Uncustomed Heroes of 2021: Giants

 

The San Francisco Giants finished the 2021 season with the best record of anybody, with 107 wins and 55 losses. With a regular season that good, the Giants were unfortunately doomed for a steep fall. Which is exactly what happened when they went against the Dodgers in the NLDS. 

But before then, they took a mostly-aging core and added a lot of youth and cheap statistical forces to the team in order to make it great. It was a triumph Gabe Kapler had been waiting for since getting the job with the Phillies. And it was a worthy triumph, considering the franchise piece that would leave at the end of the season.

But first, one of the other pillars of the team, Brandon Belt, had a great year in between injuries. Over 97 games he hit .274 with a team-leading 29 homers, and 59 RBIs. Belt also had the largest OPS on the team with 160, and notched a 2.7 WAR despite missing time. If that's how good he was without 50 games, it proves that Belt still has some life in him, even at 33.

2022 Prediction: A fuller year, though maybe not as power-heavy. Expect some big moments from the guy, though. I don't quite see 1st base going to Darin Ruf quite yet.

Rounding out the 6-year contract he signed in 2016, Johnny Cueto found himself bringing up the rear of a rotation that featured Kevin Gausman, Anthony Desclafani, Logan Webb and Alex Wood. In 21 games, the former Cincinnati ace went 7-7 with a 4.08 ERA and only 98 Ks. It's sad to see someone who looked so powerful in 2015 and 2016 seeming this blah, but he did still have some moments of dominance before being left off the postseason roster. 

2022 Prediction: A lower-price signing for a team needing rotation help. Washington? Baltimore? Hell, the Mets?

One of the biggest surprises for the Giants was the arrival of former Twins utility piece LaMonte Wade Jr.,  who was a very useful bench piece that made his way to starting in June and July. In July he had a 1.027 OPS with 16 RBIs and 7 homers, owing to his season .243 average. Wade, like Darin Ruf, is an outfield-1B type who can just rake and hit it where they ain't at crucial moments. No wonder Kapler likes him.

2021 Prediction: A bigger case to start, and maybe bigger contact numbers.

Two relievers split the closing spot in SF this year. Technically the most successful of the two was Jake McGee, who had 31 saves, a 2.72 ERA and 58 Ks. Clearly his best season closing since Tampa, and I'm glad he's come into his own as a ninth man. 

2022 Prediction: A few more blown saves will leave the door open for their other closer.

The other closing piece the Giants used this year was Tyler Rogers. While his brother Taylor was injured for a great deal of the year, Tyler the sidearmer had the stronger overall season, with a 2.22 ERA, 55 Ks, and 14 saves in 80 appearances. Rogers may be 30, but he's reaching his peak, and has been a nasty relief piece for the Giants over the last few seasons.

2022 Prediction: Takes the ninth full time, with great results.

Meanwhile, the middle relief piece that raised the most eyebrows this year was Camilo Doval, who premiered as a rookie, became a trusted relief piece, had a 3.00 era in 29 appearances, notched his first postseason save and gave up a run to the Dodgers in the NLDS. Doval is 23, and is doing so much already. While people like Jarlin Garcia and Dominic Leone had bigger overall seasons, Camilo Doval had the biggest second half, and made the Giants more of a force going into the postseason.

2022 Prediction: Levels a bit behind some aforementioned talents, but begins to hone things for a prime season coming in a year or so.

Finally, 2021 was the final one for Buster Posey, a team hero I saw in his rookie year at Oracle Park, and who always seemed to excel both behind the plate and at it. I respect his decision to bow out now, as he's certainly on top, with an ASG season, a .300 average and 120 hits. Very respectable numbers to go out on. I hope that either Joey Bart or Curt Casali will fill the void strongly enough without him.

Tomorrow- Some results of the soon-to-be-Guardians' decision to make for a lower-budget 2021.

Thankfully, Buster Posey Is Back

 I was really, really worried in 2019.

2019 was Buster Posey's worst season to date, he only hit modestly, pulled a 0.8 WAR despite playing 114 games, and only mustered 38 RBIs. It was a very disappointing way to end Bruce Bochy's tenure with the team, and it was a season that put the rest of Posey's career in jeopardy.

When Posey decided to opt out of 2020 season, arguably the biggest name to do so, it made things look even worse. What if Posey calls it here? What if he never returns to peak caliber? What if the Giants have to start a clearly-not-ready Joey Bart behind the plate?

Regardless, Posey finally made it back in 2021. Not just Buster Posey- GOOD BUSTER POSEY. We were worried about whether or not he was gonna show up again, but here he is, hitting .350 and sitting on 9 homers and 17 RBIs. 

While this is an enhanced power-angle for Posey, especially considering his 34-year-old ness, and his catching skills BEGINNING to wane slightly, it's still amounting to a 2.0 WAR, the highest on the team for position players, and it's given him the highest average by a long shot, as well as the most hits with 39. And it makes sense- in a season of renaissance for Brandon Crawford, Evan Longoria, Brandon Belt and Darin Ruf, of course the team centerpiece would also be back to rare form. It's like the old night watchmen in Night at the Museum, rejuvenated for an instance but making the most of it. 

It also helps that Kevin Gausman, Jake McGee, Anthony DeSclafani, Alex Wood and, yes, Scott Kazmir are all having impressive seasons after being let loose by the rest of the league. The fact that SF has become a haven for lower-key players to make their comebacks, especially when led by the very-in-need-of-a-comeback Gabe Kapler, is kind of charming.

And yes, while the Giants have returned to 3rd place, they only did so because of a series with the red-hot Dodgers, and aren't exactly completely out of momentum. The NL West race is so close that they're not out of it yet, and are still right there with the Padres and Dodgers. So it'll be interesting to see how things continue to go.

Coming Tomorrow- Another 34-year-old that's still lighting up the league, only this one's out of Florida and on the mound. 

Strike a Posey

So...while this wasn't a great year for the San Francisco Giants, it...honestly could have been a lot worse?

I mean, on one hand...the Giants' July was absolutely huge. They went from last to second in an instant, fueled by performances by Alex Dickerson, Kevin Pillar, Mike Yastrzemski and Austin Slater. And...then they went back to earth because they're the Giants after all, but they proved a lot of people wrong by springing to live for a month or so.

And the intriguing part about this jumpstart is that it didn't involve many old-guard members of the team, save for Madison Bumgarner. Pablo Sandoval's progress came pre-come-up, Brandon Crawford's came late, Joe Panik was gone by September, and guys like Brandon Belt and Buster Posey felt...human for the first time in years.

This especially concerning for fans of Posey. Buster Posey has been one of the marquee stars of the decade, a landmark hitting catcher with a ROY and an MVP, and 3 World Series rings, and to see him begin to peter off into human, less-than-okay seasons, especially at age 32, is a bit sad. Like, you're expecting career longevity from a guy this great, even though he IS a catcher, and catchers don't usually have long careers AS catchers, unless you're lucky like Carlton Fisk or Yadier Molina.

I mean, is Buster Posey gonna have to reinvent himself as a third baseman? Do the Giants have any patience for that, with all the young players coming up? Is the Giants gonna have to really ask itself how much longer they're gonna be Buster Posey's team for? It's really concerning, especially for me because I genuinely like the guy.

But...with Maurico Dubon making a big splash, and Johnny Cueto being unbelievable upon his return from surgery, I'm thinking 2020 could be even better for the Giants. I just hope Posey can improve as well.

Coming Tomorrow- One of the best defensive outfielders in baseball.

Hey Now, You're Not an All-Star

Excuse the bad pun, but...I have to talk about the huge demotion that Buster Posey just went through. The guy went from being in line to start the All-Star Game...to being a reserve member...to not being on the team due to a hip issue. In the span of like 3 days. Poor Buster Posey. I mean that loosely, seeing as he's still one of the best catchers in baseball.

They tapped Yadier Molina to replace him on the roster, but seeing as Molina's missed a few games due to a shoulder injury, they may have to go to Francisco Cervelli. But...regardless of this, let's talk about the Giants before I get carried away with the umpteenth ASG rant I've had on the blog.

The 2018 San Francisco Giants. They're over .500, they're in third place.....and they just traded Austin Jackson and Cody Gearrin to the fifth-place Texas Rangers. I don't think anyone knows what they're doing, especially the Giants.

This is a very middle-of-the-road kind of team, and I think there's a lot of imbalance and overflow going on. The starting rotation currently has seven viable starters, most of which being brought in during injuries to the big three (Bumgarner, Cueto and Shark). Ty Blach has been working relief, and I imagine Dereck Rodriguez will also be heading to the bullpen, while Andrew Suarez and Derek Holland are probably going to stay in the rotation (or the Giants could save Rodriguez and ditch Holland. I have no idea). Either way, MadBum and Cueto are back to their old tricks, and are bringing some much needed defensive power to this mostly offensive-friendly team.

Arguably the most surprising part of this Giants team is the amount of power coming from the bench. Alen Hanson, former Pirates farmhand, has been going through a breakthrough year as a backup for Joe Panik, and Pablo Sandoval seems to be improving as a backup for Evan Longoria. Additionally, Austin Slater and Steven Duggar have been fine backup outfielders, and Nick Hundley is still one of the better backup catchers in the game. And yes, the central power core of Belt, Crawford, Posey and Cutch (!) still works pretty damn well.

At this point, it's the matter of catching up to the Dodgers and D-Backs in a division where momentum is anything but constant. The Giants have a surprising amount going for them, and could make a run at second. But they might need a smidge more roster shuffling.

Coming Tomorrow- The poor guy missed out on the victory parade in Houston, and he's one of the few highlights of a dismal team out of Canada.

Here We Go Again...

Well, it's March. Baseball's a month away, but my mind is on the game. Spring Training's a thing. And for your information, I'll be finding out firsthand how wonderful that is in a few days.

But...I had to wait for the right custom. There's not a ton of photos for newly-acquired players, so I had to start 2017 with an established player. It just had to look good.

So...this pretty awesome shot of Buster Posey is the first custom of 2017. It's that simple.

I'm gonna keep posting what I have throughout the week. Not a ton of HUGE names, but some good stuff nonetheless.

Not Exactly as Inevitable as the Giants Thought

It's August, so the picture for the end of the season should become a bit clearer for everyone. However, in the NL East...the once strongholding Giants are now fighting to stay afloat against the surging, battling Dodgers.

It's actually a very fun race, because both teams have opposite strengths and weaknesses. The Dodgers have a brisk, fun lineup with hitters coming from everywhere and some definite stacking in terms of sheer power, but they don't have a ton of pitching this year. The Giants have one of the strongest pitching staffs in their history, with Cueto, Bumgarner, Samardzija, Matt Moore and Matt Cain all surging right now, and their infield is equally strong with the addition of Eduardo Nunez, but their outfield is a bit too inconsistent and injury-prone to be considered legitimate. They're imperfect teams, both of them, and it's actually kind of gratifying that both have sort have entered a stalemate at this point.

And I don't even know who to root for, as they're both great teams that could do really well in the postseason. The Dodgers are sort of underdogs here, but the Giants could potentially win another World Series if they get the proper September momentum. At the same time though, it might be too obvious to assume they can win another one- they've one three on the 'even year' streak, but asking for four, especially after the streak has been made so public, might be too much.

it's still pretty interesting to watch all of this go down, and there's still a month or so left of this.

Coming Tomorrow- He's in his late thirties, and won't...stop...hitting...

Giant Steps (Are What They've Been Taking)

It's been known that the Giants are much better on even seasons than they are on odds. It's sort of a joke in the MLB, nowadays. Even year, Giants win the World Series. Odd year, some other odd team can take it.

I imagine the Giants heard about this urban legend of sorts, and wanted to either help their odds or break the chain. This offseason has one of the most productive in years for them, because not only do they want to win in 2016, but they want to procure their current roster so they can win more.

2015 was only brilliant for them in one respect, and it was that of their infield. This was the first time since their 2010 resurgence that the Giants had a strong, youthful infield unit of Brandon Belt, Joe Panik, Brandon Crawford and Matt Duffy. When all four were on, you had an unbeatable combination.

Now, for 2016, the Giants have that infield to protect. What they've also been doing is shoring up the other parts of the roster that were faulty in 2015, and, in doing so, giving themselves a major roster shakeup that could legitimize them big-time for 2016.

So far, the Giants have roped Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija into joining their rotation, which also could include Madison Bumgarner, Jake Peavy, Matt Cain, Chris Heston and Tim Lincecum. So those are seven names, with three absolute definites (Cueto, MadBum and Samardzija), and one that probably will be moved to the bullpen (Lincecum).

Additionally, the Giants just grabbed Denard Span from Washington, which could be great if Span stays healthy. They also have Hunter Pence locked up for a little while longer, and are looking at Gregor Blanco or Kyle Blanks to play left. It's not a perfect outfield, but if everybody stays healthy, it'll do.

The Giants are, obviously, playing to win now. 2016 will be a two-to-three horse race, with the variable only because I'm not sure which Los Angeles Dodgers are going to show up in 2016. It'll definitely be between the Giants and the D-Backs, though, which could be a tough race, as both rosters have gone through a ton of retooling for the better this year, and it could be an explosive finish.

Don't know if this will be another World Series win for the Giants. But it's looking like that's what they're dead-set on accomplishing this year.

Custom Card of the Day: Posey Edition

Buster Posey has played in six seasons. In three of them, he's won a World Series ring, in one he's won a Rookie of the Year, and in one he's won an MVP.

Your luck cannot get any better than that.

I mean, I was worried back in 2011 that Buster wouldn't be as good after his play at the plate injury, which made him miss most of the season, but now he's proven himself consistent and formidable, even in odd seasons. He helped carry his team to a World Series last year, and he's become one of the most reliable catchers in the NL, possibly in baseball.

Only sucky thing is his team's in last.

Maybe it's the division, filled with strong teams like LA and San Diego, promising youth-filled rosters, like Colorado, and fifty pounds of human excrement (and Paul Goldschmidt), like Phoenix. Maybe it's the fact that people like Mike Morse, Pablo Sandoval and Marco Scutaro, guys who helped them get to a few rings, are gone. Maybe it's the fact that it's an odd year.

Either way, no matter where the Giants finish, I think Buster Posey is gonna have a nice season.

Coming Tomorrow- I've done one well-hyped Chicago rookie. Now I'll do the other.

Game Seven: Full Prediction

Well...tonight, the last game of the 2014 season will take place. Both sides are ready for a victory, and either one could easily take this one.

However, as is custom, I will detail the viewpoints and perspectives of the game, and see who I think will win in the end.

Who the audience wants to win:

Kansas City Royals.

Kind of goes without saying. Nobody thought that the Royals would make it this far, especially seeing as the Tigers came out strong at the beginning of the season. So it's making everybody so happy that they're in the World Series, and they're playing beautifully.

Plus, this is a fun team that has allowed itself to be rooted for by basically everybody. There are great players like Lorenzo Cain, Jarrod Dyson, Omar Infante, Alex Gordon and Yordano Ventura populating the roster.

If the fans had their way, the Royals would take it.

Who has the better team:

San Francisco Giants.

Yeah, it's kind of a fact that the Giants have more meat on them. They have better hitting, more durable pitching, a roster that has been through this before. They have a number of players (Bumgarner, Posey, Sandoval, and a few others) that have already won two rings. They've been through all of this already.

The Giants came close to taking their division title a few times. The Royals, with the exception of a midsummer boost, didn't really. The Giants have more overall strength, have hit more home runs, and are the stronger team.

Who Should Win:

Kansas City Royals.

Going into this game, the odds are with the Royals. They're playing a Game 7 at home, and the odds say that they'll be the ones to take it. But not only that--this is a team that has been playing like winners for the past few matches. Game 6 was a blowout because they allowed it to be, because they decided to play really, really well.

If they could take Game 6, and force the Giants to play one more game, I guess they'll be the favorite going in.

Who Will Win:

Kansas City Royals.

Not sure if this will happen, but I sincerely hope it does.

WORLD SERIES TIME!!

Tonight, one of the oddest World Series match ups in recent history will take place, between the underdog Kansas City Royals...

and the not-necessarily underdog San Francisco Giants.

I will try to keep up custom-wise with the games, and try to customize as many players on both squads as possible.

Spring Training Custom of the Day: Posey Edition

(Posey: MC14 #3)

I really, really, really like this shot. I had to monkey with it a little as it was a wider, longer shot than just Posey, but it came out pretty nice.

