San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Pitching shuts down Team USA in Giants 8-1 win in WBC

The score says it all as the San Francisco Giants defeated Team USA on Wed Mar 8, 2023 at Scottsdale in the World Baseball Classic (@SFGiants photo)

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 World Baseball Classic has sprung at spring training in a huge way just from the marketing aspect how brilliant of an idea was it to have it simultaneously with the Cactus League.

#2 The Giants hosted Team USA at Scottsdale on Wednesday and defeated them 5-1. Team USA had on hand manager Mark DeRosa, the players Nolan Arenado, Kyle Tucker, Trea Turner, JT Realmuto, and Jeff McNeil.

#3 Team USA is picked as one of the favorites along with Japan and the Dominican Republic. Japan had won in 2006 and 2009 in the WBC.

#4 It was the pitching that made the difference for the Giants win with Anthony DeSclafani, Sean Manaea, Scott Alexander, John Brebbia, and Mauricio Llovera. Alexander, Brebbia and Llovera threw shutout ball in the last three innings.

#5 Paul Goldschmidt whose haunted the Giants in the past lead off in the sixth and hit a home run off Manaea. Goldschmidt was the NL MVP in 2022 for Team USA’s only run.

Join Michael Duca for the Giants podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Posey answers questions about managing partner Johnson political donations; plus more

Former San Francisco Giants catcher and part owner Buster Posey talked about team managing partner Charles Johnson and his donation to some controversial politicians this week. (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Former San Francisco Giants catcher and current part team owner Buster Posey was thrown into the political forum and was asked by the press about managing partner Charles Johnson whose donations in the past have been questioned when Johnson had donated to such controversial Republican politicians as Herschel Walker, US Rep Lauren Boebert, and Rep Scott Perry to name a few. Buster answered saying that while Johnson is a nice fellow he met him just a couple of times.

#2 With the new position as part owner this puts Posey in a new light and with Johnson who donated to extremists, those who supported the insurrection, and Q Anon supporters. Posey told Andrew Baggerly in a Athletic interview “I have only been around him a couple of times. They’ve been wonderful. That’s all I’m going to say about it. I can only speak to my own interactions.”

#3 Michael, talk about some of the young prospects that you’ve seen. Catcher Joey Bart has had a good spring at the plate and calling pitches and working with the pitchers.

#4 Turning to another subject that the players on the field are trying to solve the baseball clock and Giants starter Alex Cobb was no different he talked about working on his rhythm on either the 15 second clock with the bags empty or a runner on for 20 seconds. Cobb was called for a clock violation after pitching to the San Diego Padres Fernando Tatis Jr when the clock ran out. Cobb is not used to pitching as he puts it a bang bang style of game.

#5 With the new rules in place Michael and just using pitchers in the past who pitched in quick games could a Bob Gibson, Gaylord Perry, Juan Marichal. or Sandy Koufax could have kept up with the today’s pitch clock?

#6 Not ready to see double yet: Pitcher Taylor Rogers pitched in his first spring game on Tuesday and struck out two hitters while twin brother Tyler sat because of a scratched finger that was reported to be minor.

Join Michael for the San Francisco Giants podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Brian Sabean, Giants Architect of 3 World Series Titles, with the Yankees

Former San Francisco Giants team president Brian Sabean speaking at one of the Giants World Series celebrations at San Francisco City Hall is now New York Yankees team senior vice president (photo from Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

Brian Sabean, Giants Architect of 3 World Series Titles, with the Yankees

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

SAN FRANCISCO–The main brain trust that brought the first World Series title to the Giants, and a total of three World Series in 2010, 2012 and 2014, has rejoined his original team, the New York Yankees. Sabean is now an executive advisor to senior vice president to the general manager of the Yankees  Brian Cashman.

Sabean is the man that was credited with shaping the New York Yankees during their dynasty of the late 1990s. “Saves” (one of his nicknames) for the past 30 years with the Giants, including as senior vice president and general manager from 1996 until 2015, He scouted well in New York and also in San Francisco. Brian Sabean is one of the most accomplished baseball executives in recent history.

Giants fans might remember some of  these names, who came to San Francisco under Brian Sabean reign, many via trades; J.T. Snow, Jeff Kent, Benito Santiago, Juan Uribe, Edgar Rentería, Ellis Burks, Pat Burell, Kenny Lofton, Robb Nen and others. About returning to work for the Yankees he said:  “It’s humbling. At my age, I really appreciate being wanted and needed,” Sabean said. “As I talked to Cash, I think it became organic as to how I could help the organization. I’m all in. I’ll do anything to help the Yankees win another World Series. Our family is thrilled, and we’re totally invested.”

