to find, but Betancourt won't get anywhere near the money of Reyes or Jimmy Rollins--two of the best free agent shortstops available in years.
If the Giants aren't certain Brandon Crawford is ready to take over every day at shortstop, Betancourt could be a great option for Sabean to sign to a short-term contract, while the Giants await Crawford's development as well as the arrival of this year's first round pick Joe Panik.
(OF) Jason Kubel
With the Twins looking to rebuild, several of their key contributors from the past few seasons will likely be moving on to make way for a wave of young players.
Kubel is one who is likely on his way out of Minnesota, playing in just 99 games last season as he battled injuries that kept his offensive production down.
Like Grady Sizemore, Kubel is a player who has had solid offensive seasons in the past, but will have a greatly reduced price tag this off season because of his age, injuries and recent performance.
In 2009, Kubel eclipsed the 100-RBI mark, driving in 103 while hitting 28 home runs for the Twins.
As recently as 2010, Kubel hit 21 homeruns and drove in 92--but his 58 RBIs in 2011 will likely mean he can be had for a reasonable free agent offer this offseason.
Kubel could compete with Nate Shierholtz and Cody Ross if Carlos Beltran does not return to the team, and would be a significantly more affordable target than attempting to re-sign Beltran who has injury questions himself.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Top Offensive Prospects by Position: Giants 2011-2012 Organizational Rankings
Catchers: Position Strength (B+)
(Stats from 2011 season)
1. Hector Sanchez (C) *.285 AVG/12 HR/84 RBI in 365 minor league at-bats between San Jose (A) and Fresno (AAA)
*Earned a late-season call up to the majors, hitting .258 in 31 at-bats for San Francisco
2. Tommy Joseph (C)
*.270 AVG/22 HR/95 RBI in 514 minor league at-bats for San Jose (A), likely headed to AA in 2012
*Could be moved to first base to find room for his bat; Posey still wants be a catcher in the future
3. Johnny Monell (C)
*.249 AVG/10 HR/49 RBI in 386 minor league at-bats for Richmond (AA)
*Slugged 19 homeruns in 2010 for San Jose (A), could serve as the backup to Sanchez in Fresno.
4. Mike Murray (C)
*.326 AVG/6 HR/48 RBI in 242 minor league at-bats for Salem Kaiser (low A)
*Signed as an undrafted free agent from Wake Forest in 2010, Murray also hit .343 in 99 at-bats in 2010
5. Andrew Susac (C)
*Drafted by Giants in 2011 out of Oregon State University
*Grew up a San Francisco fan and models his game after Buster Posey
First Baseman: Position Strength (A-)
(Stats from 2011 season)
1. Brandon Belt (1B)
*.225 AVG/9 HR/18 RBI in 187 major league at bats for San Francisco; also sent down mid-season
*Hit .320 with eight homeruns and 36 RBI after being sent down by Giants, had 112 RBI in 2010 in (A)
2. Brett Pill (1B)
*.312 AVG/25 HR/107 RBI for Fresno (AAA)
*First player in the minor leagues to 100 RBI, called up in September to fill in for Huff
*Battling Belt and Huff for a spot on the 2012 Giants roster—has 20 HR/90 RBI potential
3. Wes Hodges (1B)
*.261 AVG/10 HR/50 RBI in 349 minor league at-bats for Richmond (AA)
*A former second round pick of the Indians in 2006; best season came in 2008 (18 HR/ 97 RBI)
4. Josh Mazzola (1B)
*.259 AVG/13 HR/50 RBI in 2011 for Augusta (Low A), injured for much of the 2010 season
*In 2009, hit .284 with 16 HR and 96 RBI in 2009; signed as an undrafted free agent
5. Ben Thomas (1B)
*.327 AVG/7 HR/46 RBI in 226 minor league at-bats between the Arizona Rookie league and Low A
*Finished 2011 with a slugging percentage of .504; lefthanded hitter listed at 240 lbs.
Second Baseman: Position Strength (C+)
(Stats from 2011 season)
*.270 AVG/12 HR/90 RBI in 508 minor league at-bats for San Jose (A)
*2010 was Cavan’s first year of pro ball, drafted by the Giants in the 16th round (UCSB)
2. Charlie Culberson (2B-IF)
*.259 AVG/10 HR/56 RBI in 553 minor league at-bats for Richmond (AA)
*Jumped on the radar after hitting 16 homeruns and knocking in more than 70 in 2010
3. Kaohi Downing (2B)
*.304 AVG/1 HR/19 RBI in 194 minor league at-bats between Salem Kaizer and Fresno
*Made unusual jump straight from low A Salem Kaizer to AAA Fresno in 2010
4. Carlos Willoughby (2B)
*.240 AVG/1 HR/40 RBI/33 SB in 483 minor league at-bats for Augusta (Low A)
*Speedy contact hitter has stolen more than 30 bases three times since being signed in 2007
5. Nick Noonan (2B-SS)
*.229 AVG/5 HR/45 RBI in 419 minor league at-bats between three levels
*Once a top prospect in the organization, Noonan has slipped offensively and may move to SS
Third Baseman: Position Strength (A)
(Stats from 2011 season)
*.266/18 HR/85 RBI in 553 minor league at-bats between San Jose (A) and Richmond (AA)
* Crushed 21 homeruns and knocked in 101 for Augusta in 2010; big, intimidating hitter
*Led nation in homeruns senior year at Louisville, may be a candidate to move to 1B
2. Adam Duvall (3B)
*.285 AVG/22 HR/87 RBI in 431 minor league at-bats for Augusta (low A)
*Also drafted out of Louisville, bounced back strong in 2011 after hitting .240 in 2010
3. Connor Gillaspie (3B-IF)
*.297 AVG/11 HR/61 RBI in 428 at-bats for Fresno (AAA)
*Has been called up several times with little success; may be trade bait with Pablo at third
4. Jose Cuevas (3B)
*.320/9 HR/47 RBI in 181 at-bats in the Arizona Rookie League (named MVP of the AZL)
*29th round draft pick in 2010, tore up AZL pitching in 2011 after hitting just .206 in 2010
5. Garrett Buechele (3B)
*.247 AVG/7 HR/32 RBI in 239 at-bats between AZL and Salem Kaizer (low A)
*Could start the season in San Jose (A) or remain at Salem Kaizer for more at-bats in 2012
Shortstops: Position Strength (B-)
(Stats from 2011 season)
*.341 AVG/6 HR/54 RBI in 270 minor league at-bats for Salem Kaizer (low A)
*Giants first round pick in 2011, named MVP of the North League after signing in June
2. Brandon Crawford (SS)
*.204 AVG/3 HR/21 RBI for San Francisco (MLB) in 196 at-bats
*Never hit above .300 for a full minor league season but showed flashes of offense in 2011
*Excellent glove at SS, may be called upon again to start in 2012 if Giants don’t sign another SS
3. Ehire Adrianza (SS)
*.273 AVG/6 HR/44 RBI in 373 minor league at-bats between Salem Kaizer and San Jose
*Slick fielding shortstop with major league ready glove; his bat remains the only question
Outfielders: Position Strength (A-)
(Stats from 2011 season)
*.336 AVG/14 HR/80 RBI/53 SB for San Jose (A)
*Giants first round pick in 2010 has 80-grade speed—53 stolen bases was just a teaser
*Could start season in Richmond or Fresno; potential call up if Andres Torres struggles
2. Francisco Peguero (OF)
*.312 AVG/7 HR/46 RBI in 353 at-bats between San Jose (A) and Richmond (AA)
*Hit .353 in 2009, .329 in 2010 and .312 in 2011, swiping 74 bags during that span
*Speed outfielder has stolen as many as 40 bases (2010) in the minors
Edgar Gonzalez (OF)
*.315/14 HR/82 RBI in 505 minor league at-bats for Fresno (AAA) in 2011
*At 33, Gonzalez has spent most of his career in the minors; another Torres for SF?
Jarrett Parker (OF)
*.253/13 HR/61 RBI/20 SB in 486 minor league at-bats for San Jose (A)
*Tall, lanky corner outfielder (6’4”) with smooth left handed swing and good speed
Ryan Lollis (OF)
*.303 AVG/2 HR/43 RBI in 356 minor league at-bats between three levels
*Hasn’t shown much power but has hit better than .280 the past three seasons
*Next Week: Giants Top Pitching Prospects
Friday, October 7, 2011
With San Francisco watching October from home in 2011, Aubrey Huff is just one of a number of Giants on the hot seat heading into 2012
Giants on the hot seat:
1B Aubrey Huff
One of the many heroes of the Giants postseason glory of 2011, Huff was both a lovable character on and off the field with his flair for the dramatic.
Fans of all teams tend to have short memories and operate under the "what have you done for me lately" mentality, one that has turned Huff from hero to potential castoff in less than a calendar year.
Huff will turn 35 in December and must prove he can beat out up and coming youngsters like Brandon Belt and Brett Pill in order to have a spot on the roster.
His age, coupled with the fact that he hit only 12 homeruns after hitting 26 in 2010, means Huff will be on a short leash to prove his worth.
Prediction:
Unless Huff has an eye-opening performance in spring training, Belt and Pill are both younger options with much brighter futures for the organization who could spell the end of Huff's tenure.
Bruce Bochy was comfortable using Pill in the middle of the order, watching the rookie collect a number of key hits in September for the Giants.
Belt also came on late in the season after struggling to take Huff's job out of the gate in 2010. If he can get close to replicating his outstanding minor league numbers at the major league level, Belt shouldn't have any issue outperforming Huff's production in 2011.
The only downside is having to eat the rest of Huff's $11 million dollar contract, something Bochy said wouldn't be an issue if he doesn't rebound from last season.
C Eli Whiteside/Chris StewartFollowing the Buster Posey injury, both Whiteside and Stewart were forced into regular duty after spending the majority of their careers as backups.
With Posey slated to return to catcher in 2012, there will only be room for one backup catcher, all but assuring either Whiteside and/or Stewart will not be with the club.
Another factor was the emergence of young catcher Hector Sanchez, who shot through the minor league system and hit .258 with the big league club in 31 at-bats.
If Sanchez can improve defensively behind the plate, the Giants appear to have confidence in his bat to be ready for the major league level.
Prediction:
While Stewart proved to be a defensive asset for the team with a great throwing arm, that may not be enough to earn the backup position over a younger Sanchez who has been on a fast track through the system.
Whiteside has likely played his last game as a Giant, meaning either Stewart or Sanchez will serve as Posey's backup next season.
The Giants don't want to rush Sanchez and think he still needs time to develop in the minor leagues, but if his bat comes to life in spring training they will give him a serious look to supplant Stewart as the backup.
