Terrific trade by the Giants to get Hunter Pence and much praise to Brian Sabean a first-rate GM that fans love to bash. In the trade Nate Schierholtz went to Philly. Fair enough. I just want to wish him well. He is a stand up guy and a gentleman and I always felt welcome when I asked for his time.
Mark M
Yeah, I’m disappointed we lost him. His hitting never really came around to what I had hoped. But he was an OK hitter and great outfielder. I always felt comfortable with him out there. Defense is the only sacrifice we made with this deal so let’s see how that theme continues to play out this year.
He also seemed a good team guy whom clearly wanted to play more than the Giants needed from him. I hope he does well for himself. Welcome Pence!
July 31st, 2012 12:37 pm
gary
I wish Nate well. Flashes of being a regular outfielder, but then, dismal slumps.
You are correct Brian Sabean gets flack from fans. But it is with good reason. He makes some colossal blunders—how many million did
we pay Rowan? Zito? Huff? Cody Ross? Trading two future all-stars pitchers for AJ?
There are a lot of blemishes on his complexion.
For two months, to a year plus for Pence, I hope giving up Joseph is not a huge mistake.
July 31st, 2012 1:14 pm
Brady
I’ll miss him. I always root for the good guys and the hometown guys and he was both.
July 31st, 2012 1:19 pm
Stan
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July 31st, 2012 1:21 pm
Stan
Even though Sabean isn’t some gregarious tree hugger..I know he’s done a great job as GM. Older fans like me remember when SF said the VERY SAME things the A’s say back in the 70′s…a sellout in SF? heck you got a croix de ‘stick medal to go that place. Now,its every bit as cold..but winning warms the fans.
I dont get at what he’s done,the hate he gets.
Nate is just AAAA ..he can put a streak together…then slump far more often. At least he didn’t cost a fortune and was trade able.
July 31st, 2012 1:25 pm
Steve
I always rooted for Nate, but was realistic about his deficiencies as a hitter. As you say, a seemingly good guy. He probably sealed his departure when he spoke out about his lack of playing time. IMO, he made some good points and I think Pill can make the same claims given the opportunities Belt and Huff (last year) have had. Pence will add some offense, but the Giants bullpen is imploding of late and their starters need solid defense, something the Giants have lacked all season and did not improve with the Pence trade. The criticism of Sabean is understandable, even though he put together a team that won the World Series. Just too many really bad contracts and a dearth of talent in the Minors. Given the lack of being able to play fundamental baseball (which will ultimately ruin this season), what is it that the Giants do in spring training and daily infield/batting practice?
July 31st, 2012 1:44 pm
Dennis
If Baalke made the same blunders that Sabean has you would see what we see. But you tend to look at Sabean through rose colored glasses. To me he is a GM that has had the recent good fortune of having a great pitching staff, including 3 starters and a brilliant closer in Wilson. All he has needed to do is bring in some reliable hitting to compliment this once in a lifetime pitching staff. From what I can see it doesn’t appear that he as been able to do that year after year. I know he has won a World Series and you put a lot of stock in that, but I think he just got lucky that year. If he can win it this year I will consider changing my opinion. That would make him what you think he is.
July 31st, 2012 1:56 pm
Kathy
Nobody played right field @ AT&T better than Nate, so I’ll miss him for that. But he just could not hit well enough, as a starter, as a pinch hitter. I wish him well.
July 31st, 2012 2:27 pm
Frank in Minnesota
Nate was a great person for the Giants…really, he was a good player who may enjoy some better success elsewhere…he’s definetly someone to wish well…not an unkind word from him or attitude…great person: good luck Nate!
July 31st, 2012 2:30 pm
CohnZohn
Dennis, You’re a hard grader. Winning the World Series is the ultimate. You can’t compare Baalke to Sabean until Baalke wins a Super Bowl or even gets his team into one.
July 31st, 2012 4:07 pm
Dennis
I don’t give as much credit as you do for winning a World Series or a Super Bowl because I think that has more to do with teams getting hot (luck) at the right time than having a great GM. GM’s don’t win World Series – players do. My problem with Sabean is that I think he has done less with more. He has had the bones here for a great dynasty type of team. Like the Braves were in the90′s. You alluded to that very thing with your question, a year or so ago, about the Giants being an ‘elite’ franchise. They could have been. They certainly had the pitching – maybe not so much anymore, but they had it. To me Sabean squandered the opportunity. That doesn’t make him a great GM.
Now Baalke, on the other hand, is building a great team that looks like they will win more than a few playoff games. He isn’t over paying for anyone, thus mortgaging the teams future. But he sure is putting the right people in the right places and that includes Alex Smith. I am not saying he is a great GM at this point but he certainly is just as good as you think Sabean is.
So the bottom line is that I think you are giving way too much credit for winning World Series and Super Bowls to the GM’s. Take the New York Giants. They were going to fire the coach when they hit 7-7. Then Kyle Williams fumbles the punt and they go on to win the Super Bowl. What is the GM’s name off the top of your head (you probably really do know) and is he a great GM or good GM or a bad GM? Keeping in mind this is the same team that was about to fire it’s coach before the end of the season.
July 31st, 2012 5:05 pm
Dave T
I really like this deal and the move to get Scutaro. Facts are facts and Arias and Nate were simply not getting it done at the plate, period. Correct me if I am wrong but I believe that Scutaro can play all around the infield. And my thought is he stays at third and Sandoval goes to first when he returns from the DL. Does Pagan/Blanco go to the top of the order and does the lineup look like this?
Blanco/Pagan
Theriot
Cabrera
Posey
Sandoval/Pence
Sandoval/Pence
Scutaro
Crawford (whoever plays short)
Pitchers spot
I like it and think makes them a better line-up. Less outs in the line-up and that can rest the team more grinding out at bats.
Sabean overall has done a good job, keeping this team together, building one of the best rotations in baseball and a generally reliable bullpen. You have to like their chances.
For the record, I agree with Lowell here Dennis, Sabean has built two teams that have gotten to the World Series and won a championship. Baalke is still building something and until he can even get there, he has not done anything. Best GM’s in NFL reside in NE, NYG, PIT, IND and GB. Each of them have won at least 1 SB, have mulitple appearances in the SB and continue to build championship contenders year after year. Baalke is not anywhere near that class, not yet. Facts are facts my friend.
July 31st, 2012 10:17 pm
Dave T
Apologies, GM from GB I do not believe has multiple SB appearances, but I put him ahead of NO GM due to him not having any kind of suspensions. I would put Baalke in same category as the GM in BAL and NYJ. Good teams but have not won anything or even gotten to SB. Also, for what it is worth, Holmgren is still a better GM than Baalke in my opinion.
August 1st, 2012 12:43 am