Tag: mlb

Giants spanked by Triple-A affiliate River Cats 8-1 in Exhibition Game in Sacramento

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San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval take a few cuts at their game against the Sacramento River Cats at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento on Sun Mar 24, 2024 (San Francisco Giants X photo)

Sunday, March 24, 2024

Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento, California

Sacramento River Cats 8

San Francisco Giants 1

Win: Darren McCaugham (5-4)

Loss: Miguel Yajure (0-2)

Time: 2:40

Attendance: 14,014* (No official attendance was given for tonight’s game, but since the game was sold out, and the seating capacity of Sutter Health Park is 14,014, it can be assumed that it was the attendance tonight.)

By Stephen Ruderman

SACRAMENTO–The Giants came to Sacramento for the third Giants vs. River Cats exhibition game, and were smoked by their Triple-A affiliate, 8-1.

The Giants broke camp on Saturday after an 11-5 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Scottsdale Stadium, the Giants’ spring training ballpark. They flew home to San Francisco after the game, got some rest and then took the bus to Sacramento, where they would be the home team, to play their Triple-A affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats.

This was the third time the two teams matched up for an exhibition game at Sutter Health Park. The first contest came on March 30, 2016, when the Giants as the home team beat the River Cats 8-4. The Giants returned to Sacramento on March 24, 2018, this time as the road team, and lost a tight one by a final of 6-5.

There was a lot of excitement in the air at Sutter Health Park. This stemmed from Giants fans in Sacramento getting to see their team play in their hometown for the first six years, as well as the fact that the team had a strong off-season, and greatly improved the team. Fans in Northern California were also going to get to see Jung-hoo Lee up close and in person for the first time, which generated plenty of excitement.

Dusty Baker, a Sacramento kid, who had retired from managing at the end of the 2023 season, and who has returned to the Giants as a Special Advisor to Baseball Operations, was on hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Baker received a standing ovation from the soldout crowd at Sutter Health Park as he walked out to the mound to throw the pitch.

The teams were interestingly divided, as most of the minor leaguers played for the River Cats, but a few suited up for the Giants. One of the minor leaguers who put on a Giants uniform tonight was Carson Seymour, who was the starting pitcher for San Francisco tonight. On the mound for Sacramento was Mason Black, who is much more likely to see time with the Giants than Seymour.

Wade Meckler led off the game for Sacramento, and lined a double down the right-field line. Heliot Ramos got an infield hit that moved Meckler to third-base, and David Villar singled to right to knock in Meckler. Trenton Brooks walked to load the bases, and that brought up Casey Schmitt, who hit a ground ball to the Giants’ shortstop, Nick Ahmed, who was able to help turn a 6-4-3 double play for the first two outs. That scored Ramos, but since it was a double play, Schmitt did not get an RBI.

Black survived a pair of walks in the bottom of the first inning, and Seymour settled down to throw a 1-2-3 innings in top of the second, as well as the top of the third.

The Giants did not get their first hit off Black until Lee legged out an infield single to start the bottom of the third. Lee advanced to second on a wild pitch, and got to third on a ground out by Austin Slater, but was caught in a rundown for the second out of the inning on a ground ball off the bat of LaMonte Wade Jr.

For Black, he ended up pitching three and two thirds shutout innings. He gave up two hits, but walked five guys.

Juan Sanchez, who has pitched nicely in camp for the Giants this spring, came in to relieve Seymour in the top of the fourth. Sanchez walked two, but struckout two in a scoreless inning of work.

The 6’8” right-hander Carson Ragsdale came in for the Giants in the top of the fifth, and the River Cats rocked him for three runs to extend their lead to 5-0. Ragsdale went two and two thirds, and Nick Garcia got the final out of the top of the seventh.

Eric Silva pitched a 1-2-3 top of the eighth for the Giants, and Pablo Sandoval pinch-hit for Austin Slater, and laced a base-hit to right off the left-hander John Bertrand to start the bottom of the eighth. Sandoval would be out at second after Blake Sabol reached on a 4-6 fielder’s choice, but Tyler Fitzgerald singled in Sabol with two outs to finally put the Giants on the board.

The River Cats tacked on three more runs in the top off the ninth off Spencer Bivens to blow it open, and Nick Avila pitched a scoreless bottom of the ninth for Sacramento to close it out, as the River Cats won it 8-1.