Other Giants on the fringe:
CF Andres Torres
Torres battled several injuries and wasn't the same spark-plug that ignited the 2010 offense.
While he is in great phyiscal shape for his age and maintains outstanding speed, he still strikes out too much for a leadoff hitter and needs to prove he can stay healthy for a full season.
Gary Brown is unquestionably the center fielder of the future and is waiting in the wings if Torres can't get the job done.
Even if Brown isn't ready for the start of 2012, Torres has a limited window if he wants the opportunity to play a full major league season as he did in 2010.
Tell 'em goodbye:
SS Orlando Cabrera
(Failed to impress after being aquired from Cleveland; not a part of next year's plans)
IF Mark DeRosa
(Too many infielders and Pablo set at third base means DeRosa may be done in SF)
OF Pat Burrell
(Probably will announce his retirement if he isn't re-signed by SF--which isn't likely)
RP Javier Lopez
(Excellent for SF as a left-handed specialist; that success will earn him a hefty contract elsewhere)
CF Justin Christian
(Emergency outfielder after injuries to Torres, Shierholtz and Ross; likely the odd man out)
1B Aubrey Huff
One of the many heroes of the Giants postseason glory of 2011, Huff was both a lovable character on and off the field with his flair for the dramatic.
Fans of all teams tend to have short memories and operate under the "what have you done for me lately" mentality, one that has turned Huff from hero to potential castoff in less than a calendar year.
Huff will turn 35 in December and must prove he can beat out up and coming youngsters like Brandon Belt and Brett Pill in order to have a spot on the roster.
His age, coupled with the fact that he hit only 12 homeruns after hitting 26 in 2010, means Huff will be on a short leash to prove his worth.
Prediction:
Unless Huff has an eye-opening performance in spring training, Belt and Pill are both younger options with much brighter futures for the organization who could spell the end of Huff's tenure.
Bruce Bochy was comfortable using Pill in the middle of the order, watching the rookie collect a number of key hits in September for the Giants.
Belt also came on late in the season after struggling to take Huff's job out of the gate in 2010. If he can get close to replicating his outstanding minor league numbers at the major league level, Belt shouldn't have any issue outperforming Huff's production in 2011.
The only downside is having to eat the rest of Huff's $11 million dollar contract, something Bochy said wouldn't be an issue if he doesn't rebound from last season.
C Eli Whiteside/Chris StewartFollowing the Buster Posey injury, both Whiteside and Stewart were forced into regular duty after spending the majority of their careers as backups.
With Posey slated to return to catcher in 2012, there will only be room for one backup catcher, all but assuring either Whiteside and/or Stewart will not be with the club.
Another factor was the emergence of young catcher Hector Sanchez, who shot through the minor league system and hit .258 with the big league club in 31 at-bats.
If Sanchez can improve defensively behind the plate, the Giants appear to have confidence in his bat to be ready for the major league level.
Prediction:
While Stewart proved to be a defensive asset for the team with a great throwing arm, that may not be enough to earn the backup position over a younger Sanchez who has been on a fast track through the system.
Whiteside has likely played his last game as a Giant, meaning either Stewart or Sanchez will serve as Posey's backup next season.
The Giants don't want to rush Sanchez and think he still needs time to develop in the minor leagues, but if his bat comes to life in spring training they will give him a serious look to supplant Stewart as the backup.
Other Giants on the fringe:
CF Andres Torres
Torres battled several injuries and wasn't the same spark-plug that ignited the 2010 offense.
While he is in great phyiscal shape for his age and maintains outstanding speed, he still strikes out too much for a leadoff hitter and needs to prove he can stay healthy for a full season.
Gary Brown is unquestionably the center fielder of the future and is waiting in the wings if Torres can't get the job done.
Even if Brown isn't ready for the start of 2012, Torres has a limited window if he wants the opportunity to play a full major league season as he did in 2010.
Tell 'em goodbye:
SS Orlando Cabrera
(Failed to impress after being aquired from Cleveland; not a part of next year's plans)
IF Mark DeRosa
(Too many infielders and Pablo set at third base means DeRosa may be done in SF)
OF Pat Burrell
(Probably will announce his retirement if he isn't re-signed by SF--which isn't likely)
RP Javier Lopez
(Excellent for SF as a left-handed specialist; that success will earn him a hefty contract elsewhere)
CF Justin Christian
(Emergency outfielder after injuries to Torres, Shierholtz and Ross; likely the odd man out)
Monday, September 26, 2011
2011 Giants minor league offensive statistical leaders and awards
2011 Giants Minor League Offensive Statistical Leaders
Homeruns:
1. Brett Pill (25)
2. Brad Eldred (23)
3. Adam Duvall (22)
4. Tommy Joseph (22)
5. Chris Dominguez (18)
RBIs:
1. Brett Pill (107)
2. Tommy Joseph (95)
3. Ryan Cavan (90)
4. Adam Duvall (87)
5. Chris Dominguez (85)
Batting Average:
1. Eric Sim (.352)
2. Joe Panik (.341)
3. Gary Brown (.336)
4. Mike Murray (.326)
5. Edgar Gonzalez (.315)
Offensive MVP
Brett Pill (.312 AVG/25 HR/107 RBI) (Fresno Grizzlies-AAA)
Pill was the fastest player to 100 RBI in all of the minor leagues and finished the year with the most homeruns of any Giants prospect with 25.
At 27 years old, Pill is one of the older prospects in the system but has put up consistent offensive numbers in each of the past three seasons.
This season was in fact the second time Pill has eclipsed the 100 RBI plateau as a minor leaguer, as he knocked in 109 runs in 2009 to go along with 19 homeruns.
A strong spring training may force the Giants to extent the Brandon Belt experiment in the outfield despite his defensive struggles in left field.
For an offense that desparately needs to score more runs to support one of the leagues best pitching staffs, San Francisco likely will live with Belt's defense in the outfield if both he and Pill hit well during spring training.
Rookie of the Year
Gary Brown (.336 AVG/14 HR/80 RBI/53 SB) (San Jose Giants-A)
The Giants first round draft pick in 2010 out of Cal State Fullerton, Brown opened eyes around the organization during his first full season of pro ball in San Jose (A).
As the everyday leadoff hitter, Brown showed both the ability to get on base (.336 AVG) and an uncanny ability to manufacture runs with his speed (53 SB/115 R).
Both are ingredients the major league team lacks, making Brown an early canditate to supplant Andres Torres in centerfield at some point in 2012.
Surprise Player of the Year:
(3B) Adam Duvall -- (.285 AVG/22 HR/87 RBI) (Augusta Green Jackets-Low-A)
An 11th round draft pick of the Giants in 2010, Duvall struggled to adjust to rookie league pitching and ended the season hitting .245 with four homeruns and 18 RBI in 192 at-bats.
Something clicked for Duvall in 2011 and he finished the year as Augusta's best offensive threat, blasting 22 homeruns and driving in 87 to go along with a .285 average.
Duvall is one of two third baseman in the Giants organization from the University of Louisville, as fellow Cardinal Chris Dominguez is also on San Francisco's radar after posting impressive power numbers the past two seasons.
Homeruns:
1. Brett Pill (25)
2. Brad Eldred (23)
3. Adam Duvall (22)
4. Tommy Joseph (22)
5. Chris Dominguez (18)
RBIs:
1. Brett Pill (107)
2. Tommy Joseph (95)
3. Ryan Cavan (90)
4. Adam Duvall (87)
5. Chris Dominguez (85)
Batting Average:
1. Eric Sim (.352)
2. Joe Panik (.341)
3. Gary Brown (.336)
4. Mike Murray (.326)
5. Edgar Gonzalez (.315)
Offensive MVP
Brett Pill (.312 AVG/25 HR/107 RBI) (Fresno Grizzlies-AAA)
Pill was the fastest player to 100 RBI in all of the minor leagues and finished the year with the most homeruns of any Giants prospect with 25.
At 27 years old, Pill is one of the older prospects in the system but has put up consistent offensive numbers in each of the past three seasons.
This season was in fact the second time Pill has eclipsed the 100 RBI plateau as a minor leaguer, as he knocked in 109 runs in 2009 to go along with 19 homeruns.
A strong spring training may force the Giants to extent the Brandon Belt experiment in the outfield despite his defensive struggles in left field.
For an offense that desparately needs to score more runs to support one of the leagues best pitching staffs, San Francisco likely will live with Belt's defense in the outfield if both he and Pill hit well during spring training.
Rookie of the Year
Gary Brown (.336 AVG/14 HR/80 RBI/53 SB) (San Jose Giants-A)
The Giants first round draft pick in 2010 out of Cal State Fullerton, Brown opened eyes around the organization during his first full season of pro ball in San Jose (A).
As the everyday leadoff hitter, Brown showed both the ability to get on base (.336 AVG) and an uncanny ability to manufacture runs with his speed (53 SB/115 R).
Both are ingredients the major league team lacks, making Brown an early canditate to supplant Andres Torres in centerfield at some point in 2012.
Surprise Player of the Year:
(3B) Adam Duvall -- (.285 AVG/22 HR/87 RBI) (Augusta Green Jackets-Low-A)
An 11th round draft pick of the Giants in 2010, Duvall struggled to adjust to rookie league pitching and ended the season hitting .245 with four homeruns and 18 RBI in 192 at-bats.
Something clicked for Duvall in 2011 and he finished the year as Augusta's best offensive threat, blasting 22 homeruns and driving in 87 to go along with a .285 average.
Duvall is one of two third baseman in the Giants organization from the University of Louisville, as fellow Cardinal Chris Dominguez is also on San Francisco's radar after posting impressive power numbers the past two seasons.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Prospects on the San Francisco horizon: Minor Leaguers who could be ready for the show in 2012
Following a 2011 season that failed to match the magical ride of last year's world series run, the Giants will be looking to a number of players in the their minor league system to help reconstruct one of the league's worst offensive teams. Here are a few players that will get looked at to be everyday players at one point or another in 2012:
Gary Brown (CF): California League 2011 Rookie of the Year (San Jose Giants)
In his first full season of pro ball, Brown was the "talk of the town" in San Jose after taking the California League by storm with a .336 batting average, 80 RBIs and 53 stolen bases.
An oldschool leadoff hitter with top-tier speed, Brown also flashed some power with 14 homeruns in 559 at-bats to compliment his top of the order skill set.
The Giants resisted the urge to promote Brown from single-A San Jose to the big league club, but dearly needed his speed and presence from the leadoff spot as Andres Torres was far from emulating his 2010 form.
