San Francisco Giants: Top 5 Priorities on Giants' Offseason Checklist

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Well it's official.

The San Francisco Giants were officially eliminated from the 2011 postseason this past week, leaving fans with a bitter taste in their mouths.

The playoffs no longer matter, and most exciting thing left in the season is watching younger players actually get a shot on the field.

It's time to put this season behind us, and look forward to 2012. Until that point comes, there's a few things the Giants need to put on their to-do list.

5. Secure a Better Shortstop

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Orlando Cabrera broke his streak of making the playoffs with a different team every year, so maybe people will stop and realize that it was mostly luck.

And by people, I mean the Giants management.

Cabrera is old, and not above average offensively or defensively. If there is an option to get someone with real talent, SF needs to jump on it.

4. Sign Carlos Beltran

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Even though Carlos Beltran didn't produce as well as the Giants had hoped, he still has enough talent to be starting in the outfield over Cody Ross, Nate Schierholtz, and Andres Torres.

Beltran was only signed for the rest of 2011 when he was traded for from the New York Mets, sparking rumors that he would leave at the end of the season.

And he still might.

But it would be a great full season addition for the Giants if they could lock him down to a few year contract.

3. Secure a Fifth Starter

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Barry Zito just isn't a good pitcher any more.

He's been given so many opportunities, and he had a decent season last year, but he's just not the same pitcher he was on Oakland.

It's time to accept that. San Francisco won't ever be as good as they can be with Barry Zito in the rotation.

They need to reach out and secure a fifth starter, or succumb to the consequences.

2. Find a Center Fielder

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One of the disappointments from this season was watching the downfall of Andres Torres.

I guess "downfall" might not be the best word, considering he's only really had one good season in his career. Still, the lack of production from the center field spot leaves the Giants with a huge hole to fill.

Michael Bourn would have been a great addition, but the Atlanta Braves were able to snag him up.

Can anyone say Gary Brown?

1. Get Healthy

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This has to be the most important thing on the Giant's checklist.

Unfortunately they don't have a tremendous amount of control over it. The bottom line is that the Giants NEED Buster Posey, and probably Freddy Sanchez as well.

They need a stable offense, and someone who can call a great game behind the plate. If the Giants were healthy all year round, they might have had a chance at the playoffs.