Granted, the Yankees lineup is superior to that of the Giants but players such as Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano, Johnny Damon, Jorge Posada and Melky Cabrera would all experience sharp declines in power numbers in a park like AT&T. The Giants’ massive stadium made it impossible for the team to significantly increase leads or make serious attempts at comebacks.
The current roster in San Francisco will never be confused with Murderer’s Row. There has been speculation that Randy Winn will bat third with Bengie Molina batting cleanup. Neither player hit over 20 homers last season.
Aaron Rowand’s big fly total will surely shrivel up as he leaves hitter friendly Citizen’s Bank Park for cavernous AT&T. The rest of the lineup features slap hitters and veterans playing well past their prime. If chicks dig the long ball, AT&T Park will be reminiscent of an all-boys school.
Bringing in AT&T’s fences will allow Giants’ hitters to swat homers with more frequency. However, other teams hit on the same field too. But that is the beauty of it. The Giants’ starting rotation is one of the best in baseball. Last season, they allowed the second fewest amount of home runs in the league. They also allowed the fewest amount of road home runs meaning that they can pitch effectively and keep the ball in the ballpark in any stadium.
On that same vein, Giants’ hitters ripped 77 road homers while only hitting 54 jacks in San Francisco proving that the home dimensions are detrimental to their power statistics. Moving in the fences will help Giants’ hitters but should have little to no effect on Giants’ pitchers.
This proposal should not be seen as drastic. Bringing in the power alleys to 390ft would place AT&T in line with most stadiums in the league. The hitters would hit more home runs giving the team bigger leads and an easier time making comebacks. The pitching staff would hardly be affected as they surrendered just five more homers on the road than at home.
San Francisco has also had a rough time bringing in offensive free agents and one cannot blame them. AT&T is currently a place where a hitter’s statistics go to die so why would any lefty want to don the orange and black? A more homer friendly park will attract a better crop of free agent hitters. Giants’ management also couldn’t argue with all the extra seats made available in the outfield bleachers.
All this idea needs is for Giants’ ownership to sign a construction company. That would be a better signing than any of Brian Sabean’s in the last five years.
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