With Torres aging and uncertain, Brown will get a chance out of spring training in 2012 and if he turns enough heads, just may supplant the elder Torres for the leadoff job.
If Sabean and the Giants prefer to stick with Torres out of spring training, Brown will be their first insurance policy out of the minor leagues and will get his first shot at Double-A and Triple-A pitching.
Brown heads to a notoriously strong pitching league in the Arizona Fall League this offseason, getting his first taste of major league quality pitching.
Joe Panik (SS): San Francisco Giants first round draft pick (29th overall) in 2011/St. Johns
The Giants were looking for an offensive minded shortstop by taking Panik in the first round and have been pleasantly surprised with his production after signing in June.
Playing for the Salem Kaiser Volcanoes (Rookie League), Panik hit .341 in 270 at-bats with four homeruns and 54 RBIs in his first season of pro ball.
He will be assigned to the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League, playing with Gary Brown and other Giants prospects trying to make their case for a job in 2012.
If Panik shows his bat is ready for strong Arizona Fall League pitching, he could start the 2012 season in Double-A and potentially Triple-A if the Giants are unable to resolve their shortstop position in the offseason.
Miguel Tejada has already been cut loose and Orlando Cabrera may be next. Mike Fontenot, Brandon Crawford and Jeff Keppinger remain as the only other big league options left on the roster, making it possible the Giants may fast-track Panik if they can't sign a short-term solution.
While 2012 would be an incredibly fast track for Panik to arrive in the show, his production with the bat may force the Giants hand at a position that rarely yields offensive stars.
Brett Pill vs. Brandon Belt: Who will take Aubrey Huff's job at first base in 2012?
A miserable offensive season in 2011 for Aubrey Huff may be an indication that his career numbers in 2010 may never again be matched by the aging first baseman.
With one year still remaining on Huff's deal the Giants will have to find a role for him or eat a multi million dollar contract.
Brandon Belt wasn't able to take Huff's job out of spring training this season and was eventually sent down to Fresno where he responded by hitting everything thrown his way.
If his minor league numbers are any indication, Belt could be an offensive force at first base once he adjusts to the heavy dose of offspeed pitches he has seen as a major leaguer.
Manager Bruce Bochy has tried Belt in the outfield this season but it's clear Belt is most comfortable at first.
The only problem with moving him back has been the unexpected emergence of fellow first baseman Brett Pill, who was hitting above .300 in his first 35 at-bats for the Giants.
Pill has hit a rough patch of late, dropping his average to .268 after 41 at-bats, but Bochy has given him a vote of confidence by putting his name in the middle of the lineup while the Giants were still in the race.
The fastest player in the minor leagues to 100 RBIs, Pill has shown the ability to drive in runs for a Giants offense that desperately needs such production.
While he has only had 41 at-bats in 2011, Pill's eight RBIs puts him on pace to knock in more than 90 runs at the major league level if you translate his numbers over a typical 500 at-bat major league season.
Those numbers are something the Giants would pay dearly for to have in the middle of their 2012 lineup, making Pill an inexpensive option that could pay big dividends if he can replicate such statistics next season.
Belt was the favorite for the job going into the season and still is clearly in the running, but Pill's production has at least earned him the right to compete for the job out of spring training.
But unless Belt spends a signifigant amount of time working on his outfield defense, it doesn't appear that is where he will spend his future as a Giant, furthing complicating the competition at first base in 2012.
On top of the three first baseman the Giants already have on the roster, San Francisco has hinted at moving catcher Buster Posey to first to prolong his career after a season-ending injury.
Sabean will either have to make a tough decision with Huff if he doesn't hit in the spring or be forced to part ways with one of the young first baseman to shore up other areas in a trade.
Gary Brown (CF): California League 2011 Rookie of the Year (San Jose Giants)
In his first full season of pro ball, Brown was the "talk of the town" in San Jose after taking the California League by storm with a .336 batting average, 80 RBIs and 53 stolen bases.
An oldschool leadoff hitter with top-tier speed, Brown also flashed some power with 14 homeruns in 559 at-bats to compliment his top of the order skill set.
The Giants resisted the urge to promote Brown from single-A San Jose to the big league club, but dearly needed his speed and presence from the leadoff spot as Andres Torres was far from emulating his 2010 form.
With Torres aging and uncertain, Brown will get a chance out of spring training in 2012 and if he turns enough heads, just may supplant the elder Torres for the leadoff job.
If Sabean and the Giants prefer to stick with Torres out of spring training, Brown will be their first insurance policy out of the minor leagues and will get his first shot at Double-A and Triple-A pitching.
Brown heads to a notoriously strong pitching league in the Arizona Fall League this offseason, getting his first taste of major league quality pitching.
Joe Panik (SS): San Francisco Giants first round draft pick (29th overall) in 2011/St. Johns
The Giants were looking for an offensive minded shortstop by taking Panik in the first round and have been pleasantly surprised with his production after signing in June.
Playing for the Salem Kaiser Volcanoes (Rookie League), Panik hit .341 in 270 at-bats with four homeruns and 54 RBIs in his first season of pro ball.
He will be assigned to the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League, playing with Gary Brown and other Giants prospects trying to make their case for a job in 2012.
If Panik shows his bat is ready for strong Arizona Fall League pitching, he could start the 2012 season in Double-A and potentially Triple-A if the Giants are unable to resolve their shortstop position in the offseason.
Miguel Tejada has already been cut loose and Orlando Cabrera may be next. Mike Fontenot, Brandon Crawford and Jeff Keppinger remain as the only other big league options left on the roster, making it possible the Giants may fast-track Panik if they can't sign a short-term solution.
While 2012 would be an incredibly fast track for Panik to arrive in the show, his production with the bat may force the Giants hand at a position that rarely yields offensive stars.
Brett Pill vs. Brandon Belt: Who will take Aubrey Huff's job at first base in 2012?
A miserable offensive season in 2011 for Aubrey Huff may be an indication that his career numbers in 2010 may never again be matched by the aging first baseman.
With one year still remaining on Huff's deal the Giants will have to find a role for him or eat a multi million dollar contract.
Brandon Belt wasn't able to take Huff's job out of spring training this season and was eventually sent down to Fresno where he responded by hitting everything thrown his way.
If his minor league numbers are any indication, Belt could be an offensive force at first base once he adjusts to the heavy dose of offspeed pitches he has seen as a major leaguer.
Manager Bruce Bochy has tried Belt in the outfield this season but it's clear Belt is most comfortable at first.
The only problem with moving him back has been the unexpected emergence of fellow first baseman Brett Pill, who was hitting above .300 in his first 35 at-bats for the Giants.
Pill has hit a rough patch of late, dropping his average to .268 after 41 at-bats, but Bochy has given him a vote of confidence by putting his name in the middle of the lineup while the Giants were still in the race.
The fastest player in the minor leagues to 100 RBIs, Pill has shown the ability to drive in runs for a Giants offense that desperately needs such production.
While he has only had 41 at-bats in 2011, Pill's eight RBIs puts him on pace to knock in more than 90 runs at the major league level if you translate his numbers over a typical 500 at-bat major league season.
Those numbers are something the Giants would pay dearly for to have in the middle of their 2012 lineup, making Pill an inexpensive option that could pay big dividends if he can replicate such statistics next season.
Belt was the favorite for the job going into the season and still is clearly in the running, but Pill's production has at least earned him the right to compete for the job out of spring training.
But unless Belt spends a signifigant amount of time working on his outfield defense, it doesn't appear that is where he will spend his future as a Giant, furthing complicating the competition at first base in 2012.
On top of the three first baseman the Giants already have on the roster, San Francisco has hinted at moving catcher Buster Posey to first to prolong his career after a season-ending injury.
Sabean will either have to make a tough decision with Huff if he doesn't hit in the spring or be forced to part ways with one of the young first baseman to shore up other areas in a trade.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Giants playoff hopes fade to a flicker--D-Backs roll 15-2
In a game that saw the national league's best pitching staff assaulted for 15 runs, it oddly wasn't the lopsided 15-2 score that had the Giants scratching their collective heads after their second straight loss to the division champion Diamondbacks.
Second baseman Mike Fontenot collided with an umpire on a routine ground ball during Arizona's six-run first inning outburst, resulting in a two-run single instead of an out that likely wouldn't have advanced the runners from second and third.
Appartently player-umpire collisions weren't enough, as the lights went out at Chase Field during the seventh inning that gave fans more than a stretch during a 28 minute delay.
San Francisco's strong starting pitching was also out of sort as Eric Surkamp was unable to make it out of the first inning in the shortest start of his young career.
Surkamp was charged with six earned runs in 2/3 innings pitched, sending his ERA from 2.95 to 5.32 in what may likely be his last start of the season.
Arizona starter Ian Kennedy may have been the only normalcy of the night, winning another start to give him a league-high 21 wins for the year (21-4).
After watching the D-Backs celebrate a division title Friday night, Saturday's loss puts the Giants in the rearview mirror of the wild card race, trailing both the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves with only games to play.
While the Giants are statistically alive in the wild card standings, San Francisco would have to win all of the remaining games on the schedule while banking on the Braves losing the majority of their late September contests.
Second baseman Mike Fontenot collided with an umpire on a routine ground ball during Arizona's six-run first inning outburst, resulting in a two-run single instead of an out that likely wouldn't have advanced the runners from second and third.
Appartently player-umpire collisions weren't enough, as the lights went out at Chase Field during the seventh inning that gave fans more than a stretch during a 28 minute delay.
San Francisco's strong starting pitching was also out of sort as Eric Surkamp was unable to make it out of the first inning in the shortest start of his young career.
Surkamp was charged with six earned runs in 2/3 innings pitched, sending his ERA from 2.95 to 5.32 in what may likely be his last start of the season.
Arizona starter Ian Kennedy may have been the only normalcy of the night, winning another start to give him a league-high 21 wins for the year (21-4).
After watching the D-Backs celebrate a division title Friday night, Saturday's loss puts the Giants in the rearview mirror of the wild card race, trailing both the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves with only games to play.
While the Giants are statistically alive in the wild card standings, San Francisco would have to win all of the remaining games on the schedule while banking on the Braves losing the majority of their late September contests.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Orlando Cabrera headed to the Bay Area -- Giants add another infielder
Giants add more infield depth, add Cabrera to the mix:
Having already added two pieces to the lineup before the trading deadline, San Francisco made yet another move to aquire shortstop Orlando Cabrera from the Indians for a minor league outfielder.
Cabrera likely will signifigantly reduce the playing time of incumbant shortstop Brandon Crawford, who is hovering around the mendoza line and is has only four hits in his last 38 at-bats.
