For all the hype the Philadelphia Phillies might have coming into this NLCS showdown, there are plenty of reasons for the Giants to emerge victorious in this series. I've highlighted the Top 10 here:
1) Starting Pitching:
Though much has been made of the Phillies’ “Big 3” of Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels, the group has done very little against the Giants — not only this season, but historically as well.
Ace A-1 of the “H2O” trio is Halladay. While it's hard to ignore the no-hitter the righty threw against the major league leading offense in Cincy, Halladay was battered for five earned runs over seven innings and was awarded the loss in his only start against the Giants this year. Even more shocking, Halladay is 0-2 in three career starts against the Giants with a 7.23 ERA.
Ace A-2 is Mississippi native Roy Oswalt. Most Giants fans won't even need to see statistics to know that our team destroys Oswalt. He is 6-8 lifetime against the Giants and in his three starts against the G-men this year, he lost three times (the fourth was a win, but it was against Zito and is therefore void).
The final member of the three-headed dragon is former World Series MVP Cole Hamels, who is 0-1 this season in two starts against the Giants. Also, Hamels is a little girl.
Of the Giants’ big three, only Cain has struggled against the Phils. Lincecum and Sanchez are a combined 5-2 lifetime and are 2-0 this year in three starts.
2) Bullpen:
Over the course of the 2010 season, the Giants had the second lowest bullpen ERA in the major leagues. The Phillies ranked 18th. Also, the Phillies have a closer who is best known for moments like these. The Giants have a closer who is best known for moments like these. Advantage: Giants.
3) Revenge of the Panda
Though it might seem like a decade ago, Pablo Sandoval was really good last year. An unknown to begin the season, “Kung Fu Panda” won his way into the hearts of fans nationwide with his jovial demeanor, inspired play, and multitasking abilities. Though he did not make it to the all star game on his own accord, Sandoval was placed in MLB.com’s “Final Vote” for the last All-Star spot, and was leading the vote by a good margin after the third of the four days. Then a self-promoting douchebag with significantly inferior statistics named Shane Victorino came along, and went door to door with the mayor of Philadelphia for votes on the final day of the vote. With help from some ungodly amount of press, Victorino leaped ahead and stole Panda’s spot.
As you might have noticed, Panda kind of sucks this year. He was benched halfway through the Braves series, and has now been relegated to a pinch-hitting role. I would bet Pablo isn’t very happy about all this, so I’m predicting he goes deep in this series to show up the Philadelphia fans who stole from him a very deserved All-Star spot. If his home run flies over Victorino’s head — perhaps as the Flyin' Hawaiian flies face first into a wall a la Rowand — all the better.
4) Fielding:
While much was made of the defensive ineptitude of the aging Giants defenders coming into the year, the Giants have somehow assembled a fantastic defense. Though Pat Burrell’s comments about the water buffaloes at the corner outfield spots made headlines in June, the addition of Buster Posey to the catchers spot -- a surprising upgrade over the departed Bengie Molina -- opened up a void at first base, a position Huff actually plays quite well. Torres is a potential gold glove winner in center field and the Gigantes are strong up the middle with Uribe and Sanchez. The cherry on top was the subtraction of Jose “Molina” Guillen from the playoff roster, which allowed the fleet-footed Cody Ross to slot in at the right field spot. According to Fangraphs, the Giants were 2nd in the MLB this season defensively with a 8.0 UZR. Contrastingly, the Phillies ranked 17th with a .08 UZR.
5) Buster Posey:
Buster Posey was the best rookie in the majors this year, and this year’s rookie class is potentially the best ever. Buster Posey accumulated the 5th highest WAR of all catchers in the MLB…and missed the first two months of the season. Buster Posey has hit as many home runs as Shane Victorino this season, but Buster Posey isn’t a self-promoting douchebag. Buster Posey has thrown out 37.1 percent of base stealers, good for fourth best among starting catchers in the National League. Buster Posey is better than the best rookie on the Phillies, Dominic Brown, who is hitting .210. Buster Posey heard that Jason Heyward might win the National League Rookie of the Year award, but Buster Posey “ain’t having it”. Buster Posey.
6) Return of Pat the Bat
Pat Burrell likes hitting home runs at Citizens Bank. He hit more than 150 of them during his time in Philly. He left Philly for Tampa Bay and stopped hitting home runs. He then joined the Giants and started hitting some home runs. Then he returned to Citizens Bank on August 17 and hit a home run his first time back. Then he hit a home run the next day. Burrell could potentially play four games in Citizens Bank, so I'm expecting a few bombs.
7) Fourth Starter:
The Giants have one huge advantage over the Phillies in this series. That advantage is that their fourth starter isn’t Joe Blanton. Since the Phillies’ fourth starter is Joe Blanton, Philadelphia understandably will pitch just three starters in the playoffs. The Giants have Madison Bumgarner. Though Bumgarner is a rookie, he is much, much, better than Blanton, and will pitch in the playoffs. This gives the Giants four starting pitchers, meaning they wont have to pitch their guys on short rest. The Phillies will. Here’s what has happened historically when pitchers go on short rest in the playoffs.
8) Torture:
Due to the alarming number of one-run games, comeback victories and devastating losses, broadcaster Duane Kuiper coined this year’s token phrase, “Giants Baseball: Torture.” Though this is due in large part to San Francisco’s frequent inability to score runs, it could likely have a positive effect in the playoffs. In an environment of Halladays, Lincecums, Wilsons and Oswalts, runs will probably be scarce. It might just well come down to the team that knows how to play in close ballgames.
9) Hitting:
The biggest knock against the Giants is their lack of hitting, especially when compared to the offensive juggernaut that is the Philadelphia Phillies. But for all the big names the Phillies have on their roster, this hasn’t been their best season. Their team batting average was only three thousandths of a point higher, and they only outslugged the Gigantes by five thousandths of a point.
This season, Juan Uribe has been a better shortstop than Jimmy Rollins. Aubrey Huff has outplayed Ryan Howard at 1st base. Andres Torres is Shane Victorino 2.0, but with more defensive ability and less douchebaggery. Sure Freddy Sanchez may be no Chase Utley, and Cody Ross no Jayson Werth. However, Buster Posey.
With just one day left before the dawn of the preseason, there have been some big changes along the offensive line since training camp began. First, the good news: Both 1st round draft choices — RT Anthony Davis and LG Mike Iupati — were officially named starters for the season by 49ers coach Mike Singletary this past week. The fact that both rookies have been slated to start is surely a positive, as it is a testament to the inherent talent of both players, as well as to their individual work ethics (especially Davis’, whose determination to improve was a concern among teams on draft day). It also suggests a degree of mastery of Jimmy Raye’s complex blocking schemes by both players, which came at a fairly quick pace. Though the two might not be ready for the season just yet, Singletary made it clear that it was important both rookies receive first team snaps the rest of the way, and play a large portion of the four preseason games. While there are sure to be some growing pains early on — which will result in increased literal pain for quarterback Alex Smith — the sooner the duo takes the reigns of the Niner trenches the better.
