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Post by sharksrog on Feb 18, 2013 10:15:11 GMT -5
Saturday for the first time, Bruce Bochy expressed a possibility I really hadn't thought of until it was brought up here a week or so ago by Randy: That the Giants might go with only four outfielders.
And the obvious guy to fill the added role would be Brett Pill. In fact, isn't that what the Giants did to open last season -- go with four outfielders and Pill?
A year ago the Giants had three first basemen -- Pill, Brandon Belt and Aubrey Huff -- who could play the outfield in a pinch. That allowed them to get by with four true outfielders. This year they still have Pill and Belt.
As a couple of posters mentioned, the Giants have outfield defense and speed covered off the bench with Andres Torres. They could certainly use a power bat off the bench -- preferably a right-handed bat -- and Pill is perhaps best qualified to fill that of all the possible outfield candidates.
The Giants have other infielders who could benefit from the opening of an extra spot for other positions, but Pill is the only likely candidate with power.
It is also possible an outfielder from another team would become available as spring training nears.
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Post by Islandboagie on Feb 18, 2013 11:16:14 GMT -5
I think the thought here is that Torres and Blanco will be enough to fill any gaps left in the outfield. If they bring another outfielder he will be used primarily in a pinch hitting role.
With that in mind I think we need to evaluate who would be best in a pinch hitting role.
While I like Pill probably better than most here, I think I would call on Sanchez or Arias before I would Pill.
Knowing Bochy' tactics, if we do have the luxury of wasting a spot, we'll likely start 2013 with 13 pitchers. I don't mind this either. The more bullpen weapons Bochy has, the better manager he becomes. Honestly, with the question marks surrounding Romo's durability as a closer, I might not mind seeing 13 pitchers all year.
What do you think would benefit us more, Brett Pill, sitting on the bench and not getting barely any playing time, or an extra arm in the pen? I'm leaning toward the extra arm.
Another thing that occured to me after our backup infielder talks...What about the possibility of Freddy Sanchez being our backup infielder with Arias?
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Post by rxmeister on Feb 18, 2013 11:33:08 GMT -5
I got the impression it would be the four outfielders with Brandon Belt available as the fifth. Pill wouldn't be necessary. Knowing Bochy though, with Clayton Kershaw already listed as the opponent on Opening Day, Bochy will remember that HR Pill hit off of him and somehow keep him around just for that. As for Freddy Sanchez as backup infielder, I don't see that as making sense. He plays one position, and they already have Arias and the guy they signed from Japan, Professor Toru Tanaka. And that's before we even get to his health.
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Post by Islandboagie on Feb 19, 2013 9:56:57 GMT -5
Mark- As for Freddy Sanchez as backup infielder, I don't see that as making sense. He plays one position, and they already have Arias and the guy they signed from Japan, Professor Toru Tanaka. And that's before we even get to his health.
Boagie- Theriot only played second base, and I don't see the guy from Japan being enough of a lock to not look at other players. The Giants don't see him being a lock either or they wouldn't have invited Wilson Valdez and Tony Abreu to camp.
I understand that Freddy hasn't played major league ball in almost 2 years, but why not throw out an invitation and see what he can do? Who would you rather have come up in a pinch-hitting situation late in the game, Abreu, Tanaka, Valdez or Freddy Sanchez?
