The 2007-08 offseason for the San Francisco Giants was not flashy by any means whatsoever. With Aaron Rowand as their only notable acquisition, the team seemed to be making it clear to the fans that the upcoming season would be a showcase for their prospects.
Spring training was a harrowing experience to follow - Barry Zito struggled heavily, Noah Lowry walked nine in a game and revealed an arm injury, Kevin Frandsen had a season-ending injury as well, and no one seemed to be swinging the bat very well at all. Even though the Giants finished the 2008 season a meek 72-90, many fans were pleasantly surprised with the competitiveness and heart that the team showed.In their first season without slugger Barry Bonds, the Giants actually improved their record (which was a disappointing 71-91 the year before).
Without a doubt, the "rebuilding year" that was 2008 revealed exciting young players such as Fred Lewis, Emmanuel Burriss, John Bowker, and Pablo Sandoval, thus building a sense of excitement for how good the team could potentially be in 2009. With the National League West seeming to be consistently up for grabs year after year, the Giants are entering one of the most important offseasons in over a decade - buckle up and hold on tight!
Brian Sabean has to have a chip on his shoulder by now. The 2003 Executive of the Year, Sabean recently landed an extension through the 2009 season despite the recent criticism he received for overpaying Barry Zito. Could there be a better opportunity for Sabean to shake things up and show that he still deserves his job? Let's take a look at the areas that need to be covered and what areas should be left untouched:
Pitching:
The Giants are primed to have one of the best starting rotations in the league next year. It depends largely on Noah Lowry's successful return and whether or not Jonathan Sanchez can regain his composure. Picture this rotation: Tim Lincecum, Barry Zito, Matt Cain, Noah Lowry, and Jonathan Sanchez (I throw Zito before Cain only to mix the righties with the lefties). Brian Wilson surpassed expectations as the closer and cemented his role in that position. As for everything in between, Sabean has his work cut out for himself. Sergio Romo, Keiichi Yabu, and Alex Hinshaw were all bright spots, but lefty-specialist Jack Taschner seemed overpitched and Tyler Walker was just plain terrible. Assuming Romo gets the set-up spot he deserves and Hinshaw takes over the role as the number one lefty in the 'pen, Sabean is going to have to find some long-relief arms that will smoothen out the gap between the starter and the closer. Some potential good moves would be bringing in such free agents as Juan Cruz (who was simply dominant for Arizona) and even former Giant Scott Eyre.
Hitting:
Basically, the Giants didn't hit any homeruns at all this year. Don't get me wrong; I love Bengie Molina, but he should never be the biggest threat in your lineup. But what real holes can be filled without trading away current starters?
10 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
GoBears 2008 9 months ago
Good article.
I don't think the Giants will trade Cain (or should). However, what if they traded Cain for Fielder and J.J. Hardy and then turned around and signed C.C. Sabathia (who hinted that he might want to come back to the Bay Area), it would be a steal that would up there with some of the best Sabean moves. (Although 1997 - Kirk Reuter and Jeff Kent - would still be better). I don't see why the Brewers would break up a team that made the playoffs, though.
Hopefully Sabean will restrain himself from trying to make too much of a free-agent splash. Sabathia would be a great signing, but Texeira might be too expensive, since he might demand a huge amount of money to go to a non-playoff team. C.C., though, would be worth whatever money they need to sign him: a workhorse pitcher who would be a great rotation partner to Lincecum (as well as a Bay Area local).
Even if the Giants are bad again next year, there are still two good reasons to watch them: the development of young players (maybe they'll bring up Posey and Bumgarner early as well), and of course Lincecum every 5 games.
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Matt Matejcek 9 months ago
I agree that regardless of what happens, they'll be worth watching.
Dude getting Fielder, Hardy, AND signing Sabathia would put them over the top. I think it's unlikely they would pursue Sabathia though because of how much he'll ask for, but you're right about him maybe being interesting in the Bay Area. I'd rather have Teixeira than Fielder, but Hardy would be great at SS with Burriss at 2B.
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Danny Penza 9 months ago
After his second half, CC is gonna get a Zito like contract. So there's why the Giants probably won't sign him.
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Danny Penza 9 months ago
I would rather the Giants develop from within with Burriss, Velez, Sandoval instead of signing Furcal (DL every season) or any of the middle infielders you mentioned.
Posey will be up some time next season, August or September probably. Bumgarner and Alderson will by up in 2010. They are on the fast track for sure, but MadBum just turned 19 and Alderson is about to be 20, so they still have a lot to learn despite all of their carving this season.
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Matt Matejcek 9 months ago
The thing about that though, Sandoval will stay at 3B, Burriss at 2B, and Velez will platoon the outfield. I don't see Velez as full-time starter because of his defense issues and lack of pop, but he'll be a great 4th/5th outfielder with Bowker, or a back up to Burriss.
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Rory Davis 9 months ago
The Giants won't get C.C., there's just no way..He's going to get more than Zito and probably end up signing with the Yankees sadly...As for the Cain for Fielder & possibly Hardy move, you'd be a fool to not consider it. The Giants have a nice rotation, and with Bumgarner down the road, and Lowry returning next season, the Giants must entertain that trade offer, if its even legit. Having a left-handed power bat at a corner infield spot is something the Giants haven't had since MATT WILLIAMS! It's been so long. As for the middle infielders mentioned, I agree that we shouldn't and don't believe that we will go after any of them. Burriss needs a full year at 2B. I just hope we don't overspend on a long reliever.
Great preview though Matt...Keep it up
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Danny Penza 9 months ago
Matt Williams batted right handed
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Matt Matejcek 9 months ago
I wouldn't mind them picking up Orlando Cabrera to get a decent bat at the bottom of their line-up. I'd MUCH rather have Cabrera than Ochoa as our SS.
I think C.C. is going to go to the L.A. Dodgers unfortunately, which will make me really really really dislike him. I only say that because I have a feeling that Manny Ramirez will go to New York, so L.A. will have the money to throw around.
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GoBears 2008 9 months ago
Say it ain't so! C.C. is one of my favorite non-Giants. I will root for him no matter where he goes unless:
- he's pitching against SF
or
- he becomes a Dodger.
Hopefully his Bay Area roots will keep him from going to L.A. He can go to the Yankees and get a championship if he wants if he doesn't want to come to San Francisco, just not L.A.
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Matt Matejcek 9 months ago
Haha! No way, dude. If he goes to the Yankees, that'll be really close to being as bad as if he were to sign with the Dodgers. Buuuuut, New York is where pitching goes to die; if he signs with the Yankees, he'll probably be as successful as Randy Johnson was there. =)
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