A Time to Rebuild
The Worst Part of a Downslope? Everyone knows it.
As winter meetings approach, it has become evident that Bonds left the Giants with more than an empty number 3 spot in the lineup. His departure has unveiled an average ballclub with worse problems than lack of a power hitter; free agents simply do not want to play for San Francisco.
And why should they? While their minor league system has developed a knack for producing great arms with Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez, they have had just as many problems keeping them consistent. Munter, Taschner and most notably Noah Lowry have all struggled to find the success they had towards the early part of their careers.
On the offensive side of the ball, the star threat is Kevin Frandsen. That's a problem. Not to knock the kid, but I don't see the next Jeff Kent in the young second baseman.
Looking back two seasons ago, before Bonds' decline, we were lucky enough to sign a hall of famer in Omar Vizquel to a three year contract. Here was a player in his late thirties who had more gold gloves than you could count with one hand who was just looking for one thing: a ring. When asked why he decided to come to San Francisco, he replied, "I wanted to play with Barry Bonds and win a ring". Great players go to teams that they feel can win. It's that simple.
This offseason, Brian Sabean is paying the price for taking the team downhill for the past three seasons. No amount of money can attract winners. Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Lee and who knows how many others can see the writing on the wall. That's why we haven't signed a big name and is precisely why the pursuit for Manny Ramirez at this stage is irrelevant.
You invest in a player of his caliber to attract more players to signing with your ballclub. Sabean's window of time has closed without getting any real results.
So as not to critique without offering a viable solution, I will say this. It is obvious that the Giants have neither the free agent market or the minor league talent to make a big money run at the pennant this coming season. Sabean's best option is to go with the original game plan.
Develop young talent. Hold off the temptation to sign Bonds, Feliz and Durham. It's time to give Freddy Lewis, Kevin Frandsen and co. an opportunity for some major league experience. Taking the opportunity to save money for a chance, let's see how a younger team does in the weak National League West.
The dollars that come in from the All Star game coupled with the money saved could be more than enough to land a variety of free agents early next offseason in a market that shows much more promise. If the Mets turnaround after signing Carlos Beltran two years ago says anything, it's that it only takes one big splash. Pedro, Delgado were sure to follow. That, coupled with the emergence of their minor league stars Reyes and Wright, brought a new life to the ballclub.
With a salary cap in the 90 million dollar range, there is no reason a revolution can't happen in San Francisco. It's not only time for fans to regain that sense that the Giants are a winning organization, but for free agents as well.
As winter meetings approach, it has become evident that Bonds left the Giants with more than an empty number 3 spot in the lineup. His departure has unveiled an average ballclub with worse problems than lack of a power hitter; free agents simply do not want to play for San Francisco.
And why should they? While their minor league system has developed a knack for producing great arms with Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez, they have had just as many problems keeping them consistent. Munter, Taschner and most notably Noah Lowry have all struggled to find the success they had towards the early part of their careers.
On the offensive side of the ball, the star threat is Kevin Frandsen. That's a problem. Not to knock the kid, but I don't see the next Jeff Kent in the young second baseman.
Looking back two seasons ago, before Bonds' decline, we were lucky enough to sign a hall of famer in Omar Vizquel to a three year contract. Here was a player in his late thirties who had more gold gloves than you could count with one hand who was just looking for one thing: a ring. When asked why he decided to come to San Francisco, he replied, "I wanted to play with Barry Bonds and win a ring". Great players go to teams that they feel can win. It's that simple.
This offseason, Brian Sabean is paying the price for taking the team downhill for the past three seasons. No amount of money can attract winners. Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Lee and who knows how many others can see the writing on the wall. That's why we haven't signed a big name and is precisely why the pursuit for Manny Ramirez at this stage is irrelevant.
You invest in a player of his caliber to attract more players to signing with your ballclub. Sabean's window of time has closed without getting any real results.
So as not to critique without offering a viable solution, I will say this. It is obvious that the Giants have neither the free agent market or the minor league talent to make a big money run at the pennant this coming season. Sabean's best option is to go with the original game plan.
Develop young talent. Hold off the temptation to sign Bonds, Feliz and Durham. It's time to give Freddy Lewis, Kevin Frandsen and co. an opportunity for some major league experience. Taking the opportunity to save money for a chance, let's see how a younger team does in the weak National League West.
The dollars that come in from the All Star game coupled with the money saved could be more than enough to land a variety of free agents early next offseason in a market that shows much more promise. If the Mets turnaround after signing Carlos Beltran two years ago says anything, it's that it only takes one big splash. Pedro, Delgado were sure to follow. That, coupled with the emergence of their minor league stars Reyes and Wright, brought a new life to the ballclub.
With a salary cap in the 90 million dollar range, there is no reason a revolution can't happen in San Francisco. It's not only time for fans to regain that sense that the Giants are a winning organization, but for free agents as well.
posted by chris.daglow at 8:36 AM
5 Comments:
Ah, quit your complaining ... the hot stove season is just warming up. I'm glad we didn't get stuck with Matthews for $50M and Pierre for $45M - huge mistakes. What if we re-sign Barry, put Richie at 3rd, Roberts in CF, Loretta at 2nd and Molina behind the plate. And what if we make 1 trade for a good 1st baseman. With a rotation of Cain, Lowry, Sanchez, Morris and maybe Lincecum (yes he's not far off, I've seen him) - I'd say we'd have a team to contend with. Keep the faith
I check out a lot of Giants blogs and I have to say that this one is a breath of fresh air. While everyone else seems more than ready to drink the Sabean Kool-Aid and clamor to bring back Bonds, Aurilia, Roberts, and every other ld player that they can get their hands on, it is refreshing to see that some sanity reigns here.
I couldn't agree more about divesting the old players and committting to a new direction as soon as possible. Sure, the Giants will be shitty for a couple of years, but it will be worth it in the long run.
ahhhh ... shut up boof!
That's about as intelligent as your other posts.
someone with a nickname of "boof" is questioning someone else's intelligence?????
boof off!!!
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