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Post by sharksrog on Feb 19, 2013 12:08:28 GMT -5
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Post by sharksrog on Feb 19, 2013 12:32:08 GMT -5
Boagie -- Who would you rather have come up in a pinch-hitting situation late in the game, Abreu, Tanaka, Valdez or Freddy Sanchez? Rog -- It would depend on the situation. Overall, one would think that Freddy might be the answer. If it were to get a runner on base though, I might take Tanaka. If both players are healthy, it might be Tanaka overall. If it were for power, obviously it would be Brett Pill, even though he isn't on this particular list. Or maybe you'd like me to throw out the guy I actually think will get that final job -- or at least the final outfield job. That would be Cole Gillespie. No, not Conor Gillaspie. Cole Gillespie. Gillaspie is a right-handed hitting outfielder with modest power and a little speed. In 6+ minor league seasons he has 80 homers and has stolen 112 bases in 148 attempts. He has played a (very) little with the Diamondbacks and hasn't fared well in the bigs. Here is a scouting report on him from three years ago, when he was ranked the #3 prospect in the Diamondbacks organization: 3. Cole Gillespie, OF, Triple-A DOB: June 1984 Bats: R Throws: R Signed: 2006 3rd round – Oregon State University (Milwaukee) MLB ETA: Mid-2010 40-Man Roster: Yes Options: 3 Gillespie was acquired last season from Milwaukee and is your typical fringe-regular. He does a lot of things well, but nothing stands out. He doesn’t have enough range to play center field, so he’s stuck on a corner and that shines a lot more light on his bat, which is average. A gap hitter, Gillespie projects to hit around 10-15 homers and steal about the same number of bases. His best bet for a prolonged MLB career is as a fourth outfielder in the Reed Johnson mold. He spent much of the ’09 season where he hit .242/.332/.424 in 236 at-bats and his BABIP was on the low side at .289. In triple-A for Arizona, he hit .304/.418/.514, but was aided by a BABIP of .363. Gillespie does a nice job of getting on base (+10% walk rate) but he strikes out too much for his average power. I wish he had more power, but I like his minor league K/BB ratio (549/436). His past four seasons in AAA his OPS has been .932, .872, .885 and .885. His forte has been getting on base (.418, .394, .405, .390). That has been mostly in high-altitude Reno though. Gillespie is 28 years old, the same age as Brett Pill. The final spot on the roster could come down to those two guys. I'm going with Gillaspie and Tanaka for the final outfield and infield backup spots. Especially in the case of Tanaka, that's mostly a guess. Read more: sfgiantsmessageboard.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=1565&page=1#ixzz2LMk89BBE |
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donk
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Post by donk on Feb 19, 2013 12:54:27 GMT -5
do you mean Gillespie or Gillaspie???
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Post by sharksrog on Feb 19, 2013 20:39:30 GMT -5
Don -- do you mean Gillespie or Gillaspie???
Rog -- I guess you missed it in the post (Cole Gillespie, not Conor Gillaspie). The former.
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Post by allenreed on Feb 20, 2013 22:52:04 GMT -5
This whole argument is making me Dizzy.
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donk
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Post by donk on Feb 21, 2013 1:51:21 GMT -5
Don -- do you mean Gillespie or Gillaspie??? Rog -- I guess you missed it in the post (Cole Gillespie, not Conor Gillaspie). The former. dk..I didn't miss a thing, you twice used the wrong spelling in your post... ie..."Gillaspie is a right handed hitting outfielder", writes Rog, the nerd ...."I'm going with Gillaspie and Tanaka...outfield, infield ", quote by Rog, super nerd who NEVER makes a mistake....and will now come back and say I don't know how to read.... |
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Post by Islandboagie on Feb 21, 2013 12:02:38 GMT -5
Allen- This whole argument is making me Dizzy.
Boagie- Best post of the year nominee.
