Category: San Francisco Giants

Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria: Baer will lose control of team when he comes back from suspension; New CEO Dean to take Baer’s spot

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @Deadspin

On Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Tony, the San Francisco Giants have decided to have acting CEO Rob Dean as their frontman. In a statement from the team on Tuesday, the Giants have said that upon returning from suspension on July 2nd, Baer will no longer have control of the team, although he will retain his title as CEO and president.

#2 The players have stated that regardless of the off-the-field issues regarding Baer, they are determined to stay focused, and outfielder Steven Duggar says playing between the lines has been a safe haven for the players.

#3 The Giants have been struggling in spring training are are now open their regular season today in San Diego. They do have one of the best defensive infield in the National League coming into the season.

#4 The Oakland A’s, who were left for dead after their starting rotation either went on the DL or underwent surgery, came back later in the season and made it to the Wild Card. You just can’t count a Billy Beane team out.

Tony does Headline Sports each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Lots of drama as Giants face losing in 2019

Published on by jeremy2878Leave a comment

Photo credit: @SportsTechie17

By Jeremy Harness

The Giants are used to going into seasons with great expectations. Winning rings will do that for you.

However, this ain’t one of those years.

With new general manager Farhan Zaidi trying to figure out how to get rid of the bad contracts handed out by his immediate predecessor while also pondering how to get this floundering team back on track, the Giants are clearly in a rebuilding mode this season.

To add to the drama was the extremely-unfortunate incident that involved team CEO-president Larry Baer, who earlier this month was caught on video angrily grabbing a cell phone from his wife’s hands and subsequently knocking her to the ground.

The Giants have since suspended Baer without pay until July 1.

What makes this really sad, particularly for Giants fans, is the fact that 2019 will mark manager Bruce Bochy’s last season as a major-league skipper.

Meanwhile, the other teams in the National League West have improved, particularly the San Diego Padres, especially with their offseason acquisition of highly-coveted free-agent infielder Manny Machado, who helped the Dodgers make a run to the World Series a season ago.

San Diego also has a highly-touted rookie in Fernando Tatis, Jr., who officially made the team out of spring training.

The Colorado Rockies made sure to lock up their star player in Nolan Arenado, who just so happens to be a notorious Giant-killer, and he will team up with budding stars Trevor Story and Charlie Blackmon and the rest of a Colorado team that made a serious run at the playoffs in 2018.

Here’s what all of this means: Expect the Giants to take a beating at the hands of their own division – a division that they themselves overcame to win three World Series rings in five seasons not too long ago – in a way that is similar to the beatdown that Muhammad Ali took at the hands of Larry Holmes toward the end of his great boxing career.

Giants close out Spring Training on a sour note

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @SFGiants

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — Well, from here until September 29, the games will count; however, the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland A’s played one final exhibition game.

Mark Canha drove in three runs, as he hit a double off of Jeff Samardzija in the top of the second inning and then added a two-run home run in the top of the fourth inning, as the A’s completed a three-game sweep of the Bay Bridge Series with a 4-2 victory over the Giants in a game that was called after six innings due to rain, before a crowd of 24,992 at Oracle Park.

Canha drove in Jurickson Profar, who walked to leadoff the second inning, then Marcus Semien singled and then Canha doubled in Profar, and the scoring ended in that inning ended, when former Giants catcher Nick Hundley hit a sacrifice fly to Yangervis Solarte in left field.

Two innings later, Canha launched a Samardzija offering into the left-center field bleachers to give the visitors a 4-0 lead.

Samardzija ended up going 3.2 innings, allowing four runs on five hits, walking just one and striking out five.

“Always good to get it done,” said Samardzija, who added, “got thru came and get this going.”

The Giants cut into the A’s lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Gerardo Parra singled in Connor Joe and Alan Hanson; however, the rally and the game ended, when Pablo Sandoval struck out versus Jerry Blevins.

Mac Williamson, who suffered a devastating concussion on April 24, 2018 when he dove for a foul ball near the left field bullpen took a pitch off the right wrist, but stayed in the game.

“Results are negative,” according to Bruce Bochy.

NOTES: Chris Stratton was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for left-handed pitcher Williams Jerez.

Ty Blach was optioned prior to the game to Triple-A Sacramento, and Andrew Suarez was optioned to Sacramento on Monday.

UP NEXT: Madison Bumgarner will take the mound on Thursday afternoon, as the Giants begin 137th season on the road against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Left-hander Eric Lauer will take the mound for the Padres, who will begin their 50th season in “America’s Finest City.”

