As we know now, Matt Morris has signed a 3-year contract with the Giants. For Mike Bauman of MLB.com, the signing tips the balance of power in the NL West to the Giants.
I suppose the balance of power in the NL West is quite precarious. It's a powder keg ready to explode. I would make sure to keep these guys away from the NL West.
Morris has proven throughout his career that, when his team scores more runs than he gives up to the opposition, the former has a very good chance of winning.
Morris and Tomko's stats for 2005 are eerily similar. Why did one get $27M in guaranteed money, and the other get a one-way ticket on the first Greyhound out of town?
Interesting contract in that Morris is only guaranteed $5M this next year. He gets $9.5M and a guaranteed $12.5M ($12.5M!) in the third, including his buyout and a deferred signing bonus. Wow.
For the life of me, I can't understand why Morris attracted so much interest. His second half was horrible. Too lazy to look it up, but I think he had something like 120 K's in 200 plus innings. He's not as good as Lowry.
That said, Morris is an upgrade over Tomko. Their numbers are similar, but I think if you adjust for park effect the numbers for Morris are superior.
The Giants bullpen clearly is worse than last year. Losing Eyre--by far their best pitcher last year--and Hawkins for Kline and Worrell is a downgrade. They need a 1b unless they go with Feliz there. No one wants Alfonzo and that contract (thanks Ned!).
Still, I consider the Giants the favorite for this year. I'll revisit a few weeks into spring training when we can check the medicals for Bonds, Alou, Durham, Schmidt, Vizquel . . .
Interesting contract in that Morris is only guaranteed $5M this next year. He gets $9.5M and a guaranteed $12.5M ($12.5M!) in the third, including his buyout and a deferred signing bonus. Wow.
That said, Morris is an upgrade over Tomko. Their numbers are similar, but I think if you adjust for park effect the numbers for Morris are superior.
The Giants bullpen clearly is worse than last year. Losing Eyre--by far their best pitcher last year--and Hawkins for Kline and Worrell is a downgrade. They need a 1b unless they go with Feliz there. No one wants Alfonzo and that contract (thanks Ned!).
Still, I consider the Giants the favorite for this year. I'll revisit a few weeks into spring training when we can check the medicals for Bonds, Alou, Durham, Schmidt, Vizquel . . .
He won't hurt the Giants - even league average pitchers will help in the NL West. But I hardly think a title was won yesterday.
Yeah, I'm surprised they didn't pick up Julio Franco. I guess Sabean can't get them all.
That day will be when Barry Bonds stops playing for the Giants.
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