Tim Lincecum

I thought that ship had sailed? I also thought it was certain that Bengie Molina would be a New York Met in 2010. New York was dangling a two year deal, but Molina's camp wanted a third year option. Something went terribly wrong in the negotiations, and the two sides parted ways, which is good news for the Giants! It's hard to get greedy in this current market place, especially when you're an older player (who turns 36 in July), and playing a demanding position like catcher. I thought Molina might have ended-up in the American League where he could also be a DH.   Whatever happened at the end of last season (not playing hurt?), I say forget any bad blood that may have bubbled to the surface between Molina and the Giants, and welcome him back behind the plate with open arms. The pitchers love him. He's a club house presence and leader. He will be an excellent mentor to the young Buster Posey. He comes at a relative bargain for one year and $4.5-million, and can hit! Fortunately though, he won't be relied upon to bat clean-up for San Francisco this year (assuming the off-season acquisitions come through as expected). Molina should be much more comfortable further down in the order as a number-six hitter, behind a 3-4-5 combination of Sandoval, Huff, and De Rosa. Now I'm digging this line-up a lot more than I was just a couple of weeks ago.  Yorvit Torrealba? Rod Barajas? Bengie's going to be a better hitter than both of those guys. Last year, Molina struggled through some injuries, but still managed to play in 132 games and had 491 at-bats. The rest of the pertinent numbers: 130 hits, (only) 52 runs scored, 25 doubles, 20 homers, 80 RBI's, and an incredibly low 13 walks...Yikes! That's reflected in a .285 on-base percentage, but a fairly solid .265 batting average. Molina drove in 95 runs with 16 homers and 33 doubles in 2008; with a .292 average, and .322 on-base percentage. So, assuming he plays most of the season, you know roughly what kind of numbers you're going to get. But what if Posey is ready to go mid-season and gets the call-up? That remains to be seen. I would say Eli Whiteside begins the year as Molina's back-up with Posey down in Triple-A Fresno.  By-the-way: Torrealba sported a .351 on-base percentage and a .291 average in just 64 games with the Rockies last season, sharing time with Chris Ianetta. It's hard to really compare any other stats with fewer than half the number of at-bats, but Yorvit did manage to work 21 walks in just 213 at-bats. So, he would easily have more than 50 BB's with 500 A.B's. Barajas, meanwhile, had a descent season with the Blue Jays in 2008 as far as power numbers (19 and 71), but his batting average and on-base were dreadful in roughly the same number of at-bats. So, considering Bengie's familiarity with the Giants' pitching staff, and his overall better hitting, he was clearly the best choice of the three. The fourth choice, Miguel Olivo, had already signed with Colorado -- essentially replacing Torrealba.   Merkin Valdez, who was designated for assignment earlier last week, has been traded to Toronoto for cash considerations. Valdez just never realized his potential, but maintained a dominant fastball even after returning from Tommy John Surgery. The bullpen has depth, despite the departure of both Valdez and Bobby Howry. Brandon Medders, Sergio Romo, Dan Runzler, Waldis Joaquin, and even Joe Martinez can fill the void; bridging the gap to Jeremy Affeldt and closer Brian Wilson. We'll see how things shake out in spring training. There's about a half dozen other bullpen candidates, including one-time short stop Tony Pena, Jr.   So, one more time, let's view what the opening day line-up should look like (with the assumption that Aaron Rowand will lead-off): CF Rowand2B Sanchez3B Sandoval1B Huff LF De RosaC  MOLINASS RenteriaRF SchierholtzSP Lincecum  I would say pretty solid, but is there another potential right fielder out there with more experience? Is the team willing to spend any more money? I would say probably not because they still have to sign Lincecum who has asked for $13-million in salary arbitration for 2010 -- the Giants are offering only $8-million. He'll get at least ten, and probably closer to twelve. Regardless of Timmy's final number, that will boost the team payroll somewhere around 100-million-dollars, and that includes about five-million in deferred money to Barry Bonds.  So, although it would be nice to add an Eric Byrnes (Bay Area kid for probably for not much money), Xavier Nady (former Cal Bear, most recently with the Yankees), or Jermaine Dye (Sacramento kid and one-time Oakland Athletic), it just doesn't appear financially feasible. I believe it was me last season who said that Schierholtz deserves an extended look to prove himself. Now that Randy Winn is gone, it appears the time is now for Nate to play everyday in right field for the Giants. There is some young depth for the outfield as well with Andres Torres, Eugenio Velez, John Bowker, and (I would say very reluctantly) Fred Lewis.  