At 66 years of age Sabean looks to another chapter of his life. Prior to ascending to General Manager of the SF Giants he was head of their baseball division from 1977 to 2018, he brought to the Giants all the success they never had (as far as winning) since the team moved to San Francisco in 1958.

Although he will never have a statue at Oracle Park, Brian Sabean is the only General Manager in San Francisco Giants history with three World Series rings.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Will Mets reduce Correa’s pay and years after latest physical?; Latest physical vindicates Giants

Superstar shortstop Carlos Correa has yet to confirm if the New York Mets will confirm him to try on their uniform as contract negotiations have turned tide from the $315 million 12 year offer to something that could be significantly less after he failed a physical with the Mets (photo image from ESPN)

By Morris Phillips and Michael Duca

SAN FRANCISCO–To what degree is Carlos Correa damaged goods and will the New York Mets seek a reduced contract in years and salary after confirming what the San Francisco Giants had found when Correa failed his physical in San Francisco on Tuesday. Granted the Giants were accused of reneging on the deal and their was a cloud of suspicion over the Giants motives and was the failed physical of Correa at the time believable.

Some newspaper reporters said that the Giants credibility was shot after making the decision to back out on signing Correa and that the organization was not to be trusted and that this concludes why they can’t sign big name stars like Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Giancarlo Stanton, and Shohei Ohtani. Whatever happened in not signing those other players the Giants in the case of Correa were of good faith and up front that yes indeed Carlos Correa does have an injury that prevented San Francisco from signing the superstar shortstop.

While the Giants are vindicated amongst those who doubted them there was this push in the press on Giants team president Farhan Zaidi, a doubt at his word and a question why did Zaidi call off the press conference at the 11th hour on Tuesday morning, if Correa was so injured why wasn’t his injury disclosed? What was Zaidi really hiding in calling off Correa’s introduction and did the Giants really want out of the deal? Zaidi could not disclose the medical condition because of HIPAA laws that protect doctor-client privacy.

Now that the New York Mets have confirmed what Zaidi has said all along let there be little doubt that the Giants are vindicated by their medical staff’s findings. The Mets medical staff’s findings like a second opinion now confirm that Correa did have a pre existing issue but rather than send Correa packing they are exploring ways to work a new deal out with his agent Scott Boras and Correa.

One option might be that the Mets can reduce that 12 year $315 million offer to something for example in the neighborhood of four years and $60 million per say based on performance and staying healthy. As it was reported Correa had suffered a lower right leg injury when he broke a fibula while making a slide single A high ball back in 2014.

It also should be noted after the Giants voided the contract proposal Boras approached the Minnesota Twins this being after he and Correa turned down the Twins ten year offer to Correa after the 2022 season. The Twins after learning of Correa’s not passing the physical with the Giants took a turn at taking a pass on Correa and now the Mets and Correa are trying to “work through” a possible new deal for Correa for 2023 which most likely will be much less than what the Twins were offering after the 2022 season.

Morris Phillips and Michael Duca cover the San Francisco Giants for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Mets sign Correa, San Francisco drops him after failing physical due to undisclosed reasons

Former Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa failed two physicals according to the San Francisco Giants thus forfeiting a $350 million deal. Correa came to terms with the New York Mets later on Tues Dec 20, 2022 signing Correa to a $315 million 12 year deal after the Giants deal fell through (AP News file)

By Morris Phillips and Michael Duca

SAN FRANCISCO–Carlos Correa who had signed a $350 million with the San Francisco Giants but the deal was annulled due failing two physicals. Correa who had past back problems it was reported that was not the reason why he failed his physicals.

The Giants and Correa could have negotiated for a lower salary number but that will not be necessary after learning the Giants had decided to drop Correa due to the failed physicals the New York Mets came in and signed Correa to a $315 million 12 year contract.

The Giants were set to introduce Correa to the media on Tuesday morning at 11 AM but the presser was canceled after learning of Correa’s physical results. The Giants would not disclose the specifics of why Correa failed his physical but it sure didn’t make a difference to the Mets who grabbed him right away after learning the Giants no longer were interested in his services.

Upon learning the news about the Giants and Correa no longer doing business together many in MLB and those who cover Correa were shocked upon learning the news on Tuesday. Once Mets owner Stephen A Cohen learned of Correa being back on the free agency market it didn’t take long for the Mets to reach out to him with an offer that he quickly agreed to and signed.

