The San Francisco Giants don’t need a ton of things to get back on track in 2017.
The most pressing need, however, is in the bullpen. Veterans Sergio Romo, Santiago Casilla and Javier Lopez should all be dealt or released. Simply put, their best days are behind them. According to reports, the team is talking to the agents representing the Dodgers’ Kenley Jansen, Chicago’s Aroldis Chapman and Washington’s Mark Melancon.
I’m being honest when I implore the Giants to open the pocketbook and get two of those guys in the fold. If the Giants had two dependable relievers last year they would have won the NL West.
Chapman is the biggest name out there, but $100 million which I hear is his asking price, is a bit steep. I think the team could get Melancon a little cheaper, and he’s probably the best “pitcher” of the group.
Chapman got lit up a few times in crucial situations because he was trying to throw 100 on every pitch. Why not mix in an 85-mile-per-hour slider once in a while? Think how stupid you could make some hitters look?
Chapman and Jansen are guys who can go six outs sometimes to get a save. Melancon is more of a three-out type of guy. Given the total collapse of the Giants bullpen last year, I’d take anybody who can throw a scoreless inning, especially if they can get right-handers and left-handers out.
Joe Blanton would be a good pick-up as a middle reliever, and I’d love to see the Giants explore the possibility of a trade for Brad Brach and/or Zach Britton of the Orioles.
I think Bruce Bochy is a good manager, and I have no doubt he’ll be a Hall of Famer. However, I think he over managed the bullpen.
First off, relievers should be able to get hitters out from either side of the plate. Sometimes I think we take specialization too far at times.
Secondly, he stayed with Casilla too long before going to Romo. I think when it comes to relieving you ride the hot hand like the NHL teams do with their goalies.
The other pressing need is a left fielder with some power.
Yeonis Cespedes opted out of his contract with the Mets, and the Tigers are shopping J.D. Martinez. Josh Reddick is a free agent after being rented by the Dodgers, and he’d be an upgrade over a guy like Gregor Blanco.
Martinez isn’t a real good fielder, but that’s what you have late-inning defensive changes for isn’t it?
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Peninsula College sophomore Bailie Zuber won all-NWAC academic honors and was also named all-conference recently.
Zuber, a former Carson High soccer standout, is finishing her second year at the school. Peninsula was playing for a region championship today.
According to her parents, Zuber is talking to a couple of schools in the Pacific Northwest.
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Another Carson alum, Rafe King, starts his senior season at Pacific (in Oregon).
King appeared in 22 games last season and averaged 4.3 points and 2.0 rebounds. He never got on track shooting the 3-ball, making just 22 percent of his attempts, which is surprising considering he was so consistent in high school and junior college.
The Boxers went 12-13 overall.
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The boys and girls basketball teams at Carson are starting to wrap up their tryouts.
The boys team will be out to defend its Sierra League championship.
Coach Carlos Mendeguia has scheduled an alumni game later this month.
Mendeguia was sitting pretty good with three starters — Tez Allen, Jayden DeJoseph and Jace Keema — returning as starters.
Things went south a few weeks ago when a transfer fom Incline, who was going to start, moved to Salt Lake. And, on top of that, Keema suffered a serious foot injury and is likely to miss the entire season.
The Carson girls open league play on Nov. 29 against Reno.