By the way, if I see any more photos of Posey that are more awesome than this one, I'll just add a variation to this design. If Topps can do it, then I'll do it. Last year I couldn't do too many of these great photos by August because I'd already made everybody. This year there's more control.

Also, my photo source missed a few really important events yesterday. Brian McCann hit a homer. Today Tanaka's making his debut, and they'll probably photograph the shit out of that, but nobody who's been THAT newsworthy to me has gotten photos.

Case in point- tomorrow's is Colorado's replacement for their eventual-Hall-of-Fame first baseman.

Custom Card of the Day: Posey Edition

I know it's sacrilegious to follow a Dodger with a Giant, but what are you gonna do? I didn't time it like that on purpose. I just happened to follow a great custom with another great custom.

I feel like the Giants have been very underwhelming so far this season. Today, for example, they lost to the Brewers, a thoroughly unspectacular group of players, on a homerun by an inebriated pitcher. So naturally, their slope is headed downward, which is sad, because that team is pretty fun.

I think that Buster Posey, if he stays healthy, has a chance to have a pretty nice career. I mean, in the two seasons he's been healthy he's won two World Series', a ROY and an MVP. Which are some pretty nice crudentials, and which means he's an MVP away from basically being Johnny Bench.

I don't know if the Giants will rebound this season, or if they'll just pave the way for somebody else to win the NL West, but hopefully Posey will have another high-Homer season.

Coming Tomorrow- What's that? I haven't done a St. Louis Cardinal all year? Well here's one. The pitcher that's kinda holding the team up with one arm.

Two Deserving MVPs

 

I think we all kinda saw this one coming. Miggy had an amazing season, as evidenced by his Triple Crown win. How were MVP voters gonna ignore that? I mean, Mike Trout it great and all, but Miguel Cabrera won the freaking triple crown. Siddown, Trout.

 

In other news, this one was a little more predictable, since the only real opposition was Andrew McCutchen, and he'll win one eventually. Posey had a great comeback season, and I'm really happy for him. 

That's it for awards. Now to start compiling entries for my Top 100 Insert Sets list. 

The First Victory

Well, who saw that coming?

I honestly thought the Reds would take this one. I thought the rotation was strong enough to last them through October, but apparently the bottom fell out. I'm still happy for the Giants, but it's pretty surprising that they made it.

I'll say this about San Francisco- 2 years ago they were the underdogs. They were the island of misfit toys, made up of players nobody wanted. They made a championship from that team, of a couple of good players and some rising stars.

Now that they have a better, stronger team, I think they have more of a shot to win it than they did the year they won it.

Crazy postseason so far. Tonight I bet it gets crazier.

Monster Retail Card Haul Part 1- Baseball

I guess you could say I was a bit discouraged.

I had some money singled out especially to go to that one card shop in Lake George, and it ends up being out of business. Just my luck, really. So how do I take out my aggression? By purchasing 2 retail boxes of Topps Football and 1 Cereal Box of Series 2. I'll post the football tomorrow, because that's a long-ass post in itself.

This box of baseball cards is very special, because...well you'll find out. I pulled something in this cereal box that I'm never gonna forget, and I'll end it at that.

