Send in Questions for Next Week's Free For All Mailbag
We’re trying to get this weekly! So send in questions for next week’s Free For All Mailbag. We’re turning the corner into the second month of the year — time for Overreation Theatre? Whatever you’re interested in, let me know and I’ll try to get you my take on it next week.
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I'm curious about your thoughts about the Rule 5 protections for Randy Rodriguez and Jose Cruz over the last two years. What's the threshold to make this a successful strategy for a relief pitcher coming off a standout Low-A performance? My read: to become a high-leverage reliever early in their big league career (a very high bar). Not only are Rodriguez and Cruz taking up valuable 40-man spots, but they're also burning some of their three option years that Farhan has coveted for relievers. Clearly, these Rule 5 protections signal the Giants must've either felt these pitchers were close to MLB-ready (despite no experience beyond Low-A) or would quickly become impact relievers once they made the big leagues ... or both. Otherwise, they'd risk exposing them. When making the decision to protect Rodriguez and Cruz, where do you think the Giants set the bar for their outcome?
Patrick Bailey has become a fascinating case for the organization. Based on the coverage by you and others as late as heading into spring training, it seems shocking that he’s already earned a Triple-A promotion. Some thought he shouldn’t even get assigned to Double-A until he mastered High-A pitching! Farhan & Co. must’ve had much more conviction about Bailey’s offensive ability than analysts did. And now, the narrative has morphed into a big league promotion this season seeming “inevitable,” in your words. What explains the gap between the Giants’ and analysts’ views of Bailey heading into the year? And more importantly, what’s the likelihood the Giants stick to the old adage of a prospect needing several hundred upper minors at-bats before reaching the bigs? I sense you’re concerned Bailey might be getting fast-tracked prematurely. Especially in light of Joey Bart’s rocky first few years in the show, I hope the Giants give Bailey ample time to refine his game without the pressure of the brightest lights.