Comments on: Where is the Giants’ Russell Branyan? http://baybridgebaseball.com/2009/05/where-is-giants-russell-branyan/ An A's-Giants blog Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:49:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Ryan http://baybridgebaseball.com/2009/05/where-is-giants-russell-branyan/comment-page-1/#comment-2840 Ryan Fri, 29 May 2009 14:36:28 +0000 http://baybridgebaseball.com/?p=1104#comment-2840 No one has a problem with the length of the Renteria contract. The problem is what Jeff pointed out, that they paid for what they hoped he could become, rather than what he was and what scouts projected he would be. Another problem with the Renteria contract was that their early signing strategy clearly bit them with the amount of money for the his contract; however, it has benefitted them with the Affeldt signing--thus far. No one has a problem with the length of the Renteria contract. The problem is what Jeff pointed out, that they paid for what they hoped he could become, rather than what he was and what scouts projected he would be.

Another problem with the Renteria contract was that their early signing strategy clearly bit them with the amount of money for the his contract; however, it has benefitted them with the Affeldt signing–thus far.

]]> By: GiantsBigWig http://baybridgebaseball.com/2009/05/where-is-giants-russell-branyan/comment-page-1/#comment-2837 GiantsBigWig Thu, 28 May 2009 14:56:44 +0000 http://baybridgebaseball.com/?p=1104#comment-2837 It is well-known that the Giants employed a failed "sign proven vets" strategy in the late Bonds era. Is the same thing still happening now? No. This analysis inappropriately de-contextualizes the signings which the Giants made in the last off-season. The Giants signed Renteria to a two year deal because they had nobody in their farm system who was ready to play SS either offensively or defensively. Frandsen was coming off a blown achilles and his mobility, range, and durability were huge unknowns, not to mention the fact that he has very little big league experience, esp. at SS. Burriss showed signs of defensive woes at SS in the offseason. The Giants had no realistic internal options. Randy Johnson, who was given a one year contract, was clearly signed to hold down a roster spot which will be given to a prospect next year (Pucetas, Bumgarner, Alderson, or Sosa). The Giants release of Correia and Henessey which freed the roster spot was more debatable, especially because Correia's poor numbers were surely impacted by endurance in the late season (he was converted to starter from the pen). Yet, the Giants needed a decent arm for one year and Johnson made a lot of sense once Correia and Hennesey were released. Yes, the Giants clearly overpayed, but they acted aggresively and early in the offseason and were left looking foolish when the market subsequently fell. It wasn't crystal clear that the market was going to fall and I doubt that many guessed it would fall as much as it did (look at the contract Orlando Hudson received... who would have guessed in advance it would be that low... I doubt that YOU did). It is well-known that the Giants employed a failed “sign proven vets” strategy in the late Bonds era. Is the same thing still happening now? No. This analysis inappropriately de-contextualizes the signings which the Giants made in the last off-season. The Giants signed Renteria to a two year deal because they had nobody in their farm system who was ready to play SS either offensively or defensively. Frandsen was coming off a blown achilles and his mobility, range, and durability were huge unknowns, not to mention the fact that he has very little big league experience, esp. at SS. Burriss showed signs of defensive woes at SS in the offseason. The Giants had no realistic internal options. Randy Johnson, who was given a one year contract, was clearly signed to hold down a roster spot which will be given to a prospect next year (Pucetas, Bumgarner, Alderson, or Sosa). The Giants release of Correia and Henessey which freed the roster spot was more debatable, especially because Correia’s poor numbers were surely impacted by endurance in the late season (he was converted to starter from the pen). Yet, the Giants needed a decent arm for one year and Johnson made a lot of sense once Correia and Hennesey were released. Yes, the Giants clearly overpayed, but they acted aggresively and early in the offseason and were left looking foolish when the market subsequently fell. It wasn’t crystal clear that the market was going to fall and I doubt that many guessed it would fall as much as it did (look at the contract Orlando Hudson received… who would have guessed in advance it would be that low… I doubt that YOU did).

]]> By: Augustus http://baybridgebaseball.com/2009/05/where-is-giants-russell-branyan/comment-page-1/#comment-2833 Augustus Wed, 27 May 2009 23:44:40 +0000 http://baybridgebaseball.com/?p=1104#comment-2833 I think this column is, perhaps uncharacteristically, silly. Branyan is thirty-four, and has been with ten teams and been let go. His lifetime BA is .235. Either he's having a freak year or--the greater probability--he will go bust. The Giants have so far done very well with Justin Miller and Brandon Medders, in similar situations, and may do equally well with Torres. I think this column is, perhaps uncharacteristically, silly. Branyan is thirty-four, and has been with ten teams and been let go. His lifetime BA is .235. Either he’s having a freak year or–the greater probability–he will go bust. The Giants have so far done very well with Justin Miller and Brandon Medders, in similar situations, and may do equally well with Torres.

]]> By: Mike http://baybridgebaseball.com/2009/05/where-is-giants-russell-branyan/comment-page-1/#comment-2832 Mike Wed, 27 May 2009 12:57:54 +0000 http://baybridgebaseball.com/?p=1104#comment-2832 Guzman might be another example, although we'll have to wait and see. But yes, the Giants have too often gone for players on the way down. Guzman might be another example, although we’ll have to wait and see. But yes, the Giants have too often gone for players on the way down.

]]> By: doug http://baybridgebaseball.com/2009/05/where-is-giants-russell-branyan/comment-page-1/#comment-2831 doug Wed, 27 May 2009 08:25:13 +0000 http://baybridgebaseball.com/?p=1104#comment-2831 When was the last time the Giants got more than their money’s worth out of someone they acquired, either via trade or free agency? - winn and molina? their value to the team in the last few years is far greater than the money spent on them. When was the last time the Giants got more than their money’s worth out of someone they acquired, either via trade or free agency?
- winn and molina? their value to the team in the last few years is far greater than the money spent on them.

]]> By: daniel http://baybridgebaseball.com/2009/05/where-is-giants-russell-branyan/comment-page-1/#comment-2830 daniel Wed, 27 May 2009 06:42:38 +0000 http://baybridgebaseball.com/?p=1104#comment-2830 so true so true

]]>