CHRIS

I think I found this year more frustrating. Last year I was just happy to be there. This year, especially after rolling through the Rangers, I thought we had a good chance to move on.

SHAPIRO: Justin, we're thinking of giving you a two year extension. SMOAK: Really? SHAPIRO: Yes, we like what you bring to the table defensively, and think you have a chance to get on base a lot. One string attached, do you think you could stop swinging at curve balls in the dirt with two-strikes? That's really our only hesitation here. SMOAK: Absolutely! Where do I sign? Wow, two years. SHAPIRO (extending contract, then slowly pulling it back): Just so we're clear. No swinging at curve balls in the dirt with two strikes. That's what everybody does to you. You swing, like, pretty much every time. SMOAK: I have my lucky pen here. I'm ready to sign. SHAPIRO: And the two strike, ball in the dirt thing? SMOAK (mock signing in the air, with eagerness): Yeah, yeah, yeah, no problem. Pen. Good to go. Lots of ink. SHAPIRO (glances at Atkins, who gives him a curt nod): Ok...here you go. -- SMOAK SIGNS, KISSES HIS PEN, THEN DEPARTS -- SHAPIRO: I think it will be fine. He just...doesn't swing...with two strikes. Easy, right? ATKINS: Very easy. GHOST OF RON WASHINGTON (in a spooky, echoing tone): IT'S INCREDIBLY HARD. -- END SCENE --

Reverse Tallet.

Errant joke.

I would definitely give him the QO, I just don't know how well "forcing" him into a role would work. On a new team, with a clean slate, I think this would be a lot easier to implement. If he still wants to play RF, I think he would try and draw on his clout with this organization to spend a lot of time there.

That's the real wild card here. Would Bautista be content with just DHing? Would the team have the stones to not let him call his shots. I really think the Bautista ship has sailed.

I think it would be nice if we could bring in a backup catcher who has more to offer than Thole did this year; which is pretty much anyone. Would love to see Russell get a bit more rest next season, but at the same time, not feel like you're punting anything by not having him in there.

That's what stands out for me, the early part of his emergence where it seemed impossible to get him out.

I think the concept of leverage gets partially thrown out the window when you get into short series and must-win games. I don't have much problem with using Osuna for keeping games close and ensuring wins at this point. Even though tonight would be 3 games in a row for Osuna, he didn't throw too many pitches last night. Hopefully we can get score early and often so that he's not needed.

That's a tougher question to answer, I think. I don't know if I would approach it as "deserving" to be fired, but rather as "can we do better?". Without knowing the clubhouse and how he interacts with the team, I don't have a clue. From a visible, tactical perspective...Gibbons is better than some current managers, but worse than others.

Sure you can, as long as you place a higher priority on improving your team than the optics of getting rid of a likeable manager. I don't get the impression that Shapiro GAF about PR hits.

In this proud land we grew up strong We were wanted all along I was taught to fight, taught to win I never thought I could fail No fight left or so it seems I am a man whose dreams have all deserted I've changed my face, I've changed my name But no one wants you when you lose Don't give up 'Cause you have friends Don't give up You're not beaten yet Don't give up I know you can make it good Though I saw it all around Never thought I could be affected Thought that we'd be the last to go It is so strange the way things turn Drove the night toward my home The place that I was born, on the lakeside As daylight broke, I saw the earth The trees had burned down to the ground Don't give up You still have us Don't give up We don't need much of anything Don't give up 'Cause somewhere there's a place Where we belong Rest your head You worry too much It's going to be alright When times get rough You can fall back on us Don't give up Please don't give up Got to walk out of here I can't take anymore Going to stand on that bridge Keep my eyes down below Whatever may come And whatever may go That river's flowing That river's flowing Moved on to another town Tried hard to settle down For every job, so many men So many men no-one needs Don't give up 'cause you have friends Don't give up You're not the only one Don't give up No reason to be ashamed Don't give up You still have us Don't give up now We're proud of who you are Don't give up You know it's never been easy Don't give up 'Cause I believe there's the a place There's a place where we belong

Yeah, I was kind of hoping that Bauer was going to keep going there. Could easily see him either throwing a meatball; walking someone; or hitting someone.

At this point all I want is a clean top of the 1st from Sanchez, then let the chips fall where they may.

Or, he's realized that they've ridden Zeke's hot streak as far as they can and would now prefer to give his three best hitters more ABs than anyone else.

Checking this thread, I jumped from page 61 right to the end. Feel pretty good about that decision.

Any metric that doesn't include sock height is worthless, IMO.

I've heard that it's incredibly hard.

Perfect thread title change.

I think the general consensus with Sanchez was that he was too amped up. I hope that's true, and that everyone involved can adjust as needed.

This layoff is killing me.

I think this is where the good GMs earn their money. As great as that Wild Card moment was; as good as Edwin has been for us; you have to make a deal that makes sense going forward for this team, and not try to base it solely off his previous body of work. By all means I think there is a deal out there that keeps Edwin here and makes him a lot of money in the process. I'd really like to see that happen. I just don't think you throw budgets and age curves out the window because of a moment.

It must be so lousy to be a Giants fan this morning.

Just really bad bullpen management. That was the save opportunity right there.

Errand thread.