Post by Strategist on Jan 4, 2020 18:14:16 GMT
2018 Review:
Record: 87-75 2nd in NL West. R/G Scored: 11th (NL) R/G Against: 2nd (NL)
Starting the Offseason:
Lineup: The Giants who struggled to score in 2018 had a solid core to build around with Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Seager, Corey Dickerson, and Kyle Schwarber. Only key hitter hitting FA was Nelson Cruz but Schwarber could take his place in the OF. Had holes at C, 2B, and CF. Filled the catcher position by signing the best FA catcher available in Yasmani Grandal. They did trade away Dickerson which was a bit odd although they did get a good return. They also signed Jose Iglesias to upgrade the defense at SS.
Rotation: Multiple Cy Young winner Max Scherzer headline their rotation but after him there were mainly average to below average pitchers that had overperformed in 2018 which I think is partly due to the home stadium that they pitched in. They did flip Micheal Wacha who was in the last year of his deal for a prospect. Rotation was going to be Scherzer, Pablo Lopez, Caleb Smith, Jake Odorizzi, and Anthony Desclafani.
Bullpen: The bullpen was full of above average pitchers. It didn't really have that bullpen ace or two that great bullpens have but should be solid overall.
Early/Mid Season:
Was decent the first 2 months being 3 games over .500 but a June/July prolong swoon saw the team go 17 and 34. Then I think their was an owner change who decided to make some changes and put Scherzer on the block and eventually traded for a huge haul.
In Conclusion:
Out of playoff contention the Giants reeled off a record of 35-19 over the last 2 months to finish 80-82 3rd in the NL West 20 GB.
Lineup: 12th (NL) in runs scored. The lineup let them down once again this season. Finishing in the bottom 3 in most NL categories. Schwarber hit 37 HRs with a .373 OBP and a 128 OPS+, coupled with Rizzo's .373 OBP 123 OPS+ provided the lineup with a good 3 and 4 hole but there were too many negatives to overcome. Yairo Munoz got 500 ABs at 2B and hit .198. Seager hit .212 in over 600 ABs. Cargo hit .230 in 400 ABs. This lineup just needed more depth too it.
Rotation: 4th (NL) in starters' ERA. Scherzer pitched great while with the team. Glasnow (acquired for Scherzer) pitched very well in his 10 starts. Pablo Lopez, Jake Odorizzi pitched well while only Caleb Smith struggled.
Bullpen: 5th (NL) in bullpen ERA. AS a whole the bullpen pitched very well. only Luke Gregerson had an ERA above 3.77. Carlos Alejandro Ramirez stands out going 10-0 with a 1.97 ERA .86 WHIP 161 Ks in 92 GP and 100.1 IP. Pretty dominant.
Trade Overview:
LF Corey Dickerson for SP Antonio Santillan, and SS Tyler Frank - Got a very good return on this trade as Santillan was a fringe top 100 prospect and Frank was a 2018 2nd round pick who had hit amazing in half season of rookie ball. Still a little confusing as the Giants needed hitting.
SP Micheal Wacha for SP Karlo Seijas - Wacha was a below average SP who was going to be a FA after the season so getting anything for him is a bit surprising but Seijas isn't much of a prospect but at least he is something.
SP Max Scherzer for SP Tyler Glasnow, RF Jesus Sanchez, 1B Grant Lavigne and SS Brice Turang - Pretty Amazing haul for 1 player. Glasnow has pitched like an ace in his season worth of stats with the Rays. Sanchez, and Turang are top 75 overall prospects and Lavigne was a 2nd Round pick in 2018 that has big time upside. Obviously Glasnow isn't as good as Scherzer this year or for next season's sim but in as little as 3 years he could be the more valuable pitcher of the 2 being that he is only 25 and will be entering his prime soon.
Free Agency Overview:
C Yasmani Grandal 4 yr 83 Mil - IRL signed a similar contract of 4 yr 73 Mil so I think this contract for a year younger Grandal is a good value. Hit .222/.349/.411 22 HRs and 110 OPS+ while providing very good defense. Finished as one of the top catchers in the game again. Should maintain his value throughout the contract. A-
Jose Iglesias 3 yr 25.6 Mil - .241/.311/.341 for a 81 OPS+ but this signing was more about his elite SS defense then his offense. For a team that needs offense I don't love giving a 3 yr deal and 8+ Mil to a glove first defender. With Tim Anderson's IRL year he should be able to move 1 of the 2 for help at another position. B-
Overall a very productive FA class even if it was small. B+
Record: 87-75 2nd in NL West. R/G Scored: 11th (NL) R/G Against: 2nd (NL)
Starting the Offseason:
Lineup: The Giants who struggled to score in 2018 had a solid core to build around with Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Seager, Corey Dickerson, and Kyle Schwarber. Only key hitter hitting FA was Nelson Cruz but Schwarber could take his place in the OF. Had holes at C, 2B, and CF. Filled the catcher position by signing the best FA catcher available in Yasmani Grandal. They did trade away Dickerson which was a bit odd although they did get a good return. They also signed Jose Iglesias to upgrade the defense at SS.
