No, this is not a cute sidebar about the Giants' plans for Buster Posey, Stephen Vogt, or Joey Bart. Nor have we any breaking news about Madison Bumgarner and the qualifying offer. If you've spent any time here at all, you know that "breaking news" is something we don't do; indeed, we tend to specialize in "broken news," as in "yesterday's headlines-- today!"
But the shotgun marriage between yesterday and today can be consummated through our annual report on how certain Giants are doing as they march along toward history. In other words, we've updated our "Greatest Giants Players" page with 2019 stats, so let's review who stands where among the great.
Madison Bumgarner, he of the QO and free agency, is now the second-greatest San Francisco Giants pitcher of all time, the K2 to Juan Marichal's towering Mount Everest. Another workmanlike season-- lots of innings and strikeouts, not too many hits, walks, or runs-- vaulted "Bum" past Tim Lincecum and Gaylord Perry. He is now also the eighth-greatest San Francisco Giant of all time, and if he never throws another pitch in Giants uniform, his legacy here is secure.
Brandon Belt, everybody's favorite, has inched his way into the top-20 all-time list despite a thoroughly lackluster season; his eight years at first base tie Will Clark even if he's about half the player Will was. And the man who spelled Belt at first, spelled Even Longoria at third, was the DH in American League parks, and generally made himself useful, Pablo Sandoval, has now tied for 20th as well. The "Panda" played in 108 games and put up 1.5 WAR and thus earns some Giants cred for the first time since 2014, though he's been around for the past three years. He's another free agent and we'll see if this is it for him as well.
The other Brandon, Crawford, padded his lead as the premier San Francisco shortstop despite a forgettable season; he's now 18th on the all-time list and Jack Clark is within range.
Buster Posey, #5 San Francisco Giant, added little to his resume other than another year of service and great defense behind the plate. The top four are well ahead of him and all are in the Hall of Fame (or should be), and so will he be someday.
Of course we were sorry to see Joe Panik crash, burn, and get DFA'd at midseason; he gets credit for one more year of service, and leaves the Giants as our fifth-ranked second baseman.
Nobody else did much, though Will Smith increased his overall value by 133% in his All-Star season. It's tough on relievers who don't stay with the team a long time and don't get to pitch in the postseason.
And as we added a few new names to the master list, so too did we pare it down by removing guys who had no staying power. The only real regret was cutting Derek Holland, who did such stalwart work for the Giants in 2018 but couldn't even draw a trade offer this season. He joins the likes of Chris Stratton, Mark Melancon, and Ty Blach, who quietly dropped off the radar this past year.
