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Dr. Stoner's Thoughts on Pain vs Addiction

Dr. J. Fred Stoner Shares His Thoughts on Balancing Pain and Addiction

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Many people who turn to drugs like opioids do so as a means of managing pain. Somebody who’s been seriously injured might be prescribed opioids and have a hard time getting off of them. Eventually, they might start using illicit and unregulated street drugs, such as heroin and fentanyl. Dr. J. Fred Stoner has some insight to share about how patients can find the balance between pain and addiction.

Opioids and Pain Management

Opioids are meant to be a short-term solution for those who are going through acute pain, such as the pain experienced while recuperating from a broken or fractured bone. However, a dependency on these drugs can develop very quickly, due to how addictive they are. When someone is no longer able to get access to opioids from a doctor, they may start buying it from dealers. They might also find that they want to experience a stronger high. As the body learns to tolerate higher doses of opioids, people can start taking more than their body can handle, leading to overdoses.

Chronic pain differs from acute pain in that its far more prolonged. While opioids might be able to make someone with a chronic pain condition, such as fibromyalgia or multiple sclerosis, feel better for some time, the limited duration of their prescription means the relief isn’t going to last. If they develop a dependency, they could find themselves dealing with withdrawal in addition to the pain they’re already experiencing. 

Relapses

If someone is in recovery for opioid addiction, they have to be careful about not relapsing. However, being injured could start them on a path to re-addiction. They might think that they have no other choice and rationalize that they’ll have a better handle this time. However, opioids are highly addictive for many users, and they’re especially dangerous for anyone who has a history of abuse.

There are some things that can be done that let recovering opioid addicts relieve themselves of pain without being forced to relapse. There are psychotherapy methods, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, that lets them redirect their attention to creating positive thoughts that lessen the impact of negative ones that could make pain feel worse and the desire to use opiates far weaker. Although the relief may not come as quickly as it does when taking opiates, patients don’t have to deal with any negative side effects, such as experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

Non-Opioid Treatments

Although opioids are some of the most potent and powerful means of treating chronic and acute pain, they are not the only options. Awareness of the long-term consequences of opioid usage has brought attention to treatment options that are far-less addictive. Many of these are easily accessible due to being less dangerous. Over-the-counter medication, such as Ibuprofen and Tylenol, can be used to relieve pain without patients worrying about getting hooked. However, they need to make sure that they follow the instructions regarding how and when to take these drugs. 

If the pain has a psychological connection, a patient might need to seek counseling in tandem with other, safer methods of pain treatment. An exercise program approved by their doctor can help them better deal with pain, as can working with physical therapists. Methods like acupuncture and meditation might also help people to not feel the extent of their pain so much. In cases of chronic pain, patients may try to explore surgery option. Some patients can be helped by getting operations that help relieve their pain. Patients shouldn’t try to underplay how much pain they’re experiencing. Being vocal about their struggle means they’ll be more able to get help, but they should understand that opioids aren’t the only option.

Healthy Lifestyles

Addiction can come from pain management because patients are anxious to find a quick source of relief. However, things like chronic pain aren’t meant to be given an easy fix. Trying to fix things so suddenly can be very risky. For someone to be able to deal with chronic pain, they need to focus not only on how they can relieve their pain but also on how they can lead a healthy lifestyle.

Chronic pain can be reduced if a patient is getting enough rest, eating properly, and finding healthy ways to deal with stress. Their chronic pain can cause them to become stressed, and their stress can make them feel even more bodily pain. These methods, and ones like meditation, can teach patients better awareness of their pain and find ways to get through flare-ups without as much trouble.

Dr. J. Fred Stoner knows that finding the balance between addiction and pain is very difficult for many patients. They don’t want to deal with addiction, but they also don’t want to feel like they’re powerless against their pain. We thankfully have been learning about ways to confront pain without the drawbacks of opioids.

Addiction can come from pain management because patients are anxious to find a quick source of relief. However, things like chronic pain aren’t meant to be given an easy fix. Trying to fix things so suddenly can be very risky. For someone to be able to deal with chronic pain, they need to focus not only on how they can relieve their pain but also on how they can lead a healthy lifestyle.