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Post by sharksrog on Feb 21, 2013 12:44:03 GMT -5
Don -- do you mean Gillespie or Gillaspie??? Rog -- I guess you missed it in the post (Cole Gillespie, not Conor Gillaspie). The former. dk..I didn't miss a thing, you twice used the wrong spelling in your post... ie..."Gillaspie is a right handed hitting outfielder", writes Rog, the nerd ...."I'm going with Gillaspie and Tanaka...outfield, infield ", quote by Rog, super nerd who NEVER makes a mistake....and will now come back and say I don't know how to read.... Rog -- You are absolutely right about my mistakes. I think that had you chosen to do so, you could have figured it out pretty easily, but I'm sorry for the errors. Read more: sfgiantsmessageboard.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=1565&page=1#9008#ixzz2LYZfyzom |
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Post by sharksrog on Feb 21, 2013 12:44:48 GMT -5
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donk
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Post by donk on Feb 21, 2013 15:48:14 GMT -5
Don -- do you mean Gillespie or Gillaspie??? Rog -- I guess you missed it in the post (Cole Gillespie, not Conor Gillaspie). The former. dk..I didn't miss a thing, you twice used the wrong spelling in your post... ie..."Gillaspie is a right handed hitting outfielder", writes Rog, the nerd ...."I'm going with Gillaspie and Tanaka...outfield, infield ", quote by Rog, super nerd who NEVER makes a mistake....and will now come back and say I don't know how to read.... Rog -- You are absolutely right about my mistakes. I think that had you chosen to do so, you could have figured it out pretty easily, but I'm sorry for the errors. dk...I usually over look your mistakes unlike your track record...however, I thought that one was worth a drop of humor...your answer showed your lack of character.... |
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Post by sharksrog on Feb 21, 2013 17:37:26 GMT -5
Rog -- I guess you missed it in the post (Cole Gillespie, not Conor Gillaspie). The former. dk..I didn't miss a thing, you twice used the wrong spelling in your post... ie..."Gillaspie is a right handed hitting outfielder", writes Rog, the nerd ...."I'm going with Gillaspie and Tanaka...outfield, infield ", quote by Rog, super nerd who NEVER makes a mistake....and will now come back and say I don't know how to read.... Rog -- You are absolutely right about my mistakes. I think that had you chosen to do so, you could have figured it out pretty easily, but I'm sorry for the errors. dk...I usually over look your mistakes unlike your track record...however, I thought that one was worth a drop of humor...your answer showed your lack of character.... Rog -- Really, Don? I admit my mistakes, and that shows a lack of character? As far as your humor, I'm sorry I missed it. I did think that Allen's "Dizzy" (Gillespie) joke was outstanding. Read more: sfgiantsmessageboard.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=1565&page=1#9062#ixzz2LZN4Oabg |
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donk
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Post by donk on Feb 21, 2013 17:42:31 GMT -5
you immediately blamed me for your error....and I don't know how Dizzy spells his name...I think it is D<<E>>A>>N
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Post by sharksrog on Feb 21, 2013 18:06:16 GMT -5
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Post by allenreed on Feb 21, 2013 20:51:53 GMT -5
Daffy?
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Post by sharksrog on Feb 22, 2013 11:26:48 GMT -5
Allen -- Daffy?
Rog -- Darn, Allen, that is precisely what I was thinking. I guess it's just natural to go from Dizzy to Dazzy to Daffy without having to duck.
M-I-C ...
K-E-Y ...
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donk
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Post by donk on Feb 22, 2013 13:39:39 GMT -5
the confusion is gone, Conor Gillaspie is gone...and so ends one of the crazy draft choices ...taken in the first round..talked into being given a $970,000 major league contract...first one of the 2008 draft to make the majors...acknowledged not to have the power or fielding skills to play third (?)...talked about switching him to second...and never played an inning there in the minors.....traded to the White Sox...was that the draft that caused the Giants to give Sabean help in drafting...or was it the Brock Bond draft?  |
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donk
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Post by donk on Feb 22, 2013 13:44:15 GMT -5
Daffy was a Giant,too...but not as good as Dizzy...but he wasn't the talker that Dizzy was....Dazzy was a Dodger..Vance upon a time....
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Post by sharksrog on Feb 22, 2013 14:05:03 GMT -5
Don -- Brock Bond
Rog -- I am intrigued by Brock Bond. He certainly has a fine K/BB ratio (266/256), but like Manny Burriss, he just doesn't seem to have enough power. The question is: Where do we draw the line on the lack of power?
When I questioned it with Burriss, he stood at just 1.18 bases per hit. Brock is at 1.24 bases per hit.
Certainly Brock's .332 batting average and .820 OPS for Fresno last season was good, and his 41/48 K/BB ratio was outstanding. But he averaged only 1.20 bases per hit (really weak for the Pacific Coast League), and let's not forget that many marginal prospects have hit well at Fresno.
The kicker for Bond may be that he is now 27 and doesn't appear to be a particularly good fielder. He plays mostly second base, doesn't appear to have been comfortable at all at third base (.936 fielding percentage), and has played only one game at shortstop.
