Garko to the Giants for prospect(s)

by cowboy4eva on Jul 27, 2009 9:46 PM EDT Comment 26 comments

I don't get this for the Giants. I know their 1st base need and I know their system is great but I thought Barnes had more value than that and was set to rise up prospect rankings in the offseason.

According to Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse, the Giants have acquired first baseman Ryan Garko from the Indians for LHP Scott Barnes and a PTBNL.
The Giants have been eyeing a first baseman to replace Travis Ishikawa, and Garko is a nice fit. The 28-year old is batting .285/.362/.464 this season with 11 home runs and 39 RBI. He's a force against left-handed pitchers and is under team control through 2012. Barnes, 21, has gone 12-3 with a 2.85 ERA and a 99/29 K/BB ratio in 18 starts (99 innings) for Single-A San Jose. Jul. 27 - 9:25 pm et

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there is no PTBNL:

http://castrovince.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/07/garko_traded_to_giants_for_cla.html

I like this deal for the Indians. Barnes looks like a high upside arm.

Any Giants fan who’d like to share their thoughts about him?

by JP_Frost on Jul 27, 2009 9:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i just did a quick google search of “scott + barnes + scouting + report”

88-92 mph FB, plus change, developing curve (per fangraphs)

some suspect mechanics early in his professional career that he seemed to have ironed out since then

by gorilla_baller on Jul 27, 2009 10:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good Deal for Cleveland

Scott Barnes is having a damn good year for being in the CAL

by jar75 on Jul 27, 2009 10:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice addition for Giants

Garko should settle in the cleanup spot and be a solid run producer.

Now raise your goblet of rock. It's a toast to those who rock!

by Dewey Finn on Jul 27, 2009 10:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Andy Marte called up

To replace Garko

by cowboy4eva on Jul 27, 2009 10:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Cool

I hope he can turn things around. The man was ripping ass in AAA, but still wasn’t walking.

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by Frederick0220 on Jul 27, 2009 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah not many walks

but looking over his stats, he doesn’t hit many ground balls. 29% GB. that’s damn low. combine with a .269 ISOP and few walks don’t bother me with how he is hitting right now.

by daveh33 on Jul 28, 2009 2:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm

28 year old Garko vs. righties (with really bad defense): .265/.349/.424 (in line with career norms over 1000 AB)
25 year old Ishikawa vs. righties (with great defense): .265/.319/.423

Did the Giants really just give up 21 year old lefty with a career 1.04 WHIP a 10.3 K/9 and a 2.6 BB/9 for a lefty platoon option at 1b?

by Galt on Jul 27, 2009 10:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My friend is a Giants fan and loves it. I think it’s a waste. I like Barnes more than Alderson. Alderson had a lot more perceived value; I bet they could’ve gotten another player if they dealt Alderson instead of Barnes, but possibly would’ve been giving up a worse player.

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Formerly Gallagher's Watermelons

by Player To Be Named Later on Jul 27, 2009 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Except that Garko mashes lefties...

Garko is very average against righties, but dude mashes against lefties:

2009: .333/.395/.565 in 69 AB’s

2008: .315/.389/.468 in 124 AB’s

2007: .310/.393/.521 in 142 AB’s

2006: .333/.400/.538 in 39 AB’s

Travis has the defensive edge, though Garko has been holding his own this year (UZR at 4.2, though I’m still convinced he’s not a great defender).

In the end, I don’t think it turns the Giants into a great team, but it does improve the offense. Worst case he’s a straight platoon player with Ishikawa. Best case, he stays on his current hot streak and gives the offense a much needed boost. Barnes may end up being more than Garko’s worth, but the Giants needed to do something.

by valley on Jul 28, 2009 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+

I like it too. Garko will help and it is a nice deadline deal to give the offense a little boost. Barnes is a nice little prospect but lets be honest….any pitching prospect who is still in A+ has plenty of hurdles to cross before even making the MLB level. Barnes might develop into a mid-rotation SP or he could flame out in AA or AAA. He is def. worth a cheap MLB 1B.

by Ion293 on Jul 28, 2009 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Well said. Giants got exactly what they needed without giving up a top prospect.

Now raise your goblet of rock. It's a toast to those who rock!

by Dewey Finn on Jul 28, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But that's my point

He only gives an offensive boost vs. left handers.

And to get that, you seriously downgraded at defense.

