Uncustomed Heroes of 2016: Giants

So yeah, regardless of anything the Giants did in 2016, if they didn't win the World Series, it was going to be a letdown. They didn't. It was.

Look, there was a lot of talent on this team, and the pitching staff of Bumgarner-Cueto-Shark-Moore-Peavy was one that was insanely powerful, even going into October, but the presence of the Dodgers in that division, and the Cubs in the playoffs, made it impossible for anything to happen past the NLDS.

Still, this was very far from a bad squad. Even if Eduardo Nunez didn't IMMEDIATELY start doing the stuff that made him an All Star in Minneapolis, he was a nice inclusion, and a potential option at third base for next season.

Jake Peavy's obviously not what he used to be, but as long as he gives a solid enough performance in the 4 or 5 spot, he's doing his job well. Next season will be the tenth since his Cy Young award, and he's just trying to make a career out of it, but he's done a nice enough job. Not sure what his fate is for 2017, though I imagine the Giants will keep him.

Coming Tomorrow- The Indians squad that ALMOST won the World Series.

Uncustomed Heroes of 2015: Giants

This season was not about the San Francisco Giants. I mean, next year's an even year, so it might next year, but 2015 was not their year. Hunter Pence knows it even there. The guy was on and off the DL this year, and even if he was really good when he was healthy, the team didn't do the greatest job this year.

Jake Peavy had a nice full season as a San Francisco Giant, having some solid numbers and looking like he did back in the late 2000's. I'm not sure if he's sticking around or not, but judging by the Jeff Samardzija deal, he might not be.

Alejandro de Aza was a late-season trade, via the Red Sox, who had some nice numbers with the Giants, and made the best of his month or so with the team.

Chris Heston had a pretty nice rookie year, especially coming off that no-hitter in June. He made himself a pretty reliable part of the rotation, even after Lincecum's absence.

Santiago Casilla had another year as the Giants' closer, this year a bit more productive than last, as he had his job the whole time and notched in 30+ saves, thanks to some sheer power.

This is a pretty important one, as Tim Hudson has retired, and his last few seasons with the Giants were a good indicator of how durable and powerful he could be, even out of his prime. I don't think he has enough numbers for Cooperstown, but he was a pretty great pitcher, and that says a lot in itself.

Coming Tomorrow- Some highlights from a Cleveland Indians team that ALMOST made it.

Uncustomed Heroes of Baseball: Giants

I am really sad that this guy's going to have to wear a Boston Red Sox uniform next year. I don't really want to hate him. He's a likable guy, he's got a hell of a fan base in San Francisco, and he's too lovable to be hated. So I'm not going to enjoy hating him.

I already made a custom of him earlier on this year, but since he had an amazing postseason, I gave him a cooler one.

This guy is one of the game's unsung heroes, always coming in at odd places and being a good veteran journeyman guy for various teams to pick up. I was happy he finally got a World Series ring this year with the Giants, and I was happy he had a nice year with them. He just signed with the Marlins today, so hopefully that will lead to good things.

Man, Jake Peavy got extremely lucky that he got picked up by the second World Series winning team in a row this July. Whoever's gonna get him next July better pray for success...unless it's the Cubs.

Coming Tomorrow- The Indians weren't nearly as good as in 2013, but they're still improving. A bunch of catchers premiere tomorrow.

Custom Card of the Day: Peavy Edition

Right now the White Sox are crushing my Yankees. I have no idea why, or how, but somehow the man above has nothing to do with it. You see, he's wearing different socks now.

Back in 2007, when Jake Peavy was one of the best pitchers in the NL, I would have been a lot more scared if he joined the Red Sox. Back then, he was the sole booster of those shoddy mediocre Padres teams, and he certainly dominated on the mound. It was indeed odd when Peavy left the Padres to join the White Sox, but he didn't pack the same punch, with the exception of half of last season.

I think the Sox picked a good time to jeopardize on Peavy's impending contract, as they were slowly falling off the top of the AL east. It appears that he's been helping the team get back to the top, as his first start was impressive for a recently-inconsistent pitcher.

If he keeps this up, I should fear for my Yankees, as they may have to meet with him once or twice in order to get back to the top.

Coming Tomorrow- Meanwhile, in Tampa, a recent Cy Young winner fights to return to the top.

Top 8 Trade Deadline Deals

You know, after years of seeing trades go all over the place, and teams go crazy at the deadline, it was a combination of weird and refreshing to see a deadline where nothing really happened. Sure, deals were made, and big stars were swapped, but nobody absolutely HUGE was swapped.

Still, like usual, I'll present the top 8 deadline deals, and share how it helps both teams, and declare a victor. Why 8? Because I couldn't find enough deals to make it 10.

