As much as I'd like to see Monty in the rotation he's been outstanding in that long relief role. I'm all for keeping him there and adding another pitcher via trade. Could be a major weapon come the postseason... assuming we get there.
I'd rather trade for Cobb or Odirizzi. Neither's stock is that high, so I don't think we'd have to give up nearly as much as we would for shark.
What's the aversion to Samardzija? It's really weird when fans hold grudges/take shit personally. He's got 3.5 years left at $18/year that ends in his age 35-36 season. They gave Lackey $16/year for his age 37&38 seasons. I think his trade cost would be low and you could likely get the Giants to pay down some salary which would make him just fine as a 4/5, but he's better than that. He's been worth 2.6 fWAR the last two years and this year his strike outs are back. Samardzija at $18/year would replace Lackey pretty well (especially if SF ate some money). The fact that he has been more HR prone and his LOB% was crap makes the numbers look worse but the avg FB velocity is 94 and the slider has been dynamite. And I don't think it would cost Schwarber, Eloy, Happ or Baez. Just speculating, this isn't based on anything other than the Giants being old and floundering and the Cubs needing rotation help this year and beyond.
Depends how much of the remaining $63 MM plus they would take. He will be considerably cheaper than Archer, Quintana and Darvish (just thinking of other names bandied about)
That is a massive assumption but the front office has been very candid about their desire to find rotation help this year but also beyond. They will almost certainly lose Lackey and Arrieta after this season and fifth spot is tenuous at best too.
You could get samadzija without giving up a top prospect and the Giants would likely eat some salary. A 5th starter making 13-14 mil a season is fine
So you think teams are lining up to give up top 50 prospects for a 32 year old 4 ERA pitcher with 3 very expensive years left on his deal?
I'm with Trofie on this. To think you will get Jeff for a bargain is insane. Pitching at the deadline is always a sellers market. I think outside of a injury there is no "need" for a SP upgrade this season. If you can somehow find a prime pitcher who could slide into the top of the rotation at the deadline then go ahead and make that move. I just don't find Jeff to be that guy.
Trofie what do you anticipate Samardzija would cost relative to the other arms on the market (most of whom are younger and cheaper)? Bankz, you keep ignoring the fact that Theo and Jed have stated it's a problem that needs to be addressed. It's plainly evident to everyone but you apparently. What do I think is a major assumption? Literally nobody on the staff is performing at the level they did last year. Velocities are down, the babip correction that everyone predicted has happened, and the results speak for themselves. And as stated (but you keep ignoring), it goes beyond this year. Lackey is gone next year, Jake is a free agent and has likely pitched/priced himself out of that scherzer deal he's been eyeing, Eddie Butler and Brett Anderson aren't the answers.
I mean two of the names you mentioned will be Fa's at the end of the year so that's not helping us next year. I never said I didn't want Jeff back either. I think a package for Jeff would cost 3 of our top 10. Omitting Happ and eloy. I'm actually a big fan of Butler and think he has a future if he can eliminate some of the walks. Our bullpen has been fantastic and has alleviated some of the starting pitching concerns but it won't forever. Our lack of offense is every bit of a concern as the starting pitching imo
"I smell a line drive coming from Rizzo." -JD *Rizzo ropes a dinger into the seats* "Oh that smells good."
Thanks. I agree the offense is equally a concern. I worry about Butler because I don't think the secondary stuff is any good; maybe Bosio can find something there though. If Shark cost Candelario, Clifton and Caratini/Alzolay I'd have a hard time saying no. And I like Alzolay as much as Cease at this point. Watch Theo get Darvish, ha.
I just don't like Shark as a person and don't think he's really very good. Good enough for a 4/5 starter, sure, but I'd rather use some assets and get a 2/3 who can help us next year and potentially beyond 2018 as well.
Gonna have to agree with Buster on this one. I still think this team can compete for a World Series title if they can play better defense and the pitching improves just slightly, but I don't the club to go out and give up some good prospects to sign Shark and he doesn't really improve us all that much. I'd much rather have a couple pitching prospects that will turn into a solid starter for many years.
I'm not ignoring the fact that we have questions about the rotation moving forward. By forward I think the FO and I are speaking about 2018/2019. My original post was about this season and I feel like the top 4 is strong enough for another title run. I'm not in the camp of the sky is falling. Like Trofie mentioned I feel the lack of hitting is the biggest issue for this season. And there is no help on the way for that. I also like Butler and I feel you need more than 1/3 of season to make a judgement on a kid with a high ceiling but clearly work to get better. But they have some arms who can easily fill in the 4 and 5 slot when Lackey is gone. My biggest issue is what happens with the Jake slot. Is his down year going to price him back to chicago? If not where do we go to replace him, I don't feel like that move needs to be made during this season unless you get a deal for Gerrit Cole or someone of his talent. Jeff isn't a top 3 imho...
I don't know if he's just leaving too many pitches up in the zone or what but outside of that 1 really good start Lackey has been bad. Definitely wouldn't trust him taking the ball in the postseason with the way he's been pitching.
And there goes another homer. Last I checked he led the NL in home runs allowed. I'd imagine that's still the case.
He's been awful. The worst SP we currently have in the rotation. Hopefully it gets turned around soon.
He's 21 and a pro baseball player, of course he's fucking around on his wife. He's a dumbass for getting married at that age