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San Francisco Giants

You’d have thought that Brian Sabean would have gotten the message that the Giants needed to get younger, not older.  Instead of letting the kids take the field and finally acknowledging that Barry Bonds should be allowed to walk off into the sunset, they instead brought in a bunch of older players that don’t make the Giants any better.  After obtaining a dearth of first round picks in this year's draft (their own, which was draft protected, the Dodgers' for signing Jason Schmidt and the Mets for signing Moises Alou, plus supplemental picks for both Schmidt and Alou), the Giants sacrificed their second, third, and fourth round picks to try and make one last push.

Starting Rotation

1. Barry Zito (LHP) – The Giants’ biggest signing, this is probably one of the worst signings in the off-season.  Zito hasn’t been dominant for at least two years.  He’s losing speed on his fastball and his stuff really isn’t great, aside from his curve.  His best quality is his durability, as he consistently logs in 200 innings or more.  But Zito also benefited from a outstanding outfield defense in Oakland, which he won’t get in San Francisco.  So, despite moving to the National League, Zito will probably start logging in an ERA in the 4.00’s from now on.  Even more interesting to keep a watch on is how Zito’s new delivery affects his effectiveness.
2. Matt Morris (RHP) – Morris was pretty bad last season and far from the ace that the Giants were expecting, but he was also victimized by a porous defense, which will also be the case this season.  There’s been talk about Morris having declining stuff, and indeed, he wasn’t able to get his fastball into play.  As a result, he had to rely on his secondary pitches more and more.  Morris could bounce back this year
3. Matt Cain (RHP) – Cain has the potential to develop into an ace down the road.  He was the Giants’ defacto ace last year and improved as the season went on.  Cain’s best pitch is his fastball that clocks into the high 90’s and his changeup is beginning to complement it well as a secondary pitch.  Cain should improve as he gets older, he’s still very young, and could head the rotation possibly by the beginning of next year.
4. Noah Lowry (LHP) – Lowry has got great promise as far as his talent goes.  His best pitch is a filthy changeup that’s complimented by a good changeup and a decent fastball.  His command is great, but the big problem with him is that injuries are going to be an issue.  If he stays healthy, the Giants will be in great shape as far as their front four, though keep an eye out on his elbow. 
5. Russ Ortiz (RHP) – I have the feeling that because of their history with Ortiz, the Giants will start him in place of the more talented and deserving Jonathan Sanchez.  Ortiz clearly isn’t the player he used to be and to be honest, he should be playing on a minor league deal, and not on a major league deal with an almost guaranteed show to win the team.  If Ortiz makes the team and provides any sort of contribution whatsoever, I’ll wear a Giants hat and post the picture online.

Bullpen

• Armando Benitez (Closer) – It’s been a rough couple of years for Benitez since he left the Marlins.  He was ostracized in the clubhouse last year, plus his command and control appeared to be worse than ever and injury once again shortened his season, costing him the job and allowing Mike Stanton to extend his career in baseball.  The Marlins have expressed interest in re-acquiring him, as they don’t seem ready to turn the role over to Tank Tankersley, but the Giants want a significant prospect in return.  I’m sure both sides will come up with a deal, as Benitez looks like he may not succeed again unless he gets the hell out of Frisco.
• Brian Wilson (Setup Man) – The favorite to setup Wilson, the Giants love Wilson’s upside.  This is mainly because of how his fastball-slider combo works in the late innings.  If Benitez is traded, it’s likely Wilson will get the promotion.
• Kevin Correia (RHP) – Correia finally put it all together last season, combining his life stuff with a much improved command, which paid dividends for the Giants as the season wore on.  Correia could also get a crack at the closer’s job if Benitez is traded. 
• Steve Kline (LHP) – The usual solid lefty reliever that every pen needs, but doesn’t always have.
• Jonathan Sanchez (LHP) – Sanchez is a promising young talent with a strong arm that did some time in the bullpen and in the rotation last season.  He’s got a low 90’s fastball with a good changeup.  He does need a third pitch to stick as a starter, but he’s got the potential to be a quality middle of the rotation guy.  Maybe he can learn that curve from Zito.
• Jack Taschner (LHP) – The final guy in the bullpen, in spite of the crappy ERA, Taschner actually improved as the year went on.

