Are the Giants pursing Manny Ramirez?
Posted by Anthony Stalter (01/01/2009 @ 5:08 pm)
Rumor has it that the San Francisco Giants are quietly making a play for free agent Manny Ramirez.
Acquiring Ramirez would come with a number of headaches — from simply having the mercurial slugger on their roster to likely having to trade one of their incumbent outfielders (Randy Winn, Aaron Rowand, Dave Roberts). But all in all, he’d probably be worth it for a team that isn’t all that far from seriously contending. They play in a soft division where 85 wins could easily equal a playoff berth.
That’s especially true when you consider three factors: (1) the market for Ramirez is severely depressed because of the number of all-hit, no-field corner bats on the market, (2) signing him would simultaneously improve the Giants’ offense and weaken the rival Dodgers and (3) it would save GM Brian Sabean from having to engineer a complex trade for a bat that would cost him one of his top young pitchers like Jonathan Sanchez.
I tossed the idea of the Giants being potential sleepers in the Manny Ramirez sweepstakes in early December and as long as they don’t go ridiculous with the length of the contract, I think it would be a great move for club in desperate need of a bat.
As the article suggests, the Giants aren’t that far away from competing because they have such a solid pitching staff, headed by NL Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum. But their lineup is comprised of roll players and lacks major pop. Adding Manny would instantly make Bengie Molina, Randy Winn (if Manny doesn’t push him out) and Aaron Rowand better, and if younger players Pablo Sandoval, Fred Lewis (if Manny doesn’t push him out) and Travis Ishikawa can continue to develop, the lineup would certainly be good enough to win the NL West.
It’ll be interesting to see if the G-Men can steal the Dodgers’ most coveted free agent.
Posted in: MLB, Rumors & Gossip
Tags: Aaron Rowand, Bengie Molina, Fred Lewis, Manny Ramirez, Manny Ramirez Giants, MLB rumors, Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants, San Francisco Giants rumors, Tim Lincecum, Travis Ishikawa

2008 Year-End Sports Review: What We Learned
Posted by Staff (12/27/2008 @ 7:02 am)
At the end of the year, it’s always interesting to look back at all that has happened in the world of sports over the last 12 months. 2008 brought us a host of compelling sports stories, including the culmination of the Patriots’ (unsuccessful) quest for perfection, a Bejing Olympics that featured incredible accomplishments by the likes of Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt and the Redeem Team, and, of course, Brett Favre’s unretirement, which managed to hold the sports news cycle hostage for a solid month or more.
As is our tradition, we’ve once again broken our Year End Sports Review into three sections. The first is “What We Learned,” a list that’s packed with a number of impressive feats. And when there are feats, inevitably there are also failures.
Don’t miss the other two parts: “What We Already Knew” and “What We Think Might Happen.”
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The New England Patriots weren’t so perfect after all. |
After rolling through the 2007 regular season unscathed, the Patriots entered the 2008 Super Bowl as overwhelming favorites to roll over the pesky, but seemingly inferior New York Giants. The Pats were just one win away from staking their claim as the best football team in NFL history. But thanks to a dominating Giants’ defensive line, an improbable catch by David Tyree, and a virtually mistake-free performance by Eli Manning, the unbeatable New England Patriots were beat. It’ll go down as one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history, and considering Tom Brady’s season-ending injury in 2008 cost the Pats a chance for redemption, it seems that many have forgotten how New England stood just one win away from perfection. – Anthony Stalter
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Michael Phelps is part fish. |
Eight gold medals in one Olympiad? No problem. Michael Phelps made the seemingly impossible look (relatively) easy en route to one of the most – if not the most – impressive Olympic performances ever. Phelps had to swim all four strokes, compete in both sprint and endurance races, and deal with the constant media attention and pressure that came along with his quest. Sure, NBC turned up the hype, but what Phelps accomplished is simply incredible. – John Paulsen

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Usain Bolt is part cheetah. |
First, Usain Bolt made Jamaica proud by setting a new world record (9.69) in the 100-meter sprint. Then, he broke the 12 year-old 200-meter world record with a time of 19.30 seconds. He showboated during the first race but cleaned up his act to win the second race in a professional manner. Some even say that Usain Bolt – not Michael Phelps – was the biggest story to come out of the Bejing Olympics. – JP

