An Unanswerable Question

[klaiggeb]

In all of my years around the game, I CANNOT remember, nor could I find ANY TEAM in the history of the game that the BEST record at the break... and the worst record after the break.

So I ask the question that cannot be answered: "How? How in the world is that possible?"

I've given my reason more times than I can count, and that answer lies between the ears of the Giant players.

But that's my reason, and I'm sure others on or not on this board, have theres.

To me, there is no other answer.




Can't blame injuries.

We were in 1st place INSPITE of fielding a team that was almost 1/2 made up of 2nd, or 3rd stringers!

Yet we get our front liners back... and suddenly we become the Titanic moments after the iceberg.

boly

[sfgdood]

I think injuries do get some of the blame here. It's true that part of the early success was with lots of regulars on the shelf, but that's not something that was going to continue. It's also true that some of the bad second half has been with some regulars back on the roster. But they also have not produced like we're used to seeing. Some guys have been up and down, like Cain, Peavey, Posey and Span.

I think the bench has been hit hard, maybe even more significantly by the injuries than the regulars. BOTH Adrianza and Tomlinson went down early and for a long time, only recently returning. Parker got hurt when he was settling in and Mac Williamson was tattooing the ball when he went down.

Along with the injuries, I blame the bullpen for blowing SO many leads. We need to make lots of changes there next year.

[klaiggeb]

All good points, Randy.

Lord knows the front office went above and way beyond to shore up the creaky rotation, adding Cueto, Samadizja, and now Moore.

But in the pen, things have to change.

After this year, as much as I hate to say it, but Lopez has to go.

Casilla cannot be the closer next year. He simply cannot.


Who replaces him becomes the question.



I've said before, I move Belt. That's not even a question. We cannot live with his inconsistencies any longer.

With Pagan's money, as well as the money of a couple others off the table, we should be able to go and get a closer... but failing that, I'd like to give Law or Strickland a shot at it.



After looking for a closer, I want a LF. I am far from convinced that Parker or Williamson is the answer.

Parker is a better defender, Williamson likely the better hitter... but they'd have to show me one HELL of a lot to convince me either is "the guy" for next year.


And I hate doing what I'm doing; already talking about next season...

Sheesh.

boly

[Rog]

After this year, as much as I hate to say it, but Lopez has to go.


Rog -- Why do we hate to say it? It was likely even before the season began that would be the case. Now they have Smith, Osich, Okert and Reynolds. Ty Blach could be another candidate for a lefty reliever next season. It would be great if the Giants are able to carry three, and Smith and Osich can pretty much be written in. The Giants aren't going to want to spend the money on Javier unless they can get him totally on the cheap -- and maybe not even then.



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[Rog]

Casilla cannot be the closer next year. He simply cannot.


Rog -- The contracts of Casilla, Romo and Lopez are up at the end of the postseason. Expect a big change in the bullpen. Derek Law is a potential closer, and there are quite a few setup guys on other teams who would likely be good closers if given the chance. I'd be all over Hector Neris of the Phillies if he is available at anything approaching a reasonable price, and there are others as well.

As for now, I believe the answer is to mix and match even in the ninth inning. Let Casilla face the righties, but if he runs into trouble and a lefty comes up, bring in a southpaw. Even with right-handed hitters, keep the hook at the ready.





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