Post by Rog on Jun 16, 2017 12:58:03 GMT -5
Madison Bumgarner, Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford will likely be Giants their entire careers, or at least until an expensive late-career free agency. But how about the rest of the Giants? Will they stay or will they go?
Johnny Cueto will likely go. There are simply too many reasons and too many circumstances under which he could leave to predict he will stay. Even though he has struggled so far this season, he still has one of the lowest ERA's put together over all seven years of the decade to date. He could be attractive trade bate. And if he isn't traded, he could be attractive enough for him to opt out of the final four years of his contract. The irony is that the worse Johnny continues to pitch, the greater the likelihood he will be less attractive and thus more likely to remain a Giant.
Jeff Samardziij and Matt Moore are both likely to stay, although between the two it seems likely one will go. Matt has been horrible this season, but his team control and team-friendly contract allow him to have some value. But unless he rebounds fairly quickly, probably not enough to bring much in return at the deadline. Jeff might be the #2 starter now, so he'll likely stay.
Ty Blach isn't going anywhere soon. He's been the season's best surprise. Matt Cain is gone, of course.
The young bullpen pitchers are more likely to stay, while George Kontos is more likely to go. Will Smith is injured and will likely stay, health permitting.
Brandon Belt is a semi-fixture. If Chris Shaw continues to develop at first base, Belt would bring perhaps the highest return of any Giant they might be willing to part with.
Joe Panik is likely no longer untouchable, but he seems likely to say. Christian Arroyo seems unlikely to go anywhere. Which brings us to Eduardo Nunez.
Nunez isn't a typical Giant, including the fact that he is their only true burner. If he can stay healthy, he will be attractive on the trade market -- and on the free agent market this winter. He isn't an outfielder, so he would most help a team with an opening at third base -- and unless they trade Panik, Arroyo is likely the future third baseman. One among Panik and Nunez seems almost certainly to go, with Nunez seemingly being the likelier because of his not being under the Giants' control. They should likely trade him at the deadline to the highest bidder.
Only Austin Slater in the outfield seems more likely than not to be here two years from now. He has shown enough that he has a great chance to be at worst their fifth outfielder. Hunter Pence is eligible for free agency in a year and a half, at the same time the Giants have an option on Denard Span. At most, Pence might stay, and even there it seems likely the Giants will choose to go with a younger or better right fielder.
Because the transition is usually somewhat gradual and thus doesn't usually seem all that sharp or quick, teams change a lot even when they are successful. Even if the Giants suddenly became the best team in baseball their roster would likely change considerably in the next season and a half. If they continue playing poorly, the incentive for change will ring even louder.
A prediction: By the beginning of the 2019 season, there won't be 10 players remaining from the present roster. The number might be even closer to five.
Johnny Cueto will likely go. There are simply too many reasons and too many circumstances under which he could leave to predict he will stay. Even though he has struggled so far this season, he still has one of the lowest ERA's put together over all seven years of the decade to date. He could be attractive trade bate. And if he isn't traded, he could be attractive enough for him to opt out of the final four years of his contract. The irony is that the worse Johnny continues to pitch, the greater the likelihood he will be less attractive and thus more likely to remain a Giant.
Jeff Samardziij and Matt Moore are both likely to stay, although between the two it seems likely one will go. Matt has been horrible this season, but his team control and team-friendly contract allow him to have some value. But unless he rebounds fairly quickly, probably not enough to bring much in return at the deadline. Jeff might be the #2 starter now, so he'll likely stay.
Ty Blach isn't going anywhere soon. He's been the season's best surprise. Matt Cain is gone, of course.
The young bullpen pitchers are more likely to stay, while George Kontos is more likely to go. Will Smith is injured and will likely stay, health permitting.
Brandon Belt is a semi-fixture. If Chris Shaw continues to develop at first base, Belt would bring perhaps the highest return of any Giant they might be willing to part with.
Joe Panik is likely no longer untouchable, but he seems likely to say. Christian Arroyo seems unlikely to go anywhere. Which brings us to Eduardo Nunez.
Nunez isn't a typical Giant, including the fact that he is their only true burner. If he can stay healthy, he will be attractive on the trade market -- and on the free agent market this winter. He isn't an outfielder, so he would most help a team with an opening at third base -- and unless they trade Panik, Arroyo is likely the future third baseman. One among Panik and Nunez seems almost certainly to go, with Nunez seemingly being the likelier because of his not being under the Giants' control. They should likely trade him at the deadline to the highest bidder.
Only Austin Slater in the outfield seems more likely than not to be here two years from now. He has shown enough that he has a great chance to be at worst their fifth outfielder. Hunter Pence is eligible for free agency in a year and a half, at the same time the Giants have an option on Denard Span. At most, Pence might stay, and even there it seems likely the Giants will choose to go with a younger or better right fielder.
Because the transition is usually somewhat gradual and thus doesn't usually seem all that sharp or quick, teams change a lot even when they are successful. Even if the Giants suddenly became the best team in baseball their roster would likely change considerably in the next season and a half. If they continue playing poorly, the incentive for change will ring even louder.
A prediction: By the beginning of the 2019 season, there won't be 10 players remaining from the present roster. The number might be even closer to five.