8. Jose Veras to Detroit, prospects to Houston. Victor: Tigers. How it helps Tigers: gives them a nice closer to swap out for the faltering Jose Valverde. How it helps Astros: rids them of someone who was juuust becoming a star closer.

7. Ricky Nolasco to Dodgers, prospects to Marlins. Victor: as of right now, Dodgers. How it helps Dodgers: gives them another nice pitcher to add to the rotating cavalcade of pitchers. Besides, they just DFA'd Ted Lilly. Nolasco helped fill the hole. How it helps Marlins. Gives youth to a team loaded with it.

6. Robert Andino to Pittsburgh, prospects to Seattle. Victor: Pirates. How it helps Pirates: gives another quick infielder to a team prospering with a lot of those. Andino would be a nice fit there. How it helps Seattle: reinvigorates the farm system.

5. Ian Kennedy to San Diego, prospects to Arizona. Victor: surprisingly the D-Backs. How it helps the D-Backs: rids them of a struggling pitcher, and said pitcher's forthcoming expiring contract. Also,more prospects. How it helps Padres: helps a little bit with another middling pitcher to add to the pack.

4. Matt Garza to Rangers, prospects and Mike Olt to Cubs. Victor: Rangers. How it helps Rangers: Gives them another deadline success, and another arm to add to the surging rotation in Matt Garza. How it helps Cubs: gives more, younger support with Olt and the various prospects.

3. Bud Norris to Orioles, LJ Hoes and prospects to Astros. Victor: Orioles. How it helps Orioles: gives them help with the one problem they've been having, and that's PITCHING. Now someone other than Jason Hammel will be able to start games flawlessly for them, and Norris has made himself a name for that in Houston. How it helps Astros: Just what the doctor ordered: MORE PROSPECTS!

2. Alfonso Soriano to Yankees, prospects to Cubs. Victor: Yankees. How it helps Yankees: Gives another strong, powerful bat to a team that really needs one. Plus, returns a struggling star to where he made it big the first time. How it helps Cubs: Gives youth for the future.

1. Jake Peavy to the Red Sox, Avisail Garcia and prospects to the White Sox, Jose Iglesias to the Tigers. Victor: by a hair, the Red Sox. How it helps Red Sox: Gives one of the best pitchers of the late 00's to one of the best teams in baseball. Well done to the GM. How it helps the Tigers: If Jhonny Peralta is suspended for his steroid use, then it'll give one of the best young shortstops to one of the best teams in baseball. How it helps the White Sox: gives some of the most okay prospects to one of the worst teams in baseball. I got nothing,

Overall, victories for the Red Sox, Yankees, Rangers and Dodgers (as usual). I'm personally surprised that the Phillies did nothing, but I'm glad that Utley and Lee stayed put.

Custom Card of the Day: Peavy Edition



You ever have one of those moments where you've done something really great, only for it to be eclipsed by a minor flaw? This custom is one of those cases.

You see, this photo was awesome. The design took a half hour to clear out. The contrast made the photo look cooler. Already, I knew this was gonna be one of my best customs. Then reality set in- the font I used for the last 1992 custom was lost, and I forgot what it was called.

My greatest custom was marred by a mediocre font.

So I wung it, and I went with Arial bolded. The custom is still pretty good, and it's a symbol of the pretty good season Peavy is having, though not as dominant as the one he had five years ago. I think it'll be on the end of the year list...fonts and all.

Coming Tomorrow- Will probably be one of my better customs of this year, and it's of a relative unknown Japanese rookie from Milwaukee.

Year by Year Customs- 1975's

Rolling right along with 1975's. I've always liked this set, don't know why. Again, not much to say...

Coming tomorrow- 1976's.

Last minute trades!

Jake Peavy has been traded to the White Sox- for real this time. He will be swapped will up-and-comer Clay Richard and 3 other guys.

BTW, The Rolen deal needs his OK

Apparently, I was wrong

Looks like I could've just shut my yapper

Peavy is staying on the Padres.

Well played, Peavy, well played

PS- I will be on a SERIES 2 HUNT today- expect another post later.

In the middle of May...

It's almost Summer time
The sun is shining
The birds are singing
Jake Peavy is getting signed by the ChiSox- wait

WHAAAAAATTTT?

Yes it's true. Mr. Peavy has finally found a home in Chicago...yes, I can tell that Mr. WhiteSoxCards is already beaming with excitement. I guess it's safe to say that Summer may be the most surprising one we've seen in a while.

Also, Kris Allen won American Idol last night

this prompts another WHAAAAAAAATTTT?