Keppinger Just What the Doctor Ordered

The Giants traded for Astros Infielder Jeff Keppinger this afternoon. My response? Perfect.

Keppinger is a solid hitter, can play all over the infield and comes cheap. Cheap not only in salary but also the price that the Giants gave up to acquire him. He'll don a Giants uniform for about $1 mil and two lower to mid level pitching prospects. Keppinger is also eligible for arbitration this Winter meaning the Giants not only have a solid backup infielder for the rest of this season, but also one next season, who can easily start in place of Freddy Sanchez if his shoulder hasn't fully healed by then. So far this season (according to Baseball Reference) Keppinger is hitting .314 with a .337 on-base percentage and is a career .284 hitter. He immediately becomes one of the team's best hitters and should start everyday at second base.


But why was this the perfect acquisition? Because he is the first, but not last move that general manager Brian Sabean is going to make this trading season, and the acquisition follows a pattern of success that was established in 2010. Nearly every player acquired during the season last year contributed to the Giants' postseason success, and Sabean gave up practically nothing for them. Everyone in the Bay Area has been clamoring for the Giants to make some sort of splash before the July 31st trading deadline, and I hate to break it to you, but it's not going to happen. How easily we forget about the team's struggles last season, and what Sabean did to help the team. The only difference between then and now is the Giants are in first place. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Don't overpay for Carlos Beltran just because everyone else says he is the key to a championship. And don't get caught up in the deadline either, there will be plenty of deals done after too, just ask Cody Ross.

Stay Current,


Pat