Tag: Greg Johnson

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Does season ticket sell outs signal success in Sacramento for A’s or just a honeymoon?; AI says Clemente most popular Hispanic player of all time; plus more news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Lawrence Butler of the Athletics conducts an interview at the Sawyer Hotel in downtown Sacramento on Mon Jan 6, 2025 regarding the A’s upcoming 2025 season in Sacramento (still from ABC 10 KXTV Sacramento)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Athletics selling out season tickets at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento does that signal that this relocation by the A’s was a successful idea or this is just a honeymoon in Sacramento and the A’s will eventually struggle in the standing like they had in past seasons?

#2 According to AI the most popular MLB Hispanic player of all time is former Pittsburgh Pirate Roberto Clemente who began his career in 1955 and in his second year in 1956 hit .311. After 1956 he hit above .300 in seven different seasons. He was defined as a pure hitter who drove in runs as well as being able to scores runs as well.

#3 According insiders three MLB teams were taken off Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki’s desired list the New York Yankees and Mets and the Texas Rangers. Sources are saying that Sasaki is down to three clubs the Toronto Blue Jays, the Los Angeles Dodgers, or the San Diego Padres. The San Francisco Giants have backed out of pursuing Sasaki. Sasaki is under 25 years old and is classified as a amateur and his salary will be limited from $5.1 million to $7.5 million per year. He will be regarded as a rookie phenom and could conger up endorsements that could add more to his finances depending how he performs in his MLB debut.

#4 Sasaki is another big signing possibility that has passed up the Giants. The Giants over the last two seasons missed signing in 2024 the likes of Bryce Harper, Aaron Judge, and Shohei Ohtani. For 2025 the Giants so far have missed out on the following free agent signings Juan Soto, Ha Seong Kim, and Corbin Burnes. They managed to sign Willy Adames and Justin Verlander. The Giants last Thursday avoided going to arbitration with LaMonte Wade Jr, and relivers Camilo Doval and Tyler Rogers. Are there a number of big name free agents avoiding San Francisco for specific reasons based on how the team has been a revolving door for managers, general managers, and team president changes and how CEO Larry Baer and team managing partner Greg Johnson who have final say have not been able to sign high profile players?

#5 The Seattle Mariners agreed to a one year deal with infielder Donovan Solano for $3.5 million. Also Solano could earn up to $1 million for plate appearances that ramp up to $200,00 for at bats totaling 300, 350, 400, 450, and 500. Solano hit .286, eight home runs, and 35 RBIs in 96 games with the San Diego Padres.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Loss in Giants clubhouse and post season could spell Zaidi and Kapler’s demise; Could Wotus be next in line for manager’s job?

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants special assistant and former third base coach Ron Wotus could possibly be in line for the Giants manager job. (AP file photo)

By Barbara Mason

San Francisco Giants team president Farhan Zaidi was asked by the Giants flagship station KNBR on Thursday did he see manager Gabe Kapler returning next season. Zaidi gave a non answer saying he appreciated that Giants owner Greg Johnson gave assurances that both Kapler and Zaidi would be returning for the 2024 season.

Zaidi talked about Kapler losing the clubhouse saying culturally when things are going right this group loves being together, they’re having fun. “But when you’re not doing well those things can be seen in a negative light,” he said.

On Monday night the Giants returned to Oracle Park taking on the San Diego Padres in a three game series. San Francisco pitcher Logan Webb had a sound outing winning 2-1. Instead of patting himself on the back for a fine outing when it was mentioned that he could be a NL Cy Young Award winner Webb gave credit to his opposing pitcher the Padres Blake Snell. He said that Snell should be the Cy Young Award winner and that he pitched a fine game.

Webb added that it’s not fun anymore. He said that the joy and fun just isn’t there right now. The Giants on Wednesday night lost after going into the top of the tenth inning with a 2-2 tie but saw three runs score for San Diego on a throwing error allowing a run and a two RBI base hit. There seems to be some malcontent in the locker room.

It was the quickest exit by the fans after the Padres scored the last two runs that had been seen at Oracle Park in a long time. The culture that Zaidi was talking about is just about all but gone. The Giants at one time had a shot at getting a Wild Card spot but went 2-8 on the previous road trip losing two out of three in Colorado, swept in two games in Arizona, and losing three out of four in Los Angeles.

The Giants really needed those wins on that road trip but it got away from them. The clubhouse after that road trip was strained at best. Kapler was stoic when answering questions at his post game meeting with the press after Wednesday night’s loss to the Padres.

When the Giants bombed on that last road trip Webb spoke up about the clubhouse mood. Then they lost two out of three to the Padres at Oracle and that mood was even more strained than on this last road trip. Johnson who seemed to be assured that Zaidi and Kapler would be back next season puts that statement in doubt.

Ironically special assistant coach Ron Wotus whose been with the Giants through four managers, Dusty Baker, Felipe Alou, Bruce Bochy and now Kapler could be a successor as manager if Kapler were to be fired. It was reported when Wotus spoke to the clubhouse all the players gave him their attention.

Webb questioned, “Why would you get to this position and not give it your best? Give it your all. I think it’s a great message, right. Because no matter what happens at the end of the year, we’re just going to go right back to the offseason and show up in spring training,” he said. He also believes that the team will do their best to try to get back into a possible post-season scenario much like the one they just blew in 2023.

Barbara Mason covers Giants baseball on the road for http://www.sportsradioservice.com