Giants Accept Defeat, Deal Rodriguez

With Neale Fenn

By shipping Felix Rodriguez, the Giants have wrapped up their case for 2004. The arrival of perennial bench-warmer Ricky Ledee might have a few misguided fans nodding with approval (under the Pedro Feliz guise of "450 at-bats and he'll drive in 100 runs"), but back in the real world, Brian Sabean has succeeded only in shedding payroll. The $3.15 million Rodriguez was due to earn in 2005 will now be set aside for an acquisition in the off-season, perhaps even that big bat to protect Bonds. At this deadline, the memory of last year's Sidney Ponson debacle was too fresh in Sabean's mind, while the chances of adding a decisive piece to the puzzle were as few as they were overpriced. In short, the Giants were too far behind. Let the Cubs and the Dodgers mortgage their futures instead.

Typically, San Francisco are not getting much bang for their buck. Ledee is a free agent at the end of the season. It should come as a relief then -- and indeed, is probably the only relief that's coming -- that Ledee, not being a particularly good player, is not a long-term piece of Sabean's plans. Otherwise, the Giants would have another case of A.J.-itus on their hands. Speaking of Pierzynski, and relief, that's where Joe Nathan rears his ugly mug. With a vengeance.

Sadly, the Giants' bullpen is no better without Rodriguez. His 53 appearances this season are sixth among NL relievers. Don't think that Jim Brower can handle the extra load. He's second in the list, with 57. Rodriguez has an ERA of 3.43, and a WHIP of 1.39. The other members of the bullpen sport a combined era of 5.50, and a WHIP of 1.65.

On being shown the door, Rodriguez had only "Get out of my face, all of you" to say to reporters. Ultimately, the durable right-hander may have failed to endear himself to the Giants' faithful with his 96mph fastball, 96 mph fastball repetoire, but Jeffrey Hammonds he most certainly is not. He rejoins Tim Worrell in Philadelphia to deepen a formidable bullpen, led by Billy Wagner. The Phillies in fact could end up pipping the Giants for the wild-card. That would be retribution for Rodriguez.

All things considered however, narrowly missing the play-offs would be a good result for San Francisco. Even should Ledee hit .400 with 20 home runs in 100 at bats, the Giants will still finish only five games over .500. Sabean, for his part, played his limited cards very well. The Cards on the other hand (momentarily in town to display their prowess) have shown how a team can succeed with a payroll around $85 million: By taking chances, not Brett Tomko. On that note, the Dodgers added Brad Penny and Hee Sop Choi. They're already 51/2 games ahead.

John Schlegel, ever the optimist, anticipated a different outcome:
"One way or the other, the Giants intend to get their two pressing needs met before the deadline. This was very likely the first step of two."

The "other step" was probably supposed to be Kris Benson; perhaps Victor Zambrano; even Penny. Sabean instead has opted, at last, for the long term. Adding an arm would not be enough. Losing one would not be enough. If indeed the Giants wish to address their shortcomings by subtracting, then all the rotation needs is losing Kirk Rueter. Maybe that's what Mr. Schlegel had in mind.