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00:00Joining us on the River Islands guest line is yet another involved in many a championship with the Giants none other than
00:07Javi Lopez, Javi. What's going on?
00:10Hey, thanks for having me. I'm not a whole lot right now in Georgia. Just a nice little
00:16Canada Clipper coming through keeping things cold down here, but beyond that things are good. Okay. Okay. We'll take it
00:21We actually had some water fall out of the sky this morning in the Bay Area, too
00:25So and you know us out here that that might as well have been a hurricane. I always need that. That's for sure
00:32Yeah, exactly. All right. So let's take a look at these guys
00:35What do you think is going to be based on what you can see at least the biggest difference?
00:40Between the last regime and this regime this year
00:45Well, I do think it's going to be a little bit returning to what Buster knew as a giant coming up as a giant rapid
00:53as a giant
00:54Where it was just a lot of familiarity around
00:58Especially in spring training with some some bodies now, of course the Hall of Famers
01:03Aren't around like they were when he was in camp, but you're still going to get guys like Will Clark JT snow
01:11Even Barry Bonds, I'm sure is going to get down there
01:13and I think that was always a part of the things with San Francisco that mystique of just being able to go to spring training and
01:18Have Willie Mays sit in a clubhouse and you can sit down and have a great conversation and see him and and just be in
01:25awe of that guy's presence and I think there's a little bit of that coming back to
01:29The Giants like he just wants some people around that have been in the fight that have gone through these things and kind of understand
01:37What it is to play for that city what it is to wear the orange and black and I think that there's going to be
01:44Pretty much a message of unity and you know, how we're gonna get places together
01:50It would be my would be my idea of what kind of cell he had going
01:55With the team, so it's gonna be something like that. Like, you know, it's not so much about how you spend it
02:01Monetarily, it's how you spend it with with the guys in the room
02:04And I think that that's what he's really gonna
02:06Harpen back to and and I'm excited to see what that looks like here with the game starting in a week or so and with
02:12that how important is it to have an OG or an older player as the
02:17President of baseball ops there to help younger players. I
02:22Think it matters a lot to be honest with you. We even spring training when you're there. It's such a
02:28Long time to kind of sit around. I mean, I know they get in and out
02:32When you get when you get down to it
02:34it's you know, you start at 9 ish and most of the guys are done about 12 or 1 o'clock, but
02:40During that time there's a good amount of downtime and it's nice to be able to have conversations with people that are not on
02:46The coaching staff all the time that are not necessarily
02:50People that are going to be making decisions
02:53Personnel decisions that it's like to have that opportunity to go out there and and for me
02:57It was great just because the one I hit it
02:59It was the right time with with with those Hall of Famers being around and with those guys that you know for me
03:05Will Clark is there's a guy that I always watched growing up
03:08I was a left-handed swing in first baseman and I was kind of just appreciated his style and his game
03:14And I think when you can have those conversations and have more people
03:19kind of maybe understand the positions that you're in and when you want to feel vulnerable and ask
03:24Ask a question that you're asking a question of the person that's gone gone through that fight now
03:30Some people have been more successful than others
03:32But I think that's why Buster also broke up the the groups that are coming in not everyone that's coming in had a
03:38It wasn't linear their their career
03:40They had a little bit of school get through them and and they were able to do that
03:44And I think all those things will pay off
03:46I mean, I think they're all value adds and I think Buster's done a nice job of lining that up
03:51Javi Lopez joining us here on the River Islands guest line on Willard and dibs
03:5595-7 the game hobby. Here's something we've been tossing around with our listeners and I wonder how you would answer it
04:01How would you measure a successful season for the Giants this year
04:06Yeah, that's a great question
04:08I think when you look at it on paper
04:09You're looking at kind of the same roster you had last year
04:12And so what does that look like right last year you look at it?
04:15That was fourth place in the NL West and that's a very competitive division
04:20And you know, of course if you want to say you can make a run at the Dodgers at the top, that'd be
04:26Fantastic, right, but you can't predict that a lot of things have to go right to make that happen
04:30But I think for the Giants there is still an opportunity
04:34Even last year. They had an opportunity to get into the postseason
04:39Towards the end of the second half to kind of we got away from them
04:42But it's a division that can crank out three playoff teams easy
04:47if they all kind of go where they're projected to go and
04:51I think with the Giants they're looking up
04:53There's an opportunity when you look at their one-run games and the way they played the games last year
04:57There's a couple like every team is gonna want some back
05:01But I think they got to stay away from those bigger losing streaks. And I think when that happens
05:07when you have a
05:08stable starting five and I think that is where
05:12Verlander's really gonna pay off and Webby has continued to kind of just grow and blossom as a leader
05:17But you know a lot's gonna fall on Robbie, right? I mean, it's an interesting one for me. I love his ability
05:23I love his strikeout rate. I love what he's been able to do
05:26He's want to sell young he's done it before but that's a key factor for me and and and to see
05:31What kind of bounce back year you can get from Harrison?
