1/20/2016 Picture of the Day! A Break Between Storms in Sacramento, CA.

Justin Upton to Detroit Tigers and Yeonis Cespedes Up to Bat

According to MLB.com and Bleacher Report, Justin Upton has received an offer from the Detroit Tigers pending a physical exam. Patience and being a great all-around player has rewarded Upton with a 6 year, $132 million contract. Detroit is fortunate to have a very generous owner in Mike Ilitch.

This signing leaves Yeonis Cespedes as the "big name" player still available in the free agent market. No doubt Cespedes will find a home soon. His bat is a game changer for any team. Down 3-2 in the 8th inning and one whack could totally change the outcome of the game. The only question at this point is will Yeonis sign for a year and do a long term contract next year or be offered a long term contract. My guess is he will get a big contract from one of many teams still watching and contemplating. It would not be a shocker to see Cespedes remain with the Mets. His bat in the middle of the lineup would relieve pressure on his teammates and as already mentioned make any close game winnable with him coming up to bat.

It will be interesting to see where Yeonis Cespedes ends up. This blogger likes him as a player. I still wish the Giants would make a play. They could use a long ball threat in their lineup. I was sad to see the Oakland Athletics trade him, but that's what the A's do. Money Ball is all about not spending the money. The A's need a new stadium more than a high payroll player. I have digressed and like every baseball fan will keep an eye open for interesting team plays as we get closer to opening day 2016.

1/18/2016 Picture(s) of the Day! Sacramento River Rising

The Sacramento River has risen 3 feet since my last photoshoot a few weeks ago. This is right after a full nights rain here in the valley and even more rain in the foothills. The bridge shows measurement at 8 feet, but the last time I bicycled by it was at 5 feet.

SF Giants and Upton, Cespedes, Fowler

Update 1/16/2016 Chris Davis has received offer from Baltimore. Cespedes and Upton still weighing options according to this video courtesy of MLB.com

The 2016 MLB spring season will start in about a month. There are several really good free agents still available. Reports on the major sports sites including Bleacher Report speculate as time goes by these players might choose to sign one year deals and see what happens next season in terms of getting long term big money contracts. Barring injury or poor performances during 2016 this is one route to go, but to this San Francisco fan and blogger it seems a bit risky.

If I was fortunate enough to be a great MLB player, I would consider where I want to play long term and go with a very good deal rather than hope a super deal might happen next year. Three players most mentioned in the category of waiting for big pay days are Yeonis Cespedes, Dexter Fowler and Justin Upton.

For fun, I will pretend to be one of these great players. If the Giants came to me and said, Michael we really like you as a player and want to offer you a long term contract. We would really like to offer the $100 million plus you are seeking, but with our recent acquistions it's not in our budget. Can we work something out that works for both of us? I would listen and ask what have you got in mind? If it came down to waiting a year or signing a contract that was $70 million with bonus incentives instead of say $100 million, I would sign now. Those incentives could add up to be as big a payday if not bigger, especially if you consider the possibilities below.

Number one is you really don't know what is going to happen with your health and your ability to play. That may seem like a small risk, but the risk is there.

Number two, when you sign for a club like the San Francisco Giants who knows what other long term unseen financial gains might come into play later? As a Giants fan I see how loyal the organization is to its players even when those players are not at their peak performance. This can be a long term gain. And after your career the organization is full of ex-great players from coaching to the broadcast booth. Who would not want that?

Number three, who would not want to play for a club doing their best to win another World Series? And there is financial gain in being part of a team contending and even bigger financial possibilities if another World Series does happen during your tenure.

Number four, Giants fans love their players and will do anything to make them and their families feel at home in the Bay Area. Literally priceless.

So Mr. Upton, Mr. Cespedes and Mr. Fowler call your agent and tell them to work out a good deal with the San Francisco Giants. I suggest you guys make it a contest to see who calls the Giants front office first. Tell them Michael sent you so I can get my big pay day of maybe a ticket or two with a bratwurst and beer thrown in for being such a loyal fan.

Best regards,
Michael

1/9/2016 Picture of the Day! Motorcycle Rally at Capitol in Sacramento, CA

1/8/2016 Picture of the Day! Nido Restaurant-R Street, Sacramento, CA

The San Francisco Giants Offer Contract to Bernard Span

The San Francisco Giants have taken a step to fill a need for help in the outfield. Denard Span was offered a contract pending a physical. Span was very good in all aspects of the game for the Washington Nationals prior to injury in 2015. In this case the physical will be important. In his years with the Nationals, Span spent most of his time in center field. Angel Pagan is the Giants center fielder and is in his last year of contract. Pagan has suffered his share of injuries over the last couple of years. If Span passes the physical it will be interesting to see how manager Bruce Bochy utilizes both players.

From a fan and bloggers perspective this is a smart move for the sake of finances and it is certainly possible Span's injuries are behind him. No one knows for sure, but one would guess given age and recent injuries that Pagan will retire at the end of the season. Angel has been a fan favorite since joining the club. He is a guy who hustles all the time and is a great teammate. As a Pagan fan it was tough to see him in discomfort struggling to make plays in center field that he used to make in his sleep while his bat went silent. Giants fans are as loyal to players as team ownership. We are all hoping he is healthy for the new season, but the Giants must be prepared if that is not the case. If Span's injuries are history it is possible he could take over in center field in 2017. All this is hypothetical. The Giants appear to be getting a good deal. Span is a bargain compared to other talented free agents available and waiting. This fan is still skeptical about the depth of the Giants outfield, especially with all the injuries incurred by Pence and Pagan last year. Gregor Blanco filled in doing an excellent job like he always does. Gregor has made some jaw dropping plays in the outfield. His bat is somewhat inconsistent, but his role as the fourth outfielder is a job most of us would love to have and he does it well.

I hope the Giants are not done with off season trades. However, I am guessing the Giants front office plans to tap their farm teams if plaguing injuries in the outfield are an issue in the new season. The thought of obtaining a star still on the market is exciting to fans. It's easy for us to say go for it since we may help with payroll by attending games, buying merchandise and watching the Giants on TV, but the Giants ownership must meet long term contract obligations. The signings of star pitchers Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija were crucial in rebuilding the starting lineup. A huge contract for a star outfielder running for $100 million plus would make most clubs other than the Dodgers, Yankees or Padres hesitate. The Giants are giving pause and most fans don't blame them. Having the biggest payroll does not guarantee success in the playoffs or even getting into the playoffs. Just ask the clubs mentioned above

Only the Giants front office knows for sure what's up their sleeves. This fan will stay tuned and will be writing about any new developments as they occur. Go Giants!!!

1/7/2016 Picture of the Day!

1/6/2016 Picture of the Day!

1-5-2016 Picture(s) of the Day

Picture(s) of the Day on Flickr

Picture of the Day on Flickr  Click on the link to the left to view complete picture of the day album. I will display a picture or a few daily.