Starting Lineup

1. Dave Roberts (CF) – The Giants gave Roberts a 3-year deal to play centerfield.  He does have the speed and defensive prowess to do the job, but he also has a tendency to get hurt and hasn’t played a full season for like, ever.  He’s a solid leadoff man and will help the Giants as far as speed on the bases, but I can’t help but wonder if the Giants couldn’t have found a one year patch as far as centerfield goes, so they could invest in one of the main centerfielders coming out in free agency after the season.
2. Omar Vizquel (SS) – Vizquel won the Gold Glove last season mostly on reputation.  It should have been Adam Everett.  Vizquel put up some pretty solid production last year and would make a solid number two man behind Roberts, giving the Giants a pair of very fast and very old contact hitters.
3. Barry Bonds (LF) – Bonds remains a feared hitter despite his age and health concerns.  It took him almost all of last season to find his swing after missing almost all of 2005 because of his three right knee surgeries.  The Giants hope he can remain an elite power presence in the lineup while hitting the 22 home runs necessary to pass Hank Aaron.  Bonds no longer is even an average defender in left field and won’t be able to play everyday, so expect to see a 120-130 game season from hit, at most.
4. Ray Durham (2B) – Durham earned a nice contract extension after a solid year in which he was able to become a solid run producer, posting career highs in home runs (26) and RBIs (93).  He'll likely hit behind bonds, giving him some protection and substituting as the third man whenever Bonds sits.  However, if Durham’s performance was merely the product of a career year, the Giants are, to be blunt, ####ked. 
5. Rich Aurillia (1B) – Replacing the disappointing combination of Mark Sweeney Lance and Niekro, Aurilla should provide above average offense, namely with power and the ability to hit for average, plus be able to capably man first base.  The defense may not be pretty, but Aurilla should provide enough pop to make you forget about it, or at the very least, tolerate it.
6. Pedro Feliz (3B) – The lack of a capable third baseman meant that the Giants had to re-sign Pedro Felix.  Felix is a solid enough glove, but the offense leaves a lot to be desired.
7. Randy Winn (RF) – Had a down year, but to be honest, the decline was coming.  With the speedier Roberts now in center, Winn moves to right field, where his declining defense won’t be such a problem.  The outfield defense will be a circus of fools this summer. 
8. Bengie Molina (C) – In spite of a solid season, the Blue Jays didn’t renew Molina’s contract, allowing him to return to California to play for the Giants.  Molina doesn’t have the power that he used to, but he's still a capable catcher with maybe another two solid seasons left in him before be begins to decline.

Bench

• Ryan Klesko (IF) – Depending on Aurillia, Kelsko could play his way into the lineup.
• Mark Sweeney (IF) – Sweeney provides a good bat off the bench and remains one of the best left-handed pinch hitters in history.
• Todd Linden (OF) – Linden is a capable backup that will spell Bonds when necessary.
• Kevin Frandsen (IF) – Frandsen may not have much more of a bat than Lance Niekro, but he can play most of the infield, a skill that will cause him to make the team. 
• Eliezer Alfonzo (C) – A more than capable backup catcher, Alfonzo did well last season when Mike Matheny went down. 
• Fred Lewis (OF) – Lewis can play all the outfield spots, plus may be able to be a decent bat of the bench.  It’s unknown if that’s true at the moment, but the Giants will wait and see.

Down On The Farm…

A lack of draft picks, thanks to the desire to build around Bonds, has resulted in the system being stripped of almost any talent that could contribute to help the club in the short term.  While there are some players that could jump in to help out, there is really only one player that we can mention that would have any impact on the squad.

• Tim Lincecum (RHP) – Lincecum is the top Giants prospect in the system right due to the fact that it’s so thin right now due to the multiple signings of over the hill talent, resulting in the loss of draft picks.  Lincecum was said to have the best pure stuff of any pitcher in the draft.  He’s got a mid 90’s fastball and a filthy curve that is his best pitch.  His slider and changeup are good, but not great, but he’s got weapons that are enough to ensure his success.  Though he’s got some control issues, Lincecum’s biggest problem is that he’s little.  At 5’11, he’s one of the shortest pitchers graded to be a starter and many people are worried about his durability.  Still, he’s good enough to become a solid Number Two starter or a lights out closer.  He’s good enough to pitch out of the pen right now, but don’t be surprised if you see him at midseason, depending on the Giants’ fortunes this year.
• Angel Villalona (3B) – Had to mention Villalona, as Baseball Prospectus is very high on him.  He has great power and a good eye for pitch recognition.  He’s got soft hands and a strong arm, making him likely to stick at the position and can even run.  Only one problem:  he’s 16. 

In Conclusion

I have to question this desire to continue to build around Bonds.  It’s already cost not only the farm system, but the long term future of the Giants dearly.  Wouldn’t it be wiser to just being the process of rebuilding instead of going through this misguided delusion that the Giants will compete.

Final Standing:                Fourth in the National League West.