Brian Giles To The Blue Came Out Of The Blue
by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 10:32 AM PST
in Roster
81 comments
Dodger news never sleeps, often when you don't see it coming. Shortly after midnight last night, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com broke the news via Twitter that Brian Giles had signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers, making him the 25th non-roster invitee to big league camp at spring training. With the signing of Reed Johnson earlier this week, it seemed like the pursuit of Giles was over. But here he is. Giles will make $550,000 if he makes the club, with up to $200,000 in incentives:
- $25,000 for 150 PA
- $25,000 for 200 PA
- $50,000 for 250 PA
- $50,000 for 300 PA
- $50,000 for 350 PA
Mike of Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness has an interesting take, noting the Dodgers may have been four years too late in signing Giles. Sure enough, general manager Ned Colletti's courting of Giles before the 2006 season made an impression. "Brian felt it was a good opportunity to contribute on a playoff-contending team," said Joe Bick, the agent for Giles, "and he's comfortable with Ned after getting to know him during his free agency four years ago."
Giles, who turned 39 on January 20, had microfracture surgery on his right knee in 2007 (an operation that fellow non-roster invitee Alfredo Amezaga underwent on his left knee last season), and was hampered by arthritis in that knee last year, limiting him to a .191/.277/.271 season which ended for him on June 18. Giles is hopeful his knee will allow him to rebound this year, as he has not experienced any setbacks in his offseason conditioning, but he won't really know until spring training how it will respond to the daily grind. Bick noted Giles was willing to sign a minor league deal to share the risk:
Brian wanted to sign a minor league contract, wherever he signed, so as not to put any team at risk until he knows for certain how his knee will respond this spring. If all works out as we hope, all well and good. If his knee doesn't respond as we hope, then he'll be the first to let people know he can't do it; they won't have to tell him....If he's incapable physically of playing the game to his standards, he'll willingly walk away.
If Giles isn't on the roster by April 4, he can ask for his release. Giles has worn uniform number 24 since joining the Pirates in 1999, but that number is retired here in Dodgertown, in honor of Walt Alston. Giles wore number 22 from 1996-98 with Cleveland. Bick said there has been no discussion yet regarding uniform number.
If anything, this transaction is a testament to the information age. Ten days ago, a commenter named Ryan Francis on Dodger Thoughts (scroll down to 3:32pm) said he, while at the "Select-A-Seat" event for season ticket holders, saw Giles working out and running sprints in the outfield. Bick confirmed that Giles was examined by the Dodgers' medical staff on that day as well. Not so long ago, we would learn of a transaction like this in the notes section of the newspaper, or maybe even in the fine print of the transactions section buried deep in the sports section. Now, not only do we have beat reporters delivering news of a minor league transaction after midnight, we have the full details of the deal by the next morning. This is a great time to be a fan.
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Saw this bullett on MLBTR
Assuming this is true, has this ever happened before? I guess the new stadium really helps the Twins.
Minnesota’s payroll will be larger than the Dodgers’ this year.
I don’t think that will be the case, but it will be close. The Dodgers are at about $96 million now, and will likely go to ~$97-98m by opening day.
Probably in the early 1990s or maybe the 1980s, the Twins may have had a larger payroll than the Dodgers. I’m not sure.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 10:51 AM PST up reply actions
Yea I questioned the validity, but thought it was interesting nonetheless. So much for the Twins being the mid-market team they are often described as…
96 mil - 18 mil (deferred money) = 78 mil (for players on the field this season) ?
How does the 78 rank?
or whatever the correct net amount is …
by 68elcamino427 on Feb 7, 2010 11:07 AM PST up reply actions
Heck, back in the day
is used to take the clipper ship almost two months to round the Horn and arrive with the news for MLB HQ in New York.
Hisanori Takahaski
per NPB Tracker:
The Dodgers are in play
Japanese media has been saying Hisa Takahashi prefers the west coast
Then, RE: minor league deal:
I think that’s all he’ll get. It’ll probably come down to how much he can make if he reaches MLB, and if he gets to start
So if signed he would become another backup option for 5th starter/swingman role?
He isn’t a lefty specialist, so don’t know what other role he could have.
Giles wore number 22 from 1996-98 with Cleveland. Bick said there has been no discussion yet regarding uniform number.
He isn’t getting #22 either. :)
Ha!
Giles also wore #58 in his 1995 cup of coffee with the Indians, so the top two starting pitchers plus a retired number cover all of his previous numbers.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 10:57 AM PST up reply actions
I think part of the rationalization is that Giles is no sure bet to make the team, his role is pretty marginalized, nobody is trying to give Giles ‘admirable’ qualities like Wade and the Astros did with Myers, etc.
It boils down to that Myers is going to be a main part of the Astros this year while Giles is a spare part.