Chronic pain can be reduced if a patient is getting enough rest, eating properly, and finding healthy ways to deal with stress. Their chronic pain can cause them to become stressed, and their stress can make them feel even more bodily pain. These methods, and ones like meditation, can teach patients better awareness of their pain and find ways to get through flare-ups without as much trouble.

Dr. J. Fred Stoner knows that finding the balance between addiction and pain is very difficult for many patients. They don’t want to deal with addiction, but they also don’t want to feel like they’re powerless against their pain. We thankfully have been learning about ways to confront pain without the drawbacks of opioids.

Dr-Summit-Shah

3 Reasons Quitting Smoking Can Help Your Allergies

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Smoking may seem quite simple. Just grab a cigarette out from your pack, put it to your mouth, light it up, and inhale. However, what’s happening during the combustion process in your cigarette is anything but simple. In fact, it’s taken us ages to begin to understand the effects of smoke on our bodies. Even now, we don’t fully understand its complexities. Every time we light up a cigarette, we introduce over 7,000 chemicals into our body. These include carcinogens, such as benzene, formaldehyde, and vinyl chloride; toxic heavy metals, such as arsenic, and cadmium; and even poisons such as ammonia, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen cyanide.

With this staggering number of foreign chemicals and toxins entering the body, it’s no surprise that smoking has a litany of negative health effects. One of the areas of concern is the effects of smoke on allergies. Allergists, such as Dr. Summit Shah provide additional insight into these allergy related issues. Here are some of the ways that quitting smoking can help your allergies.

Your Body Returns To A Healthy, More Natural State

Introducing over 7,000 chemicals into your body on a daily basis impedes our body’s ability to regulate itself. It complicates everything that your body already has to do. When we are suffering from allergies, we need to allow our body to undergo its natural cleansing process. The influx of thousands of chemicals only exacerbates the situation. Dr. Summit Shah, along with many of the country’s leading allergists, promote the importance of the body’s ability to self-regulate and heal naturally. Each chemical affects the body. With the innumerable chemical compounds released in the burning of tobacco, we can expect just as many reactions within the body to combat these harmful chemicals. Quitting smoking eliminates this distress in the immune system.

Quitting Smoking Reduces Inflammation

It is well known that smoke of all kinds leads to inflammation in the body. In particular, cigarette smoke causes inflammation in the body’s vital airways, leading to the lungs. As the inflammation progresses, immune cells are generated and sent to the distressed area. This process releases histamines, which are a common cause of allergic reactions. Inflammation is truly a nightmare for the body, so reducing inflammation in any way possible is always a good course of action. Quitting smoking takes all of this out of the equation, and allows the body to avoid unnecessary inflammatory issues.

Ridding The Body Of Cigarette Allergies

In many people, consistent cigarette smoking can lead to a type of “cigarette allergy,” as well as atopy, hypersensitivity to allergens. These are caused by an immune reaction in the body, generated as a response to harmful substances. This is an issue that compounds over time, making the smoker highly sensitive to the chemicals found in cigarettes. Symptoms of cigarette allergies can be limited to minor issues such as a runny nose, sneezing; or they may cause more serious problems such as asthma, dyspnea, or heavy coughing. By quitting, we eliminate the need for the body to produce this immune response.

There is no shortage of reasons to quit smoking. Modern medical science continues to give us reasons why we should drop this bad habit. Allergies are bad enough, and so many people suffer from this affliction. Smoking only makes matters worse and complicates it even beyond our current understanding. When experiencing allergy-related issues, it’s always best to try to limit external irritants, whatever they may be. If you are a smoker, eliminating smoking and all of the issues it creates is a great start.

Is There Such A Thing As Brushing Too Often?

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Many people have come to believe that brushing your teeth as frequently as you can is synonymous to good dental health. Although it is common that people who brush their teeth regularly have impeccable smiles, it is not right to say that brushing as often as you can equate to healthy teeth.