The bad news: Eric Heitman — one of the NFL’s better centers and a Sunday warrior who has not missed a start since late in the 2006 season — will be out 6-8 weeks with a broken fibula. David Bass, the guard that Iupati dethroned this offseason, will take over duties at center until Heitman returns. That makes three of the five offensive line positions filled out by new players. Not the most assuring statistic to be sure, but its one that will have to do for the near future.
Since it might take some time for Smith to learn to operate behind his newly tooled line, expect much of the early workload to fall on star running back Frank Gore, especially with backup Glenn Coffee’s departure from football on Friday. Make sure to watch the first two games of the preseason against the Colts and Vikings — who employ two of the best defensive lines in football — as they should prove a good barometer of how ready the two lineman truly are. For now, here's a peak into how the team has looked thus far.
When the Giants began to slump around mid-June, the talking heads were clamoring for a mid-season acquisition to jump-start the offense. But then the team started winning. Not just winning — scoring too. Since July 5, the Giants are 11-3, but more notably, nine of those wins came with five or more runs of support. Amidst the hot streak, the fan base appears to have shifted from "get help now" toward the stand-pat camp.
After all, this is a different team than we were watching only a few weeks ago. Pablo Sandoval is finally starting to heat up. Players like Travis Ishikawa and Nate Schierholtz are beginning to contribute. Most notably, many fans believe the additions of Buster Posey — who has become almost as popular as Inception-related Facebook statuses — and Madison Bumgarner as regular contributors have negated the need for a deal, and could lead this team to its first postseason berth since 2003.
The truth of the matter, however, is that the Giants have been feasting on struggling teams. Also, the pitching has been exceptional, even for our standards. As much as I’m loving the way things are going, I’m not so naïve as to think the Giants won’t be losing one-run games again sometime next week. The trade deadline is in ten days, and by the time we come back down to earth again, it could be too late. So while I may be simply jaded from watching one of the worst offenses in baseball for the last half-decade or so, I’m a little less optimistic about the Giants' chances without an offensive upgrade.
Unfortunately, the trade market is a lot bleaker than it has been in recent years. Sabean’s refusal to rent players who will be eligible for free agency after the 2010 season eliminates candidates like Adam Dunn and Jayson Werth as possible targets. David DeJesus is a solid player who has been linked to the Giants a few times in recent weeks, but he simply isn’t enough of an upgrade over players on the current roster for the king’s ransom the Kansas City front office is demanding for his services. This leaves three significant available targets that have been linked to the Giants in recent weeks.
1) Corey Hart
Hart has been by far the most talked about player by the Giants brass and media. The 28-year-old is having a career year with a .292/.350/.565 line and ranks second in the NL in home runs and runs batted in with 22 and 70 respectively. However, the two-time All-Star benefits from a hitter’s ballpark, plays terrible defense and seems eerily reminiscent of a 2007 Aaron Rowand. Rowand was 28, put up the best numbers of his career at Citizen’s Bank — another notably hitter-friendly park — and then was signed by Sabean only to cut his home run total in half while slicing his OPS by 140 points during his first season in black and orange.
Though Hart’s contract is about 1/3 of Rowand’s, Hart’s numbers would surely go down some at the cavernous AT&T Park, and his defense would prove problematic in the tricky right field gap. While Hart’s bat would definitely improve the Giants’ lineup, I wouldn’t go for him if it meant sacrificing Jonathan Sanchez.
2) Prince Fielder
Prince Fielder is fat. So fat in fact, that many GMs are scared of trading for a 26-year-old entering his prime who has averaged .281/.383/.545 with 39 dingers and 105 RBI over his career. It is thought by many that Fielder's weight issues could make him liable to break down earlier on in his career than many other comparable players. Fielder will also cost the Giants an arm and a leg. According to Yahoo’s Jeff Passan perhaps Madison Bumgarner and Brandon Belt — although I’d contend he’d cost at least Matt Cain.
That said, the addition of Prince Fielder would absolutely legitimize the Giants lineup, and would give them a great shot at overtaking the first-place San Diego Padres. Prince is under contract for 2011 as well, but the subtraction of Cain would greatly weaken the Giants pitching staff for this season and for years to come. Once again, a great pickup, but only at the right price. I'm not sure Brewers GM Doug Melvin is looking to let that happen.
3) Josh Willingham
Although Nationals GM Mike Rizzo appears reluctant to deal Willingham, it's hard to imagine he wouldn’t jump at the right offer with his team still a few years away from contending. The young leftfielder is a true impact hitter — his WAR for 2010 is 3.0, which would rank third on the Giants offense behind Torres and Huff. He works the count, has some pop, and would fit nicely in the five-spot of the order. He might just be the best option for the Giants, because he could be obtainable without sacrificing a starter or top prospect. I haven’t seen any proposals as of yet, however I’d imagine a package of a Major League outfielder in addition to a few high-ceiling mid-level prospects could do the trick — think Schierholtz plus Francisco Peguero (CF, A+ San Jose) and Tommy Joseph (C, A- Augusta).
Teams are demanding a lot for their players at the break, making a major deal unlikely for the G-men. This team could surely benefit from a move for offense, but I fear giving up way too much in a trade more than I do enduring a second half without a shiny new toy for the lineup. The group in place has the potential to make a big stretch run, but it's just a matter of putting it all together. If the front office doesn't believe this is possible, fans will cross their fingers that Sabean will be able to pull off two shrewd trades in a single season (after dumping Bengie Molina on the Texas Rangers last month). Here’s to hoping lightning strikes twice.
One of the more interesting statistics I’ve found on the Giants thus far, is that of their 32 losses, only five have been by four runs or more. For much of the season the offense has been the scapegoat, and for good reason (as Matt Cain and his 6-6 record can attest to). However, with the additions of Buster Posey, Pat Burrell, and Freddy Sanchez, coupled with the pleasant continued production from Aubrey Huff, Andres Torres, and Juan Uribe, much of the onus will be falling on the bullpen for the second half.
Though the pen as a whole is still relatively strong, a few of the firemen seem to have lost their luster. Brian Wilson has been a fantastic closer, but like Matthew McConaughey, he can’t stand on his own . Brandon Medders has been either injured or ineffecive. Dan Runzler has had a decent rookie campaign, however has issued almost as many walks as he has strikeouts. Newcomers Guillermo Mota and Santiago Casilla have performed admirably, however both are relatively unproven, and sustained success cannot be counted on from either of them. The biggest problem though, has been the decreased production from the 2009 setup men, Jeremy Affeldt and Sergio Romo. Toward the beginning of the season, Romo’s propensity for late inning gopherballs — he has yielded four already in 2010 compared to just one in all of 2009— greatly maddened the Giants fanbase. However, Romo has rebounded nicely as of late, and has scattered just three walks and one run over his last 14 innings pitched.