Continue reading ""Bengie Molina is Back in the Squat ..."

 HAPPY NEW YEAR to all Giant fans! College Football is nearly complete, and the Super Bowl is a month away...  And before you know it, Spring will be back in the air, and pitchers and c

Continue reading ""Randy Johnson Officially Announces ..."

ories equals a Cy Young?  Let's look at ALL of the numbers to really appreciate how great Tim Lincecum has been through his first two-full seasons with the Giants (he did throw 146-pl

Continue reading ""Tim Lincecum Captures Second Cy Young""

In addition, they will have to invest some money to keep the young guys happy (Tim Lincecum and Brian Wilson are due for BIG raises, and I say, give them whatever they want!).

  Back to Lansford, I don't blame him. He won a batting title (1981 with Boston), and knows how to hit. That doesn't always translate into being able to teach others how to do the same however. Just to use a brief basketball analogy -- how good of a coach was Magic Johnson with the Lakers? Same idea, but on a smaller scale. Lansford is bright and knowledgeable, but without a couple of big thumpers, this line-up loaded with number two and number six hitters (besides Sandoval) is not going to get the job done. We all know this. The Giants know this. But for some reason, they felt like they had to make a statement with this firing. The rest of the staff was retained by the way, when it was officially announced that Bruce Bochy would be returning for two more years with a club option for a third year. Same goes for GM Brian Sabean.

Continue reading ""Carney Lansford the Scape Goat for ..."

   It's hard to believe only 10 games remain in the regular season for the Giants, trailing Colorado by four games in the N.L. Wild Card race.  Although it's still mathematic

Continue reading ""Giants Begin Final Home Stand of the Season""

  As an optimistic Giants' fan, I must say I've enjoyed THIS season more than any in recent memory.  The hopes of reaching the play-offs as a wild card still intrigue me; how

Continue reading ""Giants Limp out of L.A., Dropping ..."

  Bruce Bochy announced after Tuesday night's Giants' win that Randy Johnson is back on the active roster.  To make room, Justin Miller was moved to the 60-day D.L. with elbow inflammation.  Miller has been a solid contributor all season with an ERA around three, but hasn't been quite the same in recent weeks.  Most notably, Miller was one of the pitchers who gave it up in the bottom of the 14th-inning in that disastrous loss to the Rockies in late August at Coors Field. Johnson is already making a contribution in the dugout and the clubhouse, helping to mentor a whole stable full of baby-Giants.  It'll be great to see RJ back on the mound, even if it's just in relief.  It makes you think he may want to come back for another year.  Dan Runzler, meanwhile, has already proven to be a valuable bull pen addition as an extra lefty to compliment Jeremy Affeldt.

Continue reading ""Randy Johnson Activated from the 60-Day D.L.""

  Tim Lincecum showed no signs of rust after skipping last week's turn in the rotation with back stiffness.  Lincecum spearheaded a 9-1 Giants' win over the Rockies, tossing seven strong innings, allowing just one run and striking-out eleven Monday night.  Lincecum threw 116 pitches, and seemed to benefit from the extra rest with a little extra SNAP on the breaking pitches.  Although he had double-digit strikeouts, he did walk four, and scattered numerous base runners.  

Continue reading ""Giants Close the N.L. Wildcard Gap ..."

edro, because he was Way better today then he was at anytime last year with the Mets.