Neat,
Two old men platooning the outfield. One of whom used to hit. What are they thinking. And why pick up Russ ortiz? He blows. Instead of trying to find the struggling veteren, who can have one more shot at glory, why don’t we go young and finish building a long term team. I understand the veterens teach the kids but not ortiz.
by Skunkburner on Feb 7, 2010 10:59 AM PST via mobile reply actions
What young guys would you want to sit on the bench rather than play every day? There is almost no risk in this deal. If Giles is healthy, he’s a fine bat off the bench for close to minimum salary. If he’s not, he’ll be gone.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 11:01 AM PST up reply actions
+1
This is a fine signing. Giles is really valuable if healthy. Unlike other ST invitees who are just there to see if they have a lucky hot streak during ST and thus make the team when they should not, Giles will be all about injury or no injury. To me this was the strongest move the Dodgers have made regarding their bench. It may have a small impact (or no impact, if Giles is not healthy), but I would rate this as one of the best moves Ned has made this off-season.
Does it make up for not offering arb to Hudson (who would have accepted and thus been our starting 2B) and Wolf (who would have declined and netted us two high draft picks)? No. Overall this off-season has been poor for the Dodgers – though how much (finally) of that is Ned’s fault and how much is the cash strapped McCourt in Divorce is hard to know.
I think Ramon is far more likely than Russ to fill that role
by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 11:07 AM PST up reply actions
Better career record, better agent, superficially “decent” season last year?
by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 11:10 AM PST up reply actions
Thought this was interesting
the Boston Globe, talking about the Sox extending Josh Beckett, but their injury concern brought some news about Lackey’s unique clause:
The difference, according to some in the baseball medical community, is that the chance of coming back full strength is far better with Tommy John surgery than rotator cuff surgery. The Sox were concerned enough about the wear and tear on Lackey’s elbow to warrant contract protection. They did it in a very creative manner, which was subject to the approval of Major League Baseball and the Players Association, and as a result, Lackey would have to play for the major league minimum if he undergoes Tommy John surgery at any time during the five years.
The Sox, who broke new ground with the Lackey deal that other teams will likely follow, are apt to seek the same kind of protection in any deal for Beckett, but the concern with him would be the shoulder
Now that is interesting
could have a whole set of new ramifications when it comes to signing pitchers long term.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Can't make him go under the knife
so what if he “needs” the surgery and just doesn’t do it? Something else would kick in?
If he truly needs it, I wonder just how many secondary opinions will be needed before he gets the surgery.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 11:22 AM PST up reply actions
Yeah, interesting approach
Have to understand the details on how it would work. For example, what if he breaks down in the later part of the fourth year?
Where is the union on this one?
I can’t believe this is acceptable in their eyes. Seems to me that it wouldn’t be hard to paint a picture of the Red Sox having a vested interest in seeing Lackey’s arm deteriorate in a few years. One of the upsides of free agency and long term contracts is that the teams have an interest in preserving the players. Letting them reduce you to league minimum if you get hurt in the course of playing seems to be a huge step backwards.
The players association approved the deal.
I’m sure Lackey wouldn’t undergo the surgery unless he and his own doctor felt it was absolutely necessary.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 11:50 AM PST up reply actions
Interesting in that if we had signed Brett Myers
the comments would have flourished with his anger/woman issues but Giles seems to get a free pass.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
About a week and a half ago, Jay Jaffe responded to a Giles tweet on Twitter (“Ugh, no thanks. No domestic abusers plz”), but other than that plus a few comments here, there really hasn’t been much reaction.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 11:07 AM PST up reply actions
Two differences I think:
Myers reportedly struck his wife in a public place, in full view of many people, while Giles’ alleged actions were a bit more secret (although grainy video does exist).
Also, Myers hit his wife, while the woman struck by Giles has pending lawsuits against him, so there are financial motivations that at the very least cast some doubt.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 11:19 AM PST up reply actions
Here’s the news report which includes the video of Giles apparently pulling her hair and slapping her. The report also mentions Giles was ordered in Phoenix to attend “anger management and domestic abuse classes” (per the GF attorney).
by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 11:49 AM PST up reply actions
Posted this up top in the wrong tangent
I think part of the rationalization is that Giles is no sure bet to make the team, his role is pretty marginalized, nobody is trying to give Giles ‘admirable’ qualities like Wade and the Astros did with Myers, etc.
It boils down to that Myers is going to be a main part of the Astros this year while Giles is a spare part.
Always like Giles
game and one of the things that made me feel better about Ned was how hard he went after Giles that winter since that meant to me he completely understood park effects and OB importance.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Just saw the Tebow commercial on CBS. The commercial, at least the 30 seconds itself, isn’t nearly as controversial as the buildup suggested.