The Mets during the Correa sweepstakes weren’t able to sign him because the Giants had upped the offer to $350 million to the Mets $315 million. The Mets kept the number the same but figuring it was known that Correa failed two physicals and the Mets believed in Correa regardless signed him and hope to rehabilitate Correa inspite of his injuries.

Cohen was in Hawaii when the deal went down, “We need one more thing, and this is it,” Cohen said “This was important … This puts us over the top. This is a good team. I hope it’s a good team!” The Mets general manager Billy Eppler meanwhile kept busy and on Tuesday they also signed another big name pitcher Justin Verlander who had just won the 2022 World Series with the Houston Astros.

Eppler who was at the baseball winter meetings earlier this month on Dec 4-7 in San Diego pursued Verlander and with pitcher Max Scherzer in the rotation the Mets have two of the best starters in baseball for the 2023 season.

Michael Duca and Morris Phillips both cover SF Giants baseball for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Carlos Rodón from Giant to Yankee

Former San Francisco Giant Carlos Rodon will be delivering pitches for the New York Yankees for the next six years for $162 million (AP News file photo)

Carlos Rodón from Giant to Yankee

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

SAN FRANCISCO–The New York Yankees signed Carlos Rodón to a 6-year $162 million contract.

Carlos Rodón had the best year of his career in the 2022 season with the San Francisco Giants, ended with a 14-8 record and 2.88 ERA with 237 struck outs in 178 innings. The lefty born in Miami who has been in the major leagues since 2015 with the Chicago White Sox, and in 2022 with the San Francisco Giants signed a 6-years $162 million deal with the New York Yankees.

Rodón is now second in the Yankee rotation behind Gerrit Cole, who led the major leagues in strikeouts with 257, while Rodón (now his teammate) was #3 in major league in strikeouts with 237.

Giants got the best of Rodón and were lucky the lefty was healthy during the whole season, which in his case was the main reason he got the Yankees to that six year deal. Rodón dealt with shoulder injuries in 2016 and 2021 and in between had Tommy John surgery. And even with his best season in 2022 with the Giants, making 31 starts he averaged just 5 2.3 inning per start, which was his career high.

Many say the Yankees overpaid Rodón, but the same could be said about the Giants for Carlos Correa giving him a 13 year deal for $250 million. We must have in mind Correa played most of his career with the Houston Astros (previous to his one season in 2022 with Minnesota) and with the Astros he was surrounded by some great players like José Altuve, Alex Bregman and Yuliesky Gurriel.

Starting in 2023 we will see if Carlos Correa can become the leader of the Giants. The Giants are still in need of that big slugger, like the one they went after in Aaron Judge.

While the Yankees were able to keep their slugger Aaron Judge and now acquiring left handed pitcher Carlos Rodón, among all these big names some might have forgotten that the Giants a few weeks ago signed Bay Area native outfielder Mitch Haniger, although a few injuries have limited him over the years,

Haniger when healthy was one of the Mariners best hitters for a decent average and good power, having a couple 25+ Home Run seasons including 39 in 2021. As a matter of fact Correa has never hit 39 home runs or driven 100 runs in a single season, something that Mountain View native Haniger has done with the Seattle Mariners in 2021.

The Giants also signed Haniger to a three-year $43.5 million contract on the second day of the 2022 MLB Winter Meetings in San Diego. Haniger’s has an opt-out clause in 2024. That deal, not as big as the Correa’s, could prove to be much productive for the Giants. The one downside to Haniger is that he is prone to injury, but when healthy he is very much underrated and could be a key for the Giants if they want to compete next season.

As far as I am concerned, the Giants are probably to finish again in third place. The San Diego Padres are loaded, with great pitching and one of the best lineups in the game and the LA Dodgers still formidable division winners, and they know how to win.

I am still not totally sold on that the Giants fans are very happy with Correa’s signing, but Giants management had to do something after missing on Aaron Judge they when after the next best option. Nobody in history before has signed an infielder to that type of a contract.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Giants “nervous money” goes to Correa

Carlos Correa joins the San Francisco Giants on Tue Dec 13, 2022 for 13 years and a deal worth $350 million (photo from ESPN)

Giants “nervous money” goes to Correa

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

SAN FRANCISCO–National baseball reporter Jon Heyman said about the Giants signing Carlos Correa for 13 years and $350 million; “Grossly overpaid, and so not worth it”.