The River Cats now lead the all-time exhibition series two games to one against the Giants, and with the excitement and success of tonight’s game for both organizations and the city of Sacramento, it would be easy to assume that fans will not have to wait too long before the two teams square off at Sutter Health Park again.

Since this game was against a minor league game, it does not count towards the Giants’ overall spring training record. The Giants will close out their spring training schedule with two games against their crossbay rival A’s. The first will be at 6:40 p.m. on Monday at the Oakland Coliseum, followed by the Giants’ spring training finale when they host the A’s Tuesday night at Oracle Park.

Other Notes:

Logan Webb, who was born and raised in the Sacramento suburb of Rocklin was back in town, but with Webb set to make his third-straight opening day start when the Giants open the Regular Season in San Diego on Thursday, he did not pitch tonight.

“[I] came down this morning to see my family, [and] say hi to everybody,” said Webb. “I couldn’t miss out on coming back here…..I know how much pride this area has in their sports teams; the Giants’ ties run deep [here].”

“It’s always special coming here,” Webb continued. “Honestly, I wish there was a [major league] baseball team here…..I think [Sacramento] can have one…..You see how much Kings fans show up, [and] how much River Cats show up. I love it here.”

Webb expressed his excitement for being back in Sacramento, as well as being able to convert two of his teammates into Kings fans.

“Alex Cobb is a Kings fan now,” Webb said. “Ryan Walker, I think, is following [them] a little more. [The Kings have] been fun to watch, and hopefully, they keep going.”

Webb has struggled this spring, but is trying to put it behind him.

“Obviously, as a competitor, you don’t want to go out there and hear all the cliches, ‘it’s just spring training,’” said Webb. “Everything feels good; it’s just [not] the results I’ve been looking for.”

Pablo Sandoval who has been back in camp hoping for a third stint with the Giants has hit .178 this spring, and Tuesday’s spring training finale as the A’s is rumored to be a final farewell for Sandoval, who despite the odds being stacked against him, has been humble, and has made his excitement and gratitude to get one last chance with the Giants clear.

Sandoval has made an impact in camp, as he has been the connection to the Giants’ world championships in 2010, 2012 and 2014, and he has had an effect on the young players, who are set to be the team’s future.

According to Manager Bob Melvin, Sandoval has gotten the biggest ovations of any player. Melvin also said that he has specifically sent in Sandoval as a pinch-runner in games this spring to get more of the ovations.

Melvin also discussed the final cuts the Giants are set to make as they prepare to set their 26-man roster for Opening Day. Melvin told the team at the start of camp that even the players who were going to get cut were going to be needed at some point during the Regular Season.

“[With] the way our roster’s constructed, it’s gonna take an army to win,” said Melvin.” “These guys have to know that there’s a good chance they’re gonna be part of this.”

Headline Sports with Charlie O: Can Ohtani interpreter stay in Japan avoid extradition?; Ex-O’s owner Angelos dead at 94 great accomplishments; plus more news

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Former Los Angeles Dodgers interpreter Ippei Mizuhara (left) and Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani no longer will be working together after Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers for allegedly massive theft of Ohtani’s money for gambling (photo from ESPN)

On Headline Sports with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie, how bad of a look is it for baseball to have Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter allegedly stealing some $4.5 million from Ohtani to use it to gamble with an illegal bookmaker with Ohtani’s name on it. The big question is from the face of the story and everything we know does it look like or appear that Ohtani could have had a hand in this scandal based on the money transfers being in Ohtani’s name? Ippei Mizuhara the interpreter reportedly has said that Ohtani didn’t have anything to do with gambling which is being investigated by the US Attorney’s office.

#2 Baltimore Orioles former owner Peter Angelos has passed away at age 94. He oversaw an Orioles organization that had it’s highs and lows but the one thing everyone will remember him by his when got the plans together in the early 90s to build Camden Yards which opened in 1992. It was the ballpark that started other major league franchises to want a new ballpark for themselves. Angelos commandeered the idea of having the Orioles play a exhibition series against the Cuban National team in Havana Cuba on March 28, 1999. It was the first time that any team from the US played in Cuba since 1959. Later that season the the same two teams met again on May 3 at Camden Yards.