Trivia question(And I don’t know the answer), but how many players won the MVP and didn’t make it to the All Star game the same year? I know of at least two off the top of my head.
but Rollins wasn’t an all-star in his 2007 MVP season
by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 11:28 AM PST up reply actions
Chipper Jones didn’t make the all-star team in 1999, so we are up to 3 (never an A-S Gibson, Chipper, Rollins)
by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 11:30 AM PST up reply actions
woah
the Ms signed bedard… if hes healthy and thats a big IF… they have EASILY the best 1-2-3 in MLB… WOW…
cliff lee king felix and bedard… WOaH
who can even come close to matching their 3? the red sox?
Good risk for them…$1.5m sounds right. He’s not ready until July though, but possible huge upside after that.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 11:14 AM PST up reply actions
I think it will finally be Texas’ time to shine
by Julio Nievas on Feb 7, 2010 12:09 PM PST up reply actions
Honestly, I could see a case for all four teams. Oakland is the most volatile, as they have some crazy pitching upside but a whole lot of “ifs” for them to win the division.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 7, 2010 12:11 PM PST up reply actions
oakland?
besides brett anderson…
who is their other pitchers?
and cahill is not one with upside for next season in my book..
oooh
forgot they signed sheets and duchererer..
then yeah they got some good pitching depth.. but no way sheets and duscherer play a hwole season..
Neithe does Bedard
and expecting anything from him in relation to what he did in the past in the first few months back is not a good bet either. Front two is great, big big dropoff after that.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
hah
that pales in comparison to seattles…
seattles 3rd best would be number 1 for CWS..
Bedard is a better pitcher than Peavy? That is just a big’ol U-Haul truck full of crazy!
2009-10 Kings Hockey: Delivering Milk Steaks from the Meat Train at an arena near you!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Feb 8, 2010 2:43 PM PST up reply actions
not really
peavy got to pitch in the nl and in the nl west in petco… the best pitchers park in baseball… his home stats are great compared to his road stats… we will see this upcoming year… when peavy is in the al pitching in a hitters ball park if hes actually better then bedard..
Noooooooo!!!
From Adam Wilson of the Indianola Record Herald:
Breaking news: LA Dodgers third baseman and Indianola (Iowa) native Casey Blake tells me he’ll probably play this season without the beard
Brian Giles is a BUM.
A woman beater who caused his girl to have a miscarriage?
He doesn’t deserve to put on a Dodger jersey.
by Los Angeles CROOKs on Feb 8, 2010 10:44 AM PST reply actions
What he deserves is a fair trial. I’m not trying to condone any actions here, but due process exists for a reason.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 8, 2010 11:02 AM PST up reply actions
Yes he does deserve a fair trial, but this video evidence alone: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22825103/vp/28297104#28297104 makes me cringe at the thought of this guy on this team.
If this monster has the audacity to do this in PUBLIC, imagine what he would do when the doors were closed.
DISGUSTING.
by Los Angeles CROOKs on Feb 8, 2010 2:53 PM PST up reply actions
I already linked to the video above. It was awful what he did in that video, no doubt. But I remain skeptical of the miscarriage claim.
It could eventually.
But right now we have one piece of evidence against Giles, which does suck but such a thing shouldn’t condemn him forever. It’s a truly awful crime, and he should do his time for it, but after that the issue is dead.
All the rest is a he-said, she-said affair, with one woman making the claims with the most to gain financially.
It’s mostly just “she-said”, because he hasn’t really said anything.
The video itself would be pretty iffy except for the part where newcaster says “in a Phoenix police report the man … is Giles”, and mentions that “several witnesses” saw him strike her. The resolution of that police matter should be public record, I imagine, so I don’t imagine her lawyer lying about Giles being ordered to anger management. Once you must believe that is him and her in the video, plus the witness accounts, that does make him look like a bad dude. Probably not the best PR moved to bring him in (or for Houston to bring in Brett Myers), esp. if he makes the team, but there is a chance that he is a changed man, although as you age it is harder to change yourself – Giles was, what, 38 at the time? I do tend to agree with the sentiment that if a man lose control like this in a public place, he is likely to show even less restraint in private.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Regarding your avatar, why exactly is Matt Kemp a “Crook”?
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
lol, it’s actually a clothing brand.
They have a store in L.A known as Crooks & Castles.
by Los Angeles CROOKs on Feb 8, 2010 2:54 PM PST up reply actions
Colletti
Tony Jackson got a quote from Colletti that should clarify any doubts about Giles’ role:
“We didn’t sign him to play the outfield. We signed him to come off the bench and hit,” Colletti told ESPNLosAngeles.com. "Is he going to play some? Probably. But we aren’t going into this with the idea of him playing 100 or 120 games. We have four outfielders already. If somebody gets hurt and we need him to play a little bit, we’ll see where we are at that point.’’
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NL West Standings
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San Diego
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(updated 9.2.2010 at 3:17 AM PDT)
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