416- Todd Helton. It's a shame he's on the DL. I think he belongs in Cooperstown
375- Drew Stubbs
356- HAH! Endy Chavez. The dude's been everywhere. He was on the Phils for a season.
370- Lyle Overbay.
358- Jacob Turner. Now on the Marlins.
404- Jonathan Sanchez. I think this guy got traded. Suits him right.
638- Derek Lowe. Please, don't make the bleeding worse, Derek.
336- Gavin Floyd. Former Philadelphia Phillie.
599- Zach Britton
653- Jordan Walden
422- Austin Jackson. Now that he's getting good again, I admit the trade still smarts a tiny bit
618- Eric Chavez. Oh, what could have been a great career, felled by injuries. Still hits pretty well.
335- Josh Satin
482- Chris Capuano
619- Tyler Greene. I think he's on the Padres now.
622- Daniel Hudson. Good pitcher, 2nd banana to Ian Kennedy
523- Jim Johnson. Man, what a closer he's become.
582- Shin-soo Choo. Wish he was doing better.
564- Jose Valverde. Go scream somewhere else. I actually love this card, but I hate him.
421- Heath Bell. Aw, he was so good last season...what happened?
620- Trayvon Robinson
395- Rod Barajas
346- Dillon Gee. Was once the team's ace. Is now injured. Haw, haw.
552- Kyle Drabek. His papa's probably pissed at his performance right now.
631- Ryan Kalish
569- Travis Hafner. The back mentions a walk off against Toronto...that was a game I attended.
394- Bryan LaHair. Because somebody had to get an All Star nod from the Cubs this year
516- Charlie Morton
591- Aubrey Huff. He needs to stop injuring himself in trivial ways.
357- Craig Gentry
doubles
477- Edinson Volquez. Ugh
363- Fernando Salas
562- Henderson Alvarez
602- Alejandro De Aza
414- Ryan Vogelsong
408- Jonny Venters
435- Jeff Baker.
409- Greg Holland. I have never heard of most of these Royals pitchers. Maybe that's why they suck.
491- Valverde cl. Oh, go away.
595- David Carpenter
652- Grant Balfour, mate
558- Wade Miley. When I was on a cruise, I met some people who were related to Wade, and said they watched when he fanned the Phillies. Dunno if inspired or pissed.
579- Dan Uggla cl
526- Casper Wells GOLD SHINY CARD
A Cut Above of Troy Tulowitzki
Golden Moments of Ryne Sandberg. Nice.
Career Day of Miguel Cabrera
87 mini of Justin Verlander
code card. I don't wanna know.
HOLY CRAP!
It's a Golden Moments game used dual card of Johnny Bench and Buster Posey.
THIS RIGHT HERE...Is the greatest thing I've ever pulled out of a pack. I mean this. One of the greatest catchers of all time paired with one of the greatest current catchers. This will be worth so much money.
389- Alexi Casilla
449- Shane Victorino. Gahh, still kinda hurts
369- Huston Street
481- Matt Harrison
doubles
397- Hector Noesi. Bluh.
410- Jeff Locke
460- Thomas Field
390- Taylor Green.

Well, there it is. That Posey/Bench game used is really, really nice. I'm very happy with it.

Tomorrow, some nice football cards.

Custom Card of the Day: Posey Edition

There is a thing that most fans can't negate
Regarding one position's downward cruise
It's that those working days behind the plate
Succumb to every blister, bump and bruise
Most spend their rookie year proclaimed as champs
High accolades and garments- all is well
Until a summer's achievements turn damp
And sophomore year is spent on the DL
The cycle has been going on for years
With catchers getting hit and missing out
Mauer, Posey, McCann- all jumpstart fears
Of a return to glory there is doubt
The sad thing is that many catchers find
After their summer, winter right behind

I really hope Buster Posey returns to his 2010 numbers, and I really hope that rules are changes so that catchers such as Posey and Mauer can keep playing catcher for a while.

Coming Tomorrow- Something much less poetic. A long tenured pitcher going into the final stretch of his career with Cincinnati.

(By the way, I might FINALLY be getting some cards tomorrow or Sunday. Archives and Series 2 have been screaming at me. And besides, in two weeks is the Philly Show.)

Rookies of the Year

Called it.


Kinda thought he had a rookie year last year (But hey, Geovany Soto started in 2006). I put Austin Jackson in my betting pool anyway.

Bring on the other good awards.

That's what I call an action shot

Throughout my past Customs things haven't been going on. Basically, the guy gets a hit, the guy makes a catch, the guy strikes out, the guy pitches, etc. I've added a few action shots to the mix, like the shot of Buster Posey above. And a few shots coming up are much cooler (David DeJesus is tomorrow, followed by Hunter Pence, and quality is really faithful to their eras)

Now, onto the man on the card. Buster Posey was labeled this year as the next big thing. Every Topps set has one- a rookie card of a guy in the base set who people know will be good (Case in point- Ryan Howard, David Wright, Alex Gordon, Troy Tulowitski, Joey Votto, David Price). Buster Posey was billed as Card #2 in the set this year, after The Prince of Fatness, Prince Fielder. I saw Posey twice this year, and he was red hot in both games.

And that action shot always seems to personify him. Always leaping for home, and always ending up safe.

Tomorrow- One of the coolest customs I've ever done.