Post by Rog on Dec 20, 2016 8:37:23 GMT -5
Football is a far more dangerous sport, but it's been less than two years since one of football's top players retired from the 49ers. Patrick Willis would have been a cinch Hall of Famer had he continued to play, and he may wind up one even by retiring early.
With that in mind, which are the five players we would LEAST like to see retire right now? As usual, I'll take a shot:
1. Madison Bumgarner. Madison is young, accomplished and cheap. As much as I think Clayton Kershaw is an historically great player, I'd rather have Madison, who is arguably baseball's best value.
2. Buster Posey. I think Buster will bounce back, and his defense has become terrific. He's just turning 30, so with a future change to first base, he should have plenty of years left.
3. Brandon Crawford. Like Buster, Brandon has become a truly good two-way player. Also turning 30 and may have the skills to continue to be a top fielder for several more years.
4. Joe Panik. I thinjk Joe will bounce back, he's young, and he'll be under cheap team control for four more seasons. Another very good two-way player. Maybe I should have placed him at #3 or shockingly, even at #2.
5. Brandon Belt. Like Crawford, Brandon is signed to a reasonable long-term contract. If Buster is eventually moved to first base, Belt's contract and good all-around play should make him quite tradeable.
So whom did I overlook?
Johnny Cueto woudld be next in line, since he was a second ace last season and has been one of the very top pitchers this decade. But he can opt out at the end of this season, and if he does so, he'd free up a LOT of money, and the Giants have some young pitchers coming. I'd hate to lose him, but not nearly as much as the guys above.
Mark Melancon should be a huge piece for the Giants. But good relievers are perhaps easier to develop than any other position. Mark has a two-year opt out, which also lowers his value.
Hunter Pence would be a tough loss. He's really the Giants' only proven outfielder on a non-platoon basis. But he's been injury-prone the past two years and is under team control for only two more years, which might not turn out to be a horrible thing.
Will Smith and the top young relievers (especially Derek Law) fit in here among the also-rans as well. Upside and control at a very low cost.
Eduardo Nunez can opt for free agency at the end of the upcoming season. Then we're probably getting down to the top prospects in Christian Arroyo and Tyler Beede. Looking ahead, the Giants have some nice, young outfield prospects at a time when two years from now they could possibly need starters at each of the three positions.
With that in mind, which are the five players we would LEAST like to see retire right now? As usual, I'll take a shot:
1. Madison Bumgarner. Madison is young, accomplished and cheap. As much as I think Clayton Kershaw is an historically great player, I'd rather have Madison, who is arguably baseball's best value.
2. Buster Posey. I think Buster will bounce back, and his defense has become terrific. He's just turning 30, so with a future change to first base, he should have plenty of years left.
3. Brandon Crawford. Like Buster, Brandon has become a truly good two-way player. Also turning 30 and may have the skills to continue to be a top fielder for several more years.
4. Joe Panik. I thinjk Joe will bounce back, he's young, and he'll be under cheap team control for four more seasons. Another very good two-way player. Maybe I should have placed him at #3 or shockingly, even at #2.
5. Brandon Belt. Like Crawford, Brandon is signed to a reasonable long-term contract. If Buster is eventually moved to first base, Belt's contract and good all-around play should make him quite tradeable.
So whom did I overlook?
Johnny Cueto woudld be next in line, since he was a second ace last season and has been one of the very top pitchers this decade. But he can opt out at the end of this season, and if he does so, he'd free up a LOT of money, and the Giants have some young pitchers coming. I'd hate to lose him, but not nearly as much as the guys above.
Mark Melancon should be a huge piece for the Giants. But good relievers are perhaps easier to develop than any other position. Mark has a two-year opt out, which also lowers his value.
Hunter Pence would be a tough loss. He's really the Giants' only proven outfielder on a non-platoon basis. But he's been injury-prone the past two years and is under team control for only two more years, which might not turn out to be a horrible thing.
Will Smith and the top young relievers (especially Derek Law) fit in here among the also-rans as well. Upside and control at a very low cost.
Eduardo Nunez can opt for free agency at the end of the upcoming season. Then we're probably getting down to the top prospects in Christian Arroyo and Tyler Beede. Looking ahead, the Giants have some nice, young outfield prospects at a time when two years from now they could possibly need starters at each of the three positions.