I too expect it to burn LA this year (or next).

Since you bring up the pen El, Joe Torre is wringing a lot out of the Dodger Pen. They have one complete game and trail only the Marlins in bullpen innings pitched. They’ve been very effective if you look at their w-l, era, baa, and ops against, but I don’t see them holding up through August and September at this rate. (235 innings in 69 games or 3.4 innings per game)

Compare this to the Giants (197 innings in 64 fewer games for 3.0 innings per game) One of the side benefits of Cain and Lincecum so far has been their ability to save the bullpen. This won’t show up now, but it could later in the year when all those relief appearances begin to take their toll.

For all of the media deification of St Joseph of Torre, he rides a bullpen really hard and has clocked more than a few relievers careers before their time. It could get pretty interesting if Ned Colletti has to start worrying about frying the arms of Belisario, Troncoso, Broxton, Mota, and Wade as the innings and appearances pile up.

As for games pitched in, Belisario is on pace for 83, Troncoso for 74, Broxton for 76, Mota for 62, and Wade for 55. And these are just the guys who are averaging more than an inning per appearance. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than watching the Dodger pen implode along about the middle of August.

Having said that, the first 70 games of above average bullpen work by the Giants hardly mitigates the damage created by letting go of Accardo, Corriea, Nathan, Liriano, and Aardsma, and signing Benitez, Walker, Messenger, and so many other doofuses over the years.

And that is probably the last time I am going to give Sabean credit for anything other than bearing a resemblance to Rosie O’Donnell–only with less facial hair.

Romo, Miller, Medders, Affeldt.

He recognized his mistakes and fixed the pen.

BA .249
OBP .288
SLG .362
OPS .650

And what did Mr. Sabean think of Sandoval as recently as Mar. 26, of this year?
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Sabean was less committed to Pablo Sandoval as the everyday third baseman, saying, “It’s tough to evaluate Sandoval yet because we’re not at the point where you’re playing guys two or three days in a row. That’s when you get a better read.”

Not clear is what would happen to Sandoval if the brass decided he could not be an everyday third baseman and not the first baseman. The Giants need Sandoval’s bat in the lineup every day.
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Hope Sandoval finds his way clear to mixing in some veggies along the way.

And more Sabean genius on April 1. (Appropriate) From Henry Shulman SF Gate.
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“They told relievers Brandon Medders and Justin Miller they were not likely to make the team. Both pitched well, but their nonroster status might have hurt them.”

“Instead, nonroster invitees Rich Aurilia and Juan Uribe will be the backup infielders. …..management wanted older and more seasoned reserves.” (in response to Frandsen, Guzman and Torres getting sent down)
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And just for grins. Speaking of “”seasoned”; Randy Winn is .102/.115/.136/.250 against left handed pitching in 27 games and 69 ABs. But he does lead the Giants in one category: Games played.

You cannot make this shit up.

Pure Fucking Genius.

The Giants may want to help him to improve his diet and conditioning. He’s putting up very good numbers for a guy whose peak years are still ahead of him.

Always a good read when they recognize a Giant doing well and break down why.

Posey? The best thing about Sandoval’s season is it makes Posey expendable. No team can afford to keep two top calibre catchers on the roster. Posey right now has a high trade value even though he is essentialy unproven in single A. I think all of baseball overvalues him because he is unproven. Bundle him with one of those hot starters in AA and what can you get? Start with Hanley Ramirez maybe. Maybe not, but they would surely be worth a young impact player. And the Giants wouldn’t be giving up anything they need.