Major League Pitching

By Brad Morrison

MLB General Managers who found themselves asking how to address the Giants pitching rotation have had to take another look and ask how to address the Giants AND the Phillies pitching rotation.  When you layout the yard stick, its easy to match Lincecum, Cain, Sanchez and Bumgarner against any playoff pitching 4 in baseball (after their performance in this years playoffs and World Series); however, now that the Phillies have added Cliff Lee, its impossible not to reassess the length of the stick.

I'm sure Brian Sabean thought the Giants were in good shape by singing his arbitration eligible guys (securing the bullpen) and getting Tejada to replace Uribe at SS.  With Burrell and a few prospects, leaning back in his office chair with a smile and feeling good about their 2011 chances wasn't out of the question.

The surprise signing by Cliff Lee to the Phillies, which wasn't considered an option due to the trade of Lee to Seattle for "financial concerns" and the cost of replacing Werth.  However, Lee signed a 5 year $120 deal (with a vesting option and a possible 6th year) which will add him to the assault force of Halliday, Oswalt and Hamels for at least the next two seasons.  The big questions remaining when you look at the Giants chances against the Phillies to repeat are focused on the 5th starter and the Phillies bullpen/closer.  Phillies are clearly taking a "shot over the bow" at the Giants and hoping that the big 4 rotation can take them deep into games while keeping the score low so they don;t have to score 6 or 8 runs to win a game.  If they can compete in 2 to 1 ballgames, the power of Werth is potentially less important, as the Giants have shown

Clearly the Giants, by retaining their pen and with Brian Wilson in tow, are the favorites to close out a game.  So, the Giants should be able to push through the west, with about 50 assumptions and offensive concerns working for us this year. However, since the Padres have dealt Adrian Gonsolez and the Dodgers are a mess (particular due to the ownership marital problems and a new head coach), it remains to be seen how healthy the Rockies can stay as well as the question of a repete performance from Ubaldo Jimenez.


A match-up against the Phillies in the NLDS or NLCS will be interesting.  Clearly, Brian Sabean will be looking at his team and comparing them to the strong in the west and the Phillies all season.  No doubt he will make some mid season and late season moves if the Phillies deliver and stay healthy.

Giants fans, we are in for a wild ride in 2011, we will have to wait a few months into the season before its dubbed torture or not.