This is in praise of Giants' GM Brian Sabean. Last year people were writing me saying Sabean should get fired. I never fired him in my column or on the Cohn Zohn. I believe he is a good baseball man, better than most.
It was a hard position to defend. I know that. And I know readers can point to lots of crummy things he's done over the years. Let's not go over that yet again.
Look at this season. The Dodgers are coming to town tonight and this series actually matters. It's August and the Giants still matter. That is almost incredible given their recent history of awfulness. The Giants certainly matter as a wild card contender but they also matter as a contender in the NL West. The Dodgers are only 5 1/2 games in the lead. And the Dodgers have highly questionable starting pitching. They do not have an ace. They are hurting. They are vulnerable.
I'm not saying the Giants will end up in the playoffs -- they could -- but I'm saying they have made great strides and they've done it without the power hitter they need and presumbably will get some day. They have terrific starting pitching -- better than the Dodgers -- they have mostly good relievers and interesting/effective players in Pablo Sandoval, Bengie Molina and Freddy Sanchez. Aaron Rowand has improved from last season but never will be great.
The Giants play hard and even though they flopped against the Reds they are a factor in the National League. You give Sabean credit for this. And you also credit manager Bruce Bochy.
They made the Giants a factor.
Lowell, agreed that some credit would go to Sabean, but I feel the team has done better than expected despite Sabean's actions this season. He has done marginally better this year because his job is on the line, what about the past 4 losing seasons, with all the terrible signings and acquisitions? It is easy to just blame it on Peter Magowan, but Sabean was the GM when all this was happening so he deserves the criticism too.
Glad you're back! Hope you had a good vacation. I agree that Sabean should get some credit. Also, Velez, who is playing like the Giants' chosen one!
Lowell: I do think that it is important to give credit where credit is due. Sabean (like all GMs) has made his share of mistakes. But one that he didn't make was the re-signing of Jason Schmidt. A lot of Giant fans were upset with Sabean for letting him go to the Dodgers. His performance with the Dodgers over the last 3 years makes the Zito signing look masterful!
The Giants are competitive and a much more entertaining team to watch than in previous years. They have developed a strong minor league system and unlike most MLB franchises today they are on pace to draw more people to AT&T Park than LAST YEAR.
I'm not sure what the measurables are in reviewing Sabean's performance but I think the Giants should re-sign him.
Still managed to get that jab in there at the end of the entry? They can't just be the team tied for the wild card lead. They have to have "flopped" this weekend.
Did anyone even notice that the team that "only has two pitchers" according to many experts won the last 3 starts by their 3,4 and 5 guys. This team is getting better at the right time.
Humm Baby.
I agree that Sabean deserves some credit for the Giants' recent success. + I have been fairly outspoken that he should have been fired. At this point in time Sabean should be rewarded with a one year contract. It would probably be a good idea for year-to-year contracts, at this point in time. While we are at it, let's reward another year to Bochy.
I have a hunch that their minor league system has something to do with Sabean's supervision.
I still am not sure about all of his decisions, and I am referring to the current roster and not ones that were made in previous years.
Why are Fred Lewis and Rich Aurilia still on the current squad ?? These guys appear to be our key pinch hitters and I know they get an ocassional hit, but it looks like they strike out when it's time for a clutch hit.
I have never doubted Sabean's baseball knowledge. I had felt that he had worn-out his productive time of being the GM, and I was surprised and happy to see the Giants make the trades that they did, prior to the deadline.