Tuesday, March 30, 2004

 

Busy Day For Sabean

Today saw a small flurry of moves by the Giants, involving four or five minor-league signings or trades.

With Robb Nen and Scott Eyre beginning the season on the disabled list, the bullpen needed some reinforcements. To this end, the Giants signed Dave Veres and Mike Crudale to minor-league contracts. Veres is 37, and was released by the Houston Astros this spring because his arm strength hasn't recovered from offseason shoulder surgery. Historically an above-average reliever, last year Veres put up his first ERA+ below 100. If this was because of his bad shoulder, and if Veres can rebound, this will be a good pickup at fairly low financial risk. But Veres is 37, and he is coming off shoulder surgery. Don't be surprised if he doesn't crack the majors this year.

I'm far more excited about the Crudale signing. Though he's pitched only 73.3 innings in the majors, he's got a career ERA of 2.09 (ERA+ is 192). He's given up only 4 HR, while racking up 60 K. I can't figure out why Milwaukee let him go. I know, the Brewers are a pathetic excuse for a franchise, but Crudale is only 27. Does he have a deep dark secret injury, or has Sabean found a gem? This is like the Scott Eyre pickup in 2002--a good pitcher, cast off for unknown reasons. My gut tells me this could work out at least as well. (Or that I'm full of onion soup.)

Of course, both Crudale and Veres are right-handed. Eyre's injury hurts because the Giants are short on lefty relievers. Therefore, the Giants traded minor league righties pitchers Carlos Villanueva and Glenn Woolard to the Milwaukee Brewers for lefty Wayne Franklin and righty Leo Estrella.

Franklin can both start and relieve, but he is terrible either way. His WHIP last year was in the range of 1.50, his ERA 5.50, and that's really the gist of it. Moving to SBC Park should help curb his generosity in giving up homers, but Franklin will probably be, at best, an emergency starter or LOOGY.

Leo Estrella is a 29-year-old reliever with only one real year of MLB experience. His stat line is the definition of mediocre, right down to his ERA+ of 100. I really don't know much about him, but he seems to be more useful than Franklin.

Sadly, I'll have to rely on either Stephen Shelby or Waiting For Boof to tell me if Woolard or Villanueva are any good, and if we gave up too much. I know neither pitcher was part of the major league camp this year, and that's about it.

The final transaction of the day was the signing of former Orioles starting shortstop Deivi Cruz to a minor-league contract. So now, if Neifi Perez and Cody Ransom are kidnapped by sabermetrically-challenged aliens, the Giants can replace them with someone just as bad at the plate. If I were Pedro Feliz (and let's face it, who wouldn't want to be Pedro Feliz?), I'd feel pretty secure in my position as Backup Infielder/Outfielder/Power-Hitting Prospect For All Ages.

Well, this is quite a lot more than I'd intended to write today, so my take on how the Giants can win the World Series this season will have to wait until tomorrow or next day. In the meantime, if you're hard up for more baseball stuff, check out what Rob Neyer had to say about MLB Sportsclix. (I am jealous.)

Jefferson 6:02 PM

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