Following Bumgarner will be Derek Holland on Friday, Dereck Rodriguez on Saturday and Samardzija on Sunday before heading 120 miles up Interstate 5 and begin a three-game series against two-time defending National League Champion Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Monday.

Larry Baer suspended by MLB for physical altercation with wife

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

sfgate.com file photo: San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer is serving a five month suspension including retroactive time going back to March 4th and will be back to work July 1st. The suspension was issued by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred on Tuesday.

by Jeremy Harness

SAN FRANCISCO — Calling for warranted discipline and after reviewing a TMZ video of San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer on March 1st getting up and pulling a cell phone out of the hands of his wife Pam where she was seated and fell off her chair and Baer walking away in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has suspended Baer without pay until July 1st.

Manfred said that the suspension without pay will be retroactive from March 4th when Baer had went on voluntary leave of absence from the club on March 4th. Baer had made a statement after the incident that he apologized for his actions the same evening of the altercation.

Baer’s wife Pam at the time said that she had an injured foot and that she couldn’t keep her balance while hanging onto the phone and Baer was pulling up on the phone and she fell off her chair screaming “oh my God help.”

The question now remains can Larry Baer remain CEO of the Giants after something like this and still have the respect of the community, players, fans, women’s right’s groups and have his front office and MLB colleagues still listen and respect his business decisions?

Manfred said that Baer is held to a higher standard and as the face and front person of the Giants he should have been better than that. The total amount of suspension time including retroactive time without pay amounts to a five month suspension. Baer will be allowed to return to work on July 1st but the Giants partnership may also decide to ask Baer to step down when he returns.

Jeremy Harness is a San Francisco Giants beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Washed Out: Giants’ offense looks familiar, creates concern

Published on by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO — The one thing the Giants’ offense can’t afford? Looking like they’re long in the tooth.

The transition envisioned by GM Farhan Zaidi hasn’t moved the needle yet with the team’s roster changes. The 2018 infield returns intact, Mac Williamson has another opportunity to capture the left field job and 32-year old Gerardo Parra could be the team’s most impactful addition.

That means a bunch of at-bats by hitters approaching or beyond 30-years of age, and a scouting report and approach to get them out that won’t change much regardless of opponent.

Simply, bring the heat and challenge the middle-aged lineup to succeed while facing a steady diet of 90’s and mid-90’s fastballs.

The Giants looked the part on Monday, ultimately going the first 15 innings of the Bay Bridge exhibition series without scoring a run. The Giants rallied in the seventh, but still fell short, losing 5-4.

The at-bats involving the regulars followed a pattern:

Brandon Belt batting in the first inning with two on and one out: struck out swinging on a 94-mph fastball, Liam Hendricks’ fastest pitch of the sequence.

Buster Posey in the third on a 3-1 count with two runners on, one out: rolls over on a 92-mph fastball, and is doubled up, third to first. The 92-mph, two-seam fastball from Fernando Rodney is his hardest offering of the at-bat.

In the fifth, A’s closer Blake Treinen threw five consecutive pitches–92 and above–to Joe Panik with a runner in scoring position: the fifth pitch was a cut fastball that inducted a ground out to first.

A small sample size with all three players leaving the game early, and before the four-run, seventh-inning rally, but the offense hasn’t had great numbers all spring. The 140 runs scored ranks the Giants’ third worst among Cactus League teams that played a full schedule. The Royals scored 72 more runs than the Giants, the Dodgers 10 more than the Giants despite a seven-game losing streak and an inferior won-loss record.

Last year? The Giants finished second-to-last in the National League in runs scored (603) and home runs (133).

NOTES: The A’s and Giants experienced a 84-minute rain delay on Monday, then played for 3 hours, 12 minutes without interruption. The drizzle continued throughout the evening but didn’t regain any intensity… The A’s used their bullpen approach and got nine, different hurlers into the game. The A’s improved to 4-0 against San Francisco this spring… Both teams scored four runs in the seventh inning. Erik Kratz delivered a two-run single in his Oracle Park debut.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Panda’s days as a Giant could be numbered; Around the horn with the infield; plus more

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @honkbalopzolder

On the SF Giants podcast with Morris:

#1  The San Francisco Giants have the most potent infield in baseball. Let’s start with Brandon Belt, who last year hit .253 last season and is one of the most established gloves at first base.

#2 Giants second baseman Joe Panik has been brilliant with his fielding at second and hit .254 last season.

#3 Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford is no stranger to All-Star selections and had an incredible offensive season last year hitting .254.

#4 At third base is Evan Longoria, Longoria was a key hitter in the Tampa Bay Rays lineup once upon a time and last year hit .244 for the Giants last season.

