Sunday, July 31, 2011

Saltzman Says...Giants Depth Chart (Updated 7/31/11)

San Francisco's Updated Organizational Depth Chart: (7/31/11 Edition)

Right Handed Pitchers:
RHSP Matt Cain (ML)
RHRP Santiago Casilla (ML)
RHSP Tim Lincecum (ML)
RHRP Guillermo Mota (ML)
RHRP Ramon Ramirez (ML)
RHRP Sergio Romo (ML)
RHSP Ryan Vogelsong (ML)
RHRP Brian Wilson (ML)
RHP Josh Banks (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHP Casey Daigle (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHRP Steve Edlefson (Fresno Grizzlies/40 Man)
RHP Waldis Joaquin (Fresno Grizzlies/40 Man)
RHP Andrew Kown (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHRP Marc Kroon (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHP Shane Loux (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHP Scott Munter (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHP Dan Ortero (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHP Ronnie Ray (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHP Felix Romero (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHP Hector Correa (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
RHP Justin Fitzgerald (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
RHRP Heath Hembree (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
RHP Mitch Lively (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
RHP Daryl Maday (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
RHP Edwin Quirarte (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
RHSP Jose Casilla (San Jose Giants/40 Man)
RHSP Jake Dunning (San Jose Giants)
RHP Jacob Dunnington (San Jose Giants)
RHP Stephen Harrold (San Jose Giants)
RHSP Chris Heston (San Jose Giants)
RHSP Michael Main (San Jose Giants)
RHP Osris Matos (San Jose Giants)
RHP Andy Reichard (San Jose Giants)
RHP Jose Valdez (San Jose Giants)
RHSP Craig Westcott (San Jose Giants)
RHP Chris Wilson (San Jose Giants)
RHP Brett Bochy (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Drew Bowlin (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Edward Concepcion (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Austin Fleet (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Taylor Rogers (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Seth Rosin (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Shawn Sanford (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Justin Schumer (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Jeremy Toole (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Brandon Allen (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Wilber Bucardo (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Brennan Flick (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Kendry Flores (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Matthew Graham (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Cody Hall (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Cameron Lamb (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Rafael Martinez (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Lorenzo Mendoza (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Reinier Roibal (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Stephen Shackleford (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
----------
Left Handed Pitchers:
LHP Jeremy Affeldt (ML)
LHP Madison Bumgarner (ML)
LHP Javier Lopez (ML)
LHP Jonathan Sanchez (ML)
LHP Barry Zito (ML)
LHP Dan Runzler (Fresno Grizzlies/40 Man)
LHP Matt Yourkin (Fresno Grizzlies)
LHP Justin Dowdy (Fresno Grizzlies)
LHP Geno Espineli (Fresno Grizzlies)
LHP Craig Clark (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
LHP Chuck Lofgren (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
LHP David Quinowski (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
LHP Wilmin Rodriguez (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
LHP Erik Surkamp (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
LHP Clayton Tanner (Richmond Flying Squirrels/40 Man)
LHP Ryan Verdugo (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
LHP Chris Gloor (San Jose Giants)
LHSP Kelvin Marte (San Jose Giants)
LHP Ari Ronick (San Jose Giants)
LHP Tom Vessella (San Jose Giants)
LHP Ryan Bradley (Augusta Green Jackets)
LHP Michael Kickham (Augusta Green Jackets)
LHP Mario  Rodriguez (Augusta Green Jackets)
LHP Gaspar Santiago (Augusta Green Jackets)
LHP Aaron King (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
