The Beltran Dilema

[SFGRTB]

Whatever happy pills you are on, pass some over here please!

I actually took them all through that brutal August

 

[BeerMe]

Is there anything we've seen to indicate this to be a possibility?

He could have blocked the trade so there is that. Since being here, I haven't seen much enthusiasm but maybe that's his personality.

I'd really like to know the Giants FO feelings on 2012. Do they think we need a Beltran or a Reyes? Or do they think we can get back to the playoffs with Posey and Sanchez returning? I guess we'll find out. This season ain't over yet and I haven't lost hope, just been wondering about that. I think if the FO feels we need a big offensive bat, our payroll goes up or a big trade goes down.

Just for shits and giggles, here's a list of free agent SP:

Mark Buehrle CWS
Chris Carpenter STL *
Bruce Chen KC
Aaron Cook COL *
Kyle Davies KC
Ryan Dempster CHC *
Justin Duchscherer OAK
Zach Duke ARI *
Jeff Francis KC
Freddy Garcia NYY
Jon Garland LAD *
Aaron Harang SD
Rich Harden OAK
Livan Hernandez WAS
Edwin Jackson CWS
Kenshin Kawakami ATL
Scott Kazmir LAA
Hiroki Kuroda LAD
Rodrigo Lopez CHC
Paul Maholm PIT
John Maine COL
Jason Marquis WAS
Kevin Millwood NYY
Scott Olsen PIT *
Roy Oswalt PHI *
Brad Penny DET
Oliver Perez NYM
Joel Pineiro LAA
CC Sabathia NYY (may opt out)
Carlos Silva NYY
Javier Vazquez FLA
Adam Wainwright STL *
Tim Wakefield BOS
Chien-Ming Wang WAS
Brandon Webb ARI
C.J. Wilson TEX
Chris Young NYM

 

[tzill]

Since he got to experience what kind of lineups we throw out there, I just have to feel like he will figure on better post season chances with the following AL teams (who, if they want him, can easily offer 5 years): Texas, LAA, NYY (bye bye Swisher), Boston (bye bye Drew), Tampa (maybe about the same postseason chances as us, but less $ to offer), Detroit (bye bye Ordonez)

There's not a zero % chance he will decide SF is where he can win a ring, and be willing to take a 3 year deal to stay...but IMO it's a very small chance.

I just don't see Beltran signing with us as a FA. Doesn't mean they won't talk to him and Boras, but there's too many other places that he can go that fit better.

+1. Rep'd for accuracy.

 

[msgkings322]

+1. Rep'd for accuracy.

 

[mistgl]

I read a blog suggesting we go after Swisher....

God, I hope not. He's essentially a switch hitting Cody Ross, with a tad bit more power.

 

[msgkings322]

I read a blog suggesting we go after Swisher....

God, I hope not. He's essentially a switch hitting Cody Ross, with a tad bit more power.

Totally agree. Swisher hardly an improvement over Nate, especially when you factor in defense.

 

[sfsportsfan]

i wouldnt mind Swish as a back up plan to Beltran. Obviously he'd be thrown in LF. Nate should get right no matter what. I also would like to see the giants go after Kubel. I doubt he'd be really expensive and he's a solid hitter.

 

[msgkings322]

i wouldnt mind Swish as a back up plan to Beltran. Obviously he'd be thrown in LF. Nate should get right no matter what. I also would like to see the giants go after Kubel. I doubt he'd be really expensive and he's a solid hitter.

I think Belt is the left fielder next year, don't you?

 

[sfsportsfan]

I think Belt is the left fielder next year, don't you?

yeah, but Swish is more of a veteran, obviously Boch would rather have him.

 

[msgkings322]

yeah, but Swish is more of a veteran, obviously Boch would rather have him.

Sure, BigHead would, but you posted wanting Swish as a backup if we don't get Beltran, and my comment was if Nate plays RF we don't have a position for Swisher.

