2021 roster

[LHG]

Eddie Rosario signed a 1 year deal with the Indians.

 

[LHG]

How do you all feel about the Giants bringing back Tony Watson? There has been very little talk about him in the rumor mill and I haven't seen anyone even write about him being a top tier reliever on the free agent market, which surprises me. He had an uncharacteristic meltdown in the 2019 season and his K rate has decreased in the past couple of years but he's stayed amazingly healthy and amazingly consistent (minus 2019) throughout his career. If the Giants are going to spend more money on a free agent, why not do so by addressing the weakest part of the club - the bullpen?

 

[calsnowskier]

I too have been surprised at the lack of any talk about Watson (either in terms of his staying or him being linked elsewhere). He is a sold SU/Closer level reliever AND a lefty. How is his door not getting kicked in by 8 different teams?

 

[LHG]

I too have been surprised at the lack of any talk about Watson (either in terms of his staying or him being linked elsewhere). He is a sold SU/Closer level reliever AND a lefty. How is his door not getting kicked in by 8 different teams?

I was shocked that he was left off MLB Trade Rumor's Top 50 Free Agent list, especially considering that they were ranking guys like Cole Hamels, Mike Minor, Kirby Yates and Cesar Hernandez on that list. He's not better than any of them?
From what I can tell, the left handed reliever market has been unusually slow this year. While the whole market has been slow, left handed relievers have typically been snatched up quickly in previous years, while most other categories were moving slow. Out of 18 guys on the market, only 10 have been signed. None have gotten more than a 1 year deal and 5 of those 10 have been inked to minor league deals. Watson is clearly the cream of the crop, and a left handed reliever, with even a decent track record, still unsigned on February 2nd, even in this market, seems odd.
Maybe FOs are more gun shy about signing lefty relievers considering the anti-LOOGY rule but that still shouldn't affect Watson.

 

[calsnowskier]

I was shocked that he was left off MLB Trade Rumor's Top 50 Free Agent list, especially considering that they were ranking guys like Cole Hamels, Mike Minor, Kirby Yates and Cesar Hernandez on that list. He's not better than any of them?
From what I can tell, the left handed reliever market has been unusually slow this year. While the whole market has been slow, left handed relievers have typically been snatched up quickly in previous years, while most other categories were moving slow. Out of 18 guys on the market, only 10 have been signed. None have gotten more than a 1 year deal and 5 of those 10 have been inked to minor league deals. Watson is clearly the cream of the crop, and a left handed reliever, with even a decent track record, still unsigned on February 2nd, even in this market, seems odd.
Maybe FOs are more gun shy about signing lefty relievers considering the anti-LOOGY rule but that still shouldn't affect Watson.

The whole LOOGY thing was my thought as well, but Watson has never been a LOOGY. If Romo can get work (classic ROOGY), why can’t Watson?

 

[LHG]

The whole LOOGY thing was my thought as well, but Watson has never been a LOOGY. If Romo can get work (classic ROOGY), why can’t Watson?

There are about 44 relievers still available on the market (plus another 28 starters, some of which will need to move to relief to keep their careers going), so its not totally surprising that Watson isn't signed. I think the bigger surprise is just the lack of talk around him. Many of the relievers that are hot in the rumor mill have had recent, significant arm injuries so I don't get how a left handed reliever, who handles righties well, and is without a history of injuries and is also incredibly consistent, would get nary a mention in the rumor mill.

 

[LHG]

James Sherfy

 

[calsnowskier]

James Sherfy

Sherfy you are kidding...

 

[LHG]

Sherfy you are kidding...

 

[MarcoPolo]

They said to the star : "Shirley you can't be Sirius !! " , and he replied "No, I am Betelgeuse "

They said to the wizard : "Shirley you can't be Sirius !! " , and he replied "No, I am Dumbledore "

 

[tzill]

Giants just signed Zack Littell, former Twin.

24 yo reliever who can pitch multiple innings. Solid 2019. only 6IP in 2020.

another excellent incremental upgrade.

 

[MarcoPolo]

Giants just signed Zack Littell, former Twin.

24 yo reliever who can pitch multiple innings. Solid 2019. only 6IP in 2020.

another excellent incremental upgrade.

Nice little piece on Littell :

Phillies lose out on bullpen addition to Gabe Kapler, Giants

The Phillies were among two teams in the running to sign reliever Zack Littell, who had a strong 2019 season. In the end, Gabe Kapler's team inked the deal.

thatballsouttahere.com

and minor league stats :

http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=641793#/career/R/pitching/2021/ALL

 

[calsnowskier]

Minor league deal with an invite to ST. Looks like he will probably have an inside track on a job, though.

 

[LHG]

I like the Littell signing but I'm not sure he's an incremental upgrade. Not convinced that his 2019 season is going to be the norm for him. If its not, then he's about the same as the rest of the guys competing for bullpen spots.

