San Francisco Giants 2012: The Search for a Leadoff Hitter

An offense that in many statistical categories has proven to be the worst in all of baseball has had many weaknesses in 2011, one of which is a glaring inability to reach base by the leadoff hitter in the lineup.

The San Francisco Giants saw Opening Day leadoff man Andres Torres have a breakout season in 2010, but Torres just could not replicate his heroics of that season and carry them over into 2011.

Torres is hitting just .222 with three home runs and 18 RBI, along with a .307 on-base percentage this season, utterly unacceptable for a man hitting in the leadoff spot of the batting order.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy tried others in the leadoff spot when Torres was injured or slumping, including recently released Aaron Rowand and Cody Ross.

Neither could give the club what it needed and it cost the defending champions dearly, as the lack of production from the top set the tone for the rest of the order.

This offseason the Giants will have to search for a new leadoff man, as Torres has made it clear that he cannot be relied upon for any sort of offensive consistency.

Here are some of the possibilities on the free-agent market, as well as one risky internal option...

Coco Crisp

Coco Crisp will be a free agent this winter, and while he's not a superstar by any means, his production with the Oakland Athletics as their center fielder and leadoff hitter has been consistent.

This season he's hitting .268 with seven home runs and 47 RBI, with a .323 on-base percentage.

While the on-base percentage is relatively low for a leadoff hitter, Crisp has stolen 40 bases and his speed could be a real asset to the Giants.

Upside

Ability to steal a base, cause havoc on the basepaths.

Downside

Low on-base percentage, doesn't walk much (only 40 in 478 at-bats so far in 2011).

Jose Reyes

Jose Reyes is one of the few prized free agents on the market this winter.

Reyes is having a fantastic season, hitting .332 with five home runs, 39 RBI and a .375 on-base percentage. He has 29 doubles, 16 triples and has stolen 35 bags on the year.

Upside

On-base machine, great speed, energy, exuberance and relatively young (28).

Downside

Expensive (will likely require long-term deal, $100-plus million), injury-prone.

Jimmy Rollins

Jimmy Rollins has been a staple in the leadoff spot for the Philadelphia Phillies over the years.

In an 11-year career thus far, Rollins has proven to be a significant power threat (one year hitting 30 home runs), RBI man (one year driving in 94) and speedster (371 career stolen bases).

This year Rollins is hitting .267 with 14 home runs, 58 RBI and a .341 on-base percentage.

Upside

Championship experience with Phillies, All-Star-caliber player, ability to hit for average and power, good speed.

Downside

Age (32) and potential for injury (missed half of 2010 on the disabled list).

Johnny Damon

Johnny Damon has had a lower profile in recent years after leaving the limelight in Boston and New York.

Damon, the catalyst at the top of the lineup for the 2004 Boston Red Sox who won the city's fist World Series title in 86 years, is still producing, now for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Damon is hitting .260 with 14 home runs and 62 RBI for the Rays. He has a .317 on-base percentage.

Upside

Tenacity, experience, ability to hit for average and power.

Downside

Age (37), low on-base percentage, doesn't steal as many bases as he used to (14 this season).

Juan Pierre

Juan Pierre is having a good offensive season for the Chicago White Sox, hitting .286 with two home runs, 46 RBI and a .338 on-base percentage.

Pierre, a career .297 hitter, sprays the ball to all parts of the field and has great speed. Though his stolen base total is down in 2011 (25), he stole 68 bags in 2010.

Upside

Great base-stealer.

Downside

Age (34), doesn't walk much (only 39 walks in 573 at-bats this season).

Justin Christian

The Giants recently called up Justin Christian from Triple-A Fresno, to see whether he could contribute to the big league club after having a great minor league season.

Christian, 31, is a journeyman center fielder who hit .294 with 14 home runs, 73 RBI and 54 stolen bases between AA Richmond and AAA Fresno this season prior to his promotion.

Since making his Giants debut, Christian has struggled, going 1-for-13 (.077) with a double.

Upside

Ability to hit for average and power at the minor league level, as well as ability to steal bases.

Downside

Unproven, huge risk to make a starter right out of the gate in 2012.

Finding a Dependable Leadoff Hitter Will Be Crucial for the 2012 Giants

The leadoff hitter is a critical and indispensable part of any championship-caliber team, and in order for the Giants to once again compete in 2012, they will have to find a good one, most likely by way of free-agent acquisition.

The leadoff hitter will be one piece of a delicate puzzle that Brian Sabean and Giants management will be constructing this winter, and it will be an intriguing offseason to be sure.