Post by Rog on Apr 4, 2015 15:00:21 GMT -5
Everyone here has his take on the Giants this season. There are always a lot of variables entering a season, and the Giants have their share. But here goes:
Rotation -- I'm probably more optimistic than most. Even Bumgarner has the innings pitched last season question. But I think most of them will be answered favorably. The Giants now have decent depth with Vogelsong, Petit and Heston, plus a couple more not too far away. Injuries and other factors could mean they have to eat into that depth, but Vogelsong and perhaps Petit are proven at an acceptable level. Grade B-
Bullpen -- Including Petit, the top five are back; Vogelson has been switched; and both Machi and Kontos have shown some mettle in their battle for the final spot. The bullpen is aging though, so its slow slide from a very high level is likely to continue. Grade B+
Catcher -- Probably the league's best. Grade A
Infield -- Should be Belt's season; Panik has a beautiful swing that shouldn't radically decline; Crawford is fine afield and improving with the bat; McGehee is the question mark, and even he drove in more runs than any Giant except Posey. Grade B
Outfield -- The three outfielders have been consistent with the exception of Pagan's health. Except for Pence, a nondescript group, but they have won two World Series with Blanco as a starter. Grade B-
Bench -- Reasonable depth, with Blanco a performer and Maxwell, Duffy and Susac (later) intriguing. Duffy is taking fly balls. Grade B
That sounds like a 2nd-place or in the tough NL West in an odd year, quite possibly 3rd.
Mid-season trade likely, probably for an outfielder and/or starting pitcher. Surprisingly, bullpen a possibility. Sacramento pitching will be important in building trade assets. I don't think the Giants would have made a significant trade last season if not for Cain's being elbowed out of the rotation.
Playoffs: 50/50 at best. Keys: Brandon Belt and the rotation. (A healthy return by Pence is assumed.)
Rotation