(no subject)
March 22, 2004:
A.J. Pierzynski: .268/.310/.396 bank it.
Pierzynski's actual 2004 line: .272/.319/.410. Wow.
This was right after the Pierzynski for Nathan/Liriano/Bonser trade, the beginning of my realization that Brian Sabean wasn't actually a genius, and my first outspoken criticism of one of his moves. Anybody who I talked to about baseball circa 2004 will probably remember how bad I thought this trade was for SF. Recently, the experts have begun to write that it may turn out to be one of the worst fleecings of the decade. Which I knew the day it happened.
Just bragging a bit.
(I mean, we're not talking Slocumb for Varitek/Lowe caliber here (or Bagwell for Larry Anderson, to be evenhanded in my criticism), but it's close. For one year of Pierzynski performing at that level, they gave up: Joe Nathan, who immediately became one of the best closers in baseball, recording 87 saves over 2004 and 2005 at an ERA around 2, a ratio of .975, with 183 strikeouts to 45 walks... when the team knew Nen's career was over and they'd need a closer (well, if I knew, so should they have); the career of Francisco Liriano, now widely regarded as the top SP prospect in the majors; and Boof Bonser, who is just about major-league ready and could contribute some good innings to the Twins' BP this year (and is also named "Boof," which is never bad). The Giants didn't even get a compensatory pick for A.J. They released him outright after he kicked Stan Conte in the balls.)
A.J. Pierzynski: .268/.310/.396 bank it.
Pierzynski's actual 2004 line: .272/.319/.410. Wow.
This was right after the Pierzynski for Nathan/Liriano/Bonser trade, the beginning of my realization that Brian Sabean wasn't actually a genius, and my first outspoken criticism of one of his moves. Anybody who I talked to about baseball circa 2004 will probably remember how bad I thought this trade was for SF. Recently, the experts have begun to write that it may turn out to be one of the worst fleecings of the decade. Which I knew the day it happened.
Just bragging a bit.
(I mean, we're not talking Slocumb for Varitek/Lowe caliber here (or Bagwell for Larry Anderson, to be evenhanded in my criticism), but it's close. For one year of Pierzynski performing at that level, they gave up: Joe Nathan, who immediately became one of the best closers in baseball, recording 87 saves over 2004 and 2005 at an ERA around 2, a ratio of .975, with 183 strikeouts to 45 walks... when the team knew Nen's career was over and they'd need a closer (well, if I knew, so should they have); the career of Francisco Liriano, now widely regarded as the top SP prospect in the majors; and Boof Bonser, who is just about major-league ready and could contribute some good innings to the Twins' BP this year (and is also named "Boof," which is never bad). The Giants didn't even get a compensatory pick for A.J. They released him outright after he kicked Stan Conte in the balls.)