It seems like a minor minor upgrade just so the Giants can get older, create less flexibility on their roster, and give up a not-highly-regarded-but-performing-exceptionally-well prospect

by Galt on Jul 28, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

by jar75 on Jul 28, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1 again

Doesn’t seem like a good use of Barnes’ value.

WordUpThome: I CANNOT BELIVE THAT THIS PRODUCT IS NOT BUTTER

Formerly Gallagher's Watermelons

by Player To Be Named Later on Jul 29, 2009 1:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd say

it’s an even deal. Barnes will probably be quick to the bigs but I think it’ll be 4 or 5 years untill he makes it as a starter, because I’ve heard nothing about a third pitch yet. If I were a prospect grader I’d give Barnes a B and I think Garko’s bat to the Giants is worth a B pitching prospect with their depth.

by METSMETSMETS on Jul 27, 2009 11:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’d argue they likely could’ve gotten Josh Willingham for the same player (Barnes), and Willingham is a superior hitter who is historically just as good against RHP as LHP.

WordUpThome: I CANNOT BELIVE THAT THIS PRODUCT IS NOT BUTTER

Formerly Gallagher's Watermelons

by Player To Be Named Later on Jul 27, 2009 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ugh, I loved Scotty Barnes

but it was a good trade to keep SF fans from killing themselves over watching a bad team. oh yeah, lincecum went nutty today again.

Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson

by gore51 on Jul 28, 2009 12:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

to be more correct

SF is not a “bad team” – they have the 4th best record in the NL, are only 1 game back in the wild-card race and arguably the best pitching staff in all of baseball. They do have a bad offense, and that’s what SF fans are killing themselves over. Overall I’d rate them a slightly above-average team right now.

"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner

by Fla-Giant on Jul 28, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

If they make the wild card, who would want to face Lincecum, Cain, and either Sanchez or Zito in a short series?

Their offense only needs to score a few runs with the top two going…

"When Justin Upton faces Lincecum, I think Christ might appear in the heavens, and the world will end." -JakeFree

by JT12340 on Jul 28, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't mean "bad" as in poor team

i meant it as in a team that fails to make it to the playoffs, and now finally when they have a shot, not do anything about it.

Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson

by gore51 on Jul 28, 2009 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Giants needed to make a much bigger move and get a much bigger bat.

Trevor Cahill had a 2.78 in the Cal league last year. Bret Anderson 4.14 in the same league. Scott Barnes was 12-3 with 2.85 (2nd in the Cal league) . Now I’m cherry picking some A’s rookies here but it seems like young pitchers with solid numbers have a faster and more secure ride to the big leagues. I really think the return was weak accordingly.

With the Giant’s pitching and spot in the standings they really need to make the big trade and secure there spot to the playoffs. Having Cain and Lincicum (2.30 ERA’s) could win them a series and alot more.

"Gratuitous gesticulating together sounds even better"

by OmahaHi on Jul 28, 2009 4:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

San Jose Giants...

…play in the most pitcher friendly park in the minors. Worth keeping in mind. Also, I’m going to be watching closely to see how Barnes makes the jump from the lower to the upper minors next year. That said, he’s a very solid prospect that has a chance to be a very good #3 starter.

Still the loving, adoptive father of Hector Sanchez. And who doesn't love switch-hitting catchers with power and patience?

by tedfordfan on Jul 28, 2009 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK, first off, you're using wins and ERA for minor league pitchers

which is silly. Basically the only relevant stats for minor leaguers are Ks, walks and ground ball rate, although Barnes has posted good marks in those categories as well.

Second, Barnes was drafted waaaay below Anderson and Cahill. That’s meaningful information.

Third, his stuff isn’t on their level.

Statistical similarities will only take you so far.

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by PaulThomas on Jul 28, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

no doubt. that why I said "I'm cherry picking"

I guess I could have used stats that others already did to make a better point that overall I felt the return for the Giant’s was nothing worthwhile for a young top 10ish prospect.

"Gratuitous gesticulating together sounds even better"

by OmahaHi on Jul 29, 2009 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Giants probably not done yet

Many here have questioned this move as being not enough to help the Giants’ anemic offense (especially against LH pitchers). One piece of info you don’t have is that Sabean (the Giants’ GM) said, in several interviews after this deal was finalized, that he’s working on another deal that has a 50-50 chance of getting done. I’m thinking he’s still looking at F. Sanchez or Willingham, but who knows.

"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner

by Fla-Giant on Jul 28, 2009 11:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs