Out of curiosity, why do you say this? With the exception of the 1st Mets win, the middle relievers haven't cost the team at all, and if a couple of routine plays get made in that game, who knows? Last night, Franco gets a dribbler to Bagwell for an out and then gives up a dribbler which tied the game. Wheeler comes in and gets a ground ball for an error which allowed the winning run to score. The previous night, the Mets scored on another softly hit ball up the middle. When you boil it all down, the only problem the team has had so far is timely hitting. They are getting enough base runners to win but aren't driving them in.
Common Nick, you are a descent baseball mind and you should know better than this. The Giants were not lacking for offense. A.J. was expendable because his offense would not be missed that much while in return they get a better staff manager, person and defender in Mike. You can even figure that one out without much thought - that example is not good. Calvin Murphy has a saying that states that every team is not for every player. Many players that were hated in other balls clubs have come here and fit in nicely. Weren't those same Giants tired of Jent Kent's act? Wasn't the same Kent close to a model citizen here? What about Derek Bell? Once he left here he couldn't fit in in Pittsburg.
While I'm not a big fan Matheny, I wouldn't say that the Giants spent big (he's making what Ausmus is this season), nor that he is a clone of Ausmus (2 years younger and better defensively, won last 2 gold gloves). I'm not big on A.J. for the reason cited, but LoDuca's a guy I like. Wasn't he a free agent this offseason?
Now there's a guy who can hit and evidently calls a good game. And his contract wasn't pricey. Dunno if he was ever looked at, or if he had any desire to leave Florida, but he's a solid piece of their lineup.
Once again... if the catcher position is this team's biggest problem for the enitre year... I'll be more than overjoyed. Brad Aumus' hitting woes are too far down the list of potential concerns for this team for me to spend any more time arguing about it... I was just saying that the Giants chose a light-hitting, more defensive minded catcher over AJ.
Flordia made sure to lock him up... convinced that he would be the difference between Josh Beckett being a Kerry Wood, or Josh Beckett becoming one of the greatest ever. Also, he's got AJ Burnett and Dontrelle to work with as well... DAMN, does anybody else realize how deep the pitching for the Marlins is? And its basically all home-grown, and this is also after losing Pavano.
That is very weak coming from you. At least attempt to paint the full picture here - the Giants are among the ML leaders in runs scored. Go figure! That aguement is weak - let it go.
They aren't the Yankees... they still make decisions that only help better the team, but only at the right cost.
I didn't mean it in a way (my #1 wasn't the #1 problem) that meant that it was a great weakness. But more that since our offense is weak and our starters and closer are strong, we need more strength out of the middle to get us Ws. This seems to be where the momentum shifts. But you are right in that these Ls cannot be put upon those pitchers but more Ks would be nice but asking too much out of that position. I guess it all goes back to weak bats or wrong order.
Yet you weren't posting this BS when they were 4-1. At that time you were just b****ing about Everett. If the Astros win 4 of their next 6, are you not going to mention this again until the next 3-game losing streak? BTW, I agree with you completely about Purpura. Great, fabulous with talent, but an unknown as far as GM. I hope we're pleasantly surprised by the end of the season. Hunsicker was just sick good.
Good Lord people, it's a 162 game season! Look at the current records of the 8 teams that made the playoffs last year, all have a good chance of bein back but their current records for the most part suck or are average. Angels - 5W 4L Astros - 4W 4L Braves - 5W 4L Cardinals - 3W 4L Dodgers 6W 2L Redsox - 4W 5L Twins - 6W 3L Yankees - 4W 5L 37 Wins & 31 Loses The Astros are NOT the only playoff team from last year struggling... only the Dodgers and Twins are even doing anything remotely close to their potential. We are struggling offensively, there is no hiding that... but we are HITTING the ball, we just have had our fair share of rally killings. We have two playrs struggling at the plate, plus a pitcher's spot that isn't going to be the best (unless Backe is in there). Once Everett and Ausmus find their strokes (and they will eventually) and once we have Berkman back, we will be just fine. Either way, it's a 162 game season and you're all b****ing after just hte 8th freaking game even though the Cubs and Cardinals are both doing worse then us. Do you honestly think the Nationals will win the east over the Marlins, Atlanta or Philly? Hell no... and the Brewers sure as crap won't win the Central.
Here's the difference between us and those other teams listed... Angels...still have their team in tact and added a little Braves...added to their starting pitching (a weakness from last yr) Cards...added to their pitching...lost womack and renteria but added gruz, eck and Mulder...I'd say at WORST no blood there Dodgers....inproved their lineup and starting pitching Red Sox...filled in various holes with equal or better players Twins...not sure what they did if anything Yanks...improved SP and 2B...and got Tino so Giambi can DH Astros...(fill in own sarcastic remark)
