Man, we’re gonna miss his outfits…
Click the button above to play the podcast!
The boys are back in Episode #56 to talk about Ben and Chad’s experience interviewing players at Media Day, how Chad gave a 3 hour behind-the-scenes tour of the Monterey Bay Aquarium to Matt Cain and his family, early domination by the starters in Spring Training, how many wins we think Tim Hudson will get, our favorite tweets, and the first “Why’ll we’ll win it all” of 2014. Come join our Michael Morse swooncast!
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Chad and Ben interview San Francisco Giants infielder Nick Noonan. He talks about his number (21) and how all of the Giants are very approachable. Yes, people still dog him on the golf course with “NOONAN!” and “Miss it!”
Be sure to check out our other interviews with Matt Cain, Sergio Romo, Ryan Vogelsong and others at TortureCast.com
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Both the video (above) and audio (below) interview of George Kontos are the same. Pick your poison!
Chad and Ben interview Giants reliever George Kontos at Media Day at AT&T Park. Not only does George own every episode of “Friends,” but he’s been working on a new pitch for 2014.
Be sure to listen to our other interviews from Media Day including Matt Cain, Sergio Romo, Tim Lincecum, Michael Morse and others.
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Both interviews are the same. You can view the video above or click play below to listen to our interview with Javier Lopez!
Chad and Ben interview Giants reliever Javier Lopez at Media Day on January 31, 2014. He praises the fans, the stadium, the team, and winning 2 World Series as the main factors in re-signing with San Francisco. Javy also would like to eliminate the earned run if an inherited runner scores after stealing second through defensive indifference.
Be sure to listen to our other interviews from Media Day including Matt Cain, Sergio Romo, Tim Lincecum, Michael Morse and others.
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Both interviews are the same. You can watch the video above or click play below to listen to our interview with Ryan Vogelsong!
Chad and Ben interview Giants starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong at Media Day on January 31, 2014. Chad embarrasses Ben with a story about Ben’s Vogelsong jersey that he donned at the All Star Game in 2011, and we also talk about his physical therapy that continues to address his freak hand injury from last year.
Be sure to listen to our other interviews from Media Day including Matt Cain, Sergio Romo, Tim Lincecum, Javier Lopez and others.
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The same interview with Sergio Romo is available on YouTube above or you can just listen to the audio by clicking the arrow below.
[audio http://torturecast.podomatic.com/enclosure/2014-02-01T00_45_21-08_00.mp3]Chad and Ben sat down with Giants closer Sergio Romo at Media Day at AT&T Park before the start of spring training. We talk about his takeover of the Warriors’ Twitter account, what he would have like to have played professionally if it weren’t for baseball, and he hates that inherited runners that score count as an earned run.
Be sure to check out our other interviews with Matt Cain, Michael Morse, Javier Lopez and others!
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The same interview is posted in both video form above and audio form below.
Chad and Ben interviewed Giants’ starting pitcher Matt Cain during Media Day at AT&T Park and asked him about his 2013 first half slump, golfing at AT&T Pro-Am, what baseball rule he’d like to change, getting “Cained,” and surprisingly, he wants Chad to take him SCUBA diving in Monterey.
Be sure to check out our interviews with Michael Morse, Sergio Romo, Nick Noonan, Tim Lincecum, Javier Lopez and others!
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Both interviews of Michael Morse are the same. Above is the video, click below to listen to the audio!
[audio http://torturecast.podomatic.com/enclosure/2014-02-01T00_00_51-08_00.mp3]Chad and Ben interview the Giants’ new left fielder Michael Morse at Media Day at AT&T Park. We ask him about the “phantom” grand slam he hit with the Nationals 2 years ago, what sport he would’ve like to have played professionally, other than baseball, and one baseball rule he’d like to change.
We have interviews with Matt Cain, Sergio Romo, Javier Lopez, Nick Noonan, Tim Lincecum and others. Be sure to check them out and follow us for another year of Giants baseball!
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We break out 2014 with Episode #55. It’s been 3 months, so the rust is there; consider this spring training for podcasters. (image: AP)
Click the player above to listen to the Episode!
