Even before the Cody Ross Era began last night with a clean single and a run scored, I was struck by the cynical punditry disguised as faint praise that followed the waiver claim. Now that the Giants have lost no one either through trade or DFA (except for Matt Downs, perhaps), the Ross move is all upside. Let me count the ways:
1) The Giants pay him $1.1 million the rest of the year. Big deal.
2) He's got excellent career and season numbers against LHP.
3) He's an above-average fielder.
4) The Padres don't get him, even if there was little chance of them making a claim.
5) He's insurance for this year. Jose Guillen is hitting well, but doing little else of value. If, as seems entirely possible, his knees blow up in the next week, Ross is a welcome replacement. (In fact, you could argue he's a welcome replacement now.)
6) He's insurance for next year. Expensive insurance, sure, as arbitration would likely boost his salary above $6 million, but right now, the Giants have Torres, Rowand, Schierholtz, and DeRosa as outfield possibilities under control for next year. Huff might price himself out of town; it's hard to say how the team will approach Burrell, who could be worth a nice one-year deal, but whose "old-player" skills are always in danger of going south fast. Thomas Neal is probably their best shot at a surprise rookie, but he's had one half of a good season at Double-A. Who knows if DeRosa's wrist will recover, who knows if Rowand's game will recover (it doesn't look good), who knows if Torres can sustain the magic and/or his healthy hammies....you get the picture.
7) Rosters expand in one week, which means the current bullpen shortage is very short term. Plus the Giants have a day off Thursday.
Explain to me what's not to like. Other notes:
- BP's Kevin Goldstein yesterday listed several minor-leaguers who could help their parent clubs in September. I expected to see only one Giant farmhand: Brandon Belt, who could be on his way to a Minor-League-Hitter of the Year type award. He's been that good across two leagues, High A and Double A. Instead, I saw this:
Rafael Cova, RHP, San Francisco Giants (Double-A Richmond)
Cova, a strong-armed righty who has bounced around three organizations and had a pair of stints in Mexico, is already 28. That's a bit damning, but he's having a good year--he's been touching 97-98 mph with a fastball that normally sits in the mid 90s. His command and control remain an issue, but at the same time, he's allowed just 25 hits in 491/3 innings while striking out 56. He's a late bloomer for sure, but also close to being rewarded for his persistence.
I'm ashamed to say I've barely registered Cova except when, perusing stat sheets, his name made me think of a very American movie.
- Jonathan Sanchez pitches tonight. The last time he had two consecutive quality starts (at least 6 IP, at most 3 ER): April 14 vs. Pittsburgh and April 20 vs. San Diego.
- First-round pick Gary Brown made his professional debut last night in the Arizona rookie league.
1) The Giants pay him $1.1 million the rest of the year. Big deal.
2) He's got excellent career and season numbers against LHP.
3) He's an above-average fielder.
4) The Padres don't get him, even if there was little chance of them making a claim.
5) He's insurance for this year. Jose Guillen is hitting well, but doing little else of value. If, as seems entirely possible, his knees blow up in the next week, Ross is a welcome replacement. (In fact, you could argue he's a welcome replacement now.)
6) He's insurance for next year. Expensive insurance, sure, as arbitration would likely boost his salary above $6 million, but right now, the Giants have Torres, Rowand, Schierholtz, and DeRosa as outfield possibilities under control for next year. Huff might price himself out of town; it's hard to say how the team will approach Burrell, who could be worth a nice one-year deal, but whose "old-player" skills are always in danger of going south fast. Thomas Neal is probably their best shot at a surprise rookie, but he's had one half of a good season at Double-A. Who knows if DeRosa's wrist will recover, who knows if Rowand's game will recover (it doesn't look good), who knows if Torres can sustain the magic and/or his healthy hammies....you get the picture.
7) Rosters expand in one week, which means the current bullpen shortage is very short term. Plus the Giants have a day off Thursday.
Explain to me what's not to like. Other notes:
- BP's Kevin Goldstein yesterday listed several minor-leaguers who could help their parent clubs in September. I expected to see only one Giant farmhand: Brandon Belt, who could be on his way to a Minor-League-Hitter of the Year type award. He's been that good across two leagues, High A and Double A. Instead, I saw this:
Rafael Cova, RHP, San Francisco Giants (Double-A Richmond)
Cova, a strong-armed righty who has bounced around three organizations and had a pair of stints in Mexico, is already 28. That's a bit damning, but he's having a good year--he's been touching 97-98 mph with a fastball that normally sits in the mid 90s. His command and control remain an issue, but at the same time, he's allowed just 25 hits in 49
I'm ashamed to say I've barely registered Cova except when, perusing stat sheets, his name made me think of a very American movie.
- Jonathan Sanchez pitches tonight. The last time he had two consecutive quality starts (at least 6 IP, at most 3 ER): April 14 vs. Pittsburgh and April 20 vs. San Diego.
- First-round pick Gary Brown made his professional debut last night in the Arizona rookie league.