Heading to Cleveland will be Fresno (AAA) outfielder Thomas Neal who had 2 homeruns and 25 RBIs this season, but has put up impressive numbers at the plate in the past (22 HRs at single A San Jose).
Neal may get a shot at making the Indians 40-man roster and could even see a shot come September if Cleveland continues to struggle to find replacements for their injured starters in the outfield.
Unless the Giants are planning on aquiring a catcher after the deadline passes via waivers, it appears that Brian Sabean is confident in the Eli Whiteside/Chris Stewart combination for the remainder of the year.
Landing Cabrera gives the Giants a slew of veteran infielders with Miguel Tejada, Jeff Keppinger and Mike Fontenot up the middle, resembling many of Sabeans veteran-oriented teams of the past.
Crawford is the only youngster of the group and may be headed back to the minors if his bat doesn't heat up soon.
N.L. West Chatter: Rockies land two young arms, D-Backs get Marquis, Dodgers dealing Furcal?
Rockies land a pair of top pitching prospects for Ubaldo Jimenez:
The Indians made another move on Saturday, upping the ante in their offer for Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez by including two of their top pitching prospects in the deal.
Drew Pomeranz (0-1 2.57 ERA) and Alex White (1-0 1.90 ERA) will both be assigned to Colorado's minor league system and were highly regarded hurlers within the Cleveland organization.
White could contribute as early as this season having already tasted the majors in a short stint earlier this year for the Indians.
Pomeranz instantly becomes one of the Rockies prized arms of the future and could get a shot at breaking the rotation in 2012.
Their first round draft pick from last season (Tyler Matzek) has not pitched well in the minors and appears to have been overrated by high school scouts.
It may be a white flag of surrender for Colorado in 2011, but it certainly was a great package of talent they received for Jimenez, who hasn't come close to duplicating his 15-1 start of 2010 and was wearing out his welcome as a Rockie.
White is a former first rounder out of North Carolina and Pomeranz has done nothing but impress since being drafted out of Ole Miss.
Both arms could be centerpieces of a Rockies rotation in the future that underwent a drastic makeover with the Jimenez trade.
Jason Marquis heading to the D-Backs:
Looking to add another arm to the rotation, Arizon sent infield prospect Zach Walters to the Washington Nationals for starter Jason Marquis.
After a disaterous 2010 (2-9 6.60 ERA), Marquis has rebounded well by going 8-5 with a 3.95 ERA for Washington in 2011.
Having won 15 games twice at the major league level in 2004 (STL) and 2009 (COL), Marquis has the ability to be a key contributor for Arizona down the stretch if he can return to form.
The Nationals are building for the future and added another infielder while unloading a hefty contract.
Walters has hit better than .300 in both of his first two seasons of pro ball and could project as either a third baseman or shortstop.
In 2011, Walters was hitting .302 with nine homeruns and 56 RBIs before being traded.
Dodgers dealing Furcal?
While no official deal has gone through, the Dodgers and Cardinals are reportedly having discussions about shortstop Rafael Furcal.
If both teams can decide on the prospects involved and who pays Furcal's contract, a deal could get hours before the deadline or even after it passes if the teams can agree on waiver wire terms.
Having already added two pieces to the lineup before the trading deadline, San Francisco made yet another move to aquire shortstop Orlando Cabrera from the Indians for a minor league outfielder.
Cabrera likely will signifigantly reduce the playing time of incumbant shortstop Brandon Crawford, who is hovering around the mendoza line and is has only four hits in his last 38 at-bats.
Heading to Cleveland will be Fresno (AAA) outfielder Thomas Neal who had 2 homeruns and 25 RBIs this season, but has put up impressive numbers at the plate in the past (22 HRs at single A San Jose).
Neal may get a shot at making the Indians 40-man roster and could even see a shot come September if Cleveland continues to struggle to find replacements for their injured starters in the outfield.
Unless the Giants are planning on aquiring a catcher after the deadline passes via waivers, it appears that Brian Sabean is confident in the Eli Whiteside/Chris Stewart combination for the remainder of the year.
Landing Cabrera gives the Giants a slew of veteran infielders with Miguel Tejada, Jeff Keppinger and Mike Fontenot up the middle, resembling many of Sabeans veteran-oriented teams of the past.
Crawford is the only youngster of the group and may be headed back to the minors if his bat doesn't heat up soon.
N.L. West Chatter: Rockies land two young arms, D-Backs get Marquis, Dodgers dealing Furcal?
Rockies land a pair of top pitching prospects for Ubaldo Jimenez:
The Indians made another move on Saturday, upping the ante in their offer for Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez by including two of their top pitching prospects in the deal.
Drew Pomeranz (0-1 2.57 ERA) and Alex White (1-0 1.90 ERA) will both be assigned to Colorado's minor league system and were highly regarded hurlers within the Cleveland organization.
White could contribute as early as this season having already tasted the majors in a short stint earlier this year for the Indians.
Pomeranz instantly becomes one of the Rockies prized arms of the future and could get a shot at breaking the rotation in 2012.
Their first round draft pick from last season (Tyler Matzek) has not pitched well in the minors and appears to have been overrated by high school scouts.
It may be a white flag of surrender for Colorado in 2011, but it certainly was a great package of talent they received for Jimenez, who hasn't come close to duplicating his 15-1 start of 2010 and was wearing out his welcome as a Rockie.
White is a former first rounder out of North Carolina and Pomeranz has done nothing but impress since being drafted out of Ole Miss.
Both arms could be centerpieces of a Rockies rotation in the future that underwent a drastic makeover with the Jimenez trade.
Jason Marquis heading to the D-Backs:
Looking to add another arm to the rotation, Arizon sent infield prospect Zach Walters to the Washington Nationals for starter Jason Marquis.
After a disaterous 2010 (2-9 6.60 ERA), Marquis has rebounded well by going 8-5 with a 3.95 ERA for Washington in 2011.
Having won 15 games twice at the major league level in 2004 (STL) and 2009 (COL), Marquis has the ability to be a key contributor for Arizona down the stretch if he can return to form.
The Nationals are building for the future and added another infielder while unloading a hefty contract.
Walters has hit better than .300 in both of his first two seasons of pro ball and could project as either a third baseman or shortstop.
In 2011, Walters was hitting .302 with nine homeruns and 56 RBIs before being traded.
Dodgers dealing Furcal?
While no official deal has gone through, the Dodgers and Cardinals are reportedly having discussions about shortstop Rafael Furcal.
If both teams can decide on the prospects involved and who pays Furcal's contract, a deal could get hours before the deadline or even after it passes if the teams can agree on waiver wire terms.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Phillies counter Beltran move by trading for Pence
Just a day after Carlos Beltran was offically introduced as a San Francisco Giant, the Phillies wasted no time in completing a deal for Hunter Pence from the Houston Astros.
Pence will add another offensive bat to an already fearsome Phillies lineup that features Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Raul Ibanez and others.
The Phillies parted with four prospects in the trade, two of whom were amongst considered top-tier talents within the organization.
Jarred Cosart was the top pitching prospect in the deal, a right-handed pitcher who has gone 9-8 with a 3.92 ERA in 2011 in the Phillies system.
Cosart wasn't a high draft pick (38th round in 2008), but pitched well enough in his first two years of pro ball to be considered one of Phillidelphia's top arms.
He has been a futures game selection (the minor league's version of the All-Star game) twice and posted a 2.22 ERA in 24 1/3 innings pitched his first year in low-A ball.
The top hitting prospect heading to Houston is a left-handed first baseman named Jonathan Singleton who has posted consistent offensive numbers in three pro seasons since being drafted out of high school in the eighth round.
Singleton hit .290 in both of his first two years of pro ball, showing improved power his second year in 2010 with more at-bats.
In 376 trips to the plate last year, Singleton blasted 14 homeruns and knocked in 77 while hitting at a .290 clip--his .393 on-base percentage and 62 BB also indicate he has a good understanding of the strike zone.
2011 has yielded similar offensive results as Singlton sits at .284/9/47 after 320 at bats, but his path to the majors was still blocked by Ryan Howard in Phillidelphia.
In Houston, Singleton will have a much better way of breaking the 25-man roster in the near future having to compete with Brett Wallace for playing time, rather than Howard.
Earlier this year, MLB.com named Singleton the 30th best prospect in all of baseball.
The other player in the deal was a minor league pitcher named Josh Zeid and a player to be named later.
Houston called up minor league outfielder J.D. Martinez who will vie to fill Pence's right-field position for the rest of the season.
Martinez has given the Astros enough of an argument to trade Pence this season, hitting .338 with 13 homeruns and 72 RBIs for AA Corpis Christi.
Last season, Martinez opened eyes within the organization by hitting .341 with 18 homeruns and 89 RBIs in 138 games.
The arrival of Pence in Phillidelphia likely means signifigantly reduced playing time for Dominic Brown, who hasn't proven he is ready to the the rightfielder of the present for the Phillies.
What it means for the Giants:
After taking two of three from the Phillies in a series last week, the Giants were riding high until news broke through of the Pence trade. He is a high-energy player who plays the game the right way and has been consistant at the plate and in the field his entire career. He is also another bat that adds to a fearsome collection of sluggers residing in Phillidelphia.
While landing Beltran was a big step for the Giants, Pence is a younger and more enthusiastic player who the Phillies have under contract for two more years (Beltran is a free-agent at the end of 2011).
He also is a well above-average defensive player with a tremendous arm that adds to an already solid Phillies defense. He could also could see a rise in his offensive numbers in a hitter friendly Phillies ballpark that could cater to Pence's approach at the plate.
Don't be surprised if Pence's offensive numbers are better than Beltran's down the stretch, but the true merit of the trade will undoubtedly be measured come October.
Pence will add another offensive bat to an already fearsome Phillies lineup that features Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Raul Ibanez and others.
The Phillies parted with four prospects in the trade, two of whom were amongst considered top-tier talents within the organization.
Jarred Cosart was the top pitching prospect in the deal, a right-handed pitcher who has gone 9-8 with a 3.92 ERA in 2011 in the Phillies system.
Cosart wasn't a high draft pick (38th round in 2008), but pitched well enough in his first two years of pro ball to be considered one of Phillidelphia's top arms.
He has been a futures game selection (the minor league's version of the All-Star game) twice and posted a 2.22 ERA in 24 1/3 innings pitched his first year in low-A ball.
The top hitting prospect heading to Houston is a left-handed first baseman named Jonathan Singleton who has posted consistent offensive numbers in three pro seasons since being drafted out of high school in the eighth round.