In truth, it has been Affeldt that has disappointed Giants fans most this season. For as lights out as the affable reliever was last year, he has been inversely atrocious throughout the 2010 campaign. His problems seem to have stemmed from an utter loss of control more than a loss of stuff. Affeldt has simply issued way too many walks — his BB/9 of 6.45 is almost 2 walks per nine innings pitched higher than it was in ‘09 — and when he has located the strike zone, he has missed up and out over the plate, as evidenced by his increased HR/9 ratio and his decreased GB/9 ratio.
To be fair, Affeldt had very little chance of ever living up to the ridiculously lofty standards he set for himself last year in San Francisco. His peripherals were all career highs, but his BABIP of .244 was so far below career norms that even an improved ability to keep the ball down and induce ground balls couldn’t quite explain his overall success. In essence, the regression was expected, just not to this degree. Though we might never see the dominant set-up man from 2009 again, if Affeldt can manage to keep the ball down, the Giants should at least find themselves with the unspectacular but reliable reliever they paid for in 2008.
With the conclusion of the first two days of the 2010 MLB Draft, now is as good a time as ever to start looking toward the future of the San Francisco Giants. While the team’s hitting has looked abysmal for much of the season, there seems to be hope for the offense with some of the youngsters in the minor leagues who look to debut over the next few seasons.
Two years from now, the lineup will be hardly recognizable. The contracts of Bengie Molina, Aubrey Huff, Mark DeRosa, Freddy Sanchez, Edgar Renteria and Juan Uribe will have expired, while Aaron Rowand will either be parked on the bench for the final year of his deal if not released altogether.
The only two position players from the current roster likely to be on the team in two years are Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval. Posey will finally have assumed his role as the team’s catcher for the next decade, while Sandoval will play a corner infield spot based on team need. To predict the rest of the future, we look to the farm.
Catcher: Behind Posey, there is one other catching prospect of note in 2009 second-round draft pick Tommy Joseph. Joseph is said to have monster power but is very raw as a catching prospect and as an overall hitter. Scouts have said he projects more as a first baseman and is currently DHing more than he is catching in low-A ball for the Augusta GreenJackets. While his current home run (6) and RBI (30) totals are promising, his low OBP (.275) and lack of a position indicate a steep learning curve. Though Joseph remains an intriguing prospect, he probably won’t reach the big leagues for a while.
First Base: Though you may not have heard of him yet, Brandon Belt might just be the top Giants prospect entering next season. The former Texas Longhorn was drafted in the fifth round last year, but impressed the Giants scouts enough to have him placed in A+ ball in San Jose as a first baseman. The tall lefty unexpectedly took off from there, and as of June 9 his .486 on-base percentage and 41 walks lead the Cal league, while his .578 Slugging Percentage ranks 3rd. He ranks 2nd in batting average by a thousandth of a point (.378), first in doubles (22), third in RBI (46), and even has 12 steals to his credit. With at least average defense at first base that should only improve in time, the only area of Belt’s game to pick apart is his diminutive home run total: 5. Though the power isn’t there yet, Belt is 6-5 yet only carries 195 pounds on his frame. This means he can continue to fill out, and all those doubles should start clearing fences in time. I would expect Belt to finish the season in Fresno, and eventually compete for the 2011 first base job in San Francisco, where his plate discipline and hitting ability will be welcome additions.
Middle Infield: Though the Giants don’t boast any top-tier middle infield prospects, they’ve stockpiled enough decent ones in hopes that one or two will pan out in time. Brandon Crawford and Ehire Adrianza are both solid defensive shortstops that have had trouble with the bat. If either player hits well in the second half, he would probably be the frontrunner to replace Renteria in 2011. Carter Jurica, a third-round pick yesterday out of Kansas State, will likely require some seasoning in the minors but could prove of value as well. At second base, the Giants boast a former first-round pick in Nick Noonan (32nd overall in 2007), but he has failed to put together an impressive minor league season. There is also the oft-injured Emmanuel Burriss — a former first-rounder himself — who has played a decent amount for San Francisco in the 2008 and 2009 seasons. He is currently rehabbing from a foot injury in San Jose.
Third Base: Behind Sandoval, the only real third base prospect of note is Chris Dominguez, a 2009 third-rounder. The former Louisville star displays some serious power and a decent ability to hit for average but is currently stuck in Augusta to work on his fielding and plate discipline. He will likely move to San Jose next year, and could shoot up the farm system with an improved glove and a keener eye.
Center Field: This position was clearly the biggest priority heading into the draft yesterday, as the Giants selected speedy centerfielders with each of their first two picks. John Barr and Co. selected Gary Brown out of Cal State Fullerton with their first-round pick, and then nabbed Virginia standout Jarrett Parker in the second round. Those two, along with current San Jose prospect Francisco Peguero, will ensure that whoever mans center field over the next few years will have some serious wheels. While the emergence of Andres Torres for the Giants this season has been a blessing, Torres is already 32 and cannot be counted on to hit at such a torrid pace in the future.
Though it's very early and not one of the three is expected to crack the big leagues for a while, my money is on Parker. Parker was a projected first-rounder entering the 2010 season, but he regressed slightly from the year before across the board. Though slower than Brown, Parker remains plenty speedy, and is currently the better defender — he is said to have Gold Glove capabilities. Most importantly, Parker boasts the one thing that Peguero and Brown have failed to display — the ability to take a walk.
Corner Outfielders: As of last year, this area looked to be a strength of the farm system. Thomas Neal and Roger Kieschnick both entered the season as Top 10 Giants prospects according to Baseball America at four and seven respectively, and were even invited to Arizona this March for Spring Training. However, after breakout performances in San Jose last year, neither player has shown much of anything at the AA level. Both have seen significant drop-offs in power and batting average, and clearly will need some more time to adjust before advancing to the big leagues. Both prospects should rebound with more experience though, and Neal specifically has been heating up of late. Both could be in the majors by 2012.
Lastly, there will likely be some changes at the major league level by 2012. The only position player I see the team possibly re-signing is 2B Freddy Sanchez. He’ll be 34, and obviously we’ll have to see how the next few seasons go. However, if he is still displaying the same glovework at second while contributing with the bat, it will be hard to let him leave San Francisco. Also, with lots of money off the books and a need for outfield help, I would bet the Giants make a big splash via free agency over the next season or two. Let's say they get Jayson Werth. This is how our 2012 lineup could shake out:
CF Parker
2B Sanchez
C Posey
3B Sandoval
RF Werth
1B Belt
LF Neal
SS Crawford
While this team might lack the power of a more traditional lineup, it's very well suited for AT&T. Good defense up the middle, lots of high OBP guys, and most importantly, no aging vets swinging at sliders in the dirt. The development of a few of these prospects might be a pipe dream, but at least it seems we're headed in the right direction.
Bill Simmons (ESPN’s The Sports Guy) is probably my favorite sportswriter. I’ve been reading his work for a while, but he wrote one column last year that really stuck with me. An avid basketball fan, Simmons was debating the winners and losers of the 2009 NBA off-season in what seemed like a novel-length discourse. What made the piece interesting, though, was that he did so by integrating quotes from what he deemed to be last decade’s defining movie, “Almost Famous,” and relating them to the NBA.
