What Will The Giants Do?

In the coming weeks there will all kinds of speculation on what the Giants will do for next year.  My thoughts as of late August follow:

-  They will keep Pence because if they don't then they will need two outfielders and it's hard enough trying to find one.

-  Torres is gone and Blanco might be back for a spring tryout if he gets a few hits in September.

-  Most people like myself say the Giants first need is a left fielder.   They are giving almost everyone in  the organization a shot at playing that position.  This is not however the Giants top priority which is obtaining a very good starting pitcher.  They want this pitcher to be number 3 behind Cain and Bumgarner.  If Lincecum comes back he will either be # 4 or a relief pitcher and Vogelsong # 5.

- Relief pitching took a big hit this year.  The injuries to Affeldt and Casilla really hurt because it forced other relief pitchers to adopt new roles which turned out to be a disaster.  They will love to resign Lopez but the Dodgers will offer him 10 million which the Giants will not want to match.  Competition for relief pitchers will be fierce in the free agency market making it very difficult to put a very solid staff together.

-  The infield is signed except for Arias who they could lose to free agency.  Scurato's age and back has been a bigger problem then expected.  According to the Giant 'experts' when Scurato's back is bothering him his bat speed slows.  Pablo is the key if he can continue to lose weight and avoid injuries the Giants can challenge almost anyone in the National League.  We look for Belt and Crawford to continue to develop and catching to be great with Posey and Sanchez who hopefully learned his lesson this year.

In summary the Giants will pursue a first class starting pitcher, try to find an outfielder that can hit with some authority and work to develop a solid releif staff.  That's easier said then done.

Homer Sweeney