Rotation: Multiple Cy Young winner Max Scherzer headline their rotation but after him there were mainly average to below average pitchers that had overperformed in 2018 which I think is partly due to the home stadium that they pitched in. They did flip Micheal Wacha who was in the last year of his deal for a prospect. Rotation was going to be Scherzer, Pablo Lopez, Caleb Smith, Jake Odorizzi, and Anthony Desclafani.
Bullpen: The bullpen was full of above average pitchers. It didn't really have that bullpen ace or two that great bullpens have but should be solid overall.
Early/Mid Season:
Was decent the first 2 months being 3 games over .500 but a June/July prolong swoon saw the team go 17 and 34. Then I think their was an owner change who decided to make some changes and put Scherzer on the block and eventually traded for a huge haul.
In Conclusion:
Out of playoff contention the Giants reeled off a record of 35-19 over the last 2 months to finish 80-82 3rd in the NL West 20 GB.
Lineup: 12th (NL) in runs scored. The lineup let them down once again this season. Finishing in the bottom 3 in most NL categories. Schwarber hit 37 HRs with a .373 OBP and a 128 OPS+, coupled with Rizzo's .373 OBP 123 OPS+ provided the lineup with a good 3 and 4 hole but there were too many negatives to overcome. Yairo Munoz got 500 ABs at 2B and hit .198. Seager hit .212 in over 600 ABs. Cargo hit .230 in 400 ABs. This lineup just needed more depth too it.
Rotation: 4th (NL) in starters' ERA. Scherzer pitched great while with the team. Glasnow (acquired for Scherzer) pitched very well in his 10 starts. Pablo Lopez, Jake Odorizzi pitched well while only Caleb Smith struggled.
Bullpen: 5th (NL) in bullpen ERA. AS a whole the bullpen pitched very well. only Luke Gregerson had an ERA above 3.77. Carlos Alejandro Ramirez stands out going 10-0 with a 1.97 ERA .86 WHIP 161 Ks in 92 GP and 100.1 IP. Pretty dominant.
Trade Overview:
LF Corey Dickerson for SP Antonio Santillan, and SS Tyler Frank - Got a very good return on this trade as Santillan was a fringe top 100 prospect and Frank was a 2018 2nd round pick who had hit amazing in half season of rookie ball. Still a little confusing as the Giants needed hitting.
SP Micheal Wacha for SP Karlo Seijas - Wacha was a below average SP who was going to be a FA after the season so getting anything for him is a bit surprising but Seijas isn't much of a prospect but at least he is something.
SP Max Scherzer for SP Tyler Glasnow, RF Jesus Sanchez, 1B Grant Lavigne and SS Brice Turang - Pretty Amazing haul for 1 player. Glasnow has pitched like an ace in his season worth of stats with the Rays. Sanchez, and Turang are top 75 overall prospects and Lavigne was a 2nd Round pick in 2018 that has big time upside. Obviously Glasnow isn't as good as Scherzer this year or for next season's sim but in as little as 3 years he could be the more valuable pitcher of the 2 being that he is only 25 and will be entering his prime soon.
Free Agency Overview:
C Yasmani Grandal 4 yr 83 Mil - IRL signed a similar contract of 4 yr 73 Mil so I think this contract for a year younger Grandal is a good value. Hit .222/.349/.411 22 HRs and 110 OPS+ while providing very good defense. Finished as one of the top catchers in the game again. Should maintain his value throughout the contract. A-
Jose Iglesias 3 yr 25.6 Mil - .241/.311/.341 for a 81 OPS+ but this signing was more about his elite SS defense then his offense. For a team that needs offense I don't love giving a 3 yr deal and 8+ Mil to a glove first defender. With Tim Anderson's IRL year he should be able to move 1 of the 2 for help at another position. B-
Overall a very productive FA class even if it was small. B+