Since I read that column, I’ve told myself I would one day write something like it. So recently I decided to give it a shot, making mine about the San Francisco Giants and using quotes from the movie that defined my last decade, “Good Will Hunting.” I’m not sure why I like the movie so much. It could be the “rewatchability factor” as Simmons puts it, or maybe it’s just the hanging out with a bearded Robin Williams for a full two hours. Regardless, it's one of my favorites and has some pretty usable quotes, so without further ado, here’s an open letter to Giants General Manager Brian Sabean.
This girl is like f---ing perfect right now. I don’t want to ruin that.
Sitting pretty near the top of the NL West standings — and I’d be more worried about the Padres if I didn’t know how bad Kevin Correia truly is — now would seem as good a time as ever to just let things ride. Sure, keep snatching two of three from the division leaders. Continue to rely on a pitching staff that gives up fewer runs than you do with Timmy Franchise in a game of “MLB: The Show.” Bank on more hot hitting from the likes of Bengie Molina, Nate Scheirholtz, and Andres Torres — the team leaders in batting average respectively. Wait…that’s kind of pathetic actually. In reality, this team has overachieved in a huge way, and chances are we’re going to keep losing one run games like the one we blew against the Phillies. And I certainly don’t want that to happen. I hadn’t been that sad since G-Baby got shot.
The fact is, our hitters won’t stay clutch for long. They simply aren’t that good. Kung Fu Panda aside, this is a lineup full of 6-hole hitters at best. While our division rivals boast guys like Manny Ramirez, Adrian Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitski in the heart of their lineups, Bochy submitted a 4-5-6 not too long ago that I’d even trust Armando Benitez to finish off in a postseason ballgame. Even with pitching as good as ours, the Giants will need to greatly improve their hitting if they want any shot at the postseason, much less a World Series run. This team is far from perfect.
When the Giants let the likes of Matt Holliday and Jason Bay slide by this off-season without more than some tire kicking, I was okay with it. We would’ve overpaid the hell out of either guy, and we didn’t look like a team that was just one or two bats away from being a contender. Now we do. San Francisco can’t count on having pitching this dominant ever again. It's imperative that Sabean strikes while the iron is hot, and if there ever was a time to sacrifice part of our future for the present, it's absolutely right now.
And I’m fascinated. I’m in. But you don’t want to do that, do you sport?
So let's go for it. Let's trade for a bopper, even if it's potentially short term. The easiest way to do this is to look for a 2011 free agent on a team that will not be in contention come September. Enter: Derek Lee, Paul Konerko, Adam Dunn and Brad Hawpe. All four guys will have their 25+ home runs and a .350+ OBP by season’s end — both of which would be welcome statistical additions to a team that besides Panda did not boast a single performer last year with even one of those totals, much less both.
The two main problems with trading for any of these players are defensive issues and age. Hawpe and Dunn have the two worst UZR ratings for all starting outfielders over the last three seasons. Lee and Konerko have been slightly above average first baseman, however both are 34 — Hawpe and Dunn are 30 — and are likely candidates to decline. Due to these limitations, along with the fact that all four will be free agents by year’s end, it's possible that all four could be had without parting with too much depth from our roster or farm system.
Though not likely to happen, the most feasible dark horse candidate would be Cleveland’s OF Shin-Soo Choo. Stuck on a struggling Indians team with a need to rebuild, Choo has emerged over the past few seasons as one of the top outfielders in all of baseball. Only 27 years old, he is a five-tool performer, who last season hit for power (20 home runs), got on base frequently (.394 OPB), stole bags (20) and played solid defense to boot. “Big League Choo” is just entering his prime, and as such would be harder to acquire without forfeiting a top prospect. That said, a 2-3-4 of Posey, Choo and Sandoval would look real purdy come midseason. If Sabean could get that done without a Thomas Neal or a Zach Wheeler in the deal, all the better.
Unfortunately, Brian Sabean isn’t one for all these fancy new-age number things like On-Base Percentage and Ultimate Zone Rating. No, he’s more of an old school guy. He wants only cheap middle-of-the-order sluggers who hit homers in their sleep and ooze RBI from their pores. Now this is what scares me ...
You think I’m spreading my legs for that Tootsie Roll dick?
Brian, I’ve known you for a while now, and I know what you’re thinking. This team lacks power and needs a cleanup hitter in the worst way. If you want to re-sign Timmy, Cain and Panda in a few years you’re going to need to keep a light checkbook. What available free agents players fit that description? Stop it ... just ... stop it. I’ll say it here: Jermaine Dye has a Tootsie Roll dick. And by dick I mean on-base percentage. Over Dye’s past three seasons, he reached base at a .334 clip. That’s lower than seven Giants regulars have. He’s also 36. He also played the worst defense of all outfielders during the 2009 season, and was third behind Hawpe and Dunn over the past three. Yes, he’ll probably hit around 25 home runs. Yes, he’ll look a hell of a lot more like a cleanup hitter than anyone we’ve got now. And yes, he’ll be relatively cheap. He’ll also block Schierholtz while frustrating you with his lack of plate discipline, speed and defense like a Bengie Part Duex. Just ... don’t do it. Actually, if you’re looking for some cheap power and a lot of walks, I know of one other guy who might look good in the middle of our lineup...
Sorry, I had to go see about a girl
Is Freddy Sanchez still on the DL? If he doesn’t lead the league in average when he comes back, he could easily replace Felix Rodriguez as the most hated Giant of all time.
You’re an idiot. I’ve been sitting over there for 45 minutes waiting for you to come and talk to me. But I’m tired now and I have to go home. And I couldn’t sit there anymore waiting for you…
In the end, the simplest and most cost-effective way to improve the offense without sacrificing talent, money, or defense would be to bring up top prospect Buster Posey. The phenom catcher has destroyed minor league pitching at every level while flashing a top-shelf arm and above average receiving and blocking skills behind the plate. The main knock on Posey is his ability to handle a major league pitching staff and to call a good game. Since pitch calling often comes from the manager himself, it all boils down to the relationship between pitching staff and catcher. According to the great Tim Lincecum, the communication and trust that Bengie has with his pitchers might be his greatest asset. As a backstop who handles arguably the top pitching staff in the bigs, this is a valid point. A point to which I say this ...
Why is trust the most important thing in making a breakthrough with a client?
Because ... trust is ... life.
Wow, that’s very deep, thank you, Vinny
Having no big league experience of my own to speak of, I can’t properly evaluate the importance of having a seasoned vet behind the dish. I’m sure the value in a guy like Molina comes from his ability to settle down his teammates and always call the right pitch, particularly late in games, when the pressure is on. Like he did in this game. And this game. And don’t forget this one.
Point is, while I’m sure Molina is a wonderful clubhouse guy, I bet his communication skills with the pitching staff are a tad bit overvalued by management. Posey, right now, is a better hitter and runner than Molina. He’s likely got a better arm, and his receiving skills are probably comparable at this point to the 35 year-old Molina’s. Buster Posey is the future, while Molina is merely a stopgap. It’s becoming more and more apparent that the future is now.