  Tim Lincecum was once again snake-bit, and just cannot buy a victory - still stuck on 13.  Since August 1st when he beat the Phillies at home, he's gone 1-1 with four no-decisions.  Today, he was absolutely fantastic, except for a couple of mistakes - a hanging breaking ball that Jayson Werth crushed into the upper deck for his 30th homer of the year. Then, with two-outs in the sixth, he hit Chase Utley, and then gave up an RBI double to Ryan Howard.  Howard also drove in the only run off Jonathan Sanchez in Tuesday's 1-0 Philly victory.  Lincecum struck out 11 over seven innings, allowing two runs on four hits with one walk.  He leads all of baseball with 233 K's after fanning 265 last season.  

Continue reading ""Giants Can't Score Off Pedro Martinez; ..."

  This is a team the Giants should sweep!  San Francisco sends Joe Martinez (3-1) to the mound against some guy for the D-Backs who IS NOT named Webb, Haren, or Davis, and that's good.  But even against an under-manned and injury-riddled Diamondbacks squad, The Giants have relied upon 8th-inning, three-run home runs to pull out victories both Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Bengie Molina's pinch-hit three-run blast off Chad Qualls last night could be one of the highlights of the year to date. Watching Molina limp around the bases (quad strain) instantly reminded me of Kirk Gibson's game-winner off Eck in game one of the 1988 World Series at Dodger Stadium - I was waiting for the under-handed fist-pump as Bengie rounded second base.  Of course the stakes weren't quite as high on a Tuesday night in August as they would be in October, but nonetheless; these games actually mean something.  The Dodgers beat the Rockies today, which means a win tonight could close the gap in the wild card race to just two games heading into the weekend showdown.

Continue reading ""Giants Go for the Sweep Over Arizona""

  Matt Cain must play the role of stopper for the Giants against Arizona tonight.  Not only that; he has got to go DEEP into the game, eat up some innings, and give a bewildered bullpen a break.  What can one say about Monday night's 14-inning nightmare?  There are still 37 games remaining on the schedule starting TONIGHT against the D-Backs (for three games), and then - guess who's coming to town for the weekend for three more games? - the Colorado Rockies.  Is it just me, or are the Rocks becoming almost as annoying as the Dodgers? 

Continue reading ""The Giants Have Got to Bounce Back ..."

  Six shutout innings and just two hits allowed Wednesday for Barry Zito, who didn't figure in the decision, as the Giants pulled-out a 1-0 win over the Reds. Since the All-Star Break,

Continue reading ""Barry Zito has been Stellar Since ..."

onday, San Francisco stung the Reds with a seven-run comeback to erase an early 5-1 deficit against Tim Lincecum. The 8-5 victory included 12 more hits by the Giants.

 Monday, it was Aaron Rowand with four hits, including a home run; Tuesday, it was Ryan Garko, finally coming through with four RBI's, including the go-ahead runs with a clutch double in the 10th-inning.  Garko has obviously been pressing since his late-July trade from the Indians.  His batting average has hovered around .200 after hitting a solid .285 with the Tribe prior to the trade.  The Stanford product may finally be coming out of his funk just in time, boosting that average, and picking-up the slack for Pablo Sandoval and Bengie Molina, who each struck out three times Tuesday.  Randy Winn may also be awakening from his deep freeze, collecting two more hits (five in the last two games), and two more RBI's. Juan Uribe, who has been hobbled by injury in recent days, smacked a home run early in the game off Homer Bailey. Bailey pitched great through five-innings, but lost it in the sixth, surrendering four more runs. San Francisco also broke through against Reds' closer Francisco Cordero, touching him up for three runs - and the loss.  Two more games against Cincinnati with Barry Zito and Matt Cain scheduled to pitch Wednesday and Thursday.  Then, it's the big finale of the road trip with four games in Coors Field against the front-running, wild-card-leading Rockies.  