What gives? Dr. Karl Jobst DDS Grove OK, a dental practitioner, helps us to understand first the benefits of brushing your teeth at least once or twice a day:

  • Removal of plaque – when people brush their teeth regularly, it removes the presence of plaque which causes tooth decay and an unsightly appearance.
  • Prevents tooth decay – food particles stuck between teeth when mixed with saliva is a breeding ground for bacteria that causes tooth decay. Tooth decay is known not only to cause pain and loss of teeth, it can also lead to even more serious health problems.
  • Helps get rid of bad breath – aside from keeping your teeth clean, having mint-flavored toothpaste also gets rid of bad breath. This is helpful if you often suffer from a case of dry mouth or you often eat spicy and savory dishes.

The key to maintaining your teeth is brushing regularly, but not brushing too often. The simple answer to the question is yes, there is such a thing as overbrushing your teeth. Dr. Karl Jobst DDS Grove OK explains to us the effects of brushing your teeth too often.

Is There Such A Thing As Brushing Too Often? The Effects of Overbrushing

 

  1. Overbrushing strips off your tooth’s enamel, causing more discoloration

Brushing your teeth too often and too hard can cause the enamel to break down. Enamel is the substance that protects the inner layers of your teeth. If this breaks down, it exposes the inner layers and causes tooth abrasion. One of the bad effects of abrasion is that it takes away the tooth’s ability to deflect stains. When you eat food with strong colors, such as tea, coffee, and heavy soups or sauces, you are prone to more tooth discoloration when you suffer from weakened enamel.

  1. Brushing your teeth too often can also cause sensitive teeth

Additionally, the breakdown of enamel can also cause sensitive teeth. This is evident if you attempt to drink hot or cold food. It may be painful to try to bite into some food or sip some drinks when they come in contact with your teeth. To prevent this, use a toothbrush with soft bristles and don’t brush your teeth more than 2-3 times daily.

  1. Overbrushing can lead to sensitive gums that lead to gingivitis

The pressure you put on your gums and teeth with brushing can also push your teeth back, exposing the sensitive part of the gums. This condition is called gingivitis, which is inflammation of the gums. Overbrushing can lead to more frequent gum bleeding and can even be the cause of future oral infections.

  1. Brushing your teeth too much can also lead to tooth damage

When something is done too much, it tends to be the cause of damage. Excessive toothbrushing can also lead to serious tooth damage. You may increase your risk of having chipped or brittle teeth if you suffer from other conditions such as a sensitive tooth, or teeth grinding. It is advisable to consult your dentist about oral care options if you have other co-conditions.

When it comes to brushing your teeth, moderation is still key. Oral health is not just about what you are supposed to do, it is also about knowing how much or how often you are supposed to do it.

Beauty Tips That Are Actually Dangerous

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Do-it-yourself beauty preparations are extremely popular today. From facial masks to skin lightening preparations, recipes are available online for many beauty applications. However, these methods should be taken with a grain of salt. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Usha Rajagopal is an expert on health and beauty topics. She provides information on 10 DIY beauty hacks that are considered dangerous.

  1. Using Glue as a Face Mask

It may seem easy to use Elmer’s Glue as a DIY blackhead mask, but this can be painful and dangerous for your skin. The glue holds much more tightly than commercial blackhead masks, and some people may even be allergic to this preparation since it is not regulated for use on the skin.

  1. Using Cinnamon as a Face Mask

Cinnamon masks make the skin burn and can cause lasting irritation. Cinnamon is a spice that generates heat, so it should not be rubbed on the skin. Getting it close to your eyes can produce serious eye irritation as well.

  1. Lightening Skin with Lemon Juice

It may seem that lemon juice is a simple and safe way to reduce the appearance of dark spots on the skin, but it will dry out your skin. It will cause irritation by damaging the top layer of your skin. It is phototoxic, meaning that its effects are multiplied by the sun. You may get a sunburn-like rash.

  1. Sugar Scrubs for the Face

Sugar facial scrub recipes are everywhere online. However, sugar is too abrasive for use as a face scrub. It can cause micro-tears in your skin, fostering irritation and acne breakouts. Stick to a commercial scrub or just use a washcloth.

  1. Using Lipstick and Liner Around the Eyes

Products that are safe for the eyes are generally safe for the lips, but not the other way around. While liquid lipsticks and liners can make attractive eye cosmetics, they are not tested to be safe around the eye area. Stick to products that are made for the part of the face where you wish to use them.

