Brian Sabean

As everyone here knows over the years I have been one of Brian Sabean's harshest critics however what he has done over the past two years or so has drastically changed my opinion of him and the organization. In my opinion the Giants very well could be in the best shape compared to any other national league organization. Let's put it this way the Giants have without a doubt one of the best farm systems in the game and the wallets to match. The Giant's will likely be one of the least effected teams by the recession because of the affluent Bay Area, there will still be a good amount of fans at games and a fair amount being spent on merchandise. They figure to field a competitive team in 2009 and beyond and a large number of their top prospects figure to at least be in AA by next season. The one glaring problem with the Giants is their lack of homegrown positional talent. But the times are a changing' out of their projected opening day lineup four of the nine were developed by the Giants in Lewis, Sandoval, Ishi and Frandsen. And three of the five members of the rotation were also developed by the Giants. 

The past two seasons Sabean has shown a newfound dedication to the farm system as well. Sabean learned through the years that patching gaping holes on the field with ban-aid veterans was not a consistent way to win year in and year out. Unfortunatley Sabean started this re-building while competing formula about three years to late.  Since putting an emphasis on building from within Sabean has flushed the system with a mixture of high ceiling talent with polished players that are ready to contribute at the major league level. If there's any quip I have with the Giants minor league system, it's the fact that the Giants have drafted "hard sign's" in recent years in the later rounds. My point being is that the Giants haven't really taken a gamble on high school draftees whom declare their going to school or draft eligible college sophomores I believe that you should draft them if there's no better avaiable talent and best case scenario you sign them and add the equivalent of a 1st or 2nd round draft pick to your system worse comes to worse you lose a 20th round draft pick.

As I look at the Giants system as it currently stands there's plenty of reason for optimism I see a possible all star catcher who could put up Russel Martin numbers offensively and whom scouts believe has the tools to be a gold glove worthy defensive catcher. I also see a pair of two teenage pitchers, one who has the chance to be the ace of a major league staff, one who is only a year away from being a member of a major league pitching staff and who can be a frontline pitcher as well. The one thing all three of these pitchers have in common is that they are only a year and a half away from the major leagues. All three are high ceiling talents that have been our system for only a year and a half (Bumgarner, Alderson) and Posey for six months. Given our resources we can also afford to hold onto these players long past their arbitration years ......sorry Jay. All I'm saying is that there's plenty of reasons to hold your head high if your a Giants fan.