LHP Phil McCormick (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
LHP Jack Snodgrass (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
----------
Catchers:
C Buster Posey (ML)
C Chris Stewart (ML)
C Eli Whiteside (ML)
C Hector Sanchez (Fresno Grizzlies/40 Man)
C Jackson Williams (Fresno Grizzlies)
C Max Ramirez (Fresno Grizzlies)
C Aaron Lowenstein (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
C Johnny Monell (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
C Eliezer Zambrano (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
C Tommy Joseph (San Jose Giants)
C Alex Burg (San Jose Giants)
C Jesus Navarro (San Jose Giants)
C Jeff Arnold (Augusta Green Jackets)
C Daniel Burkhart (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
C Mike Murray (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
C Joseph Staley (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
----------
First Baseman:
1B Aubrey Huff (ML)
1B Brandon Belt (Fresno Grizzlies) 
1B Brett Pill (Fresno Grizzlies)
1B Wes Hodges (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
1B Luke Anders (San Jose Giants)
1B Josh Mazzola (Augusta Green Jackets)
1B Ryan Scoma (Augusta Green Jackets)
1B Brice Cutspec (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
---------- 
Second Baseman:
2B Mike Fontenot (ML)
2B Jeff Keppinger (ML)
2B Freddy Sanchez (ML)
2B Manny Burris (Fresno Grizzlies/40 Man)
2B Brock Bond (Fresno Grizzlies)
2B Bill Hall (Fresno Grizzlies)
2B Charlie Culberson (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
2B Ryan Lormand (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
2B Ryan Covan (San Jose Giants)
2B Juan Ciriaco (San Jose Giants)
2B Carlos Willoughby (Augusta Green Jackets)
2B Kaohi Downing (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
2B Julio Izturis (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
---------- 
Third Baseman:
3B Pablo Sandoval (ML)
3B Mark DeRosa (ML)
3B Conor Gillaspie (Fresno Grizzlies/40 Man)
3B Chris Dominguez (Richmond Flying Squirrels) 
3B Drew Biery (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
3B Nick Noonan (San Jose Giants) 
3B Jose Flores (San Jose Giants)
3B Adam Duvall (Augusta Green Jackets)
3B Garrett Buechele (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
---------- 
Shortstops:
SS Orlando Cabrera (ML)
SS Miguel Tejada (ML)
SS Brandon Crawford (Fresno Grizzlies)
SS Sharlon Schoop (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
SS Ehire Adrianza (San Jose Giants/40 Man)
SS Carter Jurica (San Jose Giants)
SS Bobby Haney (Augusta Green Jackets)
SS Ydwin Villegas  (Augusta Green Jackets)
SS Joel Weeks (Augusta Green Jackets)
SS John Eshleman (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
SS Joseph Panik (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
----------
Outfielders:
RF Carlos Beltran (ML)
LF Pat Burrell (ML)
LF Cody Ross (ML)
CF Aaron Rowand (ML)
RF Nate Schierholtz (ML)
CF Andres Torres (ML)
OF Justin Christian (Fresno Grizzlies)
OF Brad Eldred (Fresno Grizzlies) 
CF Darren Ford (Fresno Grizzlies)
OF Edgar Gonzalez (Fresno Grizzlies)
OF Tyler Graham (Fresno Grizzlies)
LF Travis Ishikawa (Fresno Grizzlies)
LF Wendell Fairley (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
RF Roger Kieschnick (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
CF Francisco Peguero (Richmond Flying Squirrels/40 Man)
CF Juan Perez (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
LF Skyler Stromsmoe (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
OF Gary Brown (San Jose Giants)
OF Jarrett Parker (San Jose Giants)
OF James Simmons (San Jose Giants)
OF Raynor Campbell (Augusta Green Jackets)
LF Dan Cook (Augusta Green Jackets)
LF Devin Harris (Augusta Green Jackets)
CF Chris Lofton (Augusta Green Jackets)
RF Ryan Lollis (Augusta Green Jackets)
LF Rafael Rodriguez (Augusta Green Jackets)
CF Jesus Galindo (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
OF Ryan Honeycutt (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
OF Charles Jones (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
OF Brett Krill (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
OF Leonardo Ochoa (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
OF Shawn Payne (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
----------
Designated Hitters
DH Tyler LaTorre (Fresno Grizzlies)  
DH Nick Liles (San Jose Giants)
----------