So I'd have to say no to Bond ... Brock Bond, although if he was drafted by mistake as Don has told us, he's turned out a lot better than could have been expected.
As for Gillaspie, probably for his best that he was traded to the AL. As Don points out, his bat should play better at second base (if he can handle the position), and he could even DH a bit.
As for the right-hander Jeff Soptic the Giants received for Conor, let's hope he doesn't tank. The guy doesn't look that promising, given that he's about to turn 22, hasn't pitched above Low A ball, has a 5.09 career ERA and has pitched in only 46 innings over two seasons.
Worse, he has walked more than six batter per nine innings pitched. And he's struck out only seven more total batters than he has walked. He has thrown just over a wild pitch every three frames.
But there are a few silver linings:
. He was a 3rd-round draft choice, so at one time someone thought he was pretty good.
. He's 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds, probably making him projectible.
. He's allowed just one home run in his 46 innings.
. Best of all, he's yielded just 5.5 hits per inning. He's been darn hard to hit.
I really can't get much of a read on Soptic, but I do see what the Giants might like about him. I would say the Giants took a little bit of a flyer in exchange for a guy who almost certainly wasn't going to mean much to them and who probably has his best shot in the American League.
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sfgdood
Long time member 
stats geeks never played the game...that's why they don't get it and never will
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Post by sfgdood on Feb 24, 2013 19:06:47 GMT -5
Allen- This whole argument is making me Dizzy.
Boagie- Best post of the year nominee.
Rog -- Outstanding, wasn't it?
Dood - the year is young and the season hasnt started so I wouldnt expect Boagie's comment to be saying a whole lot.
~Dood
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Post by sharksrog on Feb 25, 2013 10:13:36 GMT -5
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donk
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Post by donk on Mar 2, 2013 18:21:28 GMT -5
Don -- Brock Bond Rog -- I am intrigued by Brock Bond. He certainly has a fine K/BB ratio (266/256), but like Manny Burriss, he just doesn't seem to have enough power. The question is: Where do we draw the line on the lack of power? When I questioned it with Burriss, he stood at just 1.18 bases per hit. Brock is at 1.24 bases per hit. dk...Bond,2 homers this spring...has he found the magic potion? So I'd have to say no to Bond ... Brock Bond, although if he was drafted by mistake as Don has told us, he's turned out a lot better than could have been expected. dk...did you read about Bond being drafted by mistake by your boy Baggs? and once more I ask, do 2 Bond equal one Bonds.... Oh, the other Bond is long gone.... As for Gillaspie, probably for his best that he was traded to the AL. As Don points out, his bat should play better at second base (if he can handle the position), and he could even DH a bit. dk..Conor hitting .300 with a triple and homer....ah, spring training... |
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Post by sharksrog on Mar 3, 2013 20:33:09 GMT -5
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donk
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Post by donk on Mar 3, 2013 20:46:45 GMT -5
dk...Bond,2 homers this spring...has he found the magic potion? Rog -- I think your partial humor here is well-placed. Bond will almost certainly never be much of a power hitter, but I'm sure rooting for him. I'm rooting for him in the infield and Cole Gillespie in the outfield. And for Ramon Ramirez in the bullpen. The injury to Jose Mijares may open up a spot for Dan Runzler. dk..so far, Bond is doing things that the experts say he couldn't do...hit a couple out, stole a base...and made some good plays in the field, and is hitting .375...if he keeps this up, he will be traded away or join Ellison in a place unknown.... |
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Post by sharksrog on Mar 3, 2013 22:49:18 GMT -5
dk..so far, Bond is doing things that the experts say he couldn't do...hit a couple out, stole a base...and made some good plays in the field, and is hitting .375...if he keeps this up, he will be traded away or join Ellison in a place unknown.... Rog -- If Brock keeps it up, he's got an excellent chance of making the team. I hope he does. I haven't read it yet, but on CSNBayArea.com there's supposed to be a great story on Brock's travails. Read more: sfgiantsmessageboard.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=1565&page=1#9315#ixzz2MXVAUR4z |
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