By Kerry Crowley | [email protected] | Bay Area News GroupPUBLISHED: April 15, 2019 at 8:47 am | UPDATED: April 15, 2019 at 8:49 am WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Padres are growing up before our eyes, the Dodgers suddenly look fallible and the Rockies are a shadow of their former selves. The first two-plus weeks of the season offered a slew of surprising developments in the National League West, but the Giants didn’t contribute many. Through 17 games, the Giants are who we (experts, media and fans) thought they would be. The familiar, predictable script the Giants have been following isn’t going to produce a contender, but a few edits could go a long way toward improving the overall product. The Giants may not be the most compelling team, but no bullpen in baseball can compete with the eight-man unit from San Francisco. In 58 innings, Giants relievers have allowed just 12 earned runs and struck out 55 hitters. Six of the eight relievers have sub-2.00 ERAs while … [Read more...] about Giants-Nationals preview: Should Zaidi trade from bullpen surplus to address lineup?
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Is MLB hocking ‘LOOGY’ from game? Giants alum Javier Lopez bemoans new rule
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Former Giant Javier Lopez had one thought when he heard that starting in 2020 major-league relievers will need to face at least three hitters when they trot in from the bullpen. “I was thankful I was retired,” Lopez said Friday. The rule change, which the league hopes will shorten games, should signal the death of the “LOOGY” — the left-handed one-out guy. Or at least thin their ranks. Lopez was LOOGY royalty, earning three World Series rings with the Giants as a side-winding pitcher who usually had one job, and both sides could foretell his entrance innings in advance. Manager Bruce Bochy used Lopez to neutralize the opponent’s left-handed monster bat. In 2010, his ownership of Ryan Howard was a big factor in the Giants’ National League Championship Series victory over the Phillies. Lopez knew when he came to work each day that he would spend hours of preparation for a minute or two of sweat. According to … [Read more...] about Is MLB hocking ‘LOOGY’ from game? Giants alum Javier Lopez bemoans new rule
MLB rumors: Phillies’ ‘total focus’ is on Bryce Harper; Are Giants, Nationals, Padres, White Sox out?
After missing out on free-agent third baseman Manny Machado, who agreed to a 10-year, $300 million contract with the San Diego Padres, the Philadelphia Phillies appear to be all-in for free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper.MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports the Phillies’ “total focus" is on Harper.Phillies' total focus right now is on bryce harper. after harper signs (either with them or elsewhere), philly will consider dallas keuchel and/or craig kimbrel. one person thought keuchel's more likely since the pen is solid with robertson is aboard, but it could be either guy.— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 21, 2019 Harper and his agent, Scott Boras, are shopping for a deal which exceeds the package the Padres threw at Machado. Harper reportedly rejected a 10-year, $300 million offer from the Washington Nationals before the end of the 2018 season, and is looking to get more than the $325 million Giancarlo Stanton received from the Marlins before being traded to the … [Read more...] about MLB rumors: Phillies’ ‘total focus’ is on Bryce Harper; Are Giants, Nationals, Padres, White Sox out?
Giants’ national anthem policy: What will it be? John Mara not going Jerry Jones route
EAST RUTHERFORD -- John Mara won't be following Jerry Jones' lead. Jones already decided not to follow Mara's. While the Cowboys owner said he will require his team's players to stand and not stay in the locker room for the national anthem, the Giants co-owner is holding off on installing a team policy until after the NFL and the NFL Players Association finish revisiting the controversial new policy. "There will be meetings fairly soon where we have discussions about the anthem policy," Mara said. "Hopefully we will be able to come to some sort of resolution that everybody will be open to." So far, that seems like a far-fetched hope given how far apart the two sides appear to be on the topic that has polarized the league, its fans and President Trump. Will John Mara break the bank for Odell Beckham's contract? "My intention all along has to been to sit with our veteran players when they came back to training camp and discuss the issue," Mara said. "Now that the policy has … [Read more...] about Giants’ national anthem policy: What will it be? John Mara not going Jerry Jones route
What will be Giants’ national anthem policy? John Mara not going Jerry Jones route
EAST RUTHERFORD -- John Mara won't be following Jerry Jones' lead. Jones already decided not to follow Mara's. While the Cowboys owner said he will require his team's players to stand and not stay in the locker room for the national anthem, the Giants co-owner is holding off on installing a team policy until after the NFL and the NFL Players Association finish revisiting the controversial new policy. "There will be meetings fairly soon where we have discussions about the anthem policy," Mara said. "Hopefully we will be able to come to some sort of resolution that everybody will be open to." So far, that seems like a far-fetched hope given how far apart the two sides appear to be on the topic that has polarized the league, its fans and President Trump. Will John Mara break the bank for Odell Beckham's contract? "My intention all along has to been to sit with our veteran players when they came back to training camp and discuss the issue," Mara said. "Now that the policy has … [Read more...] about What will be Giants’ national anthem policy? John Mara not going Jerry Jones route