Singleton hit .290 in both of his first two years of pro ball, showing improved power his second year in 2010 with more at-bats.
In 376 trips to the plate last year, Singleton blasted 14 homeruns and knocked in 77 while hitting at a .290 clip--his .393 on-base percentage and 62 BB also indicate he has a good understanding of the strike zone.
2011 has yielded similar offensive results as Singlton sits at .284/9/47 after 320 at bats, but his path to the majors was still blocked by Ryan Howard in Phillidelphia.
In Houston, Singleton will have a much better way of breaking the 25-man roster in the near future having to compete with Brett Wallace for playing time, rather than Howard.
Earlier this year, MLB.com named Singleton the 30th best prospect in all of baseball.
The other player in the deal was a minor league pitcher named Josh Zeid and a player to be named later.
Houston called up minor league outfielder J.D. Martinez who will vie to fill Pence's right-field position for the rest of the season.
Martinez has given the Astros enough of an argument to trade Pence this season, hitting .338 with 13 homeruns and 72 RBIs for AA Corpis Christi.
Last season, Martinez opened eyes within the organization by hitting .341 with 18 homeruns and 89 RBIs in 138 games.
The arrival of Pence in Phillidelphia likely means signifigantly reduced playing time for Dominic Brown, who hasn't proven he is ready to the the rightfielder of the present for the Phillies.
What it means for the Giants:
After taking two of three from the Phillies in a series last week, the Giants were riding high until news broke through of the Pence trade. He is a high-energy player who plays the game the right way and has been consistant at the plate and in the field his entire career. He is also another bat that adds to a fearsome collection of sluggers residing in Phillidelphia.
While landing Beltran was a big step for the Giants, Pence is a younger and more enthusiastic player who the Phillies have under contract for two more years (Beltran is a free-agent at the end of 2011).
He also is a well above-average defensive player with a tremendous arm that adds to an already solid Phillies defense. He could also could see a rise in his offensive numbers in a hitter friendly Phillies ballpark that could cater to Pence's approach at the plate.
Don't be surprised if Pence's offensive numbers are better than Beltran's down the stretch, but the true merit of the trade will undoubtedly be measured come October.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Are the Giants done making deals? Can Whitside/Stewart endure the stretch?
After finalizing the Carlos Beltran trade today the Giants have been active early in the trade market and may still have a deal or two left up their sleeve.
Just last week, San Francisco aquired infielder Jeff Keppinger from the Astros for a pair of prospects and followed it up by dealing their top pitching prospect (Zack Wheeler) in order to land Beltran from the Mets.
While the Giants have addressed two positions of need with the additions, the catcher position remains a platoon between Eli Whiteside and Chris Stewart who are both hitting below .230 and have combined for just 16 RBIs on the season.
A trade for catcher Ivan Rodriguez was discussed earlier in the year but never went through, but looking at the market for available catchers before the deadline yields a slim list.
The best option may be adding the bat of Miguel Olivo from Seattle, who has hit 14 homeruns while driving in 41 on the season for a struggling Mariners team.
He has struck out more than any Seattle player in 2011 and is hitting just .217, but Olivo's pop is a much needed upgrade that wouldn't come at a high price.
Stewart and Whitside simply aren't power threats at the plate and Olivo's homerun total would instantly be second on the Giants behind the recently aquired Beltran.
He is also a career .243 hitter and has hit as many as 23 homeruns in a season (2009 -- KC), which may hint that he may improve upon his current .217 mark.
Seattle may part with Olivo for one or two pitching prospects and the asking price can't be that high considering the Mariners are looking towards the future and Olivo is 33.
The Giants don't need Olivo long term with Posey expected to recover by next season and wouldn't have to pay too much for a huge offensive upgrade at a position that has provided little with the bat.
It's a deal that makes sense for both teams and is really the only position left to address for San Francisco before the July 31st deadline.
Just last week, San Francisco aquired infielder Jeff Keppinger from the Astros for a pair of prospects and followed it up by dealing their top pitching prospect (Zack Wheeler) in order to land Beltran from the Mets.
While the Giants have addressed two positions of need with the additions, the catcher position remains a platoon between Eli Whiteside and Chris Stewart who are both hitting below .230 and have combined for just 16 RBIs on the season.
A trade for catcher Ivan Rodriguez was discussed earlier in the year but never went through, but looking at the market for available catchers before the deadline yields a slim list.
The best option may be adding the bat of Miguel Olivo from Seattle, who has hit 14 homeruns while driving in 41 on the season for a struggling Mariners team.
He has struck out more than any Seattle player in 2011 and is hitting just .217, but Olivo's pop is a much needed upgrade that wouldn't come at a high price.
Stewart and Whitside simply aren't power threats at the plate and Olivo's homerun total would instantly be second on the Giants behind the recently aquired Beltran.
He is also a career .243 hitter and has hit as many as 23 homeruns in a season (2009 -- KC), which may hint that he may improve upon his current .217 mark.
Seattle may part with Olivo for one or two pitching prospects and the asking price can't be that high considering the Mariners are looking towards the future and Olivo is 33.
The Giants don't need Olivo long term with Posey expected to recover by next season and wouldn't have to pay too much for a huge offensive upgrade at a position that has provided little with the bat.
It's a deal that makes sense for both teams and is really the only position left to address for San Francisco before the July 31st deadline.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Giants close to pulling the trigger on Carlos Beltran deal
ESPN has reported that the San Francisco Giants are very close to completing a deal for coveted centerfielder Carlos Beltran of the New York Mets.
The deal breaker has been discussions over Giants top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler, who the Giants are reportedly willing to part with in order to meet the Mets demands.
Wheeler was taken sixth overall by the Giants in the first round of the 2009 MLB draft and went 3-3 with a 3.99 ERA during his first year of pro ball for Augusta (short-season A).
In 2011, Wheeler has gone 7-5 for San Jose (A) while posting the same 3.99 ERA he finished with last year in Augusta.
He projects as a strikeout pitcher with a mid to upper 90's fastball and is still young and unpolished having been drafted out of high school two years ago.
While the Giants likely tried to pull off the trade without including Wheeler, General Manager Brian Sabean had to part ways with the former first rounder to get Beltran -- even if he is only a two month rental.
The likelyhood that the Giants will sign Beltran to a long-term deal is unlikely considering they are paving the way for Gary Brown (San Jose-A) to be the centerfielder of the future.
Unless Beltran wants to consider a move to a corner outfield position and a signifigant paycut in years to come, it appears he was aquired to be the bat the Giants need down the stretch to make a run at repeating in 2011.
While the price of losing Wheeler could prove to be costly, San Francisco has the rare luxury of having an abundance of young arms at both the major and minor league level -- something that could have postponed Wheelers accent to the majors in the Giants organization.
The young righthander will have a much better opportunity to break the rotation for the Mets in coming years and may even be promoted to AA this season for New York if they want to accelerate his learning curve.
Final Analysis: Beltran will certainly help the Giants offensively but giving up Wheeler was a move the Giants may regret in the future if he can master the control issues that have hurt him in the minors.
Opponents hit just .224 against Wheeler this season and he has struck out 98 batters in 88 innings pitched. Forty-seven walks has been the achilles heel for Wheeler, but learning to trust his stuff could go a long way for a guy with his talent.
It's possible the Astros or Rays would have considered trading Hunter Pence or B.J. Upton if the Giants had included Wheeler with a package of prospects, but Sabean clearly has his sights set on Beltran.
I loved Beltran when he was a five-tool player with the Royals, but since signing with the Mets it has become apparent he isn't the same player he once was after several injuries.
Personally, landing Upton or Pence and trying to sign them to long term deals would have been the route I would have taken considering current outfielders like Cody Ross, Andres Torres, Aaron Rowand and Pat Burrell all are in the final years of their playing careers.
Time will tell if Sabean gets enough value out of Beltran this season to garner the price he paid with Wheeler, but considering the Giants not having a single player with double-digit homeruns going into the second half of the season it was a move that had to be done.
Grade: B
The deal breaker has been discussions over Giants top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler, who the Giants are reportedly willing to part with in order to meet the Mets demands.
Wheeler was taken sixth overall by the Giants in the first round of the 2009 MLB draft and went 3-3 with a 3.99 ERA during his first year of pro ball for Augusta (short-season A).
In 2011, Wheeler has gone 7-5 for San Jose (A) while posting the same 3.99 ERA he finished with last year in Augusta.
He projects as a strikeout pitcher with a mid to upper 90's fastball and is still young and unpolished having been drafted out of high school two years ago.
While the Giants likely tried to pull off the trade without including Wheeler, General Manager Brian Sabean had to part ways with the former first rounder to get Beltran -- even if he is only a two month rental.
The likelyhood that the Giants will sign Beltran to a long-term deal is unlikely considering they are paving the way for Gary Brown (San Jose-A) to be the centerfielder of the future.
Unless Beltran wants to consider a move to a corner outfield position and a signifigant paycut in years to come, it appears he was aquired to be the bat the Giants need down the stretch to make a run at repeating in 2011.
While the price of losing Wheeler could prove to be costly, San Francisco has the rare luxury of having an abundance of young arms at both the major and minor league level -- something that could have postponed Wheelers accent to the majors in the Giants organization.
The young righthander will have a much better opportunity to break the rotation for the Mets in coming years and may even be promoted to AA this season for New York if they want to accelerate his learning curve.
Final Analysis: Beltran will certainly help the Giants offensively but giving up Wheeler was a move the Giants may regret in the future if he can master the control issues that have hurt him in the minors.
Opponents hit just .224 against Wheeler this season and he has struck out 98 batters in 88 innings pitched. Forty-seven walks has been the achilles heel for Wheeler, but learning to trust his stuff could go a long way for a guy with his talent.
It's possible the Astros or Rays would have considered trading Hunter Pence or B.J. Upton if the Giants had included Wheeler with a package of prospects, but Sabean clearly has his sights set on Beltran.
I loved Beltran when he was a five-tool player with the Royals, but since signing with the Mets it has become apparent he isn't the same player he once was after several injuries.
Personally, landing Upton or Pence and trying to sign them to long term deals would have been the route I would have taken considering current outfielders like Cody Ross, Andres Torres, Aaron Rowand and Pat Burrell all are in the final years of their playing careers.
Time will tell if Sabean gets enough value out of Beltran this season to garner the price he paid with Wheeler, but considering the Giants not having a single player with double-digit homeruns going into the second half of the season it was a move that had to be done.
Grade: B
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Top trading pieces for the Giants
With one of the most stocked minor league systems in baseball, San Francisco has an assortment of talent to offer sellers before the deadline who are looking to rebuild for the future.
