Remember Cody Ross? The guy who went on a late season tear, swatting five home runs in the playoffs, including two home runs off Roy Halladay in the National league championship series, and was honored by winning the NLCS MVP award?
While it may be a long shot, it would be wise for the Giants to attempt to bring Ross back. They aren’t alone, though. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, reports that the veteran Ross is drawing lots of interest from multiple teams and that it would take a “ton” in return for the Sox to deal him. However, the deadline is 10 days away. A “ton” could quickly become “nothing,” with Ross, whose streakiness has no bounds.
If the Red Sox aren’t willing to lower the bar, though, it depends what a “ton” means. The Giants will be no means be parting ways with any of their top prospects for the 31 year-old Ross. And that’s being Mr.Captain obvious.
But if the right deal came along, Boston could be willing to part ways with the streaky Ross. Not just because the Red Sox outfield is now a log jam with the returns of Carl Crawford, Ryan Sweeney and Jacoby Ellsbury, but mainly because Ross’s value virtually can’t get much higher than it is right now.
Ross, whose walk off home run against the White Sox on Thursday continued his recent train of success, is hitting .409/.391/.909 with three home runs and ten RBIs over the past seven days coming into Saturday’s action. Giants fans remember him as a streaky, and he hasn’t changed. However, the Giants don’t have a power threat like Ross who can carry a team with solely the long ball.
A Giants offense that ranks dead last in the National league with just 56 home runs, could greatly use a jolt in their lineup. A big jolt, not someone who doesn’t possess any power. Ross fits that bill well, and even with inconsistent playing time, he would lead the Giants in home runs (16) and slugging percentage (.564).
More impressively, Ross had had 227 at-bats this season, Melky Cabrera has had 364. Yet, Ross has seven more home runs to his name. If that doesn’t impress you I don’t know what will.
The Giants might have more to offer him in terms of playing time, however.
Left field is locked up with Melky Cabrera. However, right field and center field are entirely different stories. Gregor Blanco and Angel Pagan were once automatic starters, now their playing time is anything but guaranteed. Since June, both of the speedsters have struggled to get on base and showcase their speed, and power isn’t even a trait either of them boasts, so when they aren’t getting on base they aren’t being productive.
Pagan gets a longer leash than Blanco, but that leash is decreasing day by day. A perfect example is Friday night where Pagan sat in favor of Nate Schierholtz who has been everything but consistent this season. While Schierholtz getting a rare start might pertain to the trade deadline, it’s just the fact that Bochy would even consider sitting Pagan shows that his leash is diminishing.
With all the struggles, Ross would essentially be handed an everyday job or at least the majority of the playing time over Blanco in right field. His streakiness also makes him an appealing option to come off the bench late in close games.
There was a little grieve between Ross and the Giants when GM Brian Sabean didn’t make Ross an offer after the 2011 season when he became a free agent. The former Marlin “really wanted to come back” and he would even take a hometown discount. Yet, the Giants refused to go higher than one year and Ross had his sights set on a better contract. Sabean said that he and Ross “were never on the same page.”
However, under the right circumstances, the Giants would welcome their postseason hero back with open arms, and so would their fan base.