Continue reading ""Will The Hits Keep Coming for the Giants?""

turning the corner and heading home with a 2-1 victory in the bag behind another strong outing from Tim Lincecum. Then, the umpiring crew (once again) blew a call, and opened the door for a 9th

Continue reading ""Giants Escape With A Win over the ..."

  I'm glad to see the Giants are willing to at least make one move before Friday's trade deadline.  San Francisco has acquired former Stanford Cardinal and Cleveland Indian Ryan G

Continue reading ""Welcome Ryan Garko""

 As I watched Tim Lincecum start the MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis, something just wasn't right.  It appeared he didn't have any control of his change-up or curve ball, as evidence by the 81 MPH curve that ran in and hit Derek Jeter's hand in the first inning.  Fortunately for Yankee fans, and anyone who might have Jeter as their fantasy league short stop, the ball struck the very knob of the bat, and didn't strike his hand flush.  He stayed in the game and had a couple of more at-bats.  But Timmy was clearly nervous, and said later that his heart was racing, and he couldn't feel his body, hence, a lot of pitches were "up in the zone." After watching Lincecum's two-innings of work Tuesday, I pose the question: "Opening Day assignments aside, has this guy ever pitched in a BIG game?"  The Giants certainly haven't played a lot of meaningful games in recent years, and the all-star game IS a big game when it comes to performing on the big stage in front of all your peers.  Lincecum allowed two hits, one earned run, zero walks, and one strike out on 35 pitches.  After struggling through the first inning, he clearly settled down and went 1-2-3 in the second inning, including a nasty hook to freeze opposing pitcher Roy Halladay.  Halladay, by the way, wasn't expecting to hit and had to borrow Evan Longoria's batting helmet (the "TB" team logo was peeled off so Tampa fans didn't get too excited about the possibility). Aside from some bad luck (Pujols error, broken bat single by Ichiro), Lincecum did all right for his first all-star effort after not being able to pitch in last year's "Mid-Summer Classic" at the old Yankee Stadium.  It's important for him to have these experiences now to better prepare him for the big stage of play-off baseball. As for the game itself, a 4-3 A.L. victory, the few highlights for me: Stan Musial making a pre-game appearance along with other Cardinal legends: Lou Brock, Ozzie Smith, Bruce Sutter, Bob Gibson, and Red Schoendienst.  All-Star MVP Carl Crawford's home run saving catch to rob Colorado's Brad Hawpe, and Detroit's Curtis Granderson's game-changing triple off the Padres' Heath Bell. The Giants are 49-and-39 at the break and get back to action Friday in Pittsburgh.  Let's hope that Matt Cain (who wasn't able to pitch Tuesday) will make his next scheduled start Sunday against the Pirates.  

Continue reading ""A Few Post All-Star Game Thoughts""

 Tim Lincecum gets the ball Thursday night, and looks to match fellow all-star Matt Cain with 10 victories.

Continue reading ""Have You Voted For Pablo Sandoval ..."

 Tim Lincecum gets the ball Thursday night, and looks to match fellow all-star Matt Cain with 10 victories.

Continue reading ""Have You Voted For Pablo Sandoval ..."

  Congratulations Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain!  The Giants' pitching staff, for a second year in a row, have two representatives on the National League All-Star team.  Third Baseman Pablo Sandoval did not make the roster today, but is one of five finalists that can still be voted in by the fans.  Go to sfgiants.com or mlb.com to log your votes for Pablo, and from what I understand, there is no limit on how many times one can vote.  The deadline to cast your ballot is Thursday. Here's a look at Pablo's competition for the final roster spot:  Cristian Guzman, WSH  Matt Kemp, LAD  Mark Reynolds, ARI  Pablo Sandoval, SF  Shane Victorino, PHI

Continue reading ""Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain are very ..."

  We are officially halfway through the season, and I'm trying not to get too excited about these Giants.  However, if the last three games are any indication of where this team i

Continue reading "Giants Outscore The Cardinals and ..."