The only player who I just don't see the Giants parting with is centerfielder Gary Brown who is being groomed as the centerfielder of the future.
Other than Brown, teams like the Astros, Royals, Cubs, Mets and Mariners will have plenty of options to consider when on the phone with Brian Sabean.
1. Zack Wheeler P (considered the Giants top pitching prospect, could be packaged in a deal to land a big bat)
2. Brandon Belt 1B (Has shown tremendous ability at the plate in the minors but hasn't matched success in SF)
3. Heath Hembree RP (A flame-throwing closer for class A San Jose, Hembree may be the best prospect in the pen)
4. Chris Dominguez 3B (Power hitting third baseman led the nation in homeruns in college)
5. Eric Surkamp P (Strong minor league numbers will likely lead to calls from teams who can't get Wheeler)
6. Francisco Peguero OF (Speedy outfielder could be the leadoff man of the future for a rebuilding team)
7. Hector Sanchez C (Already seen a brief stint in San Fransisco; could be the future for the Giants if Posey goes to 1B)
8. Thomas Neal OF (Has shown power and ability to hit for average in the minors; currently in AAA)
9. Charlie Culberson IF (Versitile infielder has shown good pop with the bat down on the farm)
10. Ryan Verdugo P (Drafted late but has put up great numbers in his first few seasons on the mound)
11. Tommy Joseph C/1B (Probably not going to stick at catcher but his bat will find him a spot on the field)
12. Ehire Adrianza SS (Slick fielding shortstop needs to prove he can hit; glove and arm are major league ready)
13. Steve Edlefsen RP (Another hard throwing reliever could be a closer in the future for the right team)
14. Jarrett Parker OF (Tall and lanky outfielder has pop and a plus arm, still being groomed in class A San Jose)
15. Roger Kieschnick OF (Has been up and down offensively in the minors, stuck behind a long list of outfielders)
The only player who I just don't see the Giants parting with is centerfielder Gary Brown who is being groomed as the centerfielder of the future.
Other than Brown, teams like the Astros, Royals, Cubs, Mets and Mariners will have plenty of options to consider when on the phone with Brian Sabean.
Here is a list of some of the Giants' most attractive targets for sellers at the deadline:
1. Zack Wheeler P (considered the Giants top pitching prospect, could be packaged in a deal to land a big bat)
2. Brandon Belt 1B (Has shown tremendous ability at the plate in the minors but hasn't matched success in SF)
3. Heath Hembree RP (A flame-throwing closer for class A San Jose, Hembree may be the best prospect in the pen)
4. Chris Dominguez 3B (Power hitting third baseman led the nation in homeruns in college)
5. Eric Surkamp P (Strong minor league numbers will likely lead to calls from teams who can't get Wheeler)
6. Francisco Peguero OF (Speedy outfielder could be the leadoff man of the future for a rebuilding team)
7. Hector Sanchez C (Already seen a brief stint in San Fransisco; could be the future for the Giants if Posey goes to 1B)
8. Thomas Neal OF (Has shown power and ability to hit for average in the minors; currently in AAA)
9. Charlie Culberson IF (Versitile infielder has shown good pop with the bat down on the farm)
10. Ryan Verdugo P (Drafted late but has put up great numbers in his first few seasons on the mound)
11. Tommy Joseph C/1B (Probably not going to stick at catcher but his bat will find him a spot on the field)
12. Ehire Adrianza SS (Slick fielding shortstop needs to prove he can hit; glove and arm are major league ready)
13. Steve Edlefsen RP (Another hard throwing reliever could be a closer in the future for the right team)
14. Jarrett Parker OF (Tall and lanky outfielder has pop and a plus arm, still being groomed in class A San Jose)
15. Roger Kieschnick OF (Has been up and down offensively in the minors, stuck behind a long list of outfielders)
Top three targets for the Giants before the deadline
1. B.J. Upton (CF) Tampa Bay Rays
Upton has shown flashes of being the cornerstone piece the Rays were hoping he would be when they took him as the second overall pick in 2002, but his inconsistant play and occaisional antics have prompted Tampa Bay to put him on the trade block.
A rare five tool player still entering his prime, Upton has the highest upside of any player on the market. He has stolen 40 bases or more three times in his young career, while showing off his power potential in 2007 with 24 homeruns in 474 at-bats.
Upton would instantly be the fastest player in the starting lineup for San Francisco who could chose to hit him at the top of the lineup or slide him somewhere between Sandoval, Shierholtz and Huff.
A flashy centerfielder with great range, Upton would be a great canditate to battle the spacious confines of AT&T park while also adding another great outfield arm into the mix to compliment Shierholtz and Ross.
With Tampa Bay still being in the playoff race, their asking price for Upton likely will include a player who is major league ready. It also may be the highest asking price of the three players on this list, but could bring the greatest long-term returns for San Francisco.
The Rays may inquire about Madison Bumgardner in the deal, but it's highley unlikely the Giants break up any part of their rotation unless they are completely blown away by an offer.
Their next target may be Brandon Belt, a home-grown prospect who has done nothing but assault minor league pitching since being drafter out of the University of Texas.
General Manager Brian Sabean will have to think long and hard about the deal considering Belt is the best pure-hitting first baseman to accend the minor league system since Will Clark. He will also have to give up additional prospects in the deal, possibly another pitcher or outfielder to aquire Upton.
Belt could be the first baseman of the future in Tampa Bay if Casey Kotchman doesn't replicate a great first half which won him the job. The Giants may have ideas about moving Buster Posey to first base in the future if catching prospect Hector Sanchez can prove he can handle major-league pitching.
The only way such a deal gets done is if the Giants have long-term plans about Upton being the centerfielder of the future. Andres Torres has struggled to replicate the success he has as the leadoff hitter a year ago and may be a more valuable asset to the Giants off the bench, considering his speed and defensive ability.
Upton will turn 27 towards the end of August and would likely enjoy the idea of playing in the same division as his brother Justin (Arizona). The right kind of deal could bring Upton to the Bay Area, but the only drawback will be deciding how much of the future to salvage for a player who has overstayed his welcome in Tampa Bay.
2. Hunter Pence (LF/RF) Houston Astros
With the Astros all but out of contention in 2011, many believe that they will part ways with their star outfielder Hunter Pence before the deadline if they can get a talented package of prospects in return.
The Braves have been mentioned as the front-runners for Pence, but a deal for the 27-year-old outfielder would solidify an inconsistant middle of the order for San Francisco who has better prospects to offer in a potential deal.
Houston desperately needs pitching and would likely ask for top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler in the deal, but with the Giants pitching depth at the major and minor league level it's a deal worth considering.
Atlanta has an intriguing trade piece in pitcher Mike Minor for Houston to consider, but if San Francisco packaged Wheeler with another minor league arm like Heath Hembree or Eric Surkamp the Astros may pull the trigger.
While most think the Giants are coveting a centerfielder, trading for Pence would allow the Giants to play Ross, Torres and even try Shierholtz in centerfield considering Pence has a well above-average arm in right or left field.
Having Pence would also give the Giants insurance in case Shierholtz isn't able to reapeat his breakout year in 2011.
It would also leave the future centerfielder job available to top prospect Gary Brown who will likely start the season in AA after having a standout year in San Jose this season (A). Brown could get an invite to spring training to allow the Giants a taste of how ready he is for major league pitching.
Landing Upton would force the Giants to wait longer on Brown and/or consider moving Upton back to the infield or to a corner outfield position once last year's first round pick arrives in San Francisco eventually.
If the Giants pass on both Upton and Pence and target Beltran, it is likely only for a two-month rental as the idea of re-signing him is unlikely considering his age and track record for ending up on the disabled list.
3. Carlos Beltran (CF) New York Mets
While the Mets aren't completely out of the playoff race at 51-51, trading Beltran will allow them to receive something rather than nothing in return for a player who will leave after his contract expires at the end of 2011.
Early indications are that the Mets have a high asking price for Beltran which has scared many potential buyers away who are not intending to re-sign him in the offseason.
As the deadline gets closer, New York will have to dampen their expectations if they want to move Beltran, or he will likely remain a Met.
Beltran has performed extremely well in the postseason during his career which is an attractive feature for any contender. He would immediately slide into the middle of the order for San Francisco and likely demote Torres to a bench role.
Trading too many prospects for Beltran could turn out to be a bad move for whoever lands him if his history with the injury bug becomes an issue down the stretch. Either way, whoever trades for Beltran will be giving up a large part of the future for a player who is on the back-nine of his career and likely won't return in 2012 because of his contract expectations.
Unless San Francisco can land him for an affordable price, a trade for Beltran may be too risky for the Giants to gamble on.
Knowing that Upton and Pence are only 27, the Giants would feel much more comfortable trading away part of the future if they knew they would be getting a player who would stay in San Francisco.
Upton has shown flashes of being the cornerstone piece the Rays were hoping he would be when they took him as the second overall pick in 2002, but his inconsistant play and occaisional antics have prompted Tampa Bay to put him on the trade block.
A rare five tool player still entering his prime, Upton has the highest upside of any player on the market. He has stolen 40 bases or more three times in his young career, while showing off his power potential in 2007 with 24 homeruns in 474 at-bats.
Upton would instantly be the fastest player in the starting lineup for San Francisco who could chose to hit him at the top of the lineup or slide him somewhere between Sandoval, Shierholtz and Huff.
A flashy centerfielder with great range, Upton would be a great canditate to battle the spacious confines of AT&T park while also adding another great outfield arm into the mix to compliment Shierholtz and Ross.
With Tampa Bay still being in the playoff race, their asking price for Upton likely will include a player who is major league ready. It also may be the highest asking price of the three players on this list, but could bring the greatest long-term returns for San Francisco.
The Rays may inquire about Madison Bumgardner in the deal, but it's highley unlikely the Giants break up any part of their rotation unless they are completely blown away by an offer.
Their next target may be Brandon Belt, a home-grown prospect who has done nothing but assault minor league pitching since being drafter out of the University of Texas.
General Manager Brian Sabean will have to think long and hard about the deal considering Belt is the best pure-hitting first baseman to accend the minor league system since Will Clark. He will also have to give up additional prospects in the deal, possibly another pitcher or outfielder to aquire Upton.
Belt could be the first baseman of the future in Tampa Bay if Casey Kotchman doesn't replicate a great first half which won him the job. The Giants may have ideas about moving Buster Posey to first base in the future if catching prospect Hector Sanchez can prove he can handle major-league pitching.
The only way such a deal gets done is if the Giants have long-term plans about Upton being the centerfielder of the future. Andres Torres has struggled to replicate the success he has as the leadoff hitter a year ago and may be a more valuable asset to the Giants off the bench, considering his speed and defensive ability.