#3 The Philadelphia Phillies Bryce Harper who hasn’t played in a exhibition game since Mar 14th was in the line up against the New York Yankees yesterday. Harper had been out with sore back. Harper played in a simulated game on Friday and got in the line up on Saturday. Harper had back spasms last season.

#4 The San Francisco Giants announced that they will begin looking for a new PA announcer to replace the popular Renel Brooks Moon who had been the Giants PA announcer for 24 seasons. The Giants plan to rotate PA announcers during the season until they settle on someone they will hire. The Giants said they couldn’t reach a deal with Renel and sources say she wasn’t rehired because she was outspoken on social injustice issues.

#5 The Oakland 68s and the Last Dive Bar two Oakland A’s fan groups have voice their displeasure regarding the Oakland A’s cutting the usual opening night parking lot time from four hours down to two hours. The A’s say that the expect a low attendance for Thu Mar 28th and that opening the lot for four hours before the game would not be necessary. The 68s and the Last Dive Bar call the A’s decision “mind games” and a deliberate way to cut into their parking lot boycott that they planned.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: A’s meet with Coliseum Authority next week on April 2

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Oakland A’s officials are to meet with the Oakland Coliseum Joint Authority on Tue Apr 2, 2024 at the Oakland Coliseum (AP News file photo)

On the A’s Relocation podcast:

On the A’s podcast with Daniel:

#1 Sources are saying the Oakland A’s are no longer accepting comments from fans or the public on what their plans are for financing the Las Vegas Tropicana and other than the artists rendition of the Sydney Opera House ballpark people want to see the blue prints.

#2 Also it was reported that the Las Vegas community, businesses, and casinos who have been approached about becoming minority owners of the A’s have not taken the bait and have expressed no interest in entering a business with the A’s after observing how the stadium project has been handled.

#3 The A’s have tuned off their X comments page so the public cannot write to them with questions and comments as to what is happening with the relocation of the A’s. As of yet the A’s still have not decided where they will play for the 2025-27 seasons and have a scheduled meeting with the Oakland Coliseum Joint Authority on Tue Apr 2.

#4 Daniel with there being no tangible renderings and blue prints to back it up and no financing since the unveiling of the Sydney Opera House style ballpark A’s fans in both Las Vegas and Oakland are trying to find out what the A’s plans are and have not got a response.

#5 Vegas fans and the business community are really getting turned off after a Wall Street Journal article came out with a headline that read “The Oakland A’s have plans for a new home in Vegas. Now they need a plan to get there.” As this drags out and there is no financing things are becoming more doubtful if this will ever get off the ground.

Daniel does the Oakland A’s Relocation podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants bolster rotation and add Blake Snell on 2-year deal

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Blake Snell and agent Scott Boras address the media on Wed Mar 20, 2024 at Scottsdale AZ (AP News photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants have strengthened their rotation, as they have agreed to sign 2023 National League Cy Young Award Winner Blake Snell to a two-year, $62 million contract, according to MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman

The deal caps off a strong off-season for the Giants, which started off with them adding Bob Melvin as manager, and continued with the signings of Jung-hoo Lee, Robbie Ray, Jordan Hicks and Tom Murphy. Jorge Soler and Matt Chapman were signed during Spring Training, and Snell could be set to join them in the final week of camp.

Blake Snell came up with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016, and was their ace through the COVID-shortened 60-game sprint season of 2020. He won the American League Cy Young Award in 2018; struggled, but helped lead the Rays to the Postseason in 2019; and led them to the World Series in 2020.

Snell was infamously pulled by Rays Manager Kevin Cash in Game 6 of the 2020 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the bottom of the sixth inning, despite throwing a shutout. After Snell was pulled, the Dodgers scored two runs to take a 2-1 lead, and won the game 3-1 to win their first world championship since 1988.

Following Cash’s controversial move, Snell was traded to the San Diego Padres that off-season. Snell struggled in a 2021 campaign that saw the Padres collapse down the stretch. He then bounced back, and helped lead the Padres to the National League Championship Series in 2022. Snell then won his second cy young award in an otherwise disappointing 2023 season for the Padres.

Snell’s cy young season was believed to be a massive booster for him as he entered free agency. However, Snell, along with Chapman, Cody Bellinger and Jordan Montgomery, who were all represented by prominent agent Scott Boras, all remained on the market as teams reported to Spring Training in February. Snell, along with Chapman and Bellinger were signed after games got underway, and Montgomery remains a free agent.

