San Francisco Giants still talking to Ryan Vogelsong

MLB’s Chris Haft posted an article Wednesday night, in which he reported that Ryan Vogelsong’s return to the San Francisco Giants remains possible. Considering there are already five starting pitchers and a competent swingman in Yusmeiro Petit, the thought of adding a sixth starter is enticing, especially one with this Giant’s credentials.

Dave Meier, Vogelsong’s agent, has reportedly maintained contact with the Giants since the season’s end, even though the pitcher has been linked to several other teams this winter, including the Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks and Houston Astros. News out of Houston earlier this week, had Vogelsong meeting with the Astros manager A.J. Hinch.

Vogelsong burst onto the Giants’ scene when Barry Zito was injured in April of 2011, and ended up recording thirteen victories against seven defeats that first season, with a 2.71 ERA. Maintaining that pace, Vogelsong posted fourteen wins in the World Series-winning 2012 season, while putting up a 3.37 ERA.

October 31, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitchers Barry Zito (left) and Ryan Vogelsong address the crowd during the World Series victory celebration at City Hall. The Giants defeated the Detroit Tigers in a four-game sweep to win the 2012 World Series. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Haft went on to point out that though Vogelsong posted a disheartening 8-13 win/loss record (4.00 ERA) last season, he did make 32 starts, and that since he joined the Giants in 2011, he has recorded a 39-35 record with a 3.72 ERA. Add to that Vogelsong’s seven postseason starts all resulting in wins for the Orange and Black, and the man with the frightening scowl becomes more inviting.

Ryan pitched in some tough situations last summer, when the team was drifting down from elevated heights after a 43-21 start to the season, keeping barely aloft while slipping into the playoffs as the number-ten seed.

Your team gets shut out four times in a six-game stretch and fans want to know why you have a losing w/l record.

During one six-game stretch last June 26th-July 26th, Vogelsong went winless while his team was shut out four of those six games and managed only one run in a fifth game. The rest of the improbable story will be forever available under the heading: MLB World Series Winners, 2014.

Sidestepping once again the issue of finances, because there are too many variables for me to accurately present a clear picture to you, I will just say that whether the Giants retain all six starters, demote one to the bullpen, cut one of them, or some other variation, is immaterial. Simply having the insurance is what it is all about. This would constitute one more stellar example of redundancy of position, which we see is such a prevalent feature on the Giants.

With the 2015 season almost upon us, the Giants have a fine chance to at least be competitive with the upgraded NL West, because they have an excellent staff. Bringing Ryan Vogelsong back upgrades their chances from fine to excellent.

He is a proven winner in a Giants uniform and that’s a tradition we’d like to see extended.