San Francisco Giants 2K12 Preview: Buster Posey's Glorious Return?

In 2011 the Giants offense kicked their own asses all year. Once the NL's best catcher went down, the Giants offense went down with him. From first base to center field, the 2010 champ Giants had major letdowns from the main offensive cogs that led them to their improbable title.

The key to the entire offense is Buster Posey. He broke his leg last year blocking the plate improperly (bitter fans say otherwise, but they're wrong) and missed most of the season. This year, he has been instructed to stay away from collisions at home. I expect a huge year from him, a .290-plus BA and 25 jacks. Time for Kings, Codgers and Crumbums...

Kings

As anyone who watches baseball knows, the Giants can pitch. They have a top-five MLB starter in Tiny Tim Lincecum, a top-20 starter who never seems to give up solid contact in Matt Cain and a top-five bullpen anchored by funnyman Brian Wilson.

They have a manager who seems to eke out every bit of juice that his journeyman offense has (thanks to GM Brian Sabean for providing the most expensive ballpark in the world with the worst offense this side of Houston) and he always seems to have faith in players who continually fail in every conceivable at bat with RISP (from Renteria to Tejada to Jose Guillen to Cody Ross to Pat Burrell, the list is long).

Crumbums

Is there a bigger crumbum in baseball than Barry Lamonica Zito? The answer is no, there is not. The guy can't hit 88 MPH on the radar gun and can barely locate his fastball. The only reason he hasn't been released, presumably, is that he throws the ball with his left hand. There is no other explanation. But, as a fifth starter for a top-five rotation, it hardly matters. The team can win 90-plus with or without Zito. Still, he's a big-time crumbum.

The team dumped one-hit wonder Andres Torres and notorious headcase Johnny Sanchez. It's hard to deal a lefty who can throw 95 MPH, but it's made a lot easier when the fool walks six guys per nine innings and loses his cool when a fan hurts his feelings. 

They added Melky Cabrera and Angel Pagan, giving the team speed and defense.

Codgers

In 2010, first basemen Aubrey Huff hit .290 with 26 jacks. In 2011 after signing his three-year deal (Sabean), he hit .246 with 12 jacks. He is now a year older, and his decrepit defense isn't getting better. The guy will be lucky to hit .260 this year and may well be replaced by minor league stud Brandon Belt.

The problem with the Giants is that their management likes older players, and it handicaps one of the best pitching staffs of the last decade or two. Go get some real players, stop playing seniors and get serious. Tim Lincecum will be a free agent in two years and he would be silly to stay in SF and get 3.5 RPG of support when he can go elsewhere and win 20 games in his sleep.

It's amazing that a team built on marketing (Panda, torture, beards) can win with so little offensive talent. It's a real testament to Bruce Bochy and the pitching staff. The team can easily win the division again this year; I'd put the odds of that at nearly 50 percent. Over 90 wins for SF.