Ben and Chad kick off TortureCast’s first podcast of 2014 by reviewing all of the transactions for the offseason, and talk about what is left on the Giants’ shopping list before spring training starts in a month. We also fear Tanaka’s arrival in LA while we powerwash our brain stems to shake off the ‘ole cobwebs from baseball hibernation.
Also, remember that Giants FanFest is a mere two weeks away, February 1 at AT&T Park. Let us know if you’re planning to attend; perhaps we’ll have an impromptu get together.
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Not sure why we signed this guy
Here’s a nice summary of all transactions that occurred in the second half of 2013 through today, January 2, 2014. Certainly the Giants haven’t lost any significantly notable players, but I did miss Moscoso signing in Japan. I will also miss saying his name on our podcast. Wait, maybe I never said it on air? Nevertheless, they have gained a quality veteran starter in Tim Hudson (at least now I can say “Huddy” on the podcast) and hopefully a little pop with Michael Morse, if he manages to stay off the DL from his various hot tub and mangina injuries.
Don’t let the door hit ‘ya where the sun don’t shine:
|
Player |
POS |
Former |
New |
Transaction |
Notes |
|
OF |
SF |
|
— |
Released |
|
|
SP |
SF |
|
— |
|
|
|
RP |
SF |
|
— |
Minor league free agent |
|
|
C |
SF |
BAL |
Nov 30, 2013 |
Traded for cash |
|
|
SP |
SF |
|
Dec 27, 2013 |
Signed with the NPB Yokohama Bay Stars |
|
|
OF |
SF |
BAL |
Dec 7, 2013 |
One-year contract |
|
|
RP |
SF |
|
— |
Non-tendered |
|
|
OF |
SF |
TEX |
Dec 20, 2013 |
Minor league contract |
|
|
OF |
SF |
|
— |
Club option declined |
|
|
SP |
SF |
|
— |
Club option declined |
*I will miss saying his name….
Newly painted black and orange:
|
Player |
POS |
Former |
New |
Transaction |
|
SP |
ATL |
SF |
Nov 18, 2013 |
|
|
SP |
SF |
SF |
Oct 25, 2013 |
|
|
RP |
SF |
SF |
Nov 26, 2013 |
|
|
OF |
BAL |
SF |
Dec 17, 2013 |
|
|
C |
SF |
SF |
Nov 13, 2013 |
|
|
SP |
SF |
SF |
Dec 4, 2013 |
Unfortunately, this team is only slightly better (on paper) than the 2013 version which saw them sink to below .500 in an unsuccessful defense of their second World Championship in three years, and with the Dodgers opening up their wallets to a whopping $211.5 million (and that could still go up with Tanaka (no, not Kensuke!) or perhaps a new dinosaur with laser beams for a new mascot), the status quo won’t suffice.
As fans, we can always chirp at Giants’ ownership to spend more, but they have committed $143.2 million to 16 players for 2014 (they still have to pin down salaries for the remaining roster). They also have continually increased their monetary commitment year over year. In fact, the payroll during their first championship run in 2010 was a mere $97 million. It was $118 million in 2011, $132 million in 2012 and $137 million last year. Here’s a fun pie chart that I took entirely too long making in between bathroom breaks, which breaks down of the Giants’ budget by the obligated 16 players:
Notably, Matt Cain accounts for 15% of the budget, followed by Timmy, Hunter, and then Posey. Although we all breathed relief that Zito is off the books, his buy-out is still reflected here, at 5% of the payroll, which is more than Scutaro, Affeldt, Morse, Romo, Vogelson, Casilla, Lopez and Bumgarner (yes, MadBum has a lucrative future salary).
So, with assumedly little money left to spend, can they stretch their dollar for another outfielder? Perhaps clip a coupon from the local circular? Nelson Cruz has been rumored, but will command a mighty salary, and with the acquisition of Morse last month, it makes it unlikely that they’ll pursue anyone other than utility players and middle relievers. Think, clearance racks at the MLB player store.
Let’s just hope that Tanaka doesn’t end up somewhere else in the NL West (well, it’s okay if Kensuke does).
Chad
PS – After taking a couple of months off after the World Series, we’ll be heating up in the coming weeks. Look for new podcasts and articles from myself, Willie and Ben. We’re looking forward to another exciting (hopefully) season of San Francisco Giants baseball and post-game bonusodes at Zeke’s.
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