 

[CameronFrye]

yeah, but Swish is more of a veteran, obviously Boch would rather have him.

Guys - Swisher is not just a vet. He's a guy who has hit at least 20 home runs for SEVEN straight seasons. He gets on base at a very good clip so he knows how to take a pitch. He would be a bat that the Giants have not had in a long time if he were signed. Is he a great defensive OF? Absolutely not. But at the price he would command on the open market, he would be a much more attractive option for a front office that does not want to break the bank for a big bat.

Bottom line is he's a much more formidable presence in the lineup than Nate or Cody Ross. He can change the outcome of the game with one swing at any point.

 

[CameronFrye]

Sure, BigHead would, but you posted wanting Swish as a backup if we don't get Beltran, and my comment was if Nate plays RF we don't have a position for Swisher.

Nate is good enough to play CF or LF.

 

[msgkings322]

Guys - Swisher is not just a vet. He's a guy who has hit at least 20 home runs for SEVEN straight seasons. He gets on base at a very good clip so he knows how to take a pitch. He would be a bat that the Giants have not had in a long time if he were signed. Is he a great defensive OF? Absolutely not. But at the price he would command on the open market, he would be a much more attractive option for a front office that does not want to break the bank for a big bat.

Bottom line is he's a much more formidable presence in the lineup than Nate or Cody Ross. He can change the outcome of the game with one swing at any point.

For me, in terms of where Nate was this year, Nate > Swisher > Ross

For the SABR heads out there, I'd bet Nate's WAR is close to or higher than Swisher's...for this year.

Also, he must get some help hitting HRs in that bandbox he plays in

 

[msgkings322]

Nate is good enough to play CF or LF.

If he can truly play CF well (outfield defense is VERY important in our park, with our pitching driven team full of flyball pitchers) that would solve a lot of problems. The market for corner outfielders is far richer than the one for CFs.

Belt-Nate-anyone decent (maybe Swisher, but there's plenty) is a big uptick over Belt-Torres-Nate

 

[CameronFrye]

For me, in terms of where Nate was this year, Nate > Swisher > Ross

For the SABR heads out there, I'd bet Nate's WAR is close to or higher than Swisher's...for this year.

Also, he must get some help hitting HRs in that bandbox he plays in

Swisher: 3.7 WAR
Nate: 1.3 WAR

 

[msgkings322]

Swisher: 3.7 WAR
Nate: 1.3 WAR

Just lost that bet.

We'll see what they do, but maybe Swish should be in the conversation.

 

[CameronFrye]

For me, in terms of where Nate was this year, Nate > Swisher > Ross

For the SABR heads out there, I'd bet Nate's WAR is close to or higher than Swisher's...for this year.

Also, he must get some help hitting HRs in that bandbox he plays in

One more thing: Swisher's home-road splits are nearly identical this year and last, so the new Yankee Stadium does not help him much.

 

[tzill]

Guys - Swisher is not just a vet. He's a guy who has hit at least 20 home runs for SEVEN straight seasons. He gets on base at a very good clip so he knows how to take a pitch. He would be a bat that the Giants have not had in a long time if he were signed. Is he a great defensive OF? Absolutely not. But at the price he would command on the open market, he would be a much more attractive option for a front office that does not want to break the bank for a big bat.

Bottom line is he's a much more formidable presence in the lineup than Nate or Cody Ross. He can change the outcome of the game with one swing at any point.

He's a solid frontline starter. He's also going to get at LEAST 4/60, maybe more from an AL team. I doubt we'll be in that hunt.

 

[sfsportsfan]

i know Swish HAS played center. i dont know anything about his D, but from reading this thread i guess hes not very good. any chance he could play center still?

 

[tzill]

i know Swish HAS played center. i dont know anything about his D, but from reading this thread i guess hes not very good. any chance he could play center still?

All the defensive metrics have him as an average/slightly above average RF and an average/slightly below average OF overall.