 

[LHG]

Latest on JBJ:

 

[Hangman]

La Stella reaches 3-year, $18.75M deal with Giants

Versatile infielder Tommy La Stella completed a three-year, $18.75 million deal with the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, giving the club a reliable left-handed hitter with a track record of getting on base.

www.espn.com

AN FRANCISCO -- Farhan Zaidi heard from his old Oakland executive counterparts Billy Beane and David Forst just how much Tommy La Stella meant to the American League West champion Athletics during the 2020 stretch run.

Zaidi could follow the veteran infielder's success from close by, too, right across San Francisco Bay in his new gig with the Giants.

Praised for his plate discipline, the versatile La Stella completed an $18.75 million, three-year contract with San Francisco on Thursday, giving the club a reliable left-handed hitter with a track record of getting on base.

"San Francisco is where I wanted to be, so I'm very relieved we were able to get it done," La Stella said. "The third year was important. I felt like wherever I went, I wanted to be able to be there for a few years and to be a part of something."

La Stella received the first three-year contract given by the Giants since Zaidi came aboard from the National League West rival Dodgers in November 2018.

La Stella, 32, was a key contributor for the A's last season after the 2019 All-Star got traded by the Los Angeles Angels in late August.

"Obviously, I know the guys in Oakland really well," said Zaidi, the Giants' president of baseball operations who spent 10 years with the A's before departing for the Dodgers in November 2014. "Talked to them during the year -- they were thrilled to get him in the trade that they made and I heard how excited they were about the job he did with them, less once the season was over and he was a free agent. And at that point, it's not an appropriate conversation to have."

Zaidi values versatility, and La Stella figures to provide it. He played 33 games at second base during last year's shortened 60-game schedule -- 10 at first, six at third and another nine as designated hitter.

"Tommy has a rare offensive profile. The combination of excellent plate discipline and contact skills and some power is one we value," manager Gabe Kapler wrote in a text message. "Tommy was obviously a key piece of Oakland's run last year, and between the Angels and A's, we saw the competitiveness up close. What people may not know is how Tommy constantly looks for the best way for him to get to and stay at his personal peak performance level. It's as good as any player out there. His attention to detail has put him in this sought-after position."

Kapler and La Stella had an extensive chat before the signing and connected right away. La Stella considers Kapler someone he can learn from at this stage.

La Stella is set to earn $2 million this season, $5.25 million in 2022 and $11.5 million in 2023. The contract includes La Stella making yearly donations to the Giants Community Fund of $10,000 this year, $26,250 in '22 and $57,500 in '23.

Zaidi said such charitable contributions are becoming more common written into contracts, adding, "Very thankful that it was something Tommy was willing to do and speaks to not just his generous nature but his commitment to being part of this community."

La Stella said the club approached him with the idea and he was eager to make his mark in the community, some of the details which are still in the works.

La Stella batted .281 last season between the Angels and A's with five home runs, 14 doubles and two triples. His .370 on-base percentage helped make him one of the hardest players to strike out among qualified players with just 12 K's in 228 plate appearances.

"I've spent an unhealthy amount of time just staring at his 27-walk-to-12-strikeout ratio from last year. That probably says more about me than him, although it does say a lot about him."

La Stella could be slotted into any of the top four spots in the batting order.

"I feel and I think, organizationally, we feel like there are benefits to this kind of plate discipline and at-bat quality that go beyond the player's stat line," Zaidi said. "It makes it difficult for the pitcher, you can get starting pitchers out of the game sooner, the guy on deck gets to see more pitches, all of those things, the ability to grind out at-bats, just lifts the entire offense. That's one reason we've been attracted to these kinds of guys and want to create that kind of offensive culture."

San Francisco went 29-31 last year in Kapler's first season, missing a playoff berth on the season's final day with a 5-4 loss to playoff-bound rival San Diego.

To open room for La Stella on the 40-man roster, San Francisco designated outfielder Luis Alexander Basabe for assignment.

San Francisco might seek another lefty hitter for the outfield.

 

[calsnowskier]

So who was DFAd?

 

[tzill]

Basabe. He'll probably clear waivers.

 

[LHG]

Why new Giant La Stella might see early time at first base

Brandon Belt’s injury status could open up an additional role for new Giant Tommy La Stella.

www.nbcsports.com

Looks like Belt may not be ready to start the season (assuming MLBPA doesn't change their mind on when the season starts).

 

[stanford the manford]

I took most of '20 off and our group fell apart on renewing our season seats (which we've held since opening day in SF)..... so what's the opening day line up?

posey
belt
solano?
craw
longo
dik-dik
dubron
yaz
a cadre of weak starters?

If this is it, hard to believe this is a >.500 lineup

show me some optimism, please