  1. Toothpaste as a Pimple Cure

This is a traditional beauty hack which has received attention online. Toothpaste is too drying for use as a pimple cure. Many toothpastes had an antibacterial component called triclosan in the past, but this has been regarded controversial for some time.

  1. Cotton as a Lash Extender

This can be extremely dangerous for your eyes. Commercial lash extending mascaras use very small fibers to add to the length of lashes. If cotton fibers get in your eyes, you will have serious eye problems.

  1. At Home Mole Removal

Moles should only be removed by a medical doctor or dermatologist. Herbal remedies like eggplant extract do not work and can cause scarring. When a doctor removes a mole surgically, he or she can test it for precancerous or cancerous cells.

  1. Ordering Beauty Injectables Online

Dr. Usha Rajagopal warns against this practice. Unregulated preparations that claim to be neurotoxins are sold online for at – home injection. No one should attempt to do facial injections without extensive training. Save injectables for use in a dermatologist’s or plastic surgeon’s practice.

When searching out beauty treatments online, it is imperative to do your research and make sure you are not going to do something that will damage your skin. Some of these bogus beauty tips can permanently damage your skin or eyes. When in doubt, ask your dermatologist or family doctor what is safe.

 

Are All Workplace Injuries Treated The Same?

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Human beings are prone to accidents. Many of these accidents happen anywhere and everywhere. One does not have to work in an industrial environment. Some accidents occur in day to day office activities. These are some of the many places that accidents tend to happen. With a personal injury attorney Tampa, their injury attorneys have the skills and diverse experience needed to tackle all types of injury. They can help one determine if it is possible to file a worker’s compensation claim for an injury. If one gets an injury during the day to day of a job, one should be given a worker’s compensation under Florida statutory law. The law provides a fair amount of wage replacement and medical bill advantages to help one to get well from injuries. These welfares can also cover family members who depend on one’s salary.

The most paramount legislative right for workers’ compensation is to ensure that the benefits help the employee to recover quickly. With the help of these benefits, the employee is quick to return to full employment after recovering with the help of the employer. The benefits should be a reasonable amount to both the employee and employer. The main aspect in obtaining these benefits is time. An employee ought to be able to document their injuries and give a notification to the employer within a month. Failure to do that, one does not get to have these practical benefits from the workers’ compensation.

There are some examples of worker benefits due to an injury like permanent impairment benefits. These occur one the employee is still impaired even after reaching a maximum medical improvement. One should be paid according to their impairment rating. Secondly, a permanent total disability that may include spinal cord, severe brain or head injury can benefit one with pay of 66 and 2/3 percent of weekly wages.

Furthermore, a temporary partial disability is for those who can return to work but cannot reach the same salary they did before the accident. Their benefits should be able to amount to 80 percent of the difference what was earned earlier and what the employee can make after the accident or injury. This may not exceed 26 months or until the employee gets better.

In 2011, there were more than a million workers in the U.S who suffered injuries or got ill. These reports from the U.S Department of Labor Statistics, over 4500 fatal work injuries were recorded. In the state of Florida, over 200 workers died from workplace injuries according to the data obtained by Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Their breakdown is as follows;

Deaths caused by fires and explosions – 4
Deaths caused by machinery – 26

Deaths due to exposure to damaging environments – 27
Deaths caused by slip-and-falls – 36
Deaths caused by violence – 44
Deaths caused by transportation – 90

Some exceptions are authorized when a worker sues the employer for damages caused. These are; individual third-party claims against someone who isn’t the employer, conducts or intentions by the employer that lead to accidents or death, products liability actions that can result to one suing the manufacturer of the said product and failure of having the workers compensation in one’s company.

When a worker is injured, injury law should be able to decide if one ought to get compensated or not. It also determines the amount one can be awarded and the liable partiers due to injuries. The injury law AKA tort law hails from state codes and judicial views. A judge or a jury can decide the amount that can be given for damages done or personal injuries according to the state. Private injury attorneys can step in when injured people seek compensation from their employers or companies. Some lawyers focus on cases like car accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, product liability lawsuits, or truck accidents among others. These personal injury attorney Tampa are also available for situations like personal injuries caused by criminal conduct.

