San Francisco Giants' Three Big Worries

The vast majority of San Francisco Giants fans have been more than unhappy with this offseason's acquisitions—or lack there of.

But right now that’s the least of the team's worries.

Worry #1:  Second base

The fight for second base is just beginning.  Expect a battle royale between youngster Kevin Frandsen and 13-year veteran Ray Durham.

Most fans have been calling for Frandsen—especially after he hit .370 last September—but it would be hard for management to reduce Durham to the role of $7.5 million bench player.  If Durham does well, perhaps that bodes well for Frandsen at third base—the position he played in college.

Worry #2: Third Base

As of now, the starting third baseman for the Giants would be Rich Aurilia.  But there have been these pesky trade rumors floating around about White Sox Joe Crede.

He's essentially Pedro Feliz, except he's thirty years old and is coming off back surgery.  This would possibly be a Lowry-Crede deal, with no additions, but management has expressed a longing to maintain the current starting rotation.

Another possibility would be the swing starter/mid-reliever/closer Brad Hennessey and any one of the Giant's young outfielders.

What would likely prove most fruitful is leaving Durham at second base—provided he plays well enough—and sliding Frandsen over to third.  No loss of players, no gambles, and the young guy gets to play.

Worry #3:  Relief

Last year, Giants fans were witness to a common sight: Matt Cain left the ballgame with a two run lead in the 7th, only to let one of the pitiful relievers give the game away.  

Lefties Jack Taschner and Steve Kline pitched horribly against left-handed batters (hitting well over .300).  

The Giants refused to pay grotesque amounts of cash for relief pitchers, so they went out on a limb and offered one-time Rookie of the Year reliever Williamson a minor league deal.  In 1999 he had 12 wins and a sub-3.00 ERA, but since then he has been sliding, consistently plagued by injury.  

21-year-old Jose Cappellen provides hope, but has never seen action above Double-A ball.

-Gabe Erdozaincy ([e-mail])