Who Will Return?

The Giants took off from Phoenix after taking the series from the DBacks 2 game to 1 and on the mind of many of the players is the question, who will return next February to Scottsdale?  That's the question that will be answered over the next few month by Sabean and his crew.  Many feel Sandoval will be  traded since this is his contract year and even though he has lost nearly 25 lbs they can't trust him.  Even with the less poundage he hasn't really hit like the 'old' Panda.  I believe the Panda and Pence will be back along with the infield.  Changes will definitely be made in the pitching staff and the Giants would certainly want a new look in left field.  Many Giant farm hands are being given the opportunity to fill the void in left field but so far all have failed.

Will Lincecum return?  That's really the biggest question this fall.  If Lincecum pitches like he did Friday in Phoenix in the Giants 1-0 win he will be in demand and at least a couple to teams will offer him more then the Giants feel he is worth.  So in one sense you don't want him to be the old great Lincecum  in September.  If on the other hand he gets belted during the final month his demand will be low and perhaps even the Giants will lose interest.  So we don't want him to be too lousy either.  Lincecum will  return to Giants only if he has a mediocre so so month of September like he has pitched most of the season in which many teams lose interest and the Giants can fit him him in their budget.

All year long I have complained about Scurado bunting every time a batter leads off an inning with a double.  He did it again last Friday in the first inning.  This time however Belt hit a fly deep enough in center to score Payton from third for the only run of the game.  So look for Scurado in the future to continue the practice of bunting with a man on second and none out.  I have always maintained its the batter's responsibilty to knock in the run not just move the runner over to third were many times he dies as anyone who has watches baseball regularly can attest.

Homer Sweeney