A theory of tanking for the Giants

[SFGRTB]

Yes, tanking is dangerous. It hasn't worked for a few teams. Going the route the Giants are going is dangerous too. There have been teams that have tried to keep the name recognition players past their sell by date and it backfired. Fans still tuned out to the team. I'm sure they have a lot of smart bean counters in the organization that has looked at the two different scenarios, studied what past teams have done and determined that this route is not at financially risky as a full re-build, but seeing how the organization I work with operates, the financial people are completely disconnected from the operations side and have no idea what their decisions will do to operations. I've seen where the CFO wants to make cuts to an athletics program and the CFO doesn't understand how it will negatively affect the product on the fields. Because the CFO has no concept of that impact, the CFO cannot do a true projection of the cuts will actually make the financial picture of the organization worse, creating a bigger problem rather than fixing a smaller problem. I know that may be an apples to oranges comparison, I just hope that isn't what is happening in SF.

What the Giants have going for them, currently, is 10-12-14 with a number of those players still around. It's not going to last forever, as you say, but I think it gives them a bit more time than other examples than say the Mariners, who have nothing.

 

[msgkings322]

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you. I want them to fully rebuild as well. Just playing devils advocate here.

The Giants would rather introduce the new crop of names with familiar faces instead of rolling the dice on 12 newbies at once.

The smart play would be to lock up a couple names to bring the kids along and give the fans someone to see: Posey should retire a Giant, and Crawford should get locked in for 5+ more years. You won't have to spend that much on them especially Posey, and if they don't perform well you aren't trying to win anyway.

 

[msgkings322]

Exactly this. Sports are more corporate than ever, especially in the major markets. And like most corporations, it's us who get screwed over

OK then it's settled, 80 win seasons as far as they eye can see. I guess that's how they think they will maximize revenue...

 

[calsnowskier]

OK then it's settled, 80 win seasons as far as they eye can see. I guess that's how they think they will maximize revenue...

Or...

Compete while they rebuild.

But I am sure their plan is to perpetually be an 80-82 team.

 

[SFGRTB]

Or...

Compete while they rebuild.

But I am sure their plan is to perpetually be an 80-82 team.

The dodger route. Investing a lot of money behind the scenes at the minor league level, not being afraid to spend money at the big league level.

 

[msgkings322]

Or...

Compete while they rebuild.

But I am sure their plan is to perpetually be an 80-82 team.

Yeah that's working so well.

Let's remember, 2007-2009 were rebuild years.

 

[calsnowskier]

Yeah that's working so well.

Let's remember, 2007-2009 were rebuild years.

When did the Yanks do a complete tear down? How about the Sox between ‘04 and ‘11?

Look, you and I both agree that a tear down IN THIS SITUATION is best. But that is just our somewhat ignorant opinions. The strategy the org is employing is AT LEAST equally valid and has just as much (if not more) evidence that it can be successful.

 

[tzill]

Or, going the current route, they become the Mariners and miss the playoffs for 15+ years.

I don't remember the Mariners having a high payroll for 15 years though.

 

[LHG]

I don't remember the Mariners having a high payroll for 15 years though.

That is assuming the Giants maintain a high payroll for 15 years. Things could change in 5 years if the team doesn't sniff the playoffs.

 

[MarcoPolo]

Or, going the current route, they become the Mariners and miss the playoffs for 15+ years.

I'm feeling my age. I remember the Giants already doing that once already in my lifetime.

 

[LHG]

I'm feeling my age. I remember the Giants already doing that once already in my lifetime.

Welcome back Marco! Its been a while. Hope you are well.

Yeah, that streak started before my time (born in 1977) and ended before I got into baseball. That must have been a hard era. It looked like the only years that were hopeful in that time span were 1982 and 1978.

That being said, I think that the Mariners' streak is much more impressive in their futility since its so much easier to make the playoffs now than it was in the 70s and 80s.