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The Big 12 has the best quarterbacks in the nation. |
The Big 12 housed some of the best quarterbacks in all of college football in 2008. Texas’s Colt McCoy, Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford, Missouri’s Chase Daniel and Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell were all considered Heisman candidates at least at one point during the season, while McCoy and Bradford are still in the running. Amazingly, Bradford and McCoy aren’t done; both will return in 2008. And although they don’t receive as much attention as the top signal callers in the conference, Kansas’s Todd Reesing and Baylor’s Robert Griffin certainly turned heads this year as well. In fact, the highly versatile Griffin is only a freshman and could make the Bears a very dangerous team for years to come. – AS
Read the rest after the jump...
Posted in: College Basketball, College Football, Fantasy Football, General Sports, Golf, Humor, MLB, March Madness, NBA, NBA Finals, NFL, NFL Draft, NHL, Soccer, Super Bowl, Swimming, Television, Tennis, The Olympics, Video, Women
Tags: 2008 Olympics, 2008 Super Bowl, 2008 Year End Sports Review, Aaron McKie, Aaron Rodgers, AL MVP Award, Al Trautwig, Alabama Crimson Tide, Albert Pujols, Alicia Sacramone, Amare Stoutamire, Angela Stafford, Anna Kournikova, Anna Rawson, Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona State Sun Devils, Atlanta Falcons, Baylor Bears, Big 12, Big Ten, Bill Belichick, Bjorn Borg, Boston College Eagles, Brady Quinn, Brandon Webb, Brendan Shanahan, Brian Burke, Calgary Flames, CC Sabathia, Charlotte Hornets, Chase Daniel, Chris Bosh, Christie Kerr, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians, Colt McCoy, Curtis Granderson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dallas Stars, David Beckham, Derek Anderson, Detroit Lions, Detroit Pistons, Detroit Tigers, Dustin Pedrioa, Dwayne Wade, Eli Manning, Elisha Cuthbert, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Gary Sheffield, Giants beat Patriots in Super Bowl, Graham Harrell, Green Bay Packers, Illinois fighting Irish, Jacque Jones, Jamacia Usain Bolt, Javaris Crittenton, Kansas Jayhawks, Kevin Love, Kurt Warner, Kwame Brown, LeBron James, Los Angeles Galaxy, Los Angeles Lakers, Matt Millen, Matt Ryan, Memphis Grizzlies, Mercury Morris, Miami Dolphins, Michael Phelps, Michigan Wolverines, Miguel Cabrera, Mike Miller, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Vikings, Missouri Tigers, Natalie Gulbis, New England Patriots, New England Patriots undefeated season, New Jersey Nets, New York Giants, New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Yankees, Nick Saban, NL Cy Young Award, NL MVP, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, O.J. Mayo, Oklahoma City Thunder, Oklahoma Sooners, Oscar de La Hoya, Pau Gasol, Paula Creamer, Pete Sampras, Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia Phillies, Pudge Rodriguez, Rafeal Nadal, Rich Rodriguez, Rich Suhr, Rick Suhr U.S. Pole Vaulting, Robert Griffin, Roger Federer, Rudi Johnson, Rudy Gay, Ryan Howard, Sam Bradford, San Francisco Giants, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin curse, Sarah Palin curses the Blues, Sarah Palin curses the Flyers, Sean Avery, Sean Avery sloppy seconds comment, Seattle Supersonics, SEC, Spygate, St. Louis Blues, St. Louis Cardinals, Super Bowl XLII, Tatum Bell, Tatum Bell steals Rudi Johnson's luggage, Texas Longhorns, Texas Tech Red Raiders, Tim Lincecum, Todd Reesing, Tom Brady, Tom Coughlin, Toronto Maple Leafs, Tracy McGrady, Usain Bolt, Wake Forest Demon Deacns, West Virginia Mountaineers, What We Learned: 2008, Wisconsin Badgers

Big Unit heading to San Francisco?
Posted by Anthony Stalter (12/05/2008 @ 12:00 pm)
Randy Johnson might soon be chasing his 300th win in San Francisco next year, as he’s considering playing for the Giants in 2009.
The 45-year-old left-hander is keen on extending his career, and he will consider pitching in either San Francisco or Oakland next season, according to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle.
A local from nearby Walnut Creek and a graduate of Livermore High School, Johnson is familiar with the territory and has pitched and excelled in both American and National Leagues. Last season, Johnson went 11-10 with a 3.91 ERA in 30 starts for the Diamondbacks while pitching in his 21st big league season.
But the Giants and A’s would not be alone in pursuit of Johnson, as there have been a number of inquiries.
“We’ve had about 10 teams contact us,” said Barry Meister, one of Johnson’s agents. “We’ve had discussions with a lot of teams in general, including the Giants. The Giants have expressed interest in us.
This actually wouldn’t be such a bad move for the Giants. They have a spot open in their rotation because they chased off Kevin Corriea, and their two top picks from the 2007 draft (Madison Bumgarner and Tim Alderson) are still a year or two away from joining the big league club. Even at 45-years old, a team could do a lot worse than the Big Unit. And with CY Young Winner Tim Lincecum, as well as improving youngsters Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez at the front of the rotation, maybe Johnson can mask Barry Zito’s awful performances. (He would also be a hell of a lot cheaper than CC Sabathia, who the Giants have been linked to as well this offseason.)
Posted in: Fantasy Baseball, MLB
Tags: 2008-2009 MLB offseason, Barry Zito, CC Sabathia, CC Sabathia Giants, CC Sabathia rumors, Jonathan Sanchez, Matt Cain, MLB rumors, Randy Johnson, Randy Johnson 300th win, Randy Johnson Giants, Randy Jonhson rumors, San Francisco Giants, The Big Unit, Tim Lincecum