You're sitting on a winning lottery ticket, and you’re too much of a pussy to cash it in
Yeah ... see above.
Do you like Apples?
... yeah.
I got her number. How do you like them apples?
Unlike San Francisco’s hitting, their pitching is phenomenal. Lincecum is throwing like the reigning back-to-back Cy Young Winner that he is. Barry Zito’s girlfriend made him see this guy for counseling last All-Star break and now he thinks he’s back in 2002. Matt Cain was an All-Star last year, and is just a bit of run support away from a couple wins. Dirty Sanchez — who has always had filthy stuff— seems to have finally overcome the control issues that plagued him for most of his career. And oh yeah, three of them have sub-three Earned Run Averages. Only five teams in the majors even have one guy like that. Add in a bullpen armed with Frisbee sliders, lefty specialists and one badass closer, and you’ve got yourself one awesome pitching staff. There’s just one guy I do feel terrible for.
I don’t know a lot, but you see this, all this shit ... it's not your fault.
Yeah, I know that.
Look at me son ... it’s not your fault.
I know.
It’s not your fault.
... I know.
No, no you don’t ... It’s not your fault.
Matt Cain has the worst luck of any pitcher to ever play the game. Seriously. Since 2007, Matt Cain has started 107 games for the San Francisco Giants. Over that span, he has had 69 quality starts and won just 27 of those starts. That’s less than 40 percent, which is absurd. I don’t know what he did to his teammates to deserve so little run support, but it must have been bad. On practically any other club with a competent offense, Cain is an 18-20 game winner. On this team? He has the same record as Todd Wellemeyer.
This is a f---ing joke. And I’m sorry you can’t do this, I really am, because then I wouldn’t have to sit here and watch you fumble around and f--- it up.
I’m sure Todd Wellemeyer is a decent guy. I bet he’s one of the first guys to show up to the field and one of the last to leave. I bet he rarely complains, diligently runs his pitcher poles, and works hard on perfecting his release point in bullpen sessions. He probably also remembers to put the toilet seat down at home and to chew with his mouth closed at dinner. I don’t care — he’s embarrassingly bad. He has only made it past the fourth inning in three of his seven starts, and has surrendered fewer than three walks only twice.
On a side note: How do you think he feels pitching alongside the other four starters? I can only assume his conversations with pitching coach Dave Righetti have devolved into something like this:
So Brian, I bet you’ve realized there might be a problem with the back of our rotation by now. You know a change must be made, but after all, change is expensive. There isn’t likely to be another Brad Penny out there like last year, and other free agent additions could be costly. That’s why you might decide to look for help from within.
But if you push him right now, it’s going to be the same thing all over again, and I’m not going to let that happen to him.
Now I’m not saying Bumgarner isn’t ready, but the Giants need to be very careful in how they bring him up. His velocity is down since last season, and though he’s pitched better recently, he got rocked in spring training and earlier in the season. His development is key to the Giants plans. If he reverts back to the top 10, can’t-miss prospect we thought he was earlier last season, let's make sure we develop him right, and hope he’s ready for the second half. However, if he does look to be truly regressing at age 20, it wouldn’t be a terrible idea to trade him before his value sinks too low. My best guess was that Bumgarner’s arm was just tired toward the end of his first professional length season, but only time will truly tell on that one.
As an insurance policy, it would be a smart move to sign a starter off the free agent scrap heap. Someone like a Pedro Martinez or John Smoltz, who would come cheaply, but has the talent to possibly put a string of good starts together. I’m not saying we should expect Penny-like results, but it’s worth a shot.
Most days I wish I had never met you ... because then I could sleep at night, I wouldn’t have to walk around with the knowledge that there was someone like you out there ... and that I didn’t have to watch you throw it all away
Sabean has made a lot of stupid decisions over his career. He made one of the worst trades of the last few decades when he dealt Joe Nathan, Francisco Liriano and Boof Bonser for one pedestrian season of A.J. Pierzynski. He made arguably the biggest free agent signing blunder when he made Barry Zito the richest pitcher of all time. Back in 2005, Sabean signed the miraculous Michael Tucker to a contract just days before he was to become a free agent, in turn forfeiting San Francisco’s first-round draft pick.
Sabean has also become notorious for ignoring years worth of decline to sign aging former studs like Edgar Renteria, Aaron Rowand, Mike Matheny, Dave Roberts, Andres Gallaraga, Ryan Klesko, Matt Morris, Neifi Perez, Armando Benitez and Edgardo Alfonzo among others. To make matters worse, Sabean has made a habit of re-signing players who are either injury prone or ultimately ineffective, as he did with Freddy Sanchez, Bengie Molina and Omar Vizquel.
There have been a lot of people calling for Sabean’s head recently, and for good reason. The offense he's been putting out on the field the past few seasons has been an embarrassment to the franchise, and his fans and the organization deserve better than that. Most of all ...
You owe it to me ... because I’d do f---ing anything to have what you’ve got. So would any of these f---ing guys. It would be an insult of us if you’re still here in 20 years.
... seriously, anything. But there’s more ...
You know what the best part of my day is? For about 10 seconds from when I pull up to the curb to when I get to your door. I think maybe I’ll go up there and knock on your door and you won’t be there. No goodbye, no see you later, no nothing. You just left. I don’t know much, but I know that.
Here’s what I know: A team with pitching like this has no excuse for not steamrolling through this year’s NL West. After a little over six weeks, the Giants have lost a season’s worth of one-run games. I’ve had my heart broken by tough losses an inexcusable number of times already, partly due to managerial decisions and a suddenly shaky bullpen, but mostly because of an underwhelming offense. The Giants are a few shrewd moves away from making a serious playoff run, and Sabean’s legacy might well be defined by what he does by the All-Star break in 2010. If he blows this opportunity for us, he just better not be there next year. I don’t know much, but I know that.
In a day filled with quarterback drama, Belichick scheming and way too many awkward Boomer moments, the Niners came away with two more high upside players in areas of need.
After addressing the offensive line with both picks Thursday, the defensive backfield was the clear priority going forward. The 49ers had the league’s 12th-worst pass defense last season, and of the four starting positions, not one is held by a bonafide starter. The corners have been ineffective (Nate Clements has been especially disappointing given his contract), FS Dashon Goldson is improving but still raw, while SS Michael Lewis is only helpful in run support.
With the No. 49 overall pick, the Niners opted for hard-hitting USC safety, Taylor Mays. Considered by many to be a first-round talent because of his size, speed and pedigree, Mays fell to the Niners in the second round because of concerns over his coverage and ball skills. Though Mays has made it clear that he intends to work diligently on becoming more of a ballhawk in coverage, he will most likely take over for the aging Lewis at SS, at least initially. The fact that Mays has linebacker size with cornerback speed makes him an especially intriguing prospect. But he greatly underachieved during his senior campaign and will have to make some significant changes to his playing style to become the elite safety that he is capable of one day being.
