I thought the lack of power would finally catchup with the Giants last year. I had no idea a guy named Scutaro would come along and drive in one run after another that more than made up for the lack of a power hitter.
I also thought the Giants spent too much money on their pitching. Yes, there are times during the season you would like to see more hits but come playoff time the Giants had the answer ---pitching
Will the Giants repeat in 2013? The baseball world was amazed that they had won the World Series two out of three years. It would really be magic if they could make it three out of four.
Spring training is seven weeks long this year because of the World Baseball Congress which effects almost every major league team. I am sure it is a money maker or Bud Selig would have never approved of it. Up to eleven Giants will be playing for a number of countries including the United States. The pitchers will be throwing harder earlier which I believe is a real danger. Can't you just see Vogelsong hitting Sandoval in the head. Ah yes, the World Baseball Congress. Thank you Bud!
A look at the team.
Pitching is their strength. Last year their five starters started 160 out of 162 games. Almost unheard of in this ultra modern age. Can they do it again? Hard to believe it is possible. Relief pitching is much stronger than last year. There will be strong competition for the last two relief spots which means strong support in Fresno when someone gets hurt. Are they still tying to sign Lyon from Toronto? (since signed with the Mets) I think Romo got too much in arbitration for this to happen but if they do sign him relief pitching will be awesome.
Infield is solid
1b - Belt will continue to have his bad stretches but I believe there will be fewer and shorter. Needs to play some left field in spring training to give Bochy flexibility. Should hit in the neighborhood of .280 with 15 home runs.
2b - Scutaro can't continue to get a hit every time there is a man on second. But he will be solid.
3b - Sandoval could probably be so much better if he was 20 pounds lighter and have a better chance of avoiding injury. When Sandoval gets hurt it takes him weeks to get his timing back. He will continue to hit regardless of weight but can be move at third?
ss - Crawford. I look for another season of solid fielding some clutch hitting and maybe close to 10 home runs. Average should be close to .250.
Reserves - I expect another solid season from Arias. I wish the Giants signed him for more than one year because there are many teams that would love to have him as their regular ss. A number of players will via to fill the last roster spot. Tony Abreu could be the Arias of 2013.
Posey and Sanchez will do the job behind the plate. Sounds as if they are going to do the same type of shifting as last year with Posey moving to first once or twice a week.
The Giants outfield has a number of questions.
Pagan had a career year last season. He got his money. Now what? .260?
Pence in right field has to start hitting. One way or another he drives in runs but he is no backup for Posey which was proven by Posey's poor batting average in the playoffs.
Blanco and Torres in left. Can't deny they hustle and can play the field. Can they hit? Blanco was a big surprise in the post season doing a great job. Torres did not hit with the Mets either although I understand he hit .280 right handed. Belt will play some left field when the team needs extra hitting. I now understand that Torres is going to play in the WBC. Big mistake. If one of the invited outfielders has a great spring he may be out of a job. Bochy would love to have a right hand hitting outfielder with some power play left field.
Many 'experts' have predicted the Giants batting order which is basically the same as the World Series. Here is my line up that may take to May to implement.
Pagan cf; Scutaro 2b; Belt 1b; Posey c; Sandoval 3b; Pence rf; Gillespie/Blanco lf; Crawford ss.
Homer Sweeney
2/12/2013
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