05:34I mean a lot of young guys in the pitching staff not only in the rotation, but in the bullpen
05:39But as far as your pitching is concerned
05:41It's pretty pretty locked in which is which is a nice way to go into camp knowing that you go into a
05:48Series and you've got an opportunity to run three guys that can win you a ballgame
05:53I mean, that's a nice feeling to have and it's just maybe making that turn I could see
05:59mid to upper 80s when
06:01Wins now, what does that put you in a division? We'd ultimately we don't know but you know
06:06The Arizona Diamondbacks made great additions and the Dodgers of course have done the same and the Padres are still the Padres
06:12They had the Dodgers on the brink last year
06:14So you're definitely looking up but I don't know what that really looks like
06:18I would like to say that they're you know
06:20Battling for maybe one of those top spots in the West but definitely battling for a playoff position would be a great
06:272025 outcome and is that the blueprint Javi in terms of what the Giants have to do which is pitching in defense
06:34Is that the best way for them to counteract? What else is going on in the the NL West?
06:38I think that's the only way you can kind of look at it to be honest with you. That's why I do think
06:44I'm anxious to get down to camp. I will be down there at the beginning of March
06:48but the emphasis during the offseason when Buster took control was
06:53Pitching in defense getting back to the fundamentals and he was really preaching fundamentals
06:57Not only at a big league level but the minor league level so it does make me wonder
07:01What kind of work they're putting in?
07:04defensively how many
07:06Extra ground balls are they taking in the infield?
07:09It's nice to know that you have a saw the left side of the infield and Adamus and Chapman there
07:15Right side you got Fitzgerald who's one of the better athletes I've ever seen
07:18Being able to just play second base and he's definitely incapable of doing that
07:23Lamont from everything I'm hearing so far healthy legs and that's the most important thing for any athlete and put the outfield situation
07:30You're gonna go
07:31With a young guy as your fourth most likely they didn't bring any six-year free agent guys
07:36To make a run at the outfield positions at least off the bench
07:40So you're gonna ask for Grant McCrea to do something you're gonna check in on Luciano
07:45See if he's going to be able to adapt to a corner spot in the outfield
07:50Give Ramos another look. So that's where I'm interested to see
07:54just how how athletic they were able to become on the defensive side because
08:00You're gonna have to pitch and play defense. That's the recipe for that ballpark
08:05But when you play in the West, you know
08:07Like we talked about those teams may had some significant upgrades and you're gonna have to have that pitching and defense keep you in a ballgame
08:14So hopefully you can come up with a timely hit and get a victory out of it
08:17Bobby Lopez is with us here on Willard and dibs and our giant season preview hobby
08:22What's the right way for them to handle Bryce Eldridge this year?
08:27Yeah, you know
08:29To see a kid that 19 years old being his first big league camp is just it's just amazing for me to just see that as
08:36a fan
08:38Let alone a guy that's put on the uniform
08:41But to see a guy at 19 years old kind of fly through the system
08:45Last year get a taste of triple-a go down to the fall league hit a little bit and then finally shut it down
08:51I don't even know that
08:52I bet you it wasn't probably till past Christmas time that he was able to finally just sit back and understand what happened
08:58But I do think probably
09:01You know if I was running this let's probably get him some at-bats early in camp kind of settle his nerves
09:07And then you kind of want to see
09:10see him just really hang out with the with the big league guys and kind of
09:15hopefully digging in and and asking questions and getting into some BP groups with Lamont Wade jr.
09:21You're stram ski if they're keeping the lefties together or you know
09:25if you're if you're working out with the infielders and maybe get
09:28Chappy and Adamus and just kind of listen in and and and really ask those
09:34Questions as to what it takes to get to this level because he's gonna play at this level and it could be as soon as
09:39this year
09:40And I wouldn't be surprised if that is what happens
09:42but I think when you have a young prospect like that get the at-bats early for him and
09:47And kind of just try to get him settled in and if he lasts through the first couple rounds
09:52As they start sending guys down to minor league camp great
09:56But if not, I think you kind of slow plan as of right now just because he is 19 years old
10:00That's a lot of a lot to put on his shoulders, but that being said I've never met the man
10:05So I'm actually excited to to actually you know
10:08Be able to have a conversation and see because I hear nothing but great great things about him maturity maturity level wise
10:14And I think it's something that the Giants fans should be excited about yeah
10:18And if you're Lamont and Wilmer and you see that he's coming how much pressure does that put on you at first base knowing that
10:26This guy is you know trying to come and take your spot
10:30Well, I'd like to think that sharp iron sharpens iron right you want him if you're one of the dudes that you want to be
10:35Out there and get the reps, then you're gonna go out there and do the job, and it's not gonna make them
10:40Work any harder. I think these are both two quality individuals great at bats
10:45You know Wilmer besides last year he just had nagging injuries that he could bounce back
10:50but the year before he was one probably the best offensive threat that the Giants had and
10:56When you look at Lamont Wade jr. He's an on-base machine
10:59He's able to do that and if he gets his legs back, and he's got that then he's gonna bring power as well
11:05And you know and we know that he can he can do hit the long ball
11:08And I think the Giants are looking forward to that
11:10But I mean these are all great bats, and I think
11:13I don't think they need any other motivation to get better and get the playing time
11:18But you know if it takes a 19 year old to push you then so be it, but I think those guys are both great
11:25Professionals when it comes to this game, and and it's bad that yeah
11:29You know like you mentioned maybe maybe they do lock it in a little bit more
11:33But that's only to the Giants benefit if that's the case
11:36Javi, I don't know who the starting right fielder is I don't know if you know who the starting right fielder is
11:41But if I asked you who would you be most excited to learn is the starting right fielder?
