This was the Giants preview for the 2009 MLB Preview, so I did break down San Fran’s horrible offense a couple times in the write up.

I think the Giants are getting there, but they’re another year or so away from competing. Buster Posey, Angel Villanlona and Nick Noonan are on their way to save the offense, but unfortunately the Giants are stuck with what they have for another year or two.

I think they led the league in stolen bases last year and they’re currently 10th in the MLB this year, so I don’t know what you were thinking when you said nobody steals bases you crazy goof. Emmaunel Burriss steals bases (when he gets on). Randy Winn steals bases. For whatever reason he’s scared to play this year, but Fred Lewis can steal bases, too.

You’re right, though – they’re years away from competing with the Dodgers because Brian Sabean has failed to develop offensive talent along with the Giants’ great pitching. The Dodgers’ youth can win now and it shows. That’s an unstoppable rebel force right now and that’s without Manny.

And it’s always a smart idea to bet with our readers if they call your work a joke!

That wasn’t me above. I think Brian Wilson is a talented pitcher, I really do. Though this whole article is about pitching (I think, I didn’t read all the posts), I think the Giants’ REAL problem lies in their offense. When you don’t have many guys who bat above .300 (I’m not even complaining above homers), then you’re team in going to have a problem. Nobody steals bases either. They play in a winnable division, but are still a couple years behind catching the young, young Dodgers.

I love the idea of betting with our readers, though.

All right it’s set:

77 wins is a push and we’re both geniuses.

76 wins or fewer and you get your post dedicated to your brilliance.

78 wins or more and I get to boast my brilliance.

And I ranked the Yankees #1 in my preview and you’re hammering me about the #17 Giants?? What up with that, Chris?!?

My dad is a huge Yankee fan (he’s from NY). Tough day for CC, but I think he was a little nervous pitching on that new contract. He’ll be fine…

One of the biggest problems the Giants had last year with their bullpen was that their relievers put too many guys on with walks and then they were prone to give up the long ball. Affeldt and Howry were signed for one reason and one reason only: because they both throw strikes. Howry was brutal last year – can’t argue with that. But as you mentioned, Affeldt has been pretty solid the past two seasons and both of them should be helped out by moving to a pitchers park. (Don’t forget that Howry pitched in that little league field the Cubs call Wrigley.)

Romo, Hinshaw, Sadler, Martinez – you hit the nail on the head when you said they’re all unproven. You’re absolutely right, which is why I said the bullpen looks “decent” this year and nothing more. Your opinion is that the bullpen is somewhere between what my dog left on the sidewalk earlier today and whatever is left of Mondonna’s who-who. That’s cool – that’s your opinion. I happen to think the unit is better than what people think because of unknowns like Martinez, Romo (who will start the season on the DL) and Hinshaw who are possibly set for solid seasons, coupled with the additions of Affeldt and Howry.

We’re just going to have to agree to disagree on Wilson (and Sanchez for that matter). I think he has the perfect closers’ mentality in that he wants to come in every night in a tight game and shut the door. He did struggle when he first got to the minors and that’s why he’s entering his second full season at 27 (and he just turned 27 two weeks ago). But when was 27 old in baseball? This isn’t the NFL where guys have a limited ceiling. Prime years are 26-30 on average in MLB. And he was lucky to save 41 games? How so? Because the Giants play in a lot of tight games? Was K-Rod lucky to save 62 last year? I’m confused.

I think they win 82 games this year. Maybe we should have a gentleman’s bet. They win 72 or fewer games, I’ll dedicate a post to you about how I was wrong about their projection and how one of our readers was right to call me out in the spring. They sniff 82 wins, then I’ll do a Giants-related post and you admit in the comments section how you sold them short.

Deal?!

And who is your team, Chris? Dodgers? Not trying to start anything – I’m truly interested.

I completely disagree with you on Sanchez. He has a 5.15 ERA and an astronomical 1.50 WHIP in his career! Even his minor league numbers are nothing to convince me that this kid will ever be a decent MLB pitcher. In 2005 (the year before he was called up) pitching in single A he had a 4.08 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP. Those numbers are not great for single A. The one thing that he can do is strike people out! Maybe he would be a better reliever?

Lets breakdown the bullpen now:

1. Howry (career 3.68 ERA, 1.24 WHIP) – solid career numbers but this guy had the worst year of his career last year and is clearly on the decline.

2. Affeldt (career 4.55 ERA, 1.48 WHIP) – his last 2 years have been very good. But 3 years ago his ERA was 6.40 and his WHIP was 1.61. Which guy will show up this year?

3. Romo (career 2.12 ERA, .71 WHIP) – has only pitched 34 innings in the bigs but this kid looks really impressive and has great minor league numbers too. He may be the giants best reliever but he is already on the DL. If healthy, he should be the one closing.

4. Hinshaw (career 3.40, 1.51 WHIP) – has no control but K’s a ton of batters. Has only pitched 40 innings in the majors.

5. Sadler (career 4.28, 1.41 WHIP) – another 28 year old unproven arm. Has only pitched 48 innings in MLB. He has pitched well in the minors with a career 3.15 ERA.

Overall I would say that this bullpen is basically made up of minor league pitchers. Romo looks good, but there are probably 27 other bullpens in the major leagues that I would take over this one.

Your coment on Brian Wilson, “you can’t deny that the kid has a bright future”

Then I must be in denial because he is 27 years old and was lucky to save 41 games last year.

Maybe I am wrong but I think this team will have a hard time winning 72 games again this year.