Friday, July 29, 2011

Saltzman Says...Latest Bay Area Tweets

Just for fun
Latest from guys we like to boo (courtesy of Jerry Crasnick)
@jcrasnick: Mat Latos tells XX-1090 radio in SD that when #Padres trade Heath Bell, "This will become a heartless clubhouse." Yikes. #trades
1 hour ago

San Francisco 49ers
Latest from Matt Maiocco on the 49ers
@MaioccoCSN: Heitmann started 114 games at three different line positions. Nedney leaves as most accurate kicker in 49ers' history. http://bit.ly/qBjbEK
1 hour ago

@MaioccoCSN: The 49ers have released/failed physical two respected veterans: OL Eric Heitmann (neck) and K Je Nedney (knee).
1 hour ago

Oakland Raiders
Latest from Adam Schefter on the Raiders
@AdamSchefter: More Bengals moves: Former Raiders LB Thomas Howard reached agreement with Cincinnati on a two year, $6.5 million contract.

@AdamSchefter: Seattle reached agreement with former #Raiders Robert Gallery on 3-year deal. Gallery and Tom Cable reunite.

San Francisco Giants
Latest from Andrew Baggarly on the Giants
@extrabaggs: Maybe Giants should hang onto Dan Runzler.  Tonight for Fresno: 5 shutout innings, 2 hits, 1 walk, niiiiiiiiine strikeouts.
12 hours ago

@extrabaggs: If, and this is a big if, the Giants have Eric Surkamp make big league debut Sunday, it'd be in his hometown.  Surkamp is a Moeller HS kid.
18 hours ago

Eric Surkamp is having as good a year as any pitcher for the Giants

Latest from Zach Wheeler on leaving the Giants
@Wheelerpro45: Thanks to all my teammates that I've had with the giants. Couldn't have asked for a better group of guys. I'll miss you guys.
22 hours ago

@Wheelerpro45: Thanks to all my San Fran fans who have been nothing but good to me
23 hours ago

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Saltzman Says...Giants Depth Chart (Updated 7/28/11)

San Francisco's Updated Organizational Depth Chart: (7/28/11 Edition)