Mays also made headlines for his comments about former coach Pete Carroll late Friday night, after the new Seahawks head coach passed him up in the first round for infinitely superior safety Earl Thomas. Mays essentially blamed the slide on Carroll — basically calling him dishonest and disloyal — prompting an entire nation of 49er fans to exclaim: “Real classy douchebag. You better show up on Sundays, especially against the Hawks.”
When it came time for the 49ers to draft at No. 79 in the third round, the Niners worked a trade with the Chargers to move back to the No. 91 spot, while also picking up a sixth-round pick (No. 173) as well the Chargers’ fourth-round pick in 2011. This trade, like the first one the Niners made, does raise some eyebrows but wasn’t terrible. While the move allowed us to acquire more picks, it's unlikely that the 2011 draft will be as deep as this year’s. Especially with guys like Jordan Shipley, Colt McCoy and Eric Decker still on the board — and the 49ers would benefit greatly from a possession receiver or a third-round value like McCoy — it was hard to see us trade back, especially once all three players got scooped up over the 12 spot gap.
But once San Francisco was on the clock, it made another promising selection with OLB Navarro Bowman out of Linebacker U. Bowman is a great athlete with phenomenal instincts and physical makeup. However, a lack of discipline on and off the field led to his drop from possible first-round status to a late third-round selection. Though the Ben Roethisberger saga is proving that character concerns are not something to be overlooked, if there was any coach that could whip a player like Bowman into shape, my money would be on Singletary. For proof, look no further than his work with Vernon Davis last season. Bowman is not expected to start right away, but should help out on special teams while he is likely groomed to eventually take over as Takeo Spikes’ successor.
The Niners potentially came away from the first two days with four first-round talents in their possession. That said, three of the four have serious bust potential as well. It will be up to Singletary and his coaching staff to make sure these guys tap into their vast potential, and remain professional both on and off the field. Perhaps even more scary is how good the Seahawks seem to be getting, having nabbed top OT Russell Okung, dynamic safety Earl Thomas and home-run receiving threat Golden Tate. Here’s to hoping Hasselbeck is back on the injury report before the opener.
Fresh off a playoff run that went as far as the divisional round in 2004, the 2005 New York Jets saw their talented but underachieving franchise fall to a deflating 4-12 record. Next January, incumbent head coach Herm Edwards skipped town to take over the Chiefs’ coaching gig. In turn, just months before the draft, a fresh-faced Bill Belichick disciple by the name of Eric Mangini was handed the keys to one of the most storied franchises in the NFL. His team had glaring needs at quarterback, offensive line and linebacker, but there was room for improvement at just about every position.
The 2006 draft was stacked with talent. Aside from collegiate phenom Reggie Bush, quarterbacks Vince Young, Matt Leinart and Jay Culter were drawing interest from practically all 32 teams, while linebackers A.J. Hawk, Ernie Sims, Chad Greenway and Bobby Carpenter were also considered high first-round material.
But Mangini spent his first pick (No. 4 overall) as head coach of the Jets on an undersized player who would never touch the ball or ball-carrier: Offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson out of Virginia. The always rowdy and perennially unsatisfied Jets draft crowd was growing frustrated by the lack of help at the skill positions, but saw a glimpse of hope when Mangini and Co. traded up to snag the 29th pick of the first round. With many talented skill players left on the board, the Jets selected center Nick Mangold out of Ohio State. Though 21 of the 32 players selected in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft have yet to reach the Pro Bowl, the New York duo has already garnered three Pro Bowl selections between them, and the Jets now stand as inarguably one of the best teams in the AFC under coach Rex Ryan.
***
I have a feeling second-year San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary remembers this story. I would bet as he saw the picks unfold, he sat back in his chair, nodding in approval as the angry New York masses clamored for the other big name guys. In fact, had Michael Crabtree not fallen to him by the grace of God (or the grace of Al Davis) last year, the Niners almost certainly would’ve retooled the line sooner.
Admittedly, the draft didn’t go as well as it possibly could have for the 49ers. The two players they seemed to have been after most — OT Trent Williams and CB Joe Haden — had come off the board sooner than expected, and the team was dealt another blow once Seattle opted to take safety Earl Thomas right before the Niners selected at 17. That said, Trent Baalke and Mike Singletary still managed a very solid draft, given the circumstances. They got their second favorite lineman in Rutgers OT Anthony Davis, while bolstering the trenches even further with the selection of Idaho G Mike Iupati at 17.
I’m sure there are plenty of fans that hoped the team would address needs in the secondary with a player like Thomas or cornerback Kyle Wilson. Some even wanted quarterback Jimmy Clausen once he fell. But the fact of the matter is, the best football teams are built from the front on back, with smart, physical offensive lineman.
The Niners have had one of the worst offensive lines in the league over the past three seasons, having yielded an NFL-worst 150 sacks over that span. This is likely a major factor behind the decision to stick with quarterback Alex Smith, along with the fact that Smith, for the first time, will not enter the season with a new offensive coordinator.
With the addition of both lineman, Frank Gore’s holes will get bigger, Smith will face less pressure, and Singletary’s defense will remain better rested. If the two new additions can tap into even a fraction of their enormous potential in the next year or so, there is a chance for this offense to become scary good. There is little sense in drafting a new quarterback or running back in the first round if you can't give them a decent line to operate behind. If Smith doesn’t work out, we will still have a first-rounder for next year’s Jimmy Clausen.
While the trade to move up from the No. 13 spot to pick Davis at the No. 11 seemed more impatient that tactful, it does show the clear preference that San Francisco had for Davis (a lineman with arguably the most upside in the draft) over other tackles like Bryan Bulaga. Although we lost a fourth-rounder in the process, no one will complain if Davis performs well on game day. Plus, with second- and third-round selections left for Friday, I would bet Niners fans will see at least one defensive back come off the board, if not two.
Quarterback can wait as well, as Smith deserves one more year with emerging weapons in Vernon Davis and Crabtree, and a revamped offensive line. Though a C.J. Spiller or a Dez Bryant would’ve been a lot of fun on draft day, if Davis can reach his potential as a pass protector and Iupati becomes a more polished run-blocker, the Niners could have a lot more Pro Bowlers and playoff runs in their future.
In the wake of the Brandon Marshall and Santonio Holmes trades, the 49ers’ acquisition of Ted Ginn Jr. for a fifth-rounder admittedly pales in comparison. This is mainly because the team did not set out to get Ted Ginn Jr. the receiver, but rather Ted Ginn Jr. the kick/punt returner.
Since the Dolphins selected him ninth overall in the 2007 NFL draft, Ginn has been considered a colossal bust. Unable to recapture the magic from his glory days at Ohio State, the Cleveland native has been very ineffective in the passing game, averaging just under 35 receiving yards per game. While Ginn looked to have been progressing after his sophomore campaign — during which he caught 56 passes for 790 yards and two scores — Ginn regressed mightily in 2009, as he returned to rookie form statistically, frustrated coaches and fans with his untimely drops, and was eventually demoted to the second team receiving corps.
