San Francisco Giants: 5 Changes the Giants Must Make This Offseason

As of today, the San Francisco Giants are seven games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West with 22 games left to play.

Things are not looking good for the Giants and their quest to return to the postseason after their World Series championship in 2010.

Even though it isn't over 'til the fat lady sings—or the Giants are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs—this is a good time to look forward and see what the Giants must do this offseason in order to return to glory once again. 

Fortunately for the Giants, they will only have six players who are eligible to become free agents: Javier Lopez, Ryan Vogelsong, Cody Ross, Mark DeRosa, Pat Burrell and Guillermo Mota.

However, the obligation of signing their young core players to long-term contracts will likely impede their chances of becoming a major player in the free-agent market.

Here is a list of five realistic and necessary changes the Giants must make this upcoming offseason. 

5. Sign Javier Lopez

When you think of the Giants' bullpen, you think Brian Wilson, the man with the biggest beard and most captivating personality in all of baseball.

Sergio Romo also might come to mind, who is famous for his "no dot slider" that baffles right-handed batters on a consistent basis.

Bruce Bochy loves to play the matchups when using his bullpen, and he continuously calls upon Lopez to face the fiercest left-handed batters late in the game.

Since the impenetrable bullpen is what led the Giants to win the 2010 World Series, it's imperative that the Giants keep it intact. Lopez's deceptive delivery makes him the most important reliever, so re-signing him is a must this upcoming offseason.

4. Find a Way to Get Rid of Barry Zito

This may be the most unrealistic possibility on the list, but finding a way to get Barry Zito off of the Giants' roster is something that must be figured out this offseason.

It goes without saying that Barry Zito is the Giants' worst starting pitcher on the roster.

Since Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, Jonathan Sanchez and Ryan Vogelsong are all practically shoo-ins to become the starting rotation in 2012, this leaves Barry Zito as the odd man out.

Moreover, the emergence of Eric Surkamp—the Giants' top pitching prospect—will only entice the Giants into moving Zito even more so.

Since the Giants were willing to eat the contracts of Aaron Rowand and Miguel Tejada last week, Zito's roster spot on the Giants is far from safe.

3. Re-Sign Ryan Vogelsong

Re-signing Ryan Vogelsong will be a must for the Giants this upcoming offseason, and it shouldn't be that tough to do.

Vogelsong, who had a tumultuous start to the beginning of his career, will likely want to remain a Giant after a recently revitalized career in San Francisco.

However, there are risks in signing these "lightning in a bottle" type of players to deserving contracts.

Look at Aubrey Huff. He carried the offense to a World Series Championship in 2010 and was greatly rewarded for his efforts at the end of the season.

Rewarded to the tune of $22 million. Now that Huff is having somewhat of a disappointing season, it's looking like the Giants made a poor financial decision in paying Huff all of that money.

However, it is unlikely that Vogelsong will demand a boatload of money since he is simply grateful that the Giants gave him an opportunity to pitch this year.

2. Find a Way to Get Belt in the Lineup Every Day

It is something that has driven me and all other Giants fans crazy just thinking about. Why doesn't Brandon Belt—the Giants' top prospect—get a chance to play every day?

It could've been that Bochy didn't want to sit the veteran Aubrey Huff to the likes of a rookie.

It could've also been that the crowded outfield didn't allow Belt the everyday starter status in 2011.

Either way, the Giants must find a way to make their young slugger an everyday player to help boost the struggling offense.

1. Get Eli Whiteside Off the Roster

I truly believe that Eli Whiteside is one of, if not the, worst everyday players in MLB.

Unfortunately, Buster Posey's injury in May made the Giants depend on their backup catcher for the remainder of the season. This has exposed Whiteside and shown that he has no business being on a major league roster.

Whiteside can't hit at the major league level, as shown by his .207 batting average and .330 slugging percentage.

He can't throw out runners and only has a 26 percent caught sealing percentage.

On top of that, Whiteside has continuously made both mental and physical mistakes when the game was on the line. 

This play is the epitome of Whiteside's season.

Once Posey returns to being the Giants' everyday catcher, Chris Stewart must become the Giants' backup catcher.

Even though he isn't a great hitter, he plays excellent defense and has the ability to throw out any base runner in baseball with his quick release.