A few weeks ago the Giants told their fans and the whole baseball world they were going after Aaron Judge, the Yankee slugger who established a new home run record in the American League this past season, hitting 62 home runs, that they (Giants) had all the money to make the 6′ 7 Judge a San Francisco Giant.

Among the reporters in San Diego Jon Heyman covering the winter meetings, wrote the news that the Giants had signed Aaron Judge, a few minutes letter he had to apologize as he retracted the so-called breaking news. Judge is the guy the Giants needed, to create that buzz that is not there anymore at Oracle Park, a true slugger with devastating power to all fields.

At the end, Judge decided to stay in the Bronx with the Yankees, the legacy of the most famous franchise in American history. Let’s face it, the Giants haven’t had a good farm system since GM Brian Sabean, so they were desperate to give this no opt-out, full-no trade deal to Carlos Correa, whose agent is Scott Boras, the best there is.

The San Francisco Giants needed a power bat, a hitter with power of around 40 home runs and 100 runs batted in. As good as a shortstop Correa has been, he is not your typical slugger, of that kind. But the Giants had “nervous money” that had to be given to a player in order to try to please their fan base that have been waiting for that home run, that offensive savior since they had Barry Bonds, who retired in 2007 with 762 home runs.

Giants are feeling the pressure and they want to bring another title to San Francisco, especially now when just three blocks away the Warriors play at Chase Center and have become the most successful team in San Francisco. The Giants want to recoup that “mojo” they had when they won three World Series in a six-year span. But this signing might not do it. Carlos Correa is a great defensive shortstop and a very good hitter, but he is no Aaron Judge.

The 13-years $350 million contract is the largest for an infielder in history of baseball. Correa will be 41 years old when he retires. In the history of the game only Los Angeles Angels Mike Trout ($426.5 million) Los Angeles Dodgers Mookie Betts ($365 million) and New York Yankees Aaron Judge ($360 million) have been guaranteed more in a contract.

Giants and the Western Division. The San Diego Padres lineup is indeed a scary one: Manny Machado, Juan Soto, Fernando Tatís Jr. and Xander Bogaerts, not necessarily in that order, but all very productive and dangerous hitters. Tatis Jr. will miss the first 32 games of the 2023 season as he will complete his 80 game suspension from last season when he proved positive for illegal substances. San Diego manager Bob Melvin might be the team to beat in 2023 in the west.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants report: Stripling joins Manaea in the latest of signings

By Morris Phillips and Michael Duca

Former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Ross Stripling throws against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning at Citizen’s Bank Park in Philadelphia on Tue Sep 20, 2022. Stripling joined the Giants signing a two year $25 million deal with a option for 2024 (AP News photo)

SAN FRANCISCO– Not waiting for the end of the year the San Francisco Giants made moves this week on Monday they signed former Oakland A’s left hander Sean Manaea who was anchor in the A’s bullpen when he pitched there. Manaea who signed a $25 million for two years with 2024 being a option year.

Manaea pitched for Oakland from 2016 until the end of the 2021 season. He joined the San Diego Padres soon after his former manager Bob Melvin went to manage in San Diego. Manaea’s 2022 season record 8-9 ERA 4.96. Manaea is being considered for the fourth or fifth spot in the Giants rotation. The Giants despite Manaea’s struggles in San Diego say they like what he brought to the Bay Area when he pitched here and he can adjust and the Giants are confident they can get him back on track.

Ross Stripling signing: On the heels of the Manaea signing the Giants signed right hand pitcher Ross Stripling in a $25 million two year deal. The contract call for an opt out after the first season. If Stripling pitches anything like he did in 2022 the Giants may not even give that opt out even a second thought. With Toronto Blue Jays Stripling went 10-4 with impressive 3.04 ERA in 134 plus innings.

Stripling 33, gets a $5 million signing bonus and will receive a $7 million salary for the 2023 season and Stripling who can reach for the brass ring and get a second year will get $12.5 million for the 2024 season. The Giants are looking to replace an effective pitching staff from the 2021 season in the pitchers of Alex Cobb, Anthony DeSclafani, Alex Wood and the Giants are looking for Alex Wood with Logan Webb, Jakob Junis, and Sean Hjelle to fill that void.

Now with Stripling and Manaea joining the pitching staff they could very well get an effective performance that the Giants have been looking for in their rotation. No doubt about it Stripling and Manaea bring lots of experience to the pitching staff. Manaea had had some arm problems in the past when he pitched in Oakland and was looking forward to working that out when he was in San Diego but will get a chance to work with Giants pitching coach Andrew Bailey.

