consolation for sabean?

pitcher francisco liriano has had a turbulent two years to say the least. after missing the 2007 season because of tommy john surgery, he spent much more time than expected in the minors in 2008, a result of poorer than average performance and relative stability in the rotation for ron gardenhire's squad.

though the young "phenom" is back in the majors and is 2-0 with just 3 earned runs in 11.2 innings over two starts - which is especially notable given his 0-3, 11.32 ERA run in April before being demoted - he just isn't as mean as he used to be. as a scout told espn.com's jayson stark:

"He's still good, but he's not the Liriano we saw before the surgery. His stuff is probably 3 to 4 miles per hour less than what it used to be. The changeup is pretty much the same speed, but the slider and the fastball are not the same. Don't get me wrong. He's still good. But he's not that 'wow' he was before. He's not as electric. He's not as intimidating. But he's still a good, useful, No. 3-4 starter type. And that's not a bad thing."

while the twins are probably crying about their misfortune, there is one person who may be celebrating: giants general manager brian sabean. in what may justifiably be called The Worst Trade Of The Decade, sabean sent current twins closer joe nathan, former twins starter boof bonser, and liriano to minnesota for catcher a.j. pierzynski. and what came of it? the pierzynski was a clubhouse cancer who hit .272 in 2004, pissed off his pitchers, and left the team after just one year. meanwhile, joe nathan has a 2.83 career ERA, 193 saves to only 21 blown ones, and a 2008 WHIP of 0.89; bonser has been a decent role player; and liriano turned out even better than expected (at least pre-surgery).

so, the fact that liriano's production has fallen off can maybe be some consolation to sabean, who has seen his reputation tarnished forever after that trade. right? nope. that trade still sucks. and sabean only has to look at nathan's and liriano's 100% fantasy ownership to see what he gave away.

speaking of pathetic giants, bonds was back in town for san francisco's 50-years-in-california celebration, and he is more desperate than ever. do you hate this guy or pity him? or can you just not see past his size 12 head?