On the Road to October: Giant Problems

So yes, among many other things, some people would consider me knowledgeable in the realm of Major League Baseball, and thus we'll today breakdown the 2009 San Francisco Giants...

2008 result: 72-90, 4th place

2009 outlook: What the hell is Brian Sabean still doing with a job? That is the question I want people to think about. For god sake, the man is an idiot. And yet, somehow, the Giants aren't the worst team in baseball.

 So here is what 2009 looks like. They have a very solid rotation, fronted by the best trio of young hurlers in the National League. They have Randy Johnson to provide another solid campaign. And they have Barry Zito, the most overpaid player in Baseball history. 

And they still don't have an offense. Yes, Renteria was overpaid, and he is not a godsend, but at least he's an upgrade at shortstop. But they continue to be plagued by horrendous deals. Fred Lewis could play center, as could Randy Winn, but instead we get 4 more years and 48 more million dollars of Aaron Rowand. What the hell was Sabean thinking when he signed that deal?

Basically, here is the deal. Rowand isn't going anywhere, and Lewis shouldn't be going anywhere, but Randy Winn certainly does have some value to a team that needs a center fielder...(Yankees, anyone?) I don't understand why the Giants didn't spend some money and sign a guy like..idk...Pat Burrell? Bobby Abreu? Adam Dunn? They play a corner, and they can hit.

Then we move to the infield. So, I would love this little chubby kid Sandoval to make it behind the plate, that would allow Sabean to deal Molina to a team that DESPERATELY needs a catcher (cough, Red Sox, cough, Yankees!). But, assuming that isn't an option, at least fill the other corner infield spot with, wait for it, someone who hits enough to warrant it. (That person is NOT Rich Aurilia). Again, why wouldn't Sabean sign someone like Joe Crede (who signed with the Twins) and let Sandoval play first? Or, again, sign Adam Dunn at what, 2 years and 25 million and let him play first, and have Sandoval handle the hot corner. I don't understand. Sabean has obviously felt comfortable handing out contracts that DETRACT from the quality of his ball club, but when he has chances to make deals that WILL help the club, at non-outrageous prices, he should be slapped for doing nothing. 

He did work to quietly strengthen the bullpen, bringing in Bob Howry and lefty Affeldt. And added to the homegrown options, Romo, Sadler, Brian Wilson, Taschner, its not an awful group. Noah Lowry would further add both rotation and bullpen insurance, if he's healthy. 

But right now, this team is not good enough to win. This team isn't even good enough for second place. Lincecum, Cain, Sanchez, and Johnson can only carry this squad so far. And while I am excited to see Top, Top, TOP, prospect Madison Bumgarner and Buster Posey arrive in SF in the near future, they still need some seasoning. 

So, his options are...

1) Let the team ride as is...and finish third or fourth. 

2) Bankrupt the farm system again by trading youth for marginal major leaguers (NOT AN OPTION)

3) look to upgrade the infield and bullpen through thriftiness. Keith Foulke is still available, and 1B Nick Johnson could probably be had for a solid price from the Nats. Check out Melvin Mora, or Mike Lowell. But be safe. DO NOT damage the future of the club to MAYBE compete for the division this year. 

If only Billy Beane worked on the other side of the bay...