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

08.06.2008
The Sanchez Cascade

UPDATE: Baggarly now says no need to panic about Sergio Romo. The Giants had to designate Romo for assignment on a technicality, but he’ll stay on the 40–man roster and report to Triple-A Friday. I’m sure we’ll see him and Matos, also sent to AAA, back in S.F. in September.

***

Jonathan Sanchez had another short outing last night, the latest in a string of bad performances that make inquiring minds wonder if he has hit the wall.

He has reached his career high in innings pitched, and he’s only 25. At first blush, it seems easy to say shut him down. Protect his arm. There’s no reason to push him. At second blush, too. But the decision would have a ripple effect throughout the pitching staff.

First, he would need a replacement. Pat Misch or Brad Hennessey could return to the bigs and probably do what Sanchez has done the past month: 4 or 5 innings and 4 or 5 earned runs per start. Ugly, but whatever.

Problem is, the Giants will also soon decide whether to ease back on Tim Lincecum. Doing so would open a second gap in the rotation for more Triple-A filler. Steve Hammond, who came over in the Ray Durham trade, is one enticing possibility, and there’s a vacant spot on the 40–man roster.  

If Sanchez and Lincecum stay in the rotation but have their pitch count severely curtailed, it means even more tax on a bullpen that already has to follow frequent short outings from Kevin Correia and Barry Zito. Come September, that’s fine, as half of Fresno can come join the party. But in the long dreary stretch of August, we could sit through a lot more games like last night. Another thought: Would it put more pressure on Matt Cain to go deep into games?

Oops — already there’s fallout. Today Yabu and Sadler were recalled, and Romo and Matos, who gave up a combined eight runs last night, were sent down to Fresno. And maybe double-oops: Andy Baggarly writes that the Giants screwed up the procedure on Romo and might lose him entirely… stay tuned to his blog to find out more.

I’d like to see the Giants get more creative. How about a 6–man rotation? How about assigning two relievers who can throw multiple innings to shadow Sanchez and Lincecum? How about letting Sanchez skip every other turn? Another option is an 8–man bullpen to absorb the punishment. But that would require dropping one of the position players. Has Rich Aurilia cleared waivers yet?



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[August 6, 2008 4:29 PM]  |  link  |  reply
obsessivegiantscompulsive said

Dang, had a long comment ate up by tech error!!!

Baggs sez Romo not lost.

Giants have talked about 6 man rotation earlier this season. Another route I've thrown out is keep to 5 man, but 5th spot is split between two starters, giving them 10 days rest.

Expect Giants to let Lincecum pitch as long as he is OK physically. He didn't like getting shut down last season and said he doesn't want to be shut down this season; some noted that he is up for Cy Young the way he is pitching, he won't win if he's shut down.

Giants cannot afford to make him mad. His camp is looking at year to year contracts, we will have to listen to his needs and desires if we hope to keep him after arbitration years. Can't make him feel worse about org, he was not happy with Alex Rios Affair last off season, even if that was Blue Jays loose lips doing it.

[August 6, 2008 4:50 PM]  |  link  |  reply
ELM said

>Dang, had a long comment ate up by tech error!!!

Sometimes our server is slow. When you're done writing, hit the Post button once and leave it alone.

[August 6, 2008 8:11 PM]  |  link  |  reply
trilljester said

I did not catch the game last night, but what was up with Romo? Just not hitting his locations? Braves were seeing him well?