Kerry and I talk about the Giants’ spate of hot play near the end, what it all means, and where the club goes from here in the final KROG of the 2024 season.There R Giants is a reader-supported publication.
I agree that the Luciano Situation (sounds like a Robert Ludlum title) is the most confusing aspect of this Zaidi administration. It definitely rises to the level of a fireable offense - I just don’t know who should be fired. I’m sure there is blame to be shared - including Marco himself - but surely the incalcitrant insistence that he was a ML shortstop is at the top of the list. And, as you mentioned, the overly quick promotions.
I assume that Kyle Haines does not make these decisions, but simply executes the orders given him from above. And I also assume we will never know who is truly responsible . Given that, and thinking about the chaos inherent in regime change, it’s hard to know what to think about Zaidi’s continued tenure. I guess we shall see.
Well put! Here's my two cents, more questioning, for what it's worth: I wonder how much of this Luciano treatment is due to arrogance by the Zaidi front office in regard to their draft prospects compared to the former regime's prospects? They treated Joey Bart (Evans/Sabean draftee) in a similar way and then wound up DFA'ing or trading him for a bag of peanuts to Pittsburgh where he has a 1.3 WAR, 123 wRC+, and .266 BA. Bart would have been a great backup to Bailey, who clearly can't handle 120+ games as a switch hitting catcher. They also treated Heliot Ramos (another Evans/Sabean draftee) who forced his hand before he was DFA'd. Or, is there something else going on? Rick Aurilia and JT Snow have both said that Luciano should be playing 1B, while scouts who talked to Alex Pavlovic have wondered why Luci wasn't already playing a corner OF position. The kid clearly is talented. He has ML potential. I don't know how many options he has left, but I won't be surprised if he gets traded for nothing, goes on to another organization and has a stellar season. And by the way, Joey Bart has 13 HRs in only 270 PAs. Compare that to Bailey's weak hitting line. PNC Park is not a hitter friendly park if I recall. Of course, what happens to Zaidi this winter may change how Luciano is viewed if a new PoBO & GM takes over.
I agree that the Luciano Situation (sounds like a Robert Ludlum title) is the most confusing aspect of this Zaidi administration. It definitely rises to the level of a fireable offense - I just don’t know who should be fired. I’m sure there is blame to be shared - including Marco himself - but surely the incalcitrant insistence that he was a ML shortstop is at the top of the list. And, as you mentioned, the overly quick promotions.
I assume that Kyle Haines does not make these decisions, but simply executes the orders given him from above. And I also assume we will never know who is truly responsible . Given that, and thinking about the chaos inherent in regime change, it’s hard to know what to think about Zaidi’s continued tenure. I guess we shall see.
Well put! Here's my two cents, more questioning, for what it's worth: I wonder how much of this Luciano treatment is due to arrogance by the Zaidi front office in regard to their draft prospects compared to the former regime's prospects? They treated Joey Bart (Evans/Sabean draftee) in a similar way and then wound up DFA'ing or trading him for a bag of peanuts to Pittsburgh where he has a 1.3 WAR, 123 wRC+, and .266 BA. Bart would have been a great backup to Bailey, who clearly can't handle 120+ games as a switch hitting catcher. They also treated Heliot Ramos (another Evans/Sabean draftee) who forced his hand before he was DFA'd. Or, is there something else going on? Rick Aurilia and JT Snow have both said that Luciano should be playing 1B, while scouts who talked to Alex Pavlovic have wondered why Luci wasn't already playing a corner OF position. The kid clearly is talented. He has ML potential. I don't know how many options he has left, but I won't be surprised if he gets traded for nothing, goes on to another organization and has a stellar season. And by the way, Joey Bart has 13 HRs in only 270 PAs. Compare that to Bailey's weak hitting line. PNC Park is not a hitter friendly park if I recall. Of course, what happens to Zaidi this winter may change how Luciano is viewed if a new PoBO & GM takes over.
Good questions, Jodi. A Bart/Bailey tandem would have been very useful - it certainly was what I was expecting a couple of years ago.