Snell now joins Logan Webb, who finished second in cy young voting last season. Snell also joins what is set to be a strong rotation for the Giants. Along with Webb and Snell, Kyle Harrison, the young left-handed phenom, who saw time late in 2023, will be bumped from the second spot to the third spot in the rotation.

The rotation could also be further fortified by the experiment of turning the flamethrower Jordan Hicks from a reliever to a starter; the return of Alex Cobb and the newly-signed Ray off the Injured List; and the potential of right-handed Carson Whisenhunt making his major league debut later this season.

Snell will still need to pass a physical. Once he was done so, it could be assumed that Snell will join the Giants in their final week of camp in Scottsdale, and will get a start or two prior to the Giants’ opener in San Diego on March 28. It is most likely that Snell will begin the Regular Season in the minor leagues, and be ready to join the Giants in the middle of April.

Other Notes:

The Giants and Longtime Public Address Announcer Renel Brooks-Moon mutually parted ways on Monday.

Brooks-Moon, who had served as the Giants’ PA announcer for 24 years since then-Pacific Bell Park’s opening in 2000, has enshrined herself into Giants Lore. She was behind the microphone for the Giants’ run to the National League Pennant in 2002, and their three world championships in 2010, 2012 and 2014.

Brooks-Moon was at Barry Bonds’ breaking of the single-season record on Oct. 5, 2001 against the Dodgers, and his breaking of the all-time home run record on Aug. 7, 2007 against the Washington Nationals.

She was also there for Matt Cain’s Perfect Game against the Houston Astros on June 13, 2012, as well as Tim Lincecum’s two no-hitters, which were thrown on July 9, 2009 and June 25, 2014 respectively, both against the Padres.

Brooks-Moon has become a beloved and outspoken figure not just with the Giants, but with San Francisco and the Bay Area. She was the voice of the Cathedral of 3rd and King, and for so many younger fans, they do not know Giants Baseball without her.

There has yet to be word on who Brooks-Moon’s replacement will be, or how the process will play out.

Brooks-Moon was the second woman to be an MLB PA announcer. She succeeded Sherry Davis, who was the first.

J.D. Davis signed a one-year deal with the Oakland Athletics on Saturday, following his release from the Giants on March 11.

Davis was encouraged to come to Oakland by Alex Wood, who had been a member of the Giants’ rotation from 2021 to 2023. They are also joined by Ross Strippling, who the Giants traded to Oakland on Feb. 2.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 2024 Oakland A’s Outlook

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Radio Espanol 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg will bring you all the play by play action with author Amaury Pi Gonzalez and Manolo Hernandez Douen (Graphic work by Mauricio Segura)

2024 Oakland A’s Outlook

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

This is the time of the year when you want to know what to expect from your favorite team. In this case, I am talking about the Oakland Athletics. The biggest question is not how they will do on the field (we will get to that later) but where they are playing in 2025 and the next few years while building in Las Vegas.

By April 2, we should know if the A’s have agreed with Oakland for a new lease for the next three years to keep playing at the Coliseum. But the soon approaching season for the A’s is now the talk, and this is major league baseball, the best baseball league in the world, and the Oakland A’s have a lot of young intriguing talent.

Manager Mark Kotsay announced this week that ex-Giants lefty Alex Wood is scheduled to pitch on Opening Night in Oakland next Thursday against the Cleveland Guardians, at the Oakland Coliseum, this is the first time Wood opens a season in his 11 year career, he has also pitched for the Braves, Dodgers and Reds.

The A’s have been acquiring Giants players this off-season; also, suitable right-handed pitcher Ross Stripling is coming to the East Bay. Saturday, the A’s signed another Giants veteran, third baseman, J. Davis (who, according to reports), was convinced by Alex Wood to follow him to Oakland.

Davis, a good veteran hitter, with power, who signed a $2.5 million, one-year contract, a deal that allows him to earn $1 million more in performance bonuses. These ex-Giants are all veterans who will now play for the A’s, giving the young team an adrenaline shot of experience, and most important, leadership.

These four everyday players (below) are essential for this ball club in 2024 and beyond.

1-Zack Gelof. He was the top breakout player for the team last season. The second baseman showed in 2023 that he was a major-league talent; nobody should have any doubt about that. The 25-year-old was one of the top players for the team, and in half a season, he hit 14 home runs and had a .840 OPS.

