I sat down with Bill Neukom before tonight's Giants/Braves game. I'll write a column about our interview to run on Sunday and I'll post the transcript on Saturday. Here's a sampling of Neukom -- intelligent, forthcoming, patient. I asked if the Giants will pick up a power hitter this season.
Neukom: "I'm not sure we have the foundation where a big bat wins 15 more games for us. We'll take a look as we get into June and July and see if something's there, if someone - I won't say distress sale - but if somebody is available because of the economy and the finances of that franchise. We think there's going to be more of a market place before the trade deadline than there has in past years because of the economy."
Neukom means, I think, the Giants will be shrewd, not reckless. They are looking to win more games than they lose. They are not looking to win the World Series in this first year under a new administration. I think they will win more than they lose. More from Neukom over the weekend.
They better not trade Cain
Translation = don't hold your breath for a big bat this year. Basically, Neukom and the front office will not spend big money on big bats or anybody. Thanks to the Zito deal. WE had Magowan who would spend big money on the wrong people except for bonds.
now we have Neukom who will not spend any money and enjoys watching 2-1 losing games. If the giants are really going young then let's release aurillia, uribe and trade winn, rowand and molina for more farm system players! don't give me half young kids and half broken down vets!
"They better not trade Cain"--is right. I have confidence in the Giants' current approach. Sabean blew it the last 3 or 4 Bonds' years by not drafting some good position players, but he's back on track now. Keeping Lincecum, Cain and Sanchez was the wise move. The minor league guys are the real deal--just a couple of years away. Posey's a stud in waiting. Crawford could be another Tulowitzki and Villalona's a beast. We need to be patient. We want the whole thing in a few years--not a final product watered down by some dumb short term deals. The Giants are on the right track. Lowell, looking forward to your article re Neukom.
Lowell, after 4 years of losing baseball, it is hard to get excited about a team that has no aspirations of at least trying to shoot down the Dodgers. Who cares if they finish a couple of games over .500, if they are 9 or 10 games out of the race, especially in a division where 4 out of 5 teams in the division are calling it in by the trade deadline. Did Neukom say anything about getting rid of the person responsible for this poor showing the last 4 years (Sabean) before he trades away what few prospects are left for an overpaid over the hill veteran? At least a change in GM would offer hope if it is someone who knows what he is doing.
Bill Neukom appears to be on the right track. I also try to excercise patience with the Giants, and I am just a fan.
It is fun watching the younger guys trying to develop into future stars. I realize that I have been critical of Fred Lewis' play, but it has also been refreshing to see him exhibit some recent confidence.
I really do not expect any trades to happen in the near future, and maybe the local media should start to pace itself on getting that elusive big bat.
I think that Willie McCovey had some great perspective about this year's team. They need to be patient. It's also nice that McCovey likes to see Sandoval play ball, and his progress as a player. Once again patience needs to play-out with respect to Sandoval's elbow. I would prefer to see him land on the 15 day DL vs. blowing out his elbow, if he returns prematurely to action.