Defensively the Giants are among the best teams - their fielding percentage is tied for 4th. Their pitching staff is, at the least, decent. They are 11th in the league in ERA. And they have the 9th lowest total for runs allowed. Based on those two stats you would think they should be close to .500 if not in the wild card race.
The problem is offense. They have the 4th worst team batting average and the 6th worst on base percentage. And they are tied for 3rd for fewest runs scored.
What baffles me is they have at least 3-4 players capable of hitting .300+.
Any thoughts on why they are so bad offensively? Age is obviously a factor, but I can't see that being main reason. Do you think the circus around Barry Bonds kept them from really being able to focus as a team? It's probably not fair to take into consideration what's happening now because the season is a lost cause and they are obviously trying different things for next year.
2007-08-15 14:26:31 · 3 answers · asked by Justin H 7 in Sports ➔ Baseball
Snoop: I agree with you about all those players except Visquel. I think the runs he saves on defense are worth giving up 50 points in batting average. Besides, Omar is capable of hitting close to .300.
2007-08-15 16:01:10 · update #1
The Giants actually have a number of pitchers to build around, namely Tim Lincecum, Johnathan Sanchez, Matt Cain, and if he is ever healthy, Merkin Valdez. There is really no problem there. However, management has constantly tried to patch up the 2002 team for so long that it has finally caight up with the Giants, rendering the team in a neutral state. First, they need to cut the dead weight, namely Rich Aurillia, Barry Bonds, Omar Vizquel, Ray Durham, and Ryan Klesko. The Giants need young offensive players to build around, someone like Fred Lewis.
Edit- Vizquel has proven that he could still pick it at SS. There is no way in hell Bruce Bochy should send out Kevin Frandsen at every opportunity. I just don't understand the mindset in that move.
Besides, I wonder whatever happened to all their offensive prospects since the beginning of the decade? Carlos Valderrama? Todd Linden? Lance Niekro (although his not being on the Giants anymore has more to do with him grieving over the loss of his dad in the offseason than ability)? Trey Lundsford? What happened to these guys (there are others whose names escape me)?
2007-08-15 15:31:58 · answer #1 · answered by Snoop 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They overpaid for Zito, their best player only plays 3-4x a week (Bonds), and their overall pitching stinks. All their money is tied up in 2 players (Zito and Bonds)
2007-08-18 20:05:49 · answer #2 · answered by Baseball C 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
as long as bonds is on that team they will suffer and the longer he is there the harder it will be to rebuild as the good players will leave in search of teams that are focused on playing in October rather then revolve around the hype of a steroid abuser.
2007-08-15 14:38:43 · answer #3 · answered by Cowboy87 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