Right Handed Pitchers:
RHSP Matt Cain (ML)
RHRP Santiago Casilla (ML)
RHSP Tim Lincecum (ML)
RHRP Guillermo Mota (ML)
RHRP Ramon Ramirez (ML)
RHRP Sergio Romo (ML)
RHSP Ryan Vogelsong (ML)
RHRP Brian Wilson (ML)
RHP Josh Banks (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHP Casey Daigle (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHRP Steve Edlefson (Fresno Grizzlies/40 Man)
RHP Waldis Joaquin (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHP Andrew Kown (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHRP Marc Kroon (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHP Shane Loux (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHP Dan Ortero (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHP Ronnie Ray (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHP Felix Romero (Fresno Grizzlies)
RHP Hector Correa (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
RHP Justin Fitzgerald (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
RHRP Heath Hembree (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
RHP Mitch Lively (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
RHP Daryl Maday (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
RHP Osris Matos (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
RHP Edwin Quirarte (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
RHSP Jose Casilla (San Jose Giants/40 Man)
RHSP Jake Dunning (San Jose Giants)
RHP Jacob Dunnington (San Jose Giants)
RHP Stephen Harrold (San Jose Giants)
RHSP Chris Heston (San Jose Giants)
RHSP Michael Main (San Jose Giants)
RHP Andy Reichard (San Jose Giants)
RHP Jose Valdez (San Jose Giants)
RHSP Craig Westcott (San Jose Giants)
RHP Chris Wilson (San Jose Giants)
RHP Brett Bochy (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Drew Bowlin (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Edward Concepcion (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Austin Fleet (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Taylor Rogers (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Seth Rosin (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Shawn Sanford (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Justin Schumer (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Jeremy Toole (Augusta Green Jackets)
RHP Brandon Allen (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Wilber Bucardo (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Brennan Flick (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Kendry Flores (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Matthew Graham (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Cody Hall (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Cameron Lamb (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Rafael Martinez (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Lorenzo Mendoza (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Reinier Roibal (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
RHP Stephen Shackleford (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
----------
Left Handed Pitchers:
LHP Jeremy Affeldt (ML)
LHP Madison Bumgarner (ML)
LHP Javier Lopez (ML)
LHP Jonathan Sanchez (ML)
LHP Barry Zito (ML)
LHP Dan Runzler (Fresno Grizzlies/40 Man)
LHP Matt Yourkin (Fresno Grizzlies)
LHP Justin Dowdy (Fresno Grizzlies)
LHP Geno Espineli (Fresno Grizzlies)
LHP Craig Clark (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
LHP Alex Hinshaw (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
LHP Chuck Lofgren (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
LHP David Quinowski (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
LHP Wilmin Rodriguez (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
LHP Erik Surkamp (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
LHP Clayton Tanner (Richmond Flying Squirrels/40 Man)
LHP Ryan Verdugo (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
LHP Chris Gloor (San Jose Giants)
LHSP Kelvin Marte (San Jose Giants)
LHP Ari Ronick (San Jose Giants)
LHP Tom Vessella (San Jose Giants)
LHP Ryan Bradley (Augusta Green Jackets)
LHP Michael Kickham (Augusta Green Jackets)
LHP Mario  Rodriguez (Augusta Green Jackets)
LHP Gaspar Santiago (Augusta Green Jackets)
LHP Aaron King (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
LHP Phil McCormick (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
LHP Jack Snodgrass (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
----------
Catchers:
C Buster Posey (ML)
C Chris Stewart (ML)
C Eli Whiteside (ML)
C Hector Sanchez (Fresno Grizzlies/40 Man)
C Jackson Williams (Fresno Grizzlies)
C Max Ramirez (Fresno Grizzlies)
C Aaron Lowenstein (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
C Johnny Monell (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
C Eliezer Zambrano (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
C Tommy Joseph (San Jose Giants)
C Alex Burg (San Jose Giants)
C Jesus Navarro (San Jose Giants)
C Jeff Arnold (Augusta Green Jackets)
C Daniel Burkhart (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
C Mike Murray (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
C Joseph Staley (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
----------
First Baseman:
1B Brandon Belt (ML)
1B Aubrey Huff (ML)
1B Brett Pill (Fresno Grizzlies)
1B Wes Hodges (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
1B Luke Anders (San Jose Giants)
1B Josh Mazzola (Augusta Green Jackets)
1B Ryan Scoma (Augusta Green Jackets)
1B Brice Cutspec (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
---------- 
Second Baseman:
2B Mike Fontenot (ML)
2B Jeff Keppinger (ML)
2B Freddy Sanchez (ML)
2B Manny Burris (Fresno Grizzlies/40 Man)
2B Brock Bond (Fresno Grizzlies)
2B Charlie Culberson (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
2B Ryan Lormand (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
2B Ryan Covan (San Jose Giants)
2B Juan Ciriaco (San Jose Giants)
2B Carlos Willoughby (Augusta Green Jackets)
2B Kaohi Downing (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
2B Julio Izturis (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
---------- 
Third Baseman:
3B Pablo Sandoval (ML)
3B Mark DeRosa (Fresno Grizzlies)
3B Conor Gillaspie (Fresno Grizzlies/40 Man)
3B Chris Dominguez (Richmond Flying Squirrels) 
3B Drew Biery (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
3B Jose Flores (San Jose Giants)
3B Adam Duvall (Augusta Green Jackets)
3B Garrett Buechele (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
---------- 
Shortstops:
SS Brandon Crawford (ML)
SS Miguel Tejada (ML)
SS Nick Noonan (Fresno Grizzlies)
SS Sharlon Schoop (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
SS Ehire Adrianza (San Jose Giants/40 Man)
SS Carter Jurica (San Jose Giants)
SS Bobby Haney (Augusta Green Jackets)
SS Ydwin Villegas  (Augusta Green Jackets)
SS Joel Weeks (Augusta Green Jackets)
SS John Eshleman (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
SS Joseph Panik (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
----------
Is Carlos Beltran the final piece to another championship?
Outfielders:
RF Carlos Beltran (ML)
LF Pat Burrell (ML)
LF Cody Ross (ML)
CF Aaron Rowand (ML)
RF Nate Schierholtz (ML)
CF Andres Torres (ML)
OF Justin Christian (Fresno Grizzlies)
OF Brad Eldred (Fresno Grizzlies) 
CF Darren Ford (Fresno Grizzlies)
OF Edgar Gonzalez (Fresno Grizzlies)
OF Tyler Graham (Fresno Grizzlies)
LF Travis Ishikawa (Fresno Grizzlies)
LF Thomas Neal (Fresno Grizzlies/40 Man)
LF Wendell Fairley (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
RF Roger Kieschnick (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
CF Francisco Peguero (Richmond Flying Squirrels/40 Man)
CF Juan Perez (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
LF Skyler Stromsmoe (Richmond Flying Squirrels)
OF Gary Brown (San Jose Giants)
OF Jarrett Parker (San Jose Giants)
OF James Simmons (San Jose Giants)
OF Raynor Campbell (Augusta Green Jackets)
LF Dan Cook (Augusta Green Jackets)
LF Devin Harris (Augusta Green Jackets)
CF Chris Lofton (Augusta Green Jackets)
RF Ryan Lollis (Augusta Green Jackets)
LF Rafael Rodriguez (Augusta Green Jackets)
CF Jesus Galindo (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
OF Ryan Honeycutt (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
OF Charles Jones (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
OF Brett Krill (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
OF Leonardo Ochoa (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
OF Shawn Payne (Salem-Keizer Volcanoes)
----------
Designated Hitters
DH Tyler LaTorre (Fresno Grizzlies)  
DH Nick Liles (San Jose Giants)
----------