11:48Once we get going a couple months into the season, and I gave you the names Yaz
11:53McRae
11:54Matos Luciano who do you want to see go get that job?
11:59I'd like to see I mean I think he has you the way he plays right field
12:05Defensively just gives him a leg up plus. He's a veteran. I think that that would be the
12:11obvious choice
12:13He's got the flow heartbeat
12:16Both defensively and offensively what I who I really want to see is an intriguing piece is Ramos for me
12:23Excuse me Ramos hit
12:25He's always had the bat the ball skills. I think it was just
12:29everyone
12:31Preaches that that is so important, and he shows flashes, but he shows the flashes of it
12:35But then it's the confidence level you can kind of just see it on his shoulder like when when things are going great
12:41He's high five, and I mean this guy was one of the best players for a month in the big leagues
12:45I mean he was able to do the things that I just want to see consistency out of him
12:49Because he if he's right he can hit the ball into the gaps
12:52He can run a little bit, and I think that that is an intriguing piece. I mean he had a great winter ball
12:58He hit over 300 he was hit double-digit homers
13:02And that's a great
13:04Springboard going into spring training, but when you have that
13:08In your back pocket just a couple months ago your dominate winter ball
13:11I think that's so intriguing for me because he's still such a young talent, and I think as you're seeing the Giants
13:18Shift to this younger wave that this is one of the guys that they really are one of wanting to lean on
13:23Looking in the future when you look at one hundred and sixty two games
13:27And there's been some some speculation about Patrick Bailey and his ability to be in shape and make it the whole season
13:34What's that like for a pitcher or a player to try to make it through six months in?
13:39162 and what does Patrick Bailey need to do to be that guy who can actually play 130 or more games?
13:46Yeah, I will speak on the reliever side it 162 is a bunch of games now. I was able I know my workload
13:53Differed as my career went on and then towards the end with the Giants for sure I was more of a lefty specialist
13:58so the workload was less in a sense of innings, but
14:03higher in a sense of the volume of
14:06games pitch so
14:07You do have to you do have to understand the recovery process you do under have to understand the preparation process
14:14And I think that's where you want to lean on some of these veteran guys to try to help you with that
14:19I think when you look at Patrick Bailey. I don't know to be honest with you who he's been able to have in his circle
14:27to kind of
14:29Teach him the way you know cuz Buster had went right into ownership
14:32And he kind of got out of it, and he was Patrick Bailey's with Joey Bart
14:36And and you had you had Stephen boat you had some older
14:40Catchers the Giants have had those throughout the year and you had Kirk to Sally and and I think you know they can they can offer
14:49Some great advice now whether Patrick had those conversations
14:52I don't know
14:53But I think when you look at him and you look at the way he came into camp last year he came in heavier
14:58Because he knew he was gonna burn off a lot of that weight catching every day
15:03You're losing tons of water weight
15:04But I think when you look at what he was able to do in the first half
15:08You know that the talents there
15:10I mean this guy was a fringy
15:12All-star pick for a little while and then the second half really got away from him
15:16So I I think when you look at what he's what he wants to do
15:20It's continue to cultivate those conversations with with the pitching staff because he needs to be on the same page
15:26Runs will be at a premium. Hopefully they're not hopefully they bang and you know, it's they're winning by 10 runs
15:32but just from covering the Giants and playing as a giant those games are very few and far between where you're just
15:39Smashing and beating out these other teams. So it's going to come down to pitching the defense has been there for him, right?
15:44He's a catch-and-throw guy, but he's able to make things on like if he can get going offensively that gives you
15:51A
15:51Switch hitting threat towards the probably the middle of your order
15:55I'd say maybe even down a few spots and I think that's where it's going to come down to is that he just needs to
16:00Have consistency and what that takes is
16:04Really the repetitions both in the training room and in the weight room and all the things, you know
16:10Taking care of your body eating the right things and those are all that's easy for me to say because I'm not a catcher
16:15But you know watching Buster do it for so long
16:18It's it's a grind you have to have an outlet, but I feel that the kid is still a kid
16:24I still call him a kid. I mean, I still think there's so much upside. It's just gonna be
16:28Patrick Bailey having those conversations with some veterans and Murphy's a veteran and they brought in Max Stassi and
16:35You know
16:35They have a couple others in there that you can have those conversations with and I hope that those guys
16:40Pour into him because he's he's a key piece to these Giants good on you hobby. Here we go, man
16:46Seasons about to get going. I know we'll be talking to you a lot more which we're looking forward to. Thanks so much, man
16:52Hey anytime. I appreciate you having me and
16:55Enjoy the bag. I'm excited