S.F. Giants 高齢プレイヤー指向とドラフト上位放棄

Yahoo Sports 1/17/05 Vintage formula still works in San Fran
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=vintageformulastillworks&prov=tsn&type=lgns

General manager Brian Sabean has taken an old team and made it even older. But believe owner Peter Magowan when he says, "This is as good a team as we've had in the 12 years I've been here."

The cast largely will be the same in 2006, only -- gasp, wheeze, cough -- a year older; the Giants already have approximately $66 million committed to 20 players, and their payroll likely will be in the same $80 million range. In '07, the team's obligations dwindle to approximately $14 million for three players -- Vizquel, Benitez and Matheny. At some point, the Giants will need an influx of young talent, or they might crash and burn.

この体制がボンズ引退の06年まで続く。
07年からは若手中心のRebuildが始まるのか。それともまたベテランを集めてチーム作りをしていくのだろうか。
Yahoo Sports 1/18/05 Baseball Amateur Draft is More of A Crapshoot Than by Martin Lee
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylc=X3oDMTBqYzNhMjFyBF9TAzk1ODYxNzc3BHNlYwNsdG4-?slug=citadel-2_343576_316&prov=citadel&type=story

Thus Sabean's tactic of losing his first round draft pick is brilliant. He diverts player development budget dollars into the 25 man payroll budget by signing a free agent. He does this by paying less bonus money in total to his draftees and probably drafted 95-99% of the same players they would have had they drafted in the first round. By doing so, he gets an immediate contribution to the major league team without significantly hurting the farm system's chances of developing young major leaguers versus waiting for years for a probably minor contribution.
In my last article, I will examine Brian Sabean's draft history, starting with his days as head of the Yankee's scouting department, and covering his years as the Giants GM. I will also discuss my thoughts on Sabean's apparent strategy for drafting and on the future of the Giants farm system.

SFDogout.com 6/10/04 Sabean's Draft Record: Better Than Fans Think By Martin Lee
http://sfgiants.scout.com/2/266404.html
1998年のドラフト

Giants: Six years later and they are either starting to break into the majors or had only a cup of coffee thus far, so not a good draft. Tony Torcato was their 1st pick at 19th. Others who have made the majors at some point in their careers are Nate Bump (25th), Chris Magruder (72nd), Ryan Vogelsong (158th), and Cody Ransom (278th). Ransom is up with the Giants as is Vogelsong with the Pirates (he was traded to get Jason Schmidt) and Nate Bump with the Marlins (he was traded to get Livan Hernandez). But none of them is doing very well in 2004. Tony Torcato was up briefly with the Giants at the start of the season but, despite hitting well in very limited ABs, was sent down when his spot was needed to bring up an emergency starting pitcher.

1999年のドラフト

Giants: Got good return in value from #1 draft pick Kurt Ainsworth (24th), Olympics pitcher who impressed Tommy Lasorda and who pitched well for the Giants in 2002 and 2003 when given the chance and when not incapacitated by problems. Then he was traded to rent Sidney Ponson in 2003. However, the Giants hit the proverbial jackpot thus far out of all the draft picks by all the teams examined here by selecting Jerome Williams with the 39th pick in the supplemental 1st round. He had a bust out year in 2003 when injuries forced his promotion but his performance forced the Giants to keep him there. There are a total of seven players who have reached the AAA level five years after signing but no other who has reached the majors.

2000年のドラフト

Giants: A good draft for tantalizing and thus far disappointing Giants fans. Boof Bonser was the Giants first pick (21st) and as we all know, he was used to acquire A. J. Pierzynski. He was talented but was considered a bit of a headcase as reported in articles - for example, changed his real name to Boof after being drafted - and leads a battalion of prospects who have frustrated Giants afficionados: Lance Niekro (61st), Ryan Hannaman (121st; also traded in infamous Sir Sidney Ponson deal), Erick Threets (211th). Only players to reach the majors thus far are Niekro and Jason Ellison (661st) and only Boof, of the rest, has reached AAA at any point in their career. The Giants also have two good prospects from this draft still rising in their system, Brion Treadway (91st) and Dan Trumble (751st) both only as high as A-ball last year but in AA this year.

2001年のドラフト

Giants: The Giants picked Brad Hennessey with the 21st pick and almost immediately he is hospitalized with an operable tumor in his head. After a couple of years of recovery plus a recurrence, he was able to pitch in 2003 and nicely too in A-ball. However, it is probably the Giants second best draft after 1999 as it netted them with Noah Lowry (30th), Todd Linden (41st), and Jesse Foppert (74th), all of whom saw MLB duty in 2003. In particular, Foppert completed a mercurial rise from draft pick by his home team to holding a regular spot in the pitching rotation and doing decently and Linden is one of the rare Giants prospects who can actually play a position and has been touted as a potential starting corner outfielder good for 20 homers/20 stolen bases. Only one other has reached as high as AAA - Keith Anderson (826th) - and two have reached AA - Jamie Athas (226th) and Ryan Meaux (766th).

2002年のドラフト

Giants: Good draft as the Giants selected a number of good prospects. Matt Cain was their first pick at 25th. Kevin Correia, who pitched well in a yo-yo season (going from minors to majors and back multiple times) in 2003, was 127th. In addition, Dan Ortmeier, who some experts think is the Giants' best position prospect was selected 97th and Travis Ishikawa - he of the near-$1 million draft bonus despite being picked in the 21st round - was selected 637th. Only two players have reached AA - Greg Bruso (487th) who was traded in the Eric Young "rent-a-player" deal of last year and Zach Borowiak (1455th).

2003年のドラフト

Giants: The Giants had a great draft starting with David Aardsma (22nd) as their first pick and Nate Schierholtz (63rd) as their surprise 2nd round pick. In addition, a number of other good prospects were selected: Craig/Roger Whitaker (34th), Todd Jennings (55th), Brian Buscher (93rd), Mike Wagner (153rd), Billy Sadler (183rd), Pat Misch (213th), Jesse Schmidt (303rd), Ryan Sadowski (363rd), Spider Martin (423rd), Ben Thurmond (453rd), Pat Dobson (543rd), and Jon Coutlangus (573rd). But none made AAA or even AA in their first season, though obviously Aardsma eventually pitched in the MLB in 2004. There were many who made A-ball.