When new ownership took over the Dodgers and pledged unlimited resources to win the Giants ignored it saying we have to run our own team. They better not ignore it anymore and take a good look at their budget. That's the first step.
How the Giants won last year with out much power is still a mystery to me other then the fact great pitching covers many sins. The great pitching is gone meaning that the Giants top two needs are pitching and power hitting.
The needs are easy to determine but fixing them is another story and may be impossible at least for a couple of years. However, I would not dismantle the team and would build from the strengths they do have. These suggestions I believe are reasonable.
The number one needs is a power hitting left fielder. The answer this year was signing Torres. They need a left fielder that can scare people. Vida Blue has said on a number of occasions in the pre-game show that the Giants lineup does not scare him. A power hitter in the lineup makes everybody better. Then you can afford to have a first baseman that hits only ten home runs
A power hitter makes Pence a better hitter. He has always hit well when he has good hitters around him. He wants to play with the Giants so I think they can sign him for the future even though some teams may out bid them. Pagan has been signed for years to play center field and his absence from the lineup has hurt the team this year.
Next years pitching staff has Cain and Bumgardner to anchor them. Hopefully Vogelsong and Goudain can pitch adequately. Zito will be gone and so will Lincecum most likely. They will need to obtain a fifth starter and up grade their relief staff.
The infield is under contract so will probably remain the same. Belt has been a big disappointment but there only choice is to move Sandoval or Posey to first full time. Pill proved that he is not the answer. Scudaro with a bad back will be at second, Crawford at short even though his play has dropped off in recent weeks. Arias will most likely be signed by another team to be a shortstop. I am not sure if Arias played everyday that he would be better then Crawford.
When Sandoval hits the Giants are a different team. They need him. He has to be told how he has let the team down this year by being out of shape which has caused injuries, poor fielding and lack of power hitting. We knew this year he would be out of shape because he was the MVP of the World Series even though he was way over weight. Major league teams have to take chances and the Giants will need to continue to take a chance with Sandoval.
Posey will continue to be the catcher and one of the best players in the league and perhaps Sanchez has learned his lesson and will report in shape this year and not turn into another Sandoval.
Homer Sweeney
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