The area Ginn has excelled in most has been the return game. He possesses top end speed, and has returned both kicks and punts for the Dolphins over his career. On occasion, he shows flashes of the athleticism and elusiveness that warranted such a high selection on draft day back in 2007 (well..maybe not warranted). Last season was his best statistically, as Ginn averaged a shade under 25 yards per kick return, with two electrifying touchdowns to his credit.
For a team as starved in the return game as San Francisco, this move makes plenty of sense. Ginn will likely assume both kick and punt returning duties for the 49ers, and should immediately improve the special teams with his speed alone. He also has clear untapped potential as a receiver, and it remains a possibility that Singletary could have a similar impact on him as he did on Vernon Davis. While still unlikely to ever become the No. 1 receiver he was envisioned as on draft day, I’m perfectly willing to give up the 145th best college prospect for an established returner who still has the potential and athleticism to become a solid slot receiver as well. This transaction also makes it even less likely that the Niners will go after C.J. Spiller come Thursday, since a good portion of his value to San Francisco is in the return game. With weaknesses in the secondary and along the offensive line, a returner simply isn’t the need anymore.
The only issue I take with this move is the size of Ginn’s contract. Ginn signed a heavily back-loaded, five-year, $19.6 million contract in 2007. The deal, as well as the selection itself, was heavily criticized by the media, as $14 million were given guaranteed, with Ginn expected to make $1,035,833 in 2010, $1,393,750 in 2011, and a cool $1,393,750 in 2012. There is also a voidable final year in the contract, during which Ginn would be eligible to receive $1,801,667. It remains unclear exactly how much of that contract the Niners will be taking on.
In the end, Ginn will probably cost a good deal of money. There’s also the possibility that the Niners could have addressed the issue equally well with a far cheaper, late-round selection. But then again, if we can shore up the special teams with an established returner, save the Spiller pick for a real star in the secondary, and only forfeit a fifth-rounder in the process, I’ll take that deal any day.
As a Giants fan, you couldn’t have asked for a better opening series. The Gigantes absolutely manhandled the Astros at Minute Maid, picking up right where they left off in Spring Training.
Perhaps you were concerned about Timmy’s sub-par spring? How does zero earned over seven sound? Was Renteria really hurt last season or is he getting old like the rest of our team? The guy posts a ridiculous .727 batting average on the series. Are we going to get second half of 2009 Barry Zito, or the version from the five halves before that? Dude turns in a gem.
Of course, three starts and a handful of swings against a lowly Houston squad means about as much as those extra few seconds of lap dance that some stripper gives you at the end of Cherry Pie — nothing. Yet, it’s still hard to imagine this was all just good luck.
Maybe, just maybe, the Giants got it right this off-season. Defense be damned, perhaps the DeRosa and Huff signings will do some good. DeRosa’s hitting .333 and Huff had possibly the biggest knock of the series when he drove in the first run of Game 2.
I’d also bet that most Giants fans are thrilled to see Bowker out in right over Schierholtz. Bowker destroyed minor league pitching last year with some serious power numbers, and was never really given a fair shot once he made the major league club. On a team where home runs should be few and far between, the Giants can afford to give Bowker an early season test drive. Then again, I’m sure fans would be even more pleased to see Schierholtz take over in center too (But even Rowand got four hits today! All right, maybe things have gotten a little fluky).
But I’m not quite drinking the Kool-Aid just yet. While the Giants inch closer and closer toward what I can only assume will be a 162-win season, some important personnel decisions must be made along the way if this team wants to remain in contention.
1) What to do with Buster Posey
Let's just say come early June, the Giants are in the thick of the NL West playoff race. Let's also suppose Bengie Molina is chugging along at his usual sub-.300 OBP clip (the decline over his last three seasons is as follows: .322, .285, .250). Finally, let's go ahead and guess that Posey is tearing up minor league pitching like he did last season.
If all three of these very feasible scenarios come to fruition, the Giants will have a dilemma on their hands, with three possible scenarios to follow.
(a) They bring up Posey, and let him assume the catching throne while Molina becomes one of the highest paid pinch hitters this side of Boston (see Lowell, Mike). As an added bonus, the Giants increase their team speed tenfold through a rather significant addition by subtraction.
(b) They bring up Posey, and have him split time with Molina behind the dish, with Posey garnering the rest of his AB’s from first base or left field.
(c) They leave him down in Fresno until the rosters expand September 1, letting the young backstop develop behind the plate while delaying his arbitration clock.
One day in June, Sabean is going to hit his breaking point. It’ll probably come after watching Bengie jog toward first after hitting into his major league-leading 900th double play, at which point I can only presume Sabean will proceed to yell: “F--- it! It's Posey time!” Here’s to hoping Sabean chooses (a) over (b). This move will keep DeRosa and Huff in the lineup — both of whom generally have similar HR and RBI totals to Molina with twice the walks — while also easing Posey into the starting catching gig for the future.
2) 5th Starter Spot
Right now, Todd Wellemeyer is penciled in at the back of the rotation. Just like most Sabean signees, Wellemeyer probably won't be very good, however he was great two years ago. If Wellemeyer can somehow revert to 2008 form, there obviously won’t be an issue. But if he struggles out of the gate, the Giants will need a Plan B. If Bumgarner continues to improve, he will likely be the go-to guy. If he keeps losing velocity though, and struggles like he did in Spring Training, the Giants will have to look elsewhere. While there are still guys like Pucetas and Martinez on the farm, the Giants would probably prefer to find a more experienced starter on the open market for the stretch run, a la Brad Penny last season.
3) Leadoff Hitter
Aaron Rowand is not a leadoff hitter by any means. His OBP isn’t terrible, but its been declining steadily over the last few years. He doesn’t steal bases. He strikes out a ton. He looks like a centaur. Unfortunately, there really aren’t any better options in the starting lineup.
The biggest mistake the Giants made this off-season was not signing Chone Figgins. In their search for a “big bat” they failed to pursue a player to consistently get on base for said power hitter. Angel hatred aside, Figgins would’ve been the perfect catalyst to this offense, as well as a talented and versatile fielder who could’ve instantly been our best defender at probably four different positions.
Now we’re stuck with Rowand until we sign someone else or make a trade. I have no suggestions for this beyond using some kind of Hot Tub Time Machine to go back and not cut Rajai Davis. I just really can’t bear to watch Rowand as our leadoff hitter all season. And to those who’ve been clamoring for Velez — the guy can’t take a walk, and it's real hard to steal bases if you’re never on them. I’ve never missed Marvin Benard so much.
With another month left for pro scouts to further dissect prospects before the NFL draft in April, making an accurate mock draft now will work about as well as USC’s recruitment of Reggie Bush would have without the tricked-out Escalade. A lot will change over the next few weeks with injury updates and team pro days, and to be honest, any mock you read before the ides of April will probably leave you irritated and unsatisfied. But damn, they’re fun to read.
So without further ado, here’s my wildly optimistic, seven-round San Francisco 49ers mock draft. It comes admittedly just as much from a fan’s perspective as a general manager’s, but hopefully there’s enough actual insight regarding positional needs and draft stock sprinkled in that each pick might actually be feasible.