Michael Duca and Morris Phillips both podcast Giants baseball for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Why the Giants need Aaron Judge

The author Amaury Pi Gonzalez prepares for doing the Oakland A’s Spanish radio broadcast at Yankee Stadium on Oct 3, 2018 against the New York Yankees for the American League Wild Card game (photo from Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

Why the Giants need Aaron Judge

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

SAN FRANCISCO–At the time of this article, the Yankees and the Giants are still on a bidding war to get Aaron Judge a long-term contract of over $350 to $400 million. What many consider now the legitimate home run king for one season, with 62 in 2022, Aaron was born in Northern California and was a Giants fan most of his life.

Although Judge has played only for the New York Yankees, in today’s baseball loyalty is out the window. We witnessed last season how Freddy Freeman left the Atlanta Braves to sign with the LA Dodgers. Freeman was the most popular Brave in Atlanta since the days of Larry “Chipper” Jones (HOF).

You would think Aaron Judge values the legacy of the Yankees, and their great history, winning more World Series than anybody else, plus the last three great home run record setters in the American League all are Yankees; Babe Ruth in 1927 with 60 home runs, Roger Maris in 1961 with 61 home runs and then Aaron Judge in 2022 with 62 home runs.

The three main reasons the Giants really need Aaron Judge.

1-The Giants haven’t had a slugger since the days of Barry Bonds, who retired in 2007 (15 years ago). Bonds failed again to get enough votes (getting only four votes) for the Hall of Fame this week. He is in danger of becoming the “forgotten slugger”, a man with a record 762 home-run career and seven (7) MVP Awards, whom baseball still doesn’t recognize.

2-Attendance has gone down during the last few seasons at Oracle Park in San Francisco, the Giants have a mediocre team, they did not make the postseason (not counting the Covid years). The Western Division is dominated today by the Dodgers and Padres. There is little excitement these days at Oracle Park, although they still have a very good fan base.

3-The Warriors who play within walking distance of Oracle Park, at Chase Center, have become San Francisco’s most popular team and have taken the shine out of the Giants.

If the Giants do steal Judge from the Yankees, they still will need more talent to rival Los Angeles and San Diego. As good as Judge has been in a career of seven seasons with the Yankees with a total of 220 home runs and 437 RBI he has never won a World Series.

Even with one of the greatest individual seasons for a player in history, this 2022 when he set the new American League home run record with 62 and won the MVP, his Yankees did not make it to the World Series. Baseball is not football. The team with Tom Brady usually goes deep into the post season and most times to the Super Bowl and win it all, but there has never been one single player in baseball than can do that.

Aaron Judge is will be 31 years old next April and if he signs with the Giants for nine years (as his contract offer is rumored to be) will retire as a Giant. Not a bad deal for a kid who grew up less than two hours from San Francisco as a Giants fan.

The Yankees are the Yankees, they always build their teams with one goal only, to win the World Series. If the Yankees do not resign Judge, this will be one of the hardest punch-in-the-gut to their huge fan base, who spend a lot of money year after year and expect the Yankees to do the same.

There could be a misery team out there (not the Giants or the Yankees) it happens during negotiations of this sort, mega stars with huge contracts, but for now, there is a high probability that Aaron Judge will probably be wearing a Yankee or Giants jersey come Spring Training.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead Spanish play by play voice of the Oakland A’s on flagship station 1010 KIQI San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Garylord Perry passes at 84 years old former Giant Hall of Famer

Gaylord Perry as a pitcher with Cleveland Guardians gets checked by the plate umpire for foreign substances. Perry never got caught at anytime during his career for using foreign substances. (photo from Hobart)

On the Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

Former San Francisco Giants pitcher Gaylord Perry won a career 314 games, struck out 3500 batters, but is best remembered for his spit ball as one of his strongest arsenals. Perry a baseball Hall of Famer best remembered for having batters and managers ordering umpire to check where with all to see if he’s hiding any foreign substance to make the baseball do strange things when pitched by Perry.

Perry 84 who passed away on Thursday morning as announced by his daughter Allison Perry. Perry had contracted Coronavirus last year and really never recovered from the disease.

Perry stood 6’4 and 205 pounds never suffered from arm injuries during his career had an assortment of different pitches that kept hitters off balance and guessing what is throwing to make the ball do what it did? He had a curve, slider, sinker, changeups forkball, an effective fastball, and the split-finger.

Michael Duca does the San Francisco Giants podcasts during the regular baseball season for http://www.sportsradioservice.com