Mick dateline='[url=tel:1704857743' Wrote: 1704857743[/url]']
I just don't think players -- particularly hitters -- want to come to SF. I don't think it's the city or the state necessarily...Oracle is a very difficult park in which to hit, the fourth most difficult park in which to hit a home run, statistically speaking. What power hitter wants to go to a place where HRs go to die?
The Giants paid double what Lee's originally assessed value was...and he hits for average, not power. And along those lines, I realize he comes from the KBO, a league between AA and AAA...but he holds the KBO's career batting average record. Not too shabby.
The Giants played 12 rookies and six second year players (Bryce Johnson has since departed). That's exciting to me...I think a few of them will really excel this year. Part of the excitement will be fielding...the Sacto Rivercats had the worst team fielding percentage in the PCL, but the highest caught stealing percentage, and the third most double plays. Hopefully they get some good coaching this year...
Despite the contrary evidence from Bonds, you’re making a reasonable point on the hitting side. What’s puzzling to me is why a pitcher like Imanaga - a lefty who pitches high in the zone with a fastball that isn’t going to age well - would want to go to Wrigley when he could pitch at Oracle and have a reasonable number of away park home runs converted to outs. Free agent lefties over 30 ought to be climbing over themselves to pitch there. That’s one reason why I’m wondering if there’s something else going on. Management (Zaidi)? Ownership?