Anyone who has followed the rise of the Giants Tim Lincecum knows why they call him the 'Franchise.'  Another strong performance against the Arizona Diamondbacks , his second of the week,

Continue reading "Good news continues for Giants and Lincecum"

shaw also threw this evening...Milwaukee returns for a 4:05 game tomorrow.  Matt Cain starts...Tim Lincecum received his Cy Young Award tonight, presented by the only other Giant to win th

Continue reading "NO 162-0 RECORD FOR GIANTS THIS YEAR"

Brewers up, facing Tim Lincecum

Braun - Bloop single to left.  I'd like to see Lincecum shut the Brewers down right about now.

Fielder - Crowding the plate, he jumps back on a fast ball that catches the black of the plate. Next pitch, Fielder's standing several inches farther back. Swing and a WHIFF for strike three on a change up low and outside. Second big strike three whiff for Fielder.

Continue reading "Brewers at Giants, Top of the Third"

Mike Cameron - Four pitch walk. I think Timmy's feeling the opening day jitters.

Bill Hall - Strikes out on a high 3-2 fastball. Cameron steals second, beating a decent throw from Molina.

Jason Kendall - Excellent change up brings the count to 2-2. Grounder to 2B. 2 outs, runner on third. Pitcher's up.

Continue reading ""

I think that the Giants have a couple things locked down for the near future. First, Tim Lincecum has become the face of this franchise, and he Matt Cain are going to anchor this rotation for a while; in addition, Zito’s contract isn’t going anywhere, and Noah Lowry’s return seems eminent, so the rotation is set. Jonathan Sanchez seems the likely odd man out if the Giants do decide to use the trade market, but Lowry and youngsters Tim Alderson, Kevin Pucetas, and Madison Bumgarner are pushing to fill the spot he would leave behind.

Continue reading "Giants Checklist: Who's Next to Wear ..."

Dear Readers (All 10 of you...)Yes it has been a while since I posted.  As a looooooooooooongtime Giants fan, it is becoming more difficult to find something good to say about the team this year.

Continue reading "It's been a while..."

Dear Readers (all five of you,) It has been a while since I have posted.  With the state of the Giants, there is not much to post, but...Barry Zito went 8 innings of shutout ball last night (8/2)

Continue reading "It's Been Awhile..."

It's tough to be positive when the Giants just keep losing.  They were swept by the Milwaukee Brewers this weekend at AT&T Park in San Francisco.  Scores: 7/18, 9-1; 7/19, 8-5; 7/207-4.  They were outscored 24-10!  'Lights Out" Lincecum did strike out seven and still leads the league with 143 K's; but took the loss nonetheless.  He is 2-2 since the SI cover three weeks ago.  He missed the All-Star game with the flu...Giants now stand at

Continue reading "It's Tough"

the first time in over a week, it merits a big deal...No surprises that "The Franchise," Tim Lincecum was on the winning end of the proposition.  He climbed to 11-2, facing fell

Continue reading "Giants Win! Giants win! Giants Win!"

aps he would be better suited as #3, as in Oakland.  The pressure would certainly be off him...Tim Lincecum, wh  the staff ace, may be suited for that role...The scores of the three games were:

Continue reading "The Brooms were out at AT&T!!!!!"

TIM LINCECUM and BENGIE MOLINA pretty much had their respective ways with the Western Division leading Arizona Diamondbacks Tuesday evening in Phoenix...LINCECUM went 7 1/3 innings, striking o

Continue reading "Lincecum and Molina again!"

  All three games were one-run affairs, games which the Giants had not excelled at this year...Tim Lincecum stopped the the Rockies on Tuesday evening.  He left the game after the 6th

Continue reading "Giants win a series!!!"

Pity Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum and the other pitchers that no matter how well they do, it still probably won’t be enough.

Continue reading "MLB 2008 Preview Part One: National League West"