Zaidi is in a tough spot. I think the first thing an organization has to do prior to the deadline is take a good hard look at what they have on the roster and in the farm system, see where they are in the standings, and make a realistic assessment as to (1) are they legitimate playoff contender and (2) are they a team that can do some damage in the playoffs.
Fans, of course, have a tendency to look at the last few games and react accordingly. Zaidi cannot, and fortunately will not do that. No matter how bad this team looked the last few days.
The problem he has, imo, is the answers, to some extent, depend in part on health. Losing Crawford and Estrada has been a major blow. Especially Estrada. Whether they can get anything from Crawford moving forward is a legitimate question. But he’s a veteran, has been there so many times before and is, I think, somewhat of a stabilizing influence. And when Estrada will be back on the field (not to mention how effective he will be once back) is still an open question. Add the fact that Yaz, Davis, Wade, Conforto and Slater have been dealing with injuries recently, and in some cases throughout the year, and the problem is compounded.
The Giants got a nice boost from the rookies. But in the end, it’s the veterans that have to carry a team. And right now, with the exception of Flores, they are flailing. That should change. Assuming health. A big assumption.
On the pitching side, the problem is not injuries, fortunately. The problem is they simply have not been able to count on Stripling, Manaea. Wood and DeSclafani. And it’s hard to put a whole lot of faith going forward that any of them will be contributors down the stretch. With the possible exception of Stripling, who’s been pitching a little better of late.
If healthy, I think this roster as currently constructed certainly is a contender for a playoff spot. But I don’t really see them as one capable of doing a whole lot of damage once there. Primarily because of what I view as a lack of pitching on the front end. Webb and Cobb are a nice one two punch. After that it’s essentially TBD. If healthy, add a third frontline starter to the staff and maybe this is a team that can do some real damage.
But if healthy is a major qualifier. And that especially is true up the middle. Schmitt, Wisely and Matos are all very nice prospects. But to expect them to carry the load down the stretch at second short andvcenterfield is, in my opinion, unrealistic. Bailey is terrific. But I have some concern about him wearing down as the season goes on. He will be playing a whole lot more games than he ever has before at an incredibly demanding position mentally, and physically. My guess is he will continue to shine defensively, but his bat will suffer.
So, during the next week, Zaidi and Co has to analyze this, and determine whether to go after a front line starter and/or a middle infielder. As part of that determination, they have to consider what they are willing to part with. And I think that depends upon their feelings relating to the two questions I posed. Which, brings me back to health.
Not an easy call. But it’s why Zaidi gets paid the big bucks. And it’s going to be quite interesting to see what he does
Fans, of course, have a tendency to look at the last few games and react accordingly. Zaidi cannot, and fortunately will not do that. No matter how bad this team looked the last few days.
The problem he has, imo, is the answers, to some extent, depend in part on health. Losing Crawford and Estrada has been a major blow. Especially Estrada. Whether they can get anything from Crawford moving forward is a legitimate question. But he’s a veteran, has been there so many times before and is, I think, somewhat of a stabilizing influence. And when Estrada will be back on the field (not to mention how effective he will be once back) is still an open question. Add the fact that Yaz, Davis, Wade, Conforto and Slater have been dealing with injuries recently, and in some cases throughout the year, and the problem is compounded.
The Giants got a nice boost from the rookies. But in the end, it’s the veterans that have to carry a team. And right now, with the exception of Flores, they are flailing. That should change. Assuming health. A big assumption.
On the pitching side, the problem is not injuries, fortunately. The problem is they simply have not been able to count on Stripling, Manaea. Wood and DeSclafani. And it’s hard to put a whole lot of faith going forward that any of them will be contributors down the stretch. With the possible exception of Stripling, who’s been pitching a little better of late.
If healthy, I think this roster as currently constructed certainly is a contender for a playoff spot. But I don’t really see them as one capable of doing a whole lot of damage once there. Primarily because of what I view as a lack of pitching on the front end. Webb and Cobb are a nice one two punch. After that it’s essentially TBD. If healthy, add a third frontline starter to the staff and maybe this is a team that can do some real damage.
But if healthy is a major qualifier. And that especially is true up the middle. Schmitt, Wisely and Matos are all very nice prospects. But to expect them to carry the load down the stretch at second short andvcenterfield is, in my opinion, unrealistic. Bailey is terrific. But I have some concern about him wearing down as the season goes on. He will be playing a whole lot more games than he ever has before at an incredibly demanding position mentally, and physically. My guess is he will continue to shine defensively, but his bat will suffer.
So, during the next week, Zaidi and Co has to analyze this, and determine whether to go after a front line starter and/or a middle infielder. As part of that determination, they have to consider what they are willing to part with. And I think that depends upon their feelings relating to the two questions I posed. Which, brings me back to health.
Not an easy call. But it’s why Zaidi gets paid the big bucks. And it’s going to be quite interesting to see what he does