There are four factors that one need to consider when hiring an injury attorney. These are;

1. Cost- for personal injury cases like car accidents, medical malpractice, many attorneys work on a contingency-fee basis. This enables hiring an attorney to be cheaper, due to fewer upfront costs, one can share a percentage of their settlement or verdict with the attorneys if they win one’s case.

  1. Experience- one should hire an attorney who is familiar with one’s case type.
  2. Track record of success- when injured, one ought to find the best personal injury attorney Tampa.
  3. Trial rate- finding an attorney who is not lazy to go on the trail is the best option for a person who needs workers compensation due to injury.

    All in all, one should be able to find the best of the best attorneys when suing an individual or a company due to personal injury or any damage.

Karl Jobst Grove OK

How to Prepare Your Child for Their First Trip to the Dentist

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Karl Jobst Grove OK
Getting their teeth inspected for the first time is an important step on a child’s health journey. It can also be nerve-wracking for both the child and their parent. The child doesn’t know what to expect and the parent isn’t sure how they’ll react. Here are some tips on how to prepare your child for their first trip to the dentist.

Tell Them Early

You want your child to be prepared for going to the doctor as much as possible. Therefore, you shouldn’t spring it on them all of a sudden. Even before you make the appointment, tell them that they’ll be going to the doctor. This doesn’t guarantee they’ll be completely ready, but it will get them properly geared up for the visit. It might make them look forward to it as well.

Get Their Teeth Ready

You want to make sure your child’s teeth are as healthy as possible before going to the doctor. They should be brushing as much as possible. You should also be telling them about why they’re going to the doctor. They might not understand how important the health of their teeth is. Let them know all about how proper tooth care means they’ll be able to eat, speak, and smile the way they like to.

Tell Them About What Will Happen

The unfamiliarity of the doctor might cause a great deal of anxiety for your child. In order to help them with this fear, you should be as clear as possible about what will happen. Let them know that the doctor will take a look at their teeth and help make them as clean as possible. You want them to see the doctor as someone who is their friend and is going to help them out.

Have Them Meet the Dentist Beforehand

Call your doctor and see if you can schedule a time for them to meet your child before their appointment. They won’t see the doctor as a stranger, but someone who is warm and friendly. You want to make sure the doctor you go to is experienced with family dentistry. If they see their dentist as a supportive presence, they’ll have much less fear.

About Karl Jobst

karl Jobst grove ok is greatly experienced in dentistry and helping with dental anxiety. Karl Jobst is dedicated to his patients. Call our office today to set up an appointment with Karl Jobst grove ok.

Benefits of Enrolling Your Kids To A Tutoring Center

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Education is a diverse field and parents want the best for their children. However, it is sometimes challenging to achieve the perfection they want since some of the learning centers available don’t offer the right amenities that can facilitate proper learning. If you are looking for a way to educate your children, you should focus on getting them into a tutoring center. Choose one whose reputation and experience is at the best level and you will experience the benefits with time. Here are some of the benefits of enrolling your child to a tutoring center.

Environment

While some students receive their tutoring from their homes, centers like mar vista tutoring allow your children to enjoy the awesome learning environment that is made to offer them an ample space for learning. Most tutoring centers are built with facilities that are advanced and ideal for learning, which is different from what you could have at home. Enrolling your child to one of these centers saves you money while ensuring direct benefits because you will not need to spend more on hiring tutors to help your kid at home.

Tutoring centers also offer an environment where these kids can meet with their friends and more people, which is good in creating interpersonal relationships and teaching the kids how to socialize with others. Basically, your child receives more than just academic assistance since there are many features to interact with. Therefore, if you have been thinking about educating your child from home, you could affect the growth of the child because that could mean missing a lot of vital information and experiences that can shape life in a good way. Choose a tutoring center that is certified and verified to cater for the needs of your child.

