Discussing Evans, Bumgarner, more
Among the additional topics covered in the The Chronicle’s exclusive interview with Giants executive vice president Brian Sabean: accountability, Madison Bumgarner and analytics. Q: How would you grade GM Bobby Evans’ performance?
A: “He’s been as driven and patient as anybody that’s done it for just two-plus years. I think he’s getting a lesson in what you learn over time: You have to either find silver linings or get forward in your thinking. And I think he’s doing that. The 25man roster is like a living organism; it has to be tended to every day. And he’s learning to become artful at crisis management, because your best-laid plans are rarely that. I like the gentlemanly way in which he goes about his business. He hasn’t come unglued.” Q: Fans wonder about accountability; who’s calling the shots here? A: “After 18 years (as GM), I’d had my fill of what I had to put into it. Thinking of myself, my family (he has six boys from two marriages) and the organization, I felt I needed to reinvent myself and get more into my first love, which is scouting. If I’d stayed in that job, I don’t know how long I could have done it, or wanted to.
“We’re all accountable to Larry Baer —and above him, to ownership — especially when it comes to financial commitments.” Q: Any concern about Madison Bumgarner’s comeback?
A: “That injury was a gut blow. We’re all glad it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. To see his will and desire to come back, that’s a big statement in itself. Is he healthy? Is he at full strength? I’m not sure. But I don’t think any of us are looking at performance, as much as finishing the year with a good delivery and setting a base for next year. In some ways, this might be a godsend, to keep him percolating longer in his career.” Q: How do analytics figure into the Giants’ strategy? There’s a notice on the website right now, offering employment for someone who can help in that regard. A: “We’ve always paid attention to the numbers. You’d be crazy not to. But you’ve got to have a balance. Whatever the SABR people believe, I’ll go to my grave believing that when you come right down to it, as a pitcher, it’s what you do in traffic. Can you get that groundball to the infield? Can you strike somebody out with the bases loaded? And if you’re at the plate, I’ll kiss your ass on Main Street if you tell me certain hitters don’t have a nose for an RBI, the big clutch hit. To the SABR people it’s random circumstance, and I just can’t rationalize that. It’s an art form, a higher level of talent. Guys like Barry Bonds or Mike Krukow, they didn’t give a damn about what the numbers told you about the opposition.”
— Bruce Jenkins