Post by Rog on Feb 28, 2015 8:43:46 GMT -5
Only one of the free agent starters this past winter made the top 10 major league starters as chosen by the MLB Network. Max Scherzer and his $210 million contract ranked #5.
Next year's possible free agent pitchers had three pitchers in the top 10. Johnny Cueto was ranked #6, while David Price weighed in at #8, and Jordan Zimmerman was ranked #10.
I believe the Giants have something like $50 million in expiring contracts, which might be enough for them to sign one of those three guys -- or perhaps another top starter in Doug Fister. For a more complete list of the potential top starters, read one of the other threads, although I forget which one.
Hard to say how things will turn out, but it would appear the Giants should have a shot at replacing the two Tim's and Ryan Vogelsong with one or two very good rotation members. Add them to Bumgarner, Cain and Peavy, and the Giants could have a very nice rotation in 2016.
As for this season, it appears the rotation will make the difference. The Giants are outstanding behind the plate, very good in the bullpen, perhaps above-average on the bench, and below average in the infield and outfield. That mix sounds like a middling team whose ultimate fate will be determined by the rotation.
Bumgarner looks excellent (rated the #9 starter by MLB TV). Cain looks recovered, and possibly could approach his status two years ago as a top 20 starter. Peavy isn't going to approach his former Cy Young status, but he looks solid -- kind of like the #3 starter he is projected to be. Hudson is on track for a return to what has been a very good #4 starter, and Tim Lincecum is said to have strengthened his mechanics and be throwing the ball with good movement and more to the spots he is attacking.
Ryan Vogelsong -- a very effective starter as recently as three seasons ago -- and the amazing swing man Yusmeiro Petit (one of the best swing-through rates of any major league pitcher last season and a guy who can be extremely effective when he keeps the ball in the park) provide quality depth.
In addition, the Giants have a few pitchers (Clayton Blackburn, Ty Blach and high risk/high reward Kyle Crick) who could be ready by sometime this season or next. They even have 27-year-old Jack Snodgrass, who has gone 23-10 at AA Richmond the past two seasons and 21-year-old Adalberto Mejia, who has a 3.50 ERA in 383 minor league innings.
If there is strength in numbers, the Giants' starters may weigh more than 98 pounds. This year's rotation will be a key. With the help of a good free agent starter or two, next year's rotation should be pretty good.
For now, nothing would sound better than a recovery by Tim Lincecum. Except another World Championship, which a recovery by Lincecum could lead to. More likely are solid efforts by Cain, Peavy and Hudson and solid backup by Vogelsong and Petit.
Even a partial recovery by Lincecum would be rewarding. How good a guru is his dad? We might know by Fathers Day.
Next year's possible free agent pitchers had three pitchers in the top 10. Johnny Cueto was ranked #6, while David Price weighed in at #8, and Jordan Zimmerman was ranked #10.
I believe the Giants have something like $50 million in expiring contracts, which might be enough for them to sign one of those three guys -- or perhaps another top starter in Doug Fister. For a more complete list of the potential top starters, read one of the other threads, although I forget which one.
Hard to say how things will turn out, but it would appear the Giants should have a shot at replacing the two Tim's and Ryan Vogelsong with one or two very good rotation members. Add them to Bumgarner, Cain and Peavy, and the Giants could have a very nice rotation in 2016.
As for this season, it appears the rotation will make the difference. The Giants are outstanding behind the plate, very good in the bullpen, perhaps above-average on the bench, and below average in the infield and outfield. That mix sounds like a middling team whose ultimate fate will be determined by the rotation.
Bumgarner looks excellent (rated the #9 starter by MLB TV). Cain looks recovered, and possibly could approach his status two years ago as a top 20 starter. Peavy isn't going to approach his former Cy Young status, but he looks solid -- kind of like the #3 starter he is projected to be. Hudson is on track for a return to what has been a very good #4 starter, and Tim Lincecum is said to have strengthened his mechanics and be throwing the ball with good movement and more to the spots he is attacking.
Ryan Vogelsong -- a very effective starter as recently as three seasons ago -- and the amazing swing man Yusmeiro Petit (one of the best swing-through rates of any major league pitcher last season and a guy who can be extremely effective when he keeps the ball in the park) provide quality depth.
In addition, the Giants have a few pitchers (Clayton Blackburn, Ty Blach and high risk/high reward Kyle Crick) who could be ready by sometime this season or next. They even have 27-year-old Jack Snodgrass, who has gone 23-10 at AA Richmond the past two seasons and 21-year-old Adalberto Mejia, who has a 3.50 ERA in 383 minor league innings.
If there is strength in numbers, the Giants' starters may weigh more than 98 pounds. This year's rotation will be a key. With the help of a good free agent starter or two, next year's rotation should be pretty good.
For now, nothing would sound better than a recovery by Tim Lincecum. Except another World Championship, which a recovery by Lincecum could lead to. More likely are solid efforts by Cain, Peavy and Hudson and solid backup by Vogelsong and Petit.
Even a partial recovery by Lincecum would be rewarding. How good a guru is his dad? We might know by Fathers Day.