Upton will turn 27 towards the end of August and would likely enjoy the idea of playing in the same division as his brother Justin (Arizona). The right kind of deal could bring Upton to the Bay Area, but the only drawback will be deciding how much of the future to salvage for a player who has overstayed his welcome in Tampa Bay.
2. Hunter Pence (LF/RF) Houston Astros
With the Astros all but out of contention in 2011, many believe that they will part ways with their star outfielder Hunter Pence before the deadline if they can get a talented package of prospects in return.
The Braves have been mentioned as the front-runners for Pence, but a deal for the 27-year-old outfielder would solidify an inconsistant middle of the order for San Francisco who has better prospects to offer in a potential deal.
Houston desperately needs pitching and would likely ask for top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler in the deal, but with the Giants pitching depth at the major and minor league level it's a deal worth considering.
Atlanta has an intriguing trade piece in pitcher Mike Minor for Houston to consider, but if San Francisco packaged Wheeler with another minor league arm like Heath Hembree or Eric Surkamp the Astros may pull the trigger.
While most think the Giants are coveting a centerfielder, trading for Pence would allow the Giants to play Ross, Torres and even try Shierholtz in centerfield considering Pence has a well above-average arm in right or left field.
Having Pence would also give the Giants insurance in case Shierholtz isn't able to reapeat his breakout year in 2011.
It would also leave the future centerfielder job available to top prospect Gary Brown who will likely start the season in AA after having a standout year in San Jose this season (A). Brown could get an invite to spring training to allow the Giants a taste of how ready he is for major league pitching.
Landing Upton would force the Giants to wait longer on Brown and/or consider moving Upton back to the infield or to a corner outfield position once last year's first round pick arrives in San Francisco eventually.
If the Giants pass on both Upton and Pence and target Beltran, it is likely only for a two-month rental as the idea of re-signing him is unlikely considering his age and track record for ending up on the disabled list.
3. Carlos Beltran (CF) New York Mets
While the Mets aren't completely out of the playoff race at 51-51, trading Beltran will allow them to receive something rather than nothing in return for a player who will leave after his contract expires at the end of 2011.
Early indications are that the Mets have a high asking price for Beltran which has scared many potential buyers away who are not intending to re-sign him in the offseason.
As the deadline gets closer, New York will have to dampen their expectations if they want to move Beltran, or he will likely remain a Met.
Beltran has performed extremely well in the postseason during his career which is an attractive feature for any contender. He would immediately slide into the middle of the order for San Francisco and likely demote Torres to a bench role.
Trading too many prospects for Beltran could turn out to be a bad move for whoever lands him if his history with the injury bug becomes an issue down the stretch. Either way, whoever trades for Beltran will be giving up a large part of the future for a player who is on the back-nine of his career and likely won't return in 2012 because of his contract expectations.
Unless San Francisco can land him for an affordable price, a trade for Beltran may be too risky for the Giants to gamble on.
Knowing that Upton and Pence are only 27, the Giants would feel much more comfortable trading away part of the future if they knew they would be getting a player who would stay in San Francisco.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Giants Top Prospects: Arms and outfielders top the list
Top Five San Francisco Giants Prospects:
1. Gary Brown (CF/San Jose) (High-A)
The Giants first round draft pick in 2010 out of Cal State Fullerton set a single-season batting average record for the Titians and has assaulted single-A pitching in 2011.
Brown’s batting average has been over .350 for much of the season, but a recent dry spell at the plate has caused it to dip to .316 entering Friday. Brown has just 7 hits in his last 37 at-bats (.189) which has accounted for his longest slump of the season.
One aspect of Brown’s game that hasn’t has a slump is his speed (graded 80/80 on the scout scale), a tool that has helped him swipe 33 bags in 73 games for San Jose as their leadoff hitter and centerfielder.
Projected out over an entire 162 game MLB season, Brown could be a player who steals 40-50 bases a season if he can hit around .300 consistently.
With a quick swing and up the middle approach that allows his to get the most of his ability, Brown could be the eventual replacement of Andres Torres as the Giants leadoff hitter and centerfielder.
2. Brandon Belt (1B/Fresno) (AAA)*
Belt is the only player on this list who has already tasted the big leagues, but his experience has been short-lived thus far after winning the first base job out of spring training.
He was sent back down to Fresno after being injured and hit just .211 with the Giants in 57 at-bats.
A return to the minors and regular playing time has served Belt extremely well, as he is hitting .333 with six home runs and 30 RBIs in 137 at-bats for Fresno since being demoted.
His .462 on-base percentage for Fresno is a great indicator of the quality at-bats Belt puts toghether on a nightly basis.
He has a great eye, solid understanding of the game and all of the tools to be a great hitter, both average and power.
He learned the game from a legend at Texas under Augie Garrido and was also a former pitcher in high school, so Belt has a solid foundation concerning his baseball intellect.
It’s not likely Belt is capable of matching the numbers he put up in single A San Jose two years ago (.352/23/112), but it is clear that it’s simply a matter of when, not if Belt will get his chance in San Francisco.
3. Zack Wheeler (RHP/San Jose) (High-A)
The Giants made Zack Wheeler the sixth overall pick in 2009, returning to a strategy of drafting pitching early and often that has yielded stars like Lincecum, Cain and Bumgardner.
A high schooler from Georgia, Wheeler possesses an upper 90s fastball and lanky frame that was too good for San Francisco to pass on.
Wheeler’s first two seasons have been solid but not spectacular, his first season in Augusta raising more concerns than his recent performances.
During 2009 in Augusta, Wheeler finished 3-3 with a 3.99 ERA in 58 2/3 innings pitched.
While he did strike out 70, Wheeler walked 38 batters which is a number that must go down as he progresses.
This season Wheeler was selected as a first-half All-Star and has gone 6-4 with an ERA of 3.76.
Wheeler continues to battle with his command having walked 45 thus far in 2011 (76 2/3 IP), but his strikeout numbers have remained solid at more than one per inning (80).
If Wheeler can cut down on the walks he has all the making of the next great Giants pitcher to come out of the system.
The only question being whether the Giants will trade him before the deadline for a bat, considering he is the top prospect on most teams lists who are talking with San Francisco about a trade before the 31st.
4. Thomas Neal (OF/Fresno) (AAA)
A 36th round draft pick in 2005, Thomas Neal flew under the radar as a raw, power-hitting junior college prospect from Riverside, CA.
The soon-to-be 24-year old has since established himself as one of the Giants most productive minor league hitters in the system, entering the 2011 midseason break hitting .311 with two home runs and 25 RBIs.
Last season Neal finished with more than 500 at-bats, hitting .291 with 12 home runs and 69 RBIs. He has hit double digit home runs three times in a season since 2005.
Neal’s best season came playing for San Jose where he hit .337 with 22 home runs and 90 RBIs in 2009.
Currently starting in Fresno, Neal is one of the first outfielders in line to get a shot if San Francisco decides to build from within the system in lieu of trading for another bat.
5. Ryan Verdugo (LHP/Richmond) (AA)
A ninth round draft pick out of LSU in 2008, Verdugo has put up staggering numbers in the minors since the Giants signed him as a slender left hander.
Over his first two seasons of pro ball, Verdugo went a combined 5-0 with a 1.77 ERA in 50 1/3 innings pitched while striking out 73 batters.
In 2010, his third season of pro ball, Verdugo posted an 8-1 record with a 1.87 ERA splitting time between Low-A Augusta and High-A San Jose. In 62 2/3 innings pitched, he allowed just 41 hits and struck out 94.
After being called up to AA Richmond, Verdugo has responded by going 5-3 with a 3.70 ERA in 73 innings of work as a starter. He has allowed 69 hits while striking out 76 in 14 starts for the Flying Squirrels. (Giants AA affiliate)
He was also named pitcher of the week for AA earlier this season on June 6th.
Verdugo could finish out the season in Richmond but don't be surprised if he is pitching in spring training for the big league club in 2012. Depending on what happens before the trade deadline with Johnathan Sanchez and Madison Bumgardner, Verdugo may get a promotion to AAA sooner than expected if SF wants to test his arm in Fresno.
Still just 24, Verdugo could be closer to making his Giants debut than Wheeler who is still being groomed in single A.
Hunter is worth the ExPence-- Beltran comes with "buyer beware" tag
To deal or not to deal?
Holding onto a 52-40 record at the All-Star break, the Giants can feel the Diamondbacks nipping at their heels with a slim three game lead and have hinted they may add a bat to address an offense that has done just enough to compliment the second-best pitching staff in baseball.
Carlos Beltran, the 34 year old outfielder of the New York Mets, has been rumored to be a primary target of the Giants who have attractive arms to dangle in the trade market for the rebuilding Mets.
Beltran has already said he would waive his no-trade clause if he were to be dealt to the Red Sox, saying it was a "no brainer" because they were in first place.
With San Francisco in first place heading into the second half of the season, Beltran may be as eager to accept a deal to the Giants as he would for Boston. He has spent most of his career in the cellar of the standings while playing for the Royals and Mets, making it plausable he wants to play for a winner during his final years.
That is exactely what worries me about a deal for Beltran. He is 34, hasn't had a full solid season in the last two years and still will demand a hefty asking price considering he was an All-Star this season and has 58 RBIs, 14 more than San Francisco's leading RBI man (Aubrey Huff--44)
New York will ask for highly prized minor league arms like Zach Wheeler and Ryan Verdugo, and will likely even try to push for Madison Bumgardner in the deal.
Learning from trade deadline blunders:
Trading two or three top prospects for a one or two year rental can and has come back to bite the Giants in the past. In a trade for catcher A.J. Pierzynski, Brian Sabean parted with three arms that would all go on to have productive major league careers for Minnesota.
The worst part of the deal was giving up a converted starter by the name of Joe Nathan (12-4, 2.96 ERA in 2003 for SF) who always had the stuff but couldn't crack the rotation for the Giants.
Nathan would go on to be one of the best closers in the American League for the Twins for the next six seasons, saving more than 40 games three times while never posting an ERA over three from 2004-2009.
The year after the Twins received Nathan from the Giants, he saved 44 games and posted an ERA of 1.62.
Meanwhile, the Giants were cringing over signing Armando Benitez to a long-term deal after he was never able to return to the form that made him an All-Star in Florida.
Nathan wasn't the only bad part of the deal for the Giants, Minnesota also received pitchers Francisco Lirano and Boof Bonser in the trade for Pierzynski who didn't make any friends in San Francisco and departed the following year.
