When the Giants Come to Town, It's Bye-Bye Baby

05.30.2007
No More Jimmy-Jackin' Around

On the radio this morning, Mike Krukow didn’t back down from his scathing comments last night during the wrap. He started with this: “I’d be a bad GM, because I’d be releasing guys right and left.”

About Benitez’s performance, he said the first balk call was “ticky-tack.” The second balk, however, “was a high school balk.” And what was worse, he asked, “the balk or the leadoff walk to Reyes?” Both were “unforgivable.”

So, any viable alternatives to Benitez? Ortiz is “a candidate” but “can he throw enough strikes”? “The number one job as a reliever is you have to throw strikes.”

Hennessey is the best strike thrower in the bullpen, but he’s tentative right now because he’s lost his slider. What about Lincecum? “Do you subject him to the rigors of closing? They’re already handling him with kid gloves.” Closing is terrible on the arm, worse than starting. “I would look at other options before him. You don’t risk that arm.”

(I agree.)

So, Kruk, what should Sabean do to make this team better? The one strength in this organization is starting pitching, he said, but messing with the rotation — no way. Leave it where it’s at. “Five for five.”

He then stated the obvious: Bring in another arm in the bullpen and another hitter. But how? Do you want to trade prospects to roll the dice and make a run at this year? He wasn’t sure how strong the minor-league prospects are, but he said “I hope so,” and emphasized the decisions have to be made in the next couple weeks.

Again, I agree. The Giants don’t have until the trade deadline to tread water. Here’s what to do immediately:

1) Trade Armando Benitez for anything or anyone. A utility player. A single-A prospect. A player to be named later. Just get him off the roster and his salary off the books. The money the Giants save (this year's $7.6 M salary pro-rated, and $3.2 million in future signing bonuses) could be applied toward another incoming player. They may not be able to trade him without swallowing some of that cash, but at least try. If no one wants him, release him, but only as a measure of absolute final last resort.

2) Make Russ Ortiz the closer. Give him a month. Why the hell not? If that feels too squeamish, give the job to Hennessey for all the good work he's done this year. If Bob Wickman and Chad Cordero can close ballgames, Hennessey sure as hell could.

3) Keep Ortiz healthy. As soon as the opportunity arises, trade him (or Matt Morris, or Noah Lowry) for a big right-handed bat. First base, third base and right field are all slots for a new player. Aurilia, Klesko, Feliz and the Lewis/Ortmeier platoon are expendable. Don't make this trade for trading's sake, of course. The Giants don't need Richie Sexson, and they don't need a three-month rent-a-player.
Also on the Network:



[May 30, 2007 6:11 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Anonymous said

I don't agree with the dump at all costs analysis. If the salary can be moved for Ricky Ledee Jr. or Cody Ransom, fine. But if not, leave him in the dugout to pitch in blowouts.

And as for "who else", I don't know why anyone cares. Benitez is lousy. The fact that there isn't another closer doesn't somehow justify running him out in the 9th. There's always a chance someone else will emerge, and I guarantee someone else can do what he is currently doing.

Unfortunately, the offense is bad too, so I don't think getting a closer will suddenly make a playoff team. If the bats wake up, or another hitter can be brought in, then it will be time to think about finding a real closer.

Until then, sit him on the Edgardo Alfonzo Memorial Bench and let someone (or everyone) else in the bullpen pitch the 9th. It can't be worse.

[May 30, 2007 6:13 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Barrataria said

Sorry lefty, that was me.

[May 30, 2007 6:24 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Boof said

I agree with the sentiment of get Buttmando out of town and don't worry about what you get back in return (I'd be satisfied with a bag of garden mulch). However, you are fooling yourself if the Giants are going to save one penny of salary in any deal. They are going to have to pay the entire salary to get some team to takie him off our hands. That was the case even in Spring training when Florida offered Yusmeiro Petit for Blownitez, but the Giants were going to have to shoulder most of the salary in that deal.

[May 30, 2007 7:41 PM]  |  link  |  reply
sfgfan said

If you go with the true "take what you can get" mojo, then I think some team would be willing to shoulder most of the load (both Armando and most of his salary). I don't really care if the team gets back some Single-A player who's been there for 3 or 4 years. Anything to take (any portion of) Armando off the books would work.

Of course Florida would expect the Giants to shoulder most of the salary in an Armando deal. For one, they're cheap. For another, Petit is still a decent (if not better) prospect.

[May 30, 2007 9:27 PM]  |  link  |  reply
ELM said

>Petit is still a decent (if not better) prospect.

Unfortunately, Petit is now a member of the D-Backs, who got him for Jorge Julio.

If the Giants could get Mando's salary off the books, it would be a coup. It's a lot of money that could go toward a mid-season acquisition.

[May 30, 2007 9:44 PM]  |  link  |  reply
BawLa said

Now that's what I've been waiting for! Taschner and Hennessey shutting down the 8th and 9th. It feels good...it feels really good.

[May 31, 2007 2:27 PM]  |  link  |  reply
#99 said

I agree you must get rid of Benitez immediately. Did you catch the lame excuse for not being available the next night? Is it really a surprise that Armando had a melt down when it counted. Haven't we been waiting for the other shoe to drop since the season started?

Actually if you check out his stats they look pretty decent. I'm betting this is probably his 'high water mark' for the season. Now is the time to get rid of him for anything.

Just read the Giants have been scouting Melvin Mora. Interesting but certainly not young. Hope they don't give up too much.