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Saltzman Says...Beltran for Wheeler


Carlos Beltran is a Giant

Beltran for Giants top prospect Zach Wheeler is certainly a risk.  Beltran, who is both injury prone and a pending free agent this off-season, could be a two month rental.  Wheeler, who is pitching in High-A San Jose this season, could be a #1 or #2 starting pitcher in a year or two.

With that said, the 2011 season called for the Giants to make this move.  If Buster Posey and Freddy Sanchez were healthy, the Giants don't offer Zach Wheeler to anyone.  With the offense playing the way they have all season, the Giants were not going to go into the post-season with the lineup as is. 

Beltran will be a free agent, but if he hits well at AT&T Park, it is possible to bring back the slugging switch hitter after the season.  Cody Ross, Andres Torres, Nate Schierholtz, Aaron Rowand and Pat Burrell have all under performed this year.  Schierholtz and Ross are the most likely to return next year, and Torres may still be a better hitting option than speedster Darren Ford.  More importantly, a middle of the order of Beltran, Posey and Sandoval next year will be a much better Opening Day lineup.

Zach Wheeler, who is by far the Giants #1 pitching prospect, should need at least a full year in Double-A before any promotion to the big leagues.  If the Mets rush him, he might crumble in the mass media of New York.  If they are patient and let him pitch in the minors, he could be one of their top starting pitchers by 2013.

Saltzman Says...Football is back

With the lockout officially over, I can finally start talking about the NFL again.  I refused to provide my two cents during the millionaires vs billionaires slap fight.

San Francisco 49ers: With the Free Agency period under way, things aren't looking so good for the men in Gold.

  1. Alex Smith was re-signed for $5 million.  The 49ers seem to never learn from the previous 6 seasons.  Smith will not be a good QB no matter who is calling the plays.  You can dress up a turd, but it is still a turd.
  2. Takeo Spikes, the emotional leader and second best LB on the team is leaving to reunite with departed defensive coordinator Greg Manusky in San Diego.  With Harbaugh and his staff comes a great loss to the defense.
  3. Frank Gore is planning to holdout.  Gore has one year left on his contract and wants more money.  Running backs tend to wear down as they get older more than any other position, and the most valuable offensive player now plans to miss even more time on the field in the off-season.
  4. The team also lost center David Baas to the New York Giants.
Oakland Raiders:  The Raiders started the shortened off-season with 17 free agents, many more than they had initally anticipated.

  1. The list of 17 include offensive leader Zach Miller, who is team's only reliable threat in the passing game.  
  2. Nnamdi Asomugha, arguably the best cover corner in football is as good as gone in free agency.
  3. With all of that, the Raiders are well over the new cap.
All in all, things are not looking good for our two Bay Area pro football teams.  Things can turn around, but we will see.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Saltzman Says...Re-Post of Mid Season Report

San Francisco Giants Mid Season Report

A return to the World Series is obviously ideal, but first things first: Make the playoffs.  The best way to do that is to win the West.  As of today, the Giants are 44-34, a game and a half ahead of Arizona and 10 games over .500.  The team was 40-38 at the same time last year, and were in the midst of a seven game losing streak.

After all the injuries, and the worst run support in baseball, the Giants are in a better position to repeat as Western Division Champions.