While Lirano has struggled with injuries on several occaisions, he has shown signs of being one of the best lefties in the game at times.
In 2006, Lirano was 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA for the Twins in more than 120 innings pitched. He also won 14 games in 2010 and threw a no-hitter earlier this year.
While Bonser never won more than eight games in the majors, Liriano and Nathan alone made the deal one that the Giants should live and learn from.
Why Pence makes sense:
Watching Hunter Pence in this year's All-Star game confirmed my feelings about him as a much better fit for the Giants, both short-term and long.
He has more outfield assists (50) than any outfielder in the game since 2008 and showed off his arm by gunning down Jose Bautista of the AL at the plate in the Midsummer Classic.
At 28, he is six years younger than Beltran and has had far better numbers in the last three years, even including this season (Beltran's best since 2008).
Simply put, Pence is entering his prime as a hitter and Beltran is simply saving face on the back nine after his last two seasons didn't measure up to anyone's expectations, especially New York's.
If you include this year, in which both Pence and Beltran were All-Stars, the last three seasons havn't even been close productivity wise if you look at the numbers:
Hunter Pence: 61 Home Runs/223 RBIs/.295 batting average (2009-2011)
Carlos Beltran: 30 Home Runs/133 RBIs/.270 batting average (2009-2011)
Pence has hit 25 home runs in both of the last two seasons and entered the break with 11 this year. His 91 RBIs last season were a career high and his 60 so far in 2011 put him on pace to surpass that.
Beltran is having a great start to his 2011 season, but hasn't had 330 or more at-bats in a season because of injuries that have hampered him the last three years.
Because of his age and reputation for missing large chunks of the season, dealing for Beltran is a dangerous deal that could endager the depth of a solid minor league system.
Even if the Giants do have to give up a number of prized prospects for Pence, he doesn't carry the baggage and risk factors that come with Beltran.
Being six years younger, Pence has a much higher ceiling and would not only add a much needed bat to the Giants lineup, but would also put another one of the leagues best arm's in the spacious confines of AT&T park to go pair with Nate Shierholtz.
The Astros need pitching and giving up a surplus for a weakness is rarely bad business.
When the Giants parted with Nathan, Liriano and Bonser for Pierzynski they were trading away some of their top arms and didn't have nearly the pitching staff they have today in San Francisco which magnified the error.
Many of the Giants current top pitching prospects have their road to the majors blocked for years to come with the assembly of stars on the big league roster: Lincecum, Cain, Bumgardner, Sanchez, Vogelsong and Zito.
The Giants are in a rare and fortuitous situation where they have an abundance of the most important ingredient in the game: good pitching.
Mix in a little timely hitting, another power bat and possibly some help defensively-- San Francisco may be getting closer to the recipe that made them a champion last year.
Holding onto a 52-40 record at the All-Star break, the Giants can feel the Diamondbacks nipping at their heels with a slim three game lead and have hinted they may add a bat to address an offense that has done just enough to compliment the second-best pitching staff in baseball.
Carlos Beltran, the 34 year old outfielder of the New York Mets, has been rumored to be a primary target of the Giants who have attractive arms to dangle in the trade market for the rebuilding Mets.
Beltran has already said he would waive his no-trade clause if he were to be dealt to the Red Sox, saying it was a "no brainer" because they were in first place.
With San Francisco in first place heading into the second half of the season, Beltran may be as eager to accept a deal to the Giants as he would for Boston. He has spent most of his career in the cellar of the standings while playing for the Royals and Mets, making it plausable he wants to play for a winner during his final years.
That is exactely what worries me about a deal for Beltran. He is 34, hasn't had a full solid season in the last two years and still will demand a hefty asking price considering he was an All-Star this season and has 58 RBIs, 14 more than San Francisco's leading RBI man (Aubrey Huff--44)
New York will ask for highly prized minor league arms like Zach Wheeler and Ryan Verdugo, and will likely even try to push for Madison Bumgardner in the deal.
Learning from trade deadline blunders:
Trading two or three top prospects for a one or two year rental can and has come back to bite the Giants in the past. In a trade for catcher A.J. Pierzynski, Brian Sabean parted with three arms that would all go on to have productive major league careers for Minnesota.
The worst part of the deal was giving up a converted starter by the name of Joe Nathan (12-4, 2.96 ERA in 2003 for SF) who always had the stuff but couldn't crack the rotation for the Giants.
Nathan would go on to be one of the best closers in the American League for the Twins for the next six seasons, saving more than 40 games three times while never posting an ERA over three from 2004-2009.
The year after the Twins received Nathan from the Giants, he saved 44 games and posted an ERA of 1.62.
Meanwhile, the Giants were cringing over signing Armando Benitez to a long-term deal after he was never able to return to the form that made him an All-Star in Florida.
Nathan wasn't the only bad part of the deal for the Giants, Minnesota also received pitchers Francisco Lirano and Boof Bonser in the trade for Pierzynski who didn't make any friends in San Francisco and departed the following year.
While Lirano has struggled with injuries on several occaisions, he has shown signs of being one of the best lefties in the game at times.
In 2006, Lirano was 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA for the Twins in more than 120 innings pitched. He also won 14 games in 2010 and threw a no-hitter earlier this year.
While Bonser never won more than eight games in the majors, Liriano and Nathan alone made the deal one that the Giants should live and learn from.
Why Pence makes sense:
Watching Hunter Pence in this year's All-Star game confirmed my feelings about him as a much better fit for the Giants, both short-term and long.
He has more outfield assists (50) than any outfielder in the game since 2008 and showed off his arm by gunning down Jose Bautista of the AL at the plate in the Midsummer Classic.
At 28, he is six years younger than Beltran and has had far better numbers in the last three years, even including this season (Beltran's best since 2008).
Simply put, Pence is entering his prime as a hitter and Beltran is simply saving face on the back nine after his last two seasons didn't measure up to anyone's expectations, especially New York's.
If you include this year, in which both Pence and Beltran were All-Stars, the last three seasons havn't even been close productivity wise if you look at the numbers:
Hunter Pence: 61 Home Runs/223 RBIs/.295 batting average (2009-2011)
Carlos Beltran: 30 Home Runs/133 RBIs/.270 batting average (2009-2011)
Pence has hit 25 home runs in both of the last two seasons and entered the break with 11 this year. His 91 RBIs last season were a career high and his 60 so far in 2011 put him on pace to surpass that.
Beltran is having a great start to his 2011 season, but hasn't had 330 or more at-bats in a season because of injuries that have hampered him the last three years.
Because of his age and reputation for missing large chunks of the season, dealing for Beltran is a dangerous deal that could endager the depth of a solid minor league system.
Even if the Giants do have to give up a number of prized prospects for Pence, he doesn't carry the baggage and risk factors that come with Beltran.
Being six years younger, Pence has a much higher ceiling and would not only add a much needed bat to the Giants lineup, but would also put another one of the leagues best arm's in the spacious confines of AT&T park to go pair with Nate Shierholtz.
The Astros need pitching and giving up a surplus for a weakness is rarely bad business.
When the Giants parted with Nathan, Liriano and Bonser for Pierzynski they were trading away some of their top arms and didn't have nearly the pitching staff they have today in San Francisco which magnified the error.
Many of the Giants current top pitching prospects have their road to the majors blocked for years to come with the assembly of stars on the big league roster: Lincecum, Cain, Bumgardner, Sanchez, Vogelsong and Zito.
The Giants are in a rare and fortuitous situation where they have an abundance of the most important ingredient in the game: good pitching.
Mix in a little timely hitting, another power bat and possibly some help defensively-- San Francisco may be getting closer to the recipe that made them a champion last year.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
2011 San Francisco Giants Draft Recap
Having struck it rich with several of their first round draft choices from recent years, the Giants are hoping their 2011 draft continues to add major league talent in the mold of former choices like Tim Lincecum (2006), Buster Posey (2008), Matt Cain (2002) and Madison Bumgardner (2007).
With more first round talents on the way from the farm system in Zach Wheeler (2009) and Gary Brown (2010), the Giants look to be building a track record of success with their first round evaluations.
Here is a look at the first part of Giants 2011 Draft (Rounds 1-5)
Round 1: 26th overall
JOE PANIK/SS/ST. JOHNS U.
The minds behind the misfits decided upon a shortstop from St. Johns University in the first round in 2011, taking Joe Panik and opting to wait for quality arms to fall later in the draft.
Panik played at the same college as Giant great Rich Aurilia and is hoping to follow a similar path to the big leauges. Being a polished college hitter, he will be on a faster track than many of the high school prospects in the 2011 draft.
If current shortstop Brendan Crawford proves he can't hit at the major league level, Panik could get a shot as early as the end of next season.
GRADE: B+
Supplemental 1st round: 49th overall (compensation for Type B Free Agent Juan Uribe)
Kyle Crick/RHP/Sherman high school (TEX)
Another high school arm isn't a bad idea for the pitching stocked Giants, allowing them to give Crick some time to develop in the minors.
San Francisco has seen Madison Bumgardner arrive far sooner than anticipated after drafting him as a high schooler in the first round of the 2007 draft, and has Zack Wheeler pitching well in San Jose (single A) who was another high schooler selected in 2009.
The Giants are hoping Crick will follow the same path and will likely assign him to San Jose once he signs with the team.
GRADE: B-
Round 2:
Andrew Susac/C/Oregon State
Susac was projected by many scouts to be off the board before the Giants picked again in the second round, so they were pleasantly surprised to see him still there especially considering the looming uncertainty of the Buster Posey situation.
Susac has been called an excellent defender and led the prestigious Cape Cod collegiate summer league in slugging percentage last season using a wood bat.
GRADE: A
Round 3:
Ricky Oropesa 1B/USC Trojans
One of the more dangerous left-handed power hitters in the Pac-10, Oropesa was also being considered as a left-handed pitcher but will likely end up swinging the bat for the Giants.
Like many other college hitters, Oropesa's home run numbers decreased signifigantly having to swing the altered aluminum bats. If he can prove he can swing the wood, Oropesa was a great pick in the third round and could project to be a guy who hits 20-25 home runs a year if healthy.
GRADE: A-
Round 4:
Bryce Bandilla LHP/Arizona
Had to face off against tough arms Gerrit Cole, Trevor Bauer, Erik Johnson and Sam Gaviglio on a regular basis while competing in the pitching-rich Pac-10.
GRADE: C+
Round 5:
Chris Marlowe/RHP/Oklahoma State
Likely a reliever canditate at the next level, Marlowe will be a key piece to the Giants future bullpen plans with guys like Affeldt, Mota, and Lopez approaching their final seasons in the game
GRADE: B-
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