The 2021 pick #60 in the second round for the A’s should be the team second baseman, period. It is conceivable that Zack could hit the 30-home run mark; his power is evident.

2-Brent Rooker, the A’s All-Star Designated Hitter. He led the club with 30 home runs. At 28 years of age, he is what they call a late bloomer. A great pick by the A’s he was claimed off waivers in 2022 from the Kansas City Royals. So far a great move by the team.

3-Shea Langeliers. The ‘número uno’ catcher had an excellent first full year in the majors, slugging 22 home runs and showing his skills as an outstanding defensive catcher. Although A’s are very high on Tyler Soderstrom, their #1 pick, he is not ready for the big time so Tyler will begin this 2024 season in the minor leagues. It is conceivable, if he does well in the minors, he will be brought up later in the season. Tyler Soderstrom will not begin the season as the #2 catcher for the A’s.

4-Esteury Ruíz. A star was born? We will have to wait for this season, but the young Dominican set a new American League rookie-record with 67 stolen bases. He is an exciting player, usually playing center field, with speed to burn. In 1979, I was there when the A’s brought a young kid by the name of Rickey Henderson, who, in that rookie season, stole 33 bases in 89 games, usually playing left field and the rest is history. Esteury offers more than the excitement of the stolen base and art that has been on hiatus like the bunt for a while.

Then we have and infield that could be shared by J.D. Davis, Abraham Toro, Ryan Noda, Aledmys Díaz and young Darell Hernaiz.

Another ex-Giant, (mentioned earlier) Ross Stripling, is a right-handed pitcher with experience. But there is still a big question about how the rest of their pitching be in starting roles. It is a big puzzle yet to be resolved, and Spring Training allows manager Mark Kotsay to pick the top five on that rotation: Paul Blackburn, who is having a great time in Arizona, Adrián Martínez, and Luis Medina. J.P Sears, Kyle Mueller, Ken Waldichuch, plus…you pick’em.

Bullpen. In 2023, Trevor May retired after recording 21 saves for the team. The possibility that young Mason Miller opens the season as the team’s closer is accurate, together with a variety of young arms. The athletics manager indicated recently that he would like to see Miller gradually move up the bullpen hierarchy rather than anointing him as a closer right away.

As of today, M&M has an excellent position to open and win the rubber in the night inning. A’s young pitchers could be starting in one game, relieving in other, a plethora of arms, Zack Jackson., Dany Jiménez, Joe Boyle and it goes on and on and on.

Finally. 214 is an Ugly number: The number of games the Oakland A’s have lost in the last two years. However, in this fast internet/social media/Artificial Intelligence world, it is easy to forget that the A’s posted a 579 winning percentage from 2018 to 2021 and qualified for the postseason three times. Nobody is expecting the A’s to contend this year. The two Texas teams now control this division, The World Champion Rangers and the always contenders Dusty Baker Houston Astros, they suck all the oxygen in the West.

The 2024 Oakland Athletics have an ensemble cast, with an assortment of actors on a film as long as “The Longest Day”(1962)

Let’s Play Ball and enjoy the season!

Quote: “A home opener is always exciting, no matter if it’s home or on the road” -Yogi Berra.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: How much did Melvin and Zaidi have influence getting Snell; PA Renel was outspoken for civil rights was that the reason why she didn’t get renewed?

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Newest San Francisco Giants pitcher Blake Snell smiles for the cameras with agent Scott Boras in Scottsdale AZ after being presented to the media on Wed Mar 20, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 Michael with the acquisition of pitcher Blake Snell to the San Francisco Giants this week it was the push of Giants president Farhan Zaidi and manager Bob Melvin who influenced Snell to come to San Francisco and Snell’s agent Scott Boras felt this was the right fit for Snell.

#2 Renel Brooks-Moon’s departure as the Giants PA announcer has been headlines in the sports world this past week. She couldn’t work out a deal with the Giants brass and thus is no longer working the PA and is now relegated to a Community Volunteer position. Renel said in her last contract negotiation back in 2020 she had to right her way to get a four year extension. Renel’s departure struck many as a shock. Michael was there anyway for a path for Renel and the Giants to reach a happy medium?

#3 Renel had said that the organization didn’t feel disrespected by the organization for her outspokeness. Renel also said she spoke out for others and she fought for those who came after her. She said the Giants did give her freedom to speak out.