#5 San Francisco Giant third baseman Pablo Sandoval is on the bubble and could very well be cut from the team by the end of the current Bay Bridge Series. If so, he would play his last game as a Giant on Tuesday night against the Oakland A’s. The other scenario is the Giants could hold onto him instead of infielder Alen Hansen, who is out of minor league options. Could Panda be gone at the end of spring training?

A’s drop Giants 5-0 in Bay Bridge opener

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @Athletics

By Jeremy Kahn

Even though the Oakland A’s already opened the regular season, they came home to face their Bay Area rivals, the San Francisco Giants.

Stephen Piscotty, Jurickson Profar and Roman Laureano each hit home runs, as the A’s shutout the Giants 5-0 at the Coliseum.

Brett Anderson went six innings, and Frankie Montas pitched the final six innings, helping the A’s finish off the shutout.

Anderson struck out three and walked just one, while Montas also struck out three, as the two pitchers combined for a three-hitter.

Dereck Rodriguez went four innings, allowing three runs on four hits and will be the Giants starter on Saturday against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.

Piscotty got the A’s on the board in the board in the bottom of the first inning, as he hit a two-run home run that scored Matt Chapman, who walked earlier in the inning.

Profar lengthened the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, as he hit a solo home run and Laureano ended the scoring in the bottom of the seventh inning, when he hit a solo home run.

NOTES: Catcher Erik Kratz was acquired by the Giants from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for minor league infielder C.J. Hinososa. Stephen Vogt was reassigned to the Giants minor league camp, and right-handed pitcher Jose Lopez was designated for assignment.

UP NEXT: Drew Pomeranz will take the mound on Monday night for the Giants, as the Bay Bridge Series moves to the newly named Oracle Park. Liam Hendriks will take the mound for the A’s. Game time at 6:45 pm.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Joey Bart is all the rage, just how soon will he come up to the show?

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

sfgate.com photo: San Francisco Giants catcher Joey Bart has already established himself for his hitting but needs to polish up on some defensive catching. He could very well get called up during the Giants regular season.

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 All the talk has been about young Giants prospect catcher Joey Bart. How soon do you think it will be until he will be in the show on a regular basis?

#2 Once promoted, will he be catcher Buster Posey’s regular back up? There’s so much expected of him, can he live up to the hype?

#3 Bart can swing the bats he had an OBP of .369 and hit .296 in spring training.

#4 Giants announcer Mike Krukow said that Bart has some bad habits. This spring, he has allowed six passed balls and committed six errors, but with some coaching, he can break those habits and with his bat and be a big piece of the Giants future.

#5 Once the National League adopts the Universal Designated Hitter rule, could Bart be a starting as catcher and Posey moving to the DH slot?

Michael Duca covers San Francisco Giants baseball for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Posey coming along from offseason hip surgery, starting every other day

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: ftw.usatoday.com

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris:

#1 The San Francisco Giants are going very slow with catcher Buster Posey after his surgery in the offseason. Manager Bruce Bochy says he wants Posey ready by opening day.

#2 On working behind the plate, Posey said he doesn’t want anything written in stone as far as starting in back to back days. He’ll wait for the regular season for that.

#3 Bochy is confident Posey will be able to catch 110-120 games this season

#4 Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner in his last start March 12th, struck out four hitters and picked up an RBI. He was impressive in the outing and at the plate.

#5 The Giants are back in the Bay Area in Oakland for an exhibition game with the A’s on Sunday, March 24th. Morris will be there and talks about some of the expectations that day.

Morris does the Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Bumgarner battles his way in last start against Brewers

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @GiantsExtra

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Taking a look at Giants starter Madison Bumgarner’s last outing on Tuesday’s game, he looked like he was in regular season form after throwing three perfect innings.

#2 It was later when he gave up hits to the Milwaukee Brewers’ Lorenzo Cain, Christian Yelich, and Yasmani Grandal, which loaded the bases in the fourth inning that some might have questioned how long he could have stayed in this one.

#3 Then, there was plate umpire Brian Gorman. Bumgarner was having a hard time with as he felt Gorman was squeezing him. Bumgarner on a 2-1 pitch to Brewers’ hitter Travis Shaw thought he had strike two extended his arms in protest, then on the next hitter Mike Moustakas. Though, he had another strike call taken away by Gorman and extended his arms again and turned his back and walked back to the mound.

#4 MadBum helped his own cause with an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth as the Giants got four runs. It was all they needed in their 4-2 win in Tuesday’s exhibition game.

Michael Duca does the Giants podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com