Cliff Lee wins AL Cy Young Award
Posted by Anthony Stalter (11/13/2008 @ 2:34 pm)
Besides from the Philadelphia Phillies winning the World Series or the Tampa Bay Rays having the best season in the history of their franchise, one of the best stories from the 2008 MLB Season was Cliff Lee, who won the American League Cy Young Award on Thursday.
Cliff Lee is a runaway winner for the American League Cy Young Award, capping a dominant comeback season that made him the second consecutive Cleveland Indians lefty to earn the honor.
Demoted to the minors last year, Lee went a major league-best 22-3 this season with a 2.54 ERA. He received 24 of 28 first-place votes and 132 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America announced Thursday.
Toronto ace Roy Halladay finished second with four first-place votes and 71 points.
Lee became the third Indians pitcher to win the award, following Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry in 1972 and CC Sabathia last year.
Good to see Lee, and Giants’ youngster Tim Lincecum claim their respective league’s Cy Young awards this season. Both played on below average teams this season and still had tremendous success. When they pitched, their hapless teams won – and often because of them.
Tim Lincecum wins NL Cy Young
Posted by Anthony Stalter (11/11/2008 @ 2:55 pm)
San Francisco Giants’ 24-year old starter Tim Lincecum won the National League Cy Young award on Tuesday.
The slender kid with the whirling windup on Tuesday joined Mike McCormick (1967) as the only San Francisco Giants pitchers to win a Cy Young.
Lincecum received 23 of 32 first-place votes and 137 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Brandon Webb of the Arizona Diamondbacks got four first-place votes and finished second with 73 points.
Well deserved. Nothing against Brandon Webb, but Lincecum was the most dynamic pitcher in the NL this season. Despite pitching for one of the worst lineups in all of baseball, “The Franchise” still found a way to go 18-5 with a 2.62 ERA. Had the Giants had any amount of offense, he would have easily won 20-plus games. I had him ranked No. 3 in my “Best Young Guns Vol. II” article.
Ironically, the Giants were looking to trade Lincecum in the offseason. GM Brian Sabean (who amazingly still has a job despite several trade gaffs) almost dealt his future ace to the Toronto Blue Jays for Alex Rios.
Posted in: MLB
Tags: Alex Rios, Arizona Diamondbacks, Best young baseball pitchers, Best Young Guns, Brandon Webb, National League Cy Young, San Francisco Giants, Tim Lincecum, Tim Lincecum beats Brandon Webb for NL Cy Young, Tim Lincecum NL Cy Young, Toronto Blue Jays

The Numerology of the Cy Young Award
Posted by Christopher Glotfelty (10/15/2008 @ 2:05 pm)
Calling all stat-heads! Fire Ned Colletti Now has just done an in-depth piece on the 2008 NL Cy Young Award. They detail who should win the honor using statistical analysis, but they justify their reasoning along the way. If you’ve every been confused by how terms such as WHIP, VORP, and FIP actually factor into this type of decision making, give it a read.
As far as what I will measure the pitchers by, I feel that the most important statistics are ERA, WHIP, and VORP. ERA’s importance is even recognized by the most staunch traditionalists. It measures the pitcher’s primary reason for being out there: to prevent runs from scoring. WHIP is a “new” statistic by mainstream standards, but when explained, I think traditionalists would agree it makes sense as well. It’s a statistic that revolves around a pitcher’s control and ability to limit hits. Less baserunners is obviously a good thing for the pitcher. VORP is where things get cloudy for a lot of baseball writers. It’s one of those magical and mystical statistics that seems to daze and confuse them. I think it’s valuable because it shows, in the scope of total contribution, how effective a pitcher has been at preventing runs from scoring. If you don’t already understand, you’ll see what I mean later on.
One thing you’ll notice is that I don’t mention wins anywhere. Yes, I am one of those guys who thinks that it is a worthless statistic as far as measuring the worth of a pitcher’s performance. If you disagree, feel free to tell me about it. However, please do so by explaining why Livan Hernandez (13-11, 6.05 ERA) is a better pitcher than Jake Peavy (10-11, 2.85 ERA) in 2008. Thanks. I await your input, John Kruk.
All year, my gut instinct has been that Tim Lincecum should win the NL Cy Young. However, history has shown that players on struggling teams usually don’t win either the Cy Young or MVP. These are the same statistics used by the Baseball Writer’s Association of America, so it’s interesting to see someone break down why Lincecum is the best pitcher in the league. At 23 years-old, this kid is going to be in high demand after his five years with the Giants.
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