#4 Charles Johnson who is the Giants team Chairman and the has the largest holding share of the team. Johnson donated $2,800 the maximum to Rep Lauren Bobert who pushed for President Trump’s voter fraud claims and Renel said “I’m not turning a blind eye to this believe me.”

Join Michael Duca for the San Francisco Giants podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Augie Mesenburg: Ohtani’s interpreter under investigation for theft

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Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (left) and his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara (right) will no longer be working together as Mizuhara was accused of massive theft of Ohtani’s funds that he allegedly used for gambling. The Dodgers fired Mizuhara on Wed Mar 20, 2024. (AP file photo)

On Ohtani’s interpreter under investigation for theft podcast with Augie:

#1 Representatives of Los Angeles Dodger designated hitter Shohei Ohtani accused Ohtani’s interpreter Ippei Mizuhara of stealing from Ohtani and using the money for gambling.

#2 The Feds are now investigating. It was reported that Ohtani also covered Muzuhara’s gambling debts in the neighborhood of $4 million.

#3 The Los Angeles offices of Berk Brettler said that Ohtani was the victim of massive theft the law firm turned over the case to the federal authorities.

#4 It as also reported that Mizuhara placed bets with a bookmaker. It’s a question whether Ohtani will press charges for the theft but it’s mostly unlikely as he considered Mizuhara like a brother. Ohtani will have to stay away from Mizuhara during the investigation.

#5 Apparently the scandal hasn’t disrupted Ohtani’s concentration on baseball as he hit an RBI single in the top of the eighth inning in the Dodgers four run rally against the San Diego Padres on opening day in Seoul Korea at the Korean Series.

Augie Mesenburg is a podcast contributor for http://www.sportsradioservice.com. Augie also is a reporter for KHAI 103.5FM in Honolulu

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Were Giants trying to pinch pennies in not keeping PA announcer Renel?; Ohtani is preparing to play the field; plus more news

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Former San Francisco Giants PA Announcer Renel Brooks Moon parted ways with the Giants after the two sides could not agree to terms on a new contract that expired in Dec 2023.This photo shows Renel in the Oracle Park PA booth in 2002. Renel will work as a volunteer community representative for the Giants. (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 San Francisco Giants first black female PA announcer Renel Brooks Moon who was the PA announcer at Oracle Park for 24 seasons could not reach a contract agreement with the Giants. According to reports Renel and the Giants had extensive discussions about a new deal but couldn’t arrive at an agreement. Renel’s contract expired in December. Renel will now be a volunteer for the Giants as a community activist and mentor. Was this a money saving deal for the Giants or was Renel asking too much from the Giants and didn’t get her contract renewed?

#2 He could do it all, pitch, hit and now play the field. Los Angeles Dodgers two way player and could be a three way player by converting his services to the field. Although as manager Dave Roberts reiterated Ohtani will not pitch this season but will begin throwing drills once the Dodgers come back from Korea. Roberts said that Ohtani will mostly be a designated hitter.

#3 Amaury get your thoughts on the big signing of former San Diego Padre and now San Francisco Giants pitcher Blake Snell who signed with the Giants on Monday for a two year contract worth $62 million. Snell was 14-9 with a 2.25 ERA for San Diego in 2023. How will he be an impact to the Giants rotation.

#4 Nothing worse than getting an injury in spring training to put off your regular season and that’s the case for Cincinnati Reds centerfielder TJ Friedl who on Saturday was attempting to make a diving catch fractured his right wrist. Friedl will be reevaluated in three to four weeks. Fridel had such a great season in 2023 that the Reds were looking forward to making him their everyday centerfielder.

#5 Former Reds first baseman Joey Votto hit one out in his first at bat for the Toronto Blue Jays. Votto rather than retire sought to join another big league team and the Jays wanted to take a look at what he could do. Votto pounded a 392 foot home run off the Philadelphia Phillies frontline pitcher Zack Wheeler in the first inning at Clearlake Florida on Sunday.

#6 Salt Lake City has been in talks to possibly host a pre season game or two for the Oakland A’s at Smith’s Ballpark in Salt Lake City. The A’s had been in talks with Sacramento over use of Sutter Health Park. Salt Lake City is in serious MLB mode to get a big league team. They want to have the A’s move to Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City would finance the ballpark and land and finance a ballpark village. How realistic for that to happen starts with if the A’s can’t get to Las Vegas?

