Originally posted by Niners99:
Originally posted by GhostofFredDean74:
Originally posted by Niners99:
I know we tend to forget about it due to the rotation being so strong the last few years, but the Giants total disregard for a backup plan at SP is naive and borderline irresponsible.
We have nothing beyond our big league 5 man rotation. Surkamp is looking like a bust who cant even stay healthy, and the only other guy theyve tried is crappy Yusmeiro Petit.
If Vogelsongs magical 2nd career in the bigs starts to fade, or Lincecum needs to abandon being a starter, were going to be in trouble.
With talented young arms like Blackburn, Crick, Stratton and possibly Marlowe, Kickham, Mejia and Escobar a few years away, we're projected to be in good shape in the long run. But you're right, in the short term, if Vogey and Timmy continue to struggle, we're screwed. That said, it's early and I can see both rebounding and having solid years.
Also, the reality of winning 3 titles in a short period of time isn't in our favor. Guys break-down, the pressure gets to others, the breaks stop going our way, the front office makes the wrong moves (or fails to make the right ones)....it's just the cyclical nature of sports. But long-term, I think we're in pretty good shape.
Crick, Stratton, and Blackburn are all 3 years away. The rest of those names are longshots to be anything more than an average 4-5 or bullpen arm.
The Giants seem to putting all their eggs in the "everyone stay healthy and good" basket.
Obviously you don't know that, but your opinion is duly noted. IMO (since I won't speak as if I know the future, because I don't), Kickham (whether he's ready or not) could make an appearance as early as later this year depending on how he does in Fresno. They're definitely not going to wait 3 years for Stratton to be ready if he throws well (which again, nobody knows if he will/won't). He might make an appearance in San Jose before the year is up, or push him to AA like they did Kickham.
Clearly, you're underestimating Clayton Blackburn, who has the kind of pitching smarts/stuff to be a major leaguer sooner rather than later. Crick might take 3 years to get to the majors, but not Blackburn (IMO).
As for the other names, we don't need them to be anything more than #4-5 starters. With Cain, MadBum and at least one of the three (Crick, Blackburn or Stratton), we should have 3 of the 5 spots on lockdown. We could also easily sign a veteran to be our #4, giving us a number of options for that #5 spot. You don't see it that way, and I'm not surprised.