As we approach the mid way point, here is my winners of my mid season awards:

MVP: Tim Lincecum
People are always so quick to name someone else the most valuable player so far this season because the expectations are so high for Lincecum.  But when you look at his results, he leads the teams in strikeouts, while giving up less earned runs and hits than the other two starters who have pitched all season (Cain, Bumgarner)  Jonathan Sanchez has given up less hits, but his walks is nearly double Lincecum.  The team's ace is the best pitcher on the best staff in baseball.  That makes him the Most Valuable Giant.  Period.


Lincecum and Romo might me the two best Giants so far in 2011

Most Improved Player: Sergio Romo
Romo has spent most of the last two years trying to become an 8th inning setup man for the Giants.  Not only has Romo solidified that in 2011, but he could arguably be the best pitcher on the staff so far this year.  He has been absolutely dominant, and has been putting up closer type stats.  He has 36 strikeouts and 4 walks in 24 innings.  He has helped keep the Giants bullpen one of the elite 'pens in all of baseball.

Best Surprise: Ryan Vogelsong
The former Giants farmhand spent most of his career in Japan, so when the 33 year old tried to make the team out of Spring Training, there were no expectations from fans.  When he didn't make the team, nobody was surprised because the team had 5 starting pitchers who were one of the healthiest in baseball in 2010.  However, when a foot injury sidelined Barry Zito, Vogelsong was called up.  All Vogelsong has done is led the staff in ERA (1.86), WHIP (1.09) and Walks per 9 (7.06) over his 11 starts.  All of this might mean a trip to Arizona during All-Star Weekend, despite starting the year in Fresno.

Most Reliable Player: Javier Lopez
Lopez had video game like numbers in the post-season last year, especially considering he had to face powerful left handed hitters Jason Heyward, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Josh Hamilton.  How could anyone be that dominant for an entire season against lefties?  Well if the first half of 2011 is any indication, Lopez can dominate any left handed hitter at any time.  Against left handers this year, he has an ERA of 1.00 over 18 innings worth of lefties.  He has only given up 6 hits and 2 earned runs in that span.  That certainly earns him the honor of Most Reliable.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Saltzman Says...Bochy must pick his own for the All-Star game


Bruce Bochy is a very smart baseball man.  He knows what he's doing.  He wouldn't make a decision without thinking it through.

1. Brian Wilson was selected by the players, so there was no Giant that had to be added to the All-Star roster.

2. Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain both were brilliant in the 2010 post season, which goes unrecognized by All-Star game selections.

3. Tommy Hanson of Atlanta, Kyle Lohse of St. Louis and Ian Kennedy of Arizona were all statistically better than all three Giants added by Bochy.

4. There are no rules saying a manager has the pick the most qualified for this exhibition game.

5. With the winner deciding home field advantage for the World Series, why wouldn't a manager wants his own guys?

Bottom line, not only does Bruce Bochy have every right to add Lincecum, Cain and Ryan Vogelsong to the All-Star game.  Also, it is much better to make sure the best players on your own team are happy instead of the best players on other teams.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Saltzman Says...Top 100 Players of 2011

Here is the players vote of the top 100 players of 2011

Here is my list of the top 100 NFL Players right now.  I am using a simple criteria.  If the NFL had to be re-drafted, who would be the first 100 players picked.  This will emphasize age along with everything else.

(Draft Order based on All-Time Wins)


