6-4-2 — an Angels/Dodgers double play blog: "Thank Goodness For Pedro Feliz"

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Friday, December 24, 2004

"Thank Goodness For Pedro Feliz"

Steve Henson of the Times informs us that the up-to-the-minute version of the Dodgers is about the same price as the old version, if slightly weaker defensively (Cora vs. Kent in particular). It's not a viewpoint I'll contest at this exact moment, nor will I promote it until PECOTA has a full set of 2005 projections out. But consider, if you will, what Giants fans are having -- and hoping -- to contend with. Fogball, for instance, assigns the title of "worst deal of the off season for any team" to Sabean's signing of ex-Cardinal Mike Matheny. Matheny will start next season at the ripe old age of 34, and the Giants expect to be paying him for three years. This is absolutely overpayment, so much so that Waiting For Boof declares

This is the worst move of Brian Sabean's career. This is Brian Sabean drinking rubbing alcohol and hitting on his brother's wife, because this is as low as our fearless general manager can get.

Sheesh. Back to El Lefty Malo, who makes the amazing point that the Giants do not have a single starting position player younger than 30 on their 2005 roster. The Dodgers may be older in Kent and Drew than they were in Cora and Beltre, but the difference here is staggering.

The Giants gave Dusty Baker the boot in part because he failed to bring home the rings in 2002 with arguably the Giants' best roster in a decade. Part of the problem with Dusty as a manager -- just ask Cubs fans or Hee Seop Choi about this -- is that he steadfastly refuses to give playing time to youngsters when he could be playing established veterans. This neatly dovetailed into Sabean's general philosophy of building the club by trades and free agent signings rather than by using the farm. However, I've always wondered whether in some wise Dusty attracted the blame for that failure that should have accrued to Sabean; after all, it was Proven Veteran Closer™ Robb Nen who tossed the losing pitch in game 6. You play the team you're given.

Under financial duress, and the exigencies of age upon their god in left field, the Giants are in win-now mode, as much as they have ever been. This is the penultimate year for it: after 2006, Barry can start his beatification. Steroids or no, there are no asterisks in Cooperstown. The Dodgers have no such impetus, and, even should the team fail to make the postseason, the Dodgers have enough young talent in their farm to make us hopeful. The Giants have few similar options, so it comes as no surprise to hear Elbo shout the hosannah, "thank goodness for Pedro Feliz, who doesn't turn 30 until April 27." The whispered words "injury risk" over J.D. Drew are a fortissimo chorus singing over the Giants' lineup.

// posted by Rob @ 8:47 AM link // 2 comments