While Jeremy Affeldt wasn't the biggest name out on the free agent market, he certainly has been brought to San Francisco to sure up on the Giants' most pressing needs.
The 29-year-old left hander, who spent all of 2008 with the Cincinnati Reds, signed a two-year, $7 million contract with the Giants, general manager Brian Sabean announced Monday.
"Though just 29, Jeremy brings a solid veteran presence to our bullpen," Sabean said in a press release. "There is no doubt he has been able to shoulder a heavy workload. He has been to the post-season and will help bridge the gap between our young and talented starting staff and our closer, Brian Wilson, who is one of the best in the game. We are excited to have Jeremy as a Giant."
After spending most of his seven-year career with Kansas City and Colorado, Affeldt will now be looked upon to provide late-inning help and bridge the gap between the Giants' starters and closer Brian Wilson.
Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Jonathan Sanchez, you are now allowed to show your happiness.
It's obvious the Giants needed something in the bullpen. Although Affeldt's career numbers won't blow your brains away, 4.55 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in 360 games, he is coming off of seasons where he recorded an ERA of 3.53 and 3.31 in Colorado and Cincinnati, respectively. He also had a strong finish to his 2008 season with the Reds, recording a 2.23 ERA in his final 34 outings.
And this move is certainly not the end of the bullpen remaking. The Giants will certainly have, and will continue to be in contact with the agents for veteran relievers. The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that the Giants relievers Bobby Howry, Joe Beimel, Juan Cruz, Brandon Lyon, Will Ohman and David Weathers are all on Sabean's radar.
A busy off season has gotten started. Although it may not have the eye-popping appeal of a Mark Teixiera or CC Sabathia, this is certainly a step in the right direction.
12 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Evan Aczon 7 months ago
This means that Beimel will probably drop off the list. It also gave the Reds a sandwich pick, and took up about $4 million that the Giants had allocated towards free agents this season. If they do in fact sign Furcal, that would probably knock off another nine or ten. It also looks like the end for Jack Taschner, because I'm pretty sure that Alex Hinshaw has a spot locked down. Very few teams carry three lefties all the time, and even then, those teams usually have a left-handed closer.
I'm still holding out for Sabathia! Look for the Giants to sign one of Cruz, Howry, or Kyle Farnsworth.
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Danny Penza 7 months ago
Considering they are around the same age, Affeldt and Taschner will probably get around the same kind of contract. I wouldn't completely rule out him coming back, although now it seems pretty unlikely. The Giants have never been afraid to have three lefties in the pen.
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Evan Aczon 7 months ago
ah, lest we forget the days of Jim Poole, Rich Rodriguez, and Wilson Alvarez (1997). haha i'd like him to stick around.
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Danny Penza 7 months ago
Wow. Those are some names to remember right there. Affeldt, Hinshaw, Taschner...not spectacular by any means, but certainly better than having Tyler Walker blow leads every other day.
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Evan Aczon 7 months ago
very true. i had to dig deep for that one. the only one i really remembered was Rich Rodriguez. and I liked Hinshaw from the beginning. He's smart, has good stuff, and a cool head. Taschner brings a lot of emotion, and, like i said, can work both lefties and righties. Affeldt brings good stuff, and is certainly a lot better than T-Walk. No offense Tyler, it was fun listening to Kruk and Kuip talk about how much you sweat, and you definitely had your moments in your Giants tenure.
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Nathan Barone 7 months ago
Please don't forget Sergio Romo, he is the best rookie reliever who emerged last year. Hinshaw, Romo, Affeldt and Taschner is a strong core of relievers. Wilson of course is the strongest of the bunch.
Now that he picked up a legit reliever, I would like to see Sabean go after a free agent hitter of some sort. Furcal would be nice, Teixera would be a dream come true.
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Evan Aczon 7 months ago
definitely can't forget Romo. He'll come back as the primary RIGHT-handed setup guy for the Giants.
I'd bet $140 million (teixeira's probable price tag) that he won't come to San Francisco. We can still dream though.
I'm going to make a guess and say that if the Giants do pick up a hitter, its going to be either Casey Blake, or something totally unexpected, like trading Jonathan Sanchez for Edwin Encarnacion (MISTAKE! he's terrible at defense).
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Danny Penza 7 months ago
And about Encarnacion...we've seen what happens to Giants players, recently Rowand and Aurilia, when they go from playing 81 games in a hitters ballpark to the huge gaps of AT&T.
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Nathan Barone 7 months ago
Both of those would be a mistake. Blake is old, and uninteresting, a skinnier and taller Rich Aurillia.
Oher infield opitons could be Joe Crede, Orlando Hudson or Cabrera
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Danny Penza 7 months ago
Not so hot on Crede as much as I was a year ago. He just can't stay healthy to save himself. 144 games in the past two years...not that good.
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Andy Bensch 7 months ago
i say the Giants make pablo sandoval their cleanup hitter, and build the lineup from within, sign CC and go to the playoffs lol
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Danny Penza 7 months ago
I assume an "lol" was dropped because you had some sarcasm behind that comment.
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