1. Chicago Bears (704) - Aaron Rodgers, QB
2. Green Bay Packers (664) - Tom Brady, QB
3. New York Giants (636) - Peyton Manning, QB
4. Washington Redskins (547) - DeMarcus Ware, OLB
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (546) - Drew Brees, QB
6. St. Louis Rams (511) - Darrelle Revis, CB
7. San Francisco 49ers (509) - Adrian Peterson, RB
8. Philadelphia Eagles (509) - Ray Lewis, MLB
9. Detroit Lions (496) - Patrick Willis, MLB
10. Arizona Cardinals (488) - Nnamdi Asomugha, CB
11. Cleveland Browns (485) - Clay Matthews, OLB
12. Indianapolis Colts (451) - Joe Thomas, LT
13. Dallas Cowboys (440) - Jake Long, LT
14. Oakland Raiders (418) - Larry Fitzgerald, WR
15. Minnesota Vikings (413) - Troy Polamalu, SS
16. New England Patriots (401) - Dwight Freeney, DE
17. Denver Broncos (398) - Ed Reed, FS
18. Kansas City Chiefs (395) - Charles Woodson, CB
19. Miami Dolphins (394) - Andre Johnson, WR
20. San Diego Chargers (384) - Chris Johnson, RB
21. Tennessee Titans (377) - Julius Peppers, DE
22. Buffalo Bills (358) - Philip Rivers, QB
23. New York Jets (351) - Haloti Ngata, NT
24. Atlanta Falcons (289) - Calvin Johnson, WR
25. New Orleans Saints (286) -Reggie Wayne, WR
26. Cincinnati Bengals (286) - Jonathan Vilma, MLB
27. Seattle Seahawks (262) - Antonio Gates, TE
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (218) - Jason Witten, TE
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (133) - Ben Roethlisberger, QB
30. Baltimore Ravens (128) - Matt Ryan, QB
31. Carolina Panthers (119) - Roddy White, WR
32. Houston Texans (55) -Michael Turner, RB

2nd Round
33. Bears - Brian Urlacher, MLB
34. Packers - Mario Williams, DE
35. Giants - Steven Jackson, RB
36. Redskins - Dwayne Bowe, WR
37. Steelers - Vince Wilfork, NT
38. Rams - Michael Vick, QB
39. 49ers - Champ Bailey, CB
40. Eagles - Nick Mangold, C
41. Lions - Marques Colston, WR
42. Cardinals - Justin Tuck, DE
43. Browns - Ndamukong Suh, DT
44. Colts - Wes Welker, WR
45. Cowboys - Jamaal Charles, RB
46. Raiders - DeSean Jackson, WR
47. Vikings - Maurice Jones-Drew, RB
48. Patriots - Greg Jennings, WR
49. Broncos - James Harrison, OLB
50. Chiefs - LaMarr Woodley, OLB
51. Dolphins - Trent Cole, DE
52. Chargers - B.J. Raji, NT
53. Titans - Jay Ratliff, DT
54. Bills - D'Brickashaw Ferguson, LT
55. Jets - Terrell Suggs, OLB
56. Falcons - Asante Samuel, CB
57. Saints - Robert Mathis, DE
58. Bengals - Ray Rice, RB
59. Seahawks - Jahri Evans, T
60. Buccaneers - Andre Gurode, C
61. Jaguars - Dallas Clark, TE
62. Ravens - Casey Hampton, NT
63. Panthers - Logan Mankins, G
64. Texans - Tony Romo, QB

3rd Round
65. Bears - Brian Waters, G
66. Packers - Brian Orakpo, OLB
67. Giants - Lance Briggs, MLB
68. Redskins - Chris Snee, G
69. Steelers - Frank Gore, RB
70. Rams - Tamba Hali, DE
71. 49ers - Jerod Mayo, MLB
72. Eagles - Tony Gonzalez, TE
73. Lions - Jared Allen, DE 
74. Cardinals - Vernon Davis, TE 
75. Browns - Miles Austin, WR
76. Colts - Darnell Dockett, DT
77. Cowboys - Brian Cushing, MLB
78. Raiders - Jon Beason, MLB
79. Vikings - John Abraham, DE
80. Patriots - Adrian Wilson, SS
81. Broncos - Steve Hutchinson, G 
82. Chiefs - Brandon Marshall, WR
83. Dolphins - Shaun Phillips, OLB
84. Chargers - Richard Seymour, DE
85. Titans - Antrel Rolle, S
86. Bills - Darren McFadden, RB
87. Jets - Matt Schaub, QB
88. Falcons - Kevin Williams, DT
89. Saints - Arian Foster, RB
90. Bengals - Osi Umenyiora, DE
91. Seahawks - London Fletcher, MLB
92. Buccaneers - Jordan Gross, LT
93. Jaguars - Justin Smith, DE
94. Ravens - Devin Hester, WR
95. Panthers - Joe Flacco, QB
96. Texans - Cameron Wake, OLB

4th Round
97. Bears - Maurkice Pouncey, C
98. Packers - Jason Peters, LT
99. Giants - Jeff Saturday, C
100. Redskins - Eli Manning, QB