I don't know about you, but I'm proud of the Giants' progress in 2009, and look forward to better things in 2010. Did anyone have ANY expectations this team would remain competitive well into September? -- 82 wins to date with a possibility of 88 wins for the season (if they sweep their last two series). But aside from the final week of the regular season, what has to happen between now and spring training next year to get this squad ready to role? Of course, I have several opinions, and would enjoy some dialogue with other fans. Here we go:
First Base: Travis Ishikawa is not the answer on an everyday basis. More likely, Travis is a late-inning defensive replacement and spot starter. Should we assume that Pablo Sandoval will eventually be the everyday guy? What about Ryan Garko? I don't think it's fair to judge his brief appearance since the trade deadline. O.K., the guy did nothing with the bat except for that one game in Colorado when he blasted a pair of homers. Garko, like Ishikawa, is still very young and could be a future asset. I think everyone is overlooking John Bowker, who, like Eugenio Velez, can play the outfield too. All that being said, let's assume the team will not be looking to acquire a first-baseman in the off season.
Second Base: Freddy, Freddy, Freddy...Come back and help us Freddy Sanchez! Void out your 2010 option for 8-million-bucks, sign a fresh new contract with San Francisco, and prove yourself to the fans. We know your track record, and this brief glimpse was not enough to compensate for what we traded to the Pirates at the deadline (pitcher Tim Alderson). This is a guy who has won the N.L. Batting Title in 2006. He could be a huge addition (if healthy). I would say, as the team stands now, Eugenio Velez and Juan Uribe should be the back-ups to Sanchez in addition to what they've done all year - play multiple positions, and allow Bruce Bochy to mix-and-match when necessary. You know what that means....Goodbye Kevin Frandsen, and next time you're sent down to Triple-A, keep your mouth shut and accept it!
Short Stop: The underachieving Edgar Renteria still has one more year on his contract at $9-million-dollars for 2010 --Ahhhhhhhhhhh! Dude, hit the ball! One grand slam against the Rockies does not an entire season make. What a slug! The fastest I saw him run all year was out of the dugout to defend Pablo Sandoval, who got hit by a pitch against the Dodgers back in June. You know, the series where every call the umpires made went AGAINST the Giants? Let's hope for more out of Edgar next year, because with that contract, no one's going to want him. It will be interesting to see if Manny Burriss is in the team's future as a middle infielder. This season was a disappointment after getting sent back down to the minors, and then braking his foot.
Third Base: For now, you've got to say Pablo is the man. He played extremely well defensively; much better than I thought for a first-year, full-time player. We already know what he can do with the bat, and will only continue to improve. Think how good he could be with someone actually hitting behind him in the line-up? Uribe is a rock solid back-up. Ryan Rohlinger? Don't know yet. Conner Gillespie? Don't know yet. Angel Villalona? Let's just keep moving shall we?
Catcher: Buster Posey will be with the big club in 2010. The question is: who will serve as his mentor? Will Bengie Molina accept such a role? What about Eli Whiteside? Probably not a good enough hitter to stick long-term -- he appears the odd man out. But what if Bengie says, "see you guys later, I'm going to DH in the American League." If that scenario unfolds, expect the team to bring in a stable veteran to fill the gap until Posey is deemed ready.
Outfield: GOODBYE FRED LEWIS AND RANDY WINN ---- HOO-RAY!!! Good luck to you both and I hope you land on your feet anywhere but here. Now that we got that out of the way, who's left? Aaron Rowand? The most overprice number eight hitter ever. Dude, get it together - you're making 12-million-dollars a year! More leadership, better defense, and more RBI's!! Nate Schierholtz? Easy answer - just leave the guy out in right field everyday, and let him collect at least 500 at-bats (the numbers will come). Fair enough? Andres Torres? The perfect number four outfielder to back-up everyone, and literally, he backs-up everyone (even the ball dudes). Don't forget about Bowker and Velez as viable back-up options as well. Now all we need is a legitimate, big thumper in left field. Jason Bay? Matt Holliday? -- don't hold your breath.
Starting Pitching: Lincecum, Cain, Zito, Sanchez, and Penny. Who stays? Who gets traded? Who steps aside for Madison Bumgarner? I know I said a month ago this kid would start 2010 in Triple-A, but now I believe differently after watching him pitch a few times. I think of a harder-throwing, taller-version of Tom Glavine when I watch Bumgarner on the mound. At this point, I would say keep Penny, and trade Sanchez (or maybe Matt Cain) for a legitimate hitter. Both have good value right now - do it! Do something! We are actually close to being "in this thing" for real!! I wonder if Noah Lowry will ever resurface? Just thinking out loud.
Relief Pitching: This bull pen is really good, no doubt. Jeremy Affeldt and Brian Wilson had all-star-caliber seasons. Sergio Romo and Dan Runzler have stepped in to prove they fit into the 2010 equasion. Brandon Medders and Justin Miller deserve a look too. Merkin Valdez has tremendous stuff, but he scares me a lot like Tyler Walker used to scare me. I say eject Valdez - trade him for something. Waldis Joaqin, Bobby Howry, Alex Hinshaw, Joe Martinez, Randy Johnson...wait and see.
Hey, maybe if I keep at this -- eventually -- someone will actually have a comment. I remain undaunted (most of the time). Humm-Baby!
Keywords: Aaron Rowand, Andres Torres, Angel Villalona, Bengie Molina, Brian Wilson, Bruce Bochy, Buster Posey, Conner Gillespie, Edgar Renteria, Eli Whiteside, Eugenio Velez, Fred Lewis, Freddy Sanchez, Jeremy Affeldt, Juan Uribe, Madison Bumgarner, Manny Burriss, Nate Schierholtz, Pablo Sandoval, Randy Winn, Ryan Garko, Ryan Rohlinger, San Francisco Giants, Tim Alderson, Tom Glavine, Travis Ishikawa
