(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
The Giants are in a good position, at the moment. Their front office has been very busy. I am split between both sides of the coin, so to speak.
Let me explain. To me, the coin represents the question, are they a playoff team. Are they?
At the start of week 15, in my mind, they were not. They were offensively weak at first base and second base positions. Edgar Renteria and Aaron Rowand were hurting along with Rich Aurilia. Mind you, that’s just field players, we’ll get to pitchers in a moment.
They, also, were coming home after a bad road trip. They lost their lead in the wild card race to the Colorado Rockies. In order to be a playoff team, I feel that they need to win more on the road. If they don’t, they may not have to pray come September of reaching the playoffs.
July 21st, marked the beginning of the end, for the Giants. If Brian Sabean didn’t make a trade and acquire at least one veteran batter, the team would not have a chance getting to the post season.
He did better. This week, Sabean acquired a first baseman Ryan Garko, from Cleveland Indians and second basemen Freddy Sanchez from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Both players are good hitters, a definite improvement over their current players at those positions.
Then the injuries came. First, Aurilia is placed on the 15 day Disabled List with an infected right toe. No real loss except “veteran” presence.
The big blow was when Nate Schierholtz was placed on the 15 day DL. With Rowen unable to throw, do to being hit on the arm by a pitch, the outfield is stretched thin. Andres Torres plays center field and Freddie Lewis, K-Fred to some, in left.
There is no true back outfielder on this team. Sure Eugenio Velez can play center, but can they trust him to play well enough until Rowen comes back.
With the addition of F. Sanchez, the Giants had to make room on the 40 man roster. They move was to transfer Randy Johnson, shoulder, from the 15 day DL to the 60 day DL.
Meaning, other than Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, the starting rotation is a big unknown until Johnson comes back in early September.
Barry Zito may be able to bring some wins, but he needs run support in order to do so.
Jonathan Sanchez is too inconsistent for me to put any faith in his abilities to win games as a Giant.
As for Johnson and his replacements, that is truly in the realm of the unknown. Ryan Sadowski got off to a great start, but has looked horrible in his last few starts.
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