🎧 Podcast: How likely is it that Bob Melvin returns? Kerry and I debut the MelvinMeter™️, which may just be the inverse of the HallbergMeter™️. Listen on Apple, Spotify, and everywhere else you get your pods.
The Giants know who their core players are this year, next year, and the next many years. What they don't know is who they should surround their core with.
You know most of the candidates by now, and you know they haven't been good enough to break the .500 spell. So, then, is it wasted energy to spend another moment pondering whether Casey Schmitt or Luis Matos can be part of the solution? Probably.
Matos is 6 for 11 since getting called back up a few days ago. Schmitt knocked in four runs Saturday with a double and three-run homer. He's got an .851 OPS over the last two weeks.
I wouldn't blame you for calling it fool's gold. How many times has Schmitt had a good game and looked lost the next? How many more times do we need to hear about Matos winning NL Player of the Week… 14 months ago?
These final 32 games, as they are for all teams out of the race, are tryouts for 2026. They're about the hope of 2026. The hope that your eyes aren’t deceiving you and players can change who they are. Unless they can’t.
Up next: Robbie Ray (10-6, 2.85 ERA) takes the mound as the Giants go for the series win against the team with the best record in baseball.
Your podcast is fun. You and Kerry are correct that Padres roster is better, but incorrect about Cease as a core piece. Look up Cease’s record. Pandora’s box this year. Cease is still searching. If he finds it in postseason, no one will care about his record (ala Zito), but it’s been way below average so far, including in his wins
Melvin’s issues were evident in 2022. Funny how Giants org, SF media, fans only focus on Melvin’s Padres beating the Dodgers in their deep postseason run. Winning hides flaws.
Alex Pavlovic says Giants should visit Petco to copy food, entertainment. Giants beat writers should watch Padres 2022/23 seasons. A lot of learnings why 2024/2025 Giants underperformed.
Giants roster has holes, but the collapse had nothing to do with the roster. Ditto Padres 2023 (best team on paper)
Fan of Posey but he needs to focus on finding athletes to build a must watch team. Koss and Gilbert are Zaidi-type players. Dull/good players (not attacking their character) who can fill in @ 7-9. Personally would rather watch Elly De La Cruz or James Wood type players develop than a Koss or Gilbert. Koss doesn’t run the bases well consistently (announcers from opposing teams call it out).
Melvin Meter (Fun!) 2023 Padres September: .731. Marlins surpassed Padres to squeak into postseason. If Giants duplicate win percentage the Giants will repeat Padres mistakes of bringing him back. Do NOT bring back a former Giant if Melvin doesn’t return.
Whether manager is younger or veteran, look for someone who can help create/maintain an Identity (org, team), a team builder (everyone pulling on same rope/buying in, especially during losing streaks, clubhouse leaders on IL), motivator, focuses on attention to details, preparation, can demonstrate individual incremental in-season improvements from players (veterans, kids). Pavs is awesome but he’s incorrect that players can’t make major defensive improvements during season (a lot of players have on non-Giants teams every year). Ramos is the most accountable Giant, but he shouldn’t be blamed for not making any noticeable improvements since he’s putting in the work. Eno Sarris called Melvin drills “eyewash” in April 2024 and repeated it at end of season with Roger Munter.