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants bolster rotation add Blake Snell on 2-year deal for $62 million

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Former San Diego Padre Blake Snell who had been a free agent for most of the off season and pre season agreed to a two year deal with the San Francisco Giants on Mon Mar 18, 2024 (AP file photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants have strengthened their rotation, as they have agreed to sign left-handed ace, and 2023 National League Cy Young Award Winner Blake Snell to a two-year, $62 million contract, according to MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman.

The deal caps off a strong off-season for the Giants, which started off with them adding Bob Melvin as manager, and continued with the signings of Jung-hoo Lee, Robbie Ray, Jordan Hicks and Tom Murphy. Jorge Soler and Matt Chapman were signed during Spring Training, and Snell could be set to join them in the final week of camp.

Blake Snell came up with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016, and was their ace through the COVID-shortened 60-game sprint season of 2020. He won the American League Cy Young Award in 2018; struggled, but helped lead the Rays to the Postseason in 2019; and led them to the World Series in 2020.

Snell was infamously pulled by Rays Manager Kevin Cash in Game 6 of the 2020 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the bottom of the sixth inning, despite throwing a shutout. After Snell was pulled, the Dodgers scored two runs to take a 2-1 lead, and won the game 3-1 to win their first world championship since 1988.

Following Cash’s controversial move, Snell was traded to the San Diego Padres that off-season. Snell struggled in a 2021 campaign that saw the Padres collapse down the stretch. He then bounced back, and helped lead the Padres to the National League Championship Series in 2022. Snell then won his second cy young award in an otherwise disappointing 2023 season for the Padres.

Snell’s cy young season was believed to be a massive booster for him as he entered free agency. However, Snell, along with Chapman, Cody Bellinger and Jordan Montgomery, who were all represented by prominent agent Scott Boras, all remained on the market as teams reported to Spring Training in February. Snell, along with Chapman and Bellinger were signed after games got underway, and Montgomery remains a free agent.

Snell now joins Logan Webb, who finished second in cy young voting last season. Snell also joins what is set to be a strong rotation for the Giants. Along with Webb and Snell, young left-handed phenom, who saw time late in 2023, will be bumped from the second to the third start in the rotation.

The rotation could also be further fortified by the experiment of turning the flamethrower Jordan Hicks from a reliever to a starter; the return of Alex Cobb and the newly-signed Ray off the Injured List; and the potential of right-handed Carson Whisenhunt making his major league debut later this season.

Snell will still need to pass a physical. Once he was done so, it could be assumed that Snell will join the Giants in their final week of camp in Scottsdale, and will get a start or two prior to the Giants’ opener in San Diego on March. It is most likely that Snell will begin the Regular Season in the minor leagues, and be ready to join the Giants in the middle of April.

Other Notes:

The Giants and Longtime Public Address Announcer Renel Brooks-Moon mutually parted ways on Monday.

Brooks-Moon, who had served as the Giants’ PA announcer for 24 years since then-Pacific Bell Park’s opening in 2000, has enshrined herself into Giants Lore. She was behind the microphone for the Giants’ run to the National League Pennant in 2002, and their three world championships in 2010, 2012 and 2014.

Brooks-Moon was at Barry Bonds’ breaking of the single-season record on Oct. 5, 2001 against the Dodgers, and his breaking of the all-time home run record on Aug. 7, 2007 against the Washington Nationals.

She was also there for Matt Cain’s Perfect Game against the Houston Astros on June 13, 2012, as well as Tim Lincecum’s two no-hitters, which were thrown on July 9, 2009 and June 25, 2014 respectively, both against the Padres.

Brooks-Moon has become a beloved and outspoken figure not just with the Giants, but with San Francisco and the Bay Area. She was the voice of the Cathedral of 3rd and King, and for so many younger fans, they do not know Giants Baseball without her.

There has yet to be word on who Brooks-Moon’s replacement will be, or how the process will play out.

J.D. Davis signed a one-year deal with the Oakland Athletics on Saturday, following his release from the Giants on March 11.

Davis was encouraged to come to Oakland by Alex Wood, who had been a member of the Giants’ rotation from 2021 to 2023. They are also joined by Ross Strippling, who the Giants traded to Oakland on Feb. 2.