Bengie Molina's remarkable pinch-hit home run last night was made even more remarkable by the fact that he was pinch-hitting for Ryan Garko, the clean-up hitter.
You could see the move as the ultimate sign of respect for Bengie, or you could see it as a big vote of no-confidence in Garko. No one on the Giants, least of all Bochy, would ever profess the latter, of course. I think it was a little of both, but nothing to blow up into a grand statement. Garko's just not swinging it well right now, and Bochy went with the guy most likely to pop one if the pitcher made a mistake.
Likewise, I'll make no proclamations that Garko's a goner this winter. But we can start to read the first of the tea leaves to settle on the bottom of the cup. Remember that Garko's in line for arbitration, probably a salary in the $2 million-$4 million range, and he's given the Giants no indication he can be a middle-of-the-order guy day in and day out. He's hit into some bad luck (.233 BABIP with the Giants), but hitting with power helps overcome bad luck, too. The ball's harder to catch when it's flying over or into the outfield fences.
His body of work over a few years says he'll come around, especially against left-handers, and the Giants will sorely need right-handed bats again next year. But I'll bet the Giants are suspicious that the power might never return. He's under their control, so they don't have to decide about his status until the new year. I'll bet they take their time in the first base aisle of the market this winter.
What say you: With Ishikawa earning the minimum again next year, should the Giants simply stick to a Garkokawa platoon and upgrade the offense elsewhere? Are there any free agents you'd like to see come aboard? (Yuck. That's not a pretty list.)