Availability of materials

Resources help in the learning process in various ways. You need resources to demonstrate processes and this can only be found in an equipped tutoring center. To give your child the perfect learning experience, you should enroll him/her to a tutoring center to also enjoy the support of the materials available that are necessary for learning. Goal-oriented learning approach is another benefit your child will embrace while at a tutoring center because there is order created for everything that is meant for the kid. Worksheets, books, websites and educators are resources you will find at a tutoring center that will come in handy to help your child to grasp important concepts.

Training

Additionally, tutoring centers focus on offering the best experience possible that can help to build your child’s future. The centers accept a small percentage of tutors who apply and this is to ensure only the best are given a chance to work with them. Ensuring a high degree of professionalism is necessary to the success of children and this is something many tutoring centers hold dear. So you will not find any reason to deny your child the right to enjoy high quality learning with all the benefits highlighted here coming into play.

San Francisco Giants Need Hunter Pence to Get Healthy

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Hunter Pence has been an important component of the San Francisco Giants ever since the team acquired him via trade. The club wisely kept Pence around, and the energetic outfielder was at the center of the team’s run to yet another World Series title in 2014. Pence’s leadership qualities, his idiosyncrasies and his obvious talent for the game of baseball have made him an instant fan favorite in San Francisco, and the team’s followers have rightly recognized just how important Pence is to the team’s success.

This season, however, Pence has missed a lot of games due to injury, which is quite uncharacteristic for a player who has been incredibly durable throughout his career. The Giants got a bit of bad news regarding Pence, and though he has been in the dugout recently, the tendinitis in his wrist has kept him out of action. The value of effective leadership like Pence’s is obvious in any industry, whether it is for the TIE Institute Trading or for the San Francisco Giants.

The Giants are right in the thick of the pennant race in the NL West, and the team has dominated the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team that currently occupies the top spot in the division. The Giants are very clearly missing the presence of Pence’s bat in the lineup and his glove in the outfield, but the team could also benefit from his on-field leadership as well when he finally returns from his stint on the disabled list.

Dana Sibilsky Still Optimistic Regarding Giants’ Chances in the NL West

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A longtime observer of professional baseball and a lifelong fan of the San Francisco Giants, Dana Sibilsky has seen many eras come to an end. She was there to see Willie Mays play his last game in a Giants uniform before he went back to New York to finish his career with the Mets, and she was there when Barry Bonds left the game for good in 2007. Though she understands that all great eras in sport eventually come to an end, Sibilsky does not believe that the recent San Francisco Giants dynasty is at its end.

According to Sibilsky, too many Giants fans are panicking over the team’s slow start and are forgetting that the baseball season is 162 games long. Sibilsky, a season-ticket holder going back several decades, has seen her fair share of slow starts and knows that the Giants can still turn it around. While at AT&T Park recently, Sibilsky ran into Hunter Pence while he was rehabbing from injury, and she noted that Pence’s return could be the key to the team’s resurgence in the NL West in the year following the Giants’ third World Series championship in five years.

Of course, most Giants fans will recognize Sibilsky as one of the most ardent fans around, as she is a fixture at home games and frequently travels to San Diego, Los Angeles, Arizona and Colorado for road games against division rivals. She is on a first-name basis with the bulk of the players on the Giants, and if team members do not recognize her it is probably because they were only recently acquired. Sibilsky’s seats are right behind the home dugout, and both Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow point her out from time to time during the games in which she is particularly animated.

Sibilsky, a vice principal at a middle school in Marin County, is known for wearing black and orange outfits to school as each new baseball season approaches and the school year ends. Sibilsky pointed out that any real discussion about the standings in the NL West should wait until June and perhaps even July, as there have not been nearly enough games played to truly evaluate the quality of the team. Sibilsky still believes in the Giants, and she thinks that the team will contend for another title in 2015 despite a rather tepid start to the season.

Giants Insider Kion Kashefi Gives the Scoop on Max Scherzer

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MLB: Baltimore Orioles at Detroit Tigers

Due to the Giants falling out of the running for Jon Lester, many agents consider it an amazing opportunity to pitch their pitchers to the Giants. Max Scherzer’s agent, Scott Boras, has stated that he believes the right-hander would fit perfectly on the team.

However, it seems that the Giants currently have no plans to seriously pursue Scherzer. After Scherzer and Lester, James Shields is the next anticipated Giants target.