2014 World Series thread

[qtlaw]

The "myth" of the big game Ace appears in 2014 for the Giants. I certainly love the concept of the ace in a series but rarely does a series go according to expected form (see Zito v. Verlander; Lincecum v. Lee; Kershaw v. Wainwright)

 

[HanSenSE]

The only gripes any Giants fan has against Sabean (the only real gripes, not the normal pissing any team has) are the Zito deal (but even that paid off in 2012) and the Joe Nathan trade. We probably kept Bonds for too long, but that allowed the Giants to draft Posey and the like.

The issues with Sabean were his propensity to go after vets during the later Bonds years to try and build instant winners; to the detriment of the farm system. He famously intentionally signed Reggie Sanders as a FA BEFORE the arb/tender deadline so the Giants would purposely LOSE their 1st rounder. The Giants kept restocking with marginal guys like Edgardo Alfonzo, Sanders, Ellis Burks, Matheny, Kenny Lofton trying to get the magic. Never was sure if that was Sabean or ownership.

Sabean was knocked for a great period of time for not developing one major league hitter (only pitchers Lincecum, Cain); now look at their roster and they have almost all home grown players.

I am looking forward to this but I've got to believe that having an ace like Bumgardner in Gm 1 vs a so-so Shields is a big advantage. Also, Royals have never played at ATT and the quirky outfield (see Gm. 4 NLCS) so that could be a factor.

Giants in 5.

I've always felt that stocking up on veterans, building things around Bonds and, after he was given his walking papers, was more the doing of then-CEO Peter Macgowan and current CEO Larry Baer than Sabean. Had to get asses in the seats to pay off the mortgage, and that was the way to do it, with big names.

 

[Songbird]

Not scoring with the bases loaded, down 3-0, was what killed the Royals.

They're going to start mythologizing Bumgarner.

 

[Chef2]

If I am James Shields, I am making a beeline to Dayton Moore's office to sign the 5-year, $80 million dollar contract they offered him a week or so ago. He is losing massive amounts of money with every start.

If I am Dayton Moore, I set that contract offer on fire and say "Sorry.....those numbers don't sound familiar......how about a 3-year...12 million dollar deal?"

 

[nmmetsfan]

Ask Verlander how hard it is to pitch on extended rest against the Giants. Man you love wrapping up a series as quickly as possible, but Giants showing why the layoff is rough for teams.

You do realize that Royals had one day longer layoff than the Giants, don't you?

If your point was Shields' 10 days off vs. Bumgartner on regular rest, then it's valid.

 

[Vombatus]

Exmediahack -

Have a great time with your dad and son tonight! Go Royals!

VB

 

[Baron Scicluna]

Now, Fox has whored itself to sponsor the singing of God Bless America?
Embarrassing.

Why not? The National Anthem was whored out years ago to TV stars whose shows are just coincidentally are going to be televised next week on the network.

 

[Dick Whitman]

If I am James Shields, I am making a beeline to Dayton Moore's office to sign the 5-year, $80 million dollar contract they offered him a week or so ago. He is losing massive amounts of money with every start.

He has a 3.17 ERA and hasn't missed a start over the last four seasons. He has pitched more than 200 innings eight consecutive seasons.

I suspect that Dayton Moore will be more interested in all of that than one outlier month. At least he should be.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

The Sox have apparently decided Shields is the best available free agent at the price they wish to pay. So there's one suitor. I assume there will be more than a few others.

 

[Big Circus]

If I am James Shields, I am making a beeline to Dayton Moore's office to sign the 5-year, $80 million dollar contract they offered him a week or so ago. He is losing massive amounts of money with every start.

He has a 3.17 ERA and hasn't missed a start over the last four seasons. He has pitched more than 200 innings eight consecutive seasons.

I suspect that Dayton Moore will be more interested in all of that than one outlier month. At least he should be.

Let's be honest here - Dayton is figuring out what he's going to do with the draft pick.

 

[LongTimeListener]

Anybody stick around for the ninth and catch Hunter Strickland? Wow. The Giants have been saying for a week now that they found and fixed a mechanical flaw.

If that's really who he is now ... yowza.

 

[cranberry]

Got Willingham with a curve for the final out, too.