Round 1 (13) — Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
Finding another offensive tackle to complement Joe Staley has become San Francisco’s most pressing need. The line has been inconsistent for years, and the lack of depth became even more apparent when Staley went down and missed significant time last season. Coach Singletary cannot afford to mess this pick up, and if he strongly prefers a specific lineman over another when he’s selecting at 13, he'll likely opt to take his guy with the first selection rather than wait.
With Russell Okung and Bruce Campbell probably off the board, the best value picks will be Oklahoma’s Trent Williams and Anthony Davis of Rutgers. The scouting report on Williams suggests that although he was a first-team All-American at left tackle for the Sooners, he projects better as a right tackle in the NFL due to his lack of size. Though this arrangement could work out fine with Staley protecting Alex Smith’s blindside, this is an awfully high slot to select a RT. Davis, whose size and quickness make him the better overall athlete, was said to have looked sluggish at the combine and to have interviewed poorly. According to other sources at Rutgers, he allegedly also struggles with weight control and work ethic issues. With Singletary at the helm, this probably won’t be much of a tough choice at all.
Round 1 (17) — Earl Thomas, S, Texas
A lot of people would love Spiller here if he’s still around — myself included — but running back just isn’t the greatest need. Then again, it's hard to turn down an athlete with Chris Johnson-esque quickness from a big-time program, especially if he falls farther than he should. It's like Megan Fox jumping into a married man’s lap – you shouldn’t but you probably would.
Yes, there are arguments that taking Spiller here is a good move. He would be the lightning to Frank Gore’s thunder in a league that is starting to practically mandate the use of a two-back system. Plus, with the emergence of Dashon Goldson late last year, the Niners might be able to get away with holding off on playmakers in the secondary. Lastly, there’s the anemic return game, which Spiller could easily alleviate in just one season.
The fact is, San Francisco had an atrocious pass defense last year. On a team where Patrick Willis and Co. gave up the fourth-lowest points per game (17.6) yet had the 21st-ranked pass defense, the secondary was clearly the weakest link. Especially in a division that features the pass-happy Arizona Cardinals, the 49ers will need a strong upgrade here if they want any shot at a post-season berth. The team could really use a replacement for the aging Michael Lewis, but either corner position could afford an upgrade as well. Joe Haden would be a terrific fit, but even with his sub-par 40 time at the combine, I’m guessing he’ll be gone before the Niners select. For this reason, my pick is Texas safety Earl Thomas, who might be a bit undersized, but is great in coverage and against the run. He is easily the best safety available after Eric Berry, and while Thomas might not do as much for the return game, there are lots of great returners to be had later on.
It will take a lot of discipline to avoid taking Spiller if he’s there at 17. That being said, I’ll be the first to buy his jersey if they do.
Round 2 (49) — Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU
Yeah, he’ll probably be gone here, but a fall to 49 isn’t that ridiculous. Initially thought of as a late first-round talent, the four-time All American has dropped to the middle of the second in more than a few mock drafts because of issues with his size and technique. Though he compiled 26.5 sacks over his past two seasons, the knock on Hughes is that his overaggressive nature leads to false steps, causing him to suffer in coverage, especially against play action.
Regardless, Hughes is a solid athlete who plays with a mean streak, and could provide the 49ers with the playmaking pass rusher they desperately need. Other edge rusher possibilities include Sean Weatherspoon of Missouri and Penn State’s Navorro Bowman. Sure, the last two are far more likely to be around at this point than Hughes, but then again, there's a reason I don't get paid for doing this.
Dark Horse: Colt McCoy, QB, Texas. No one not named Tim Tebow has a more uncertain draft position this year than McCoy. Reports range from him landing in the bottom of the first round all the way to a day two selection. If he’s around here, Singletary better think long and hard about whether Alex Smith can really run this offense better than an intangible-rich, high character QB who boasts a 70.6 completion percentage.
Round 3 (80) — Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas
My apparent Longhorn fetish aside, Shipley would be a great pick for the scarlet and gold. Likely around this late because of injury concerns (did not once play in all 12 games throughout college), his small stature (6-0, 190 lbs), and a poor combine showing (40 in the 4.6’s). However, there’s plenty to like about the Texas star.
Winner of the hands competition at the 2010 College Football All-Star Challenge in Miami, Shipley had a monstrous senior year, during which he was second in the NCAA in receptions, fourth in yards, and seventh in TD receptions. He would be the perfect complement to playmaking threat Michael Crabtree as a possession receiver and the Niners’ No. 2 wide out. Furthermore, Shipley is a capable kick/punt returner, who could have an immediate impact on special teams.
Compared most frequently to former Tennessee State corner Dominique-Rodgers Cromartie, Owusu-Ansah is a small school name with prime-time game. Though overlooked by pro scouts due to his lack of experience against elite competition, Owusu-Ansah has been shooting up draft boards after a wonderful combine, and has the size (6-0, 207 lbs) and speed (4.47) to develop into a solid corner at the next level. He has great hands and closing speed, with the only known area for improvement being his physicality.
He is also one of the best returners in the draft, and teamed with Shipley could energize San Francisco’s very dormant special teams. While he was once a second day drafterthought (I’ll let the cleverest among you figure that one out), the 49ers will be lucky to still find Owusu-Ansah available in the fourth round.
Round 5 (147) — O’Brien Schofield, OLB, Nebraska
An excellent pass-rushing defensive end at Nebraska, Schofield projects as a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL. He probably would have gone a few rounds higher if he hadn’t torn his ACL in the Senior Bowl. Not a bad gamble for a fifth-rounder.
Round 6 (185) — Trindon Holliday, WR, LSU
Sure he’s tiny at 5-5 and 164 lbs, but size hasn’t limited the likes of Darren Sproles and Leon Washington. Holliday was by all measures the fastest man in college football last year — and a dominant returner — though his diminutive stature will cause far too many teams to pass on him come draft day. Regardless, I’d certainly take a 6th round flyer to see what a man with speed like this could do in space for the 49ers.
Round 6 (209) — Chris Hall, C, Texas
The versatile blocker anchored a national powerhouse line for four seasons. He settled at center after his junior year, but played all five offensive line positions during his tenure. He was a second-team All-Big 12 selection for the second year in a row, and could provide important depth at guard and center.
Round 7 (228) — Chris Chancellor, CB, Clemson
Chancellor has decent speed but lacks great size. He led a Tigers secondary that boasted the 11th ranked pass defense in the nation. Given the time to develop, he could turn into a serviceable backup cornerback.
One of the more interesting statistics I’ve found on the Giants thus far, is that of their 32 losses, only five have been by four runs or more. For much of the season the offense has been the scapegoat, and for good reason (as Matt Cain and his 6-6 record can attest to). However, with the additions of Buster Posey, Pat Burrell, and Freddy Sanchez, coupled with the pleasant continued production from Aubrey Huff, Andres Torres, and Juan Uribe, much of the onus will be falling on the bullpen for the second half.