SF Giants: Ideal Opening Day Lineup for 2012

The San Francisco Giants' 2011 season is coming to a disappointing end, as the Giants have been mathematically eliminated from contention in both the NL West and the Wild Card race. The last few weeks of the season, however, have given the organization an opportunity to evaluate some young prospects and determine what needs to be done in the offseason to improve the team. Let's take a look at what the Giants' lineup could look like at the start of the 2012 season, assuming free agency goes well for Brian Sabean & Co.

1. Jose Reyes, SS

2011 Stats: (with NYM) .331/.379/.477, .857 OPS, 5HR 37SB, 5.3 WAR

Reyes has put together a career season this year for the Mets, and would be a perfect addition to a Giants team desperate for a spark at the beginning of the batting order. Assuming they manage to sign him, Reyes would provide a dynamic, MVP-caliber presence in the lineup along with excellent defensive play, another issue that has plagued Giants shortstops recently.

2. Freddy Sanchez, 2B

2011 Stats: (season shortened by injury) .289/.332/.379, .730 OPS, 3HR 24RBI, 1.1 WAR in 60 Games

2010 Stats: .292/.342/.397, .739 OPS, 7HR 47RBI, 1.7 WAR

The Giants have sorely missed the contributions of Freddy Sanchez on both sides of the plate in 2011, as he has spent most of the year on the DL after undergoing shoulder surgery. Sanchez can be consistently counted on to maintain an average around .300, and his clutch hitting was instrumental in the Giants' 2010 World Series run. Sanchez' replacement, Jeff Keppinger, hit decently for the Giants, but Sanchez' increased production and much better defense will be extremely helpful to the team going forwards.

3. Pablo Sandoval, 3B

2011 Stats: .312/.355/.552, .908 OPS, 23HR 70RBI, 6.2 WAR

Pablo Sandoval has been the unquestionable offensive MVP for the Giants this season, and his continued resurgence gives fans hope going forward. Additionally, he has become an excellent defensive player, putting together a Gold-Glove caliber season at third base. If he stays healthy and keeps his weight down, Sandoval could be a legitimate star in San Francisco for many years to come.

4. Buster Posey, C

2011 Stats: (season shortened by injury) .284/.368/.389, .756 OPS, 4HR 21RBI, 1.5 WAR in 45 games

2010 Stats: .305/.357/.505, .862 OPS, 18HR 67RBI, 3.1 WAR in 108 games

Buster Posey's horrific ankle injury against the Florida Marlins on May 25, 2011 will go down as one of the most depressing moments in recent Giants' history. Anyone watching the game instantly knew from the look of pure agony on the catcher's face and the unnatural angle of his foot that Posey was going to be out for a long time. The injury cost the Giants not only their most promising young player, but a man who had developed into a clubhouse leader and a spiritual captain. Posey's expected return in 2012 will be immensely valuable to the Giants, as they will regain an elite offensive and defensive catcher along with a leader.

5. Carlos Beltran, RF

2011 Stats: (With NYM and SFG) .303/.388.532, .920 OPS, 22HR 84RBI, 4.6 WAR in 139 games

Carlos Beltran, much like his former teammate Jose Reyes, has put together a career year in his contract season. Assuming the Giants can re-sign him, Beltran would combine with Sandoval and Posey to give San Francisco more middle-of-the-order punch than they have had since the Barry Bonds era.

6. Brandon Belt, LF

2011 MLB Stats: .217/.299/.394, .693 OPS, 8HR 19RBI in 60 games

2011 AAA Stats: .320/.461/.528, .989 OPS, 8HR 36RBI in 53 games

The epic mishandling of star prospect Brandon Belt by the San Francisco organization has been a continuing storyline of the 2011 season. Belt was continually shuffled between the Majors and AAA Fresno, and often benched in favor of massively underperforming veteran Aubrey Huff. Although his batting average may be quite poor, Belt has shown an ability to hit Major League pitching for power, and a fresh start in which he is actually given the opportunity to be an everyday player is the only way to determine his true potential.

7. Brett Pill, 1B

2011 MLB Stats: .268/.302/.561, .863 OPS, 2HR 8RBI in 12 games

2011 AAA Stats: .312/.341/.530, .871 OPS, 25HR 107RBI in 133 games

Another young slugging 1B prospect, Brett Pill was a late-season call-up intended to put a jolt into the Giants anemic 2011 offense. He has performed admirably so far, and definitely deserves a long look next season.

8. Andres Torres, CF

2011 Stats: .224/.313/.336, .650 OPS, 4HR 17SB, 1.1 WAR in 109 games

While Torres' offensive production has dropped off dramatically from his excellent 2010 season, he is still the Giants' best defensive option in center field. With the hopeful addition of Jose Reyes, Torres will no longer be required to produce from the leadoff spot, and his offensive numbers, while not ideal, are serviceable for an excellent defensive center fielder batting eighth.

9. Tim Lincecum, SP

2011 Stats: 13-14 W/L, 2.74 ERA, 217.0 IP, 220 K, 1.207 WHIP, 9.1 K/9, 3.17 FIP, 4.6 WAR

Tim Lincecum's win/loss record is deceiving. Despite having a losing record on the year, Lincecum has put together a stellar season for the Giants. His 220 strikeouts, 9.1 strikeout per 9 inning ratio, and 2.74 ERA all rank near the top of the National League. Lincecum will continue to be the ace of this excellent Giants staff going forwards, and therefore is a sure bet to be the starter on opening day 2012.

Recap

Quick Recap:

1) Jose Reyes, SS

2) Freddy Sanchez, 2B

3) Pablo Sandoval, 3B

4) Buster Posey, C

5) Carlos Beltran, RF

6) Brandon Belt, LF

7) Brett Pill, 1B

8) Andres Torres, CF

9) Tim Lincecum, SP

With a couple of crucial offseason signings, the Giants could be looking at their best opening day lineup in quite a few years. A lineup like this one combined with the incredible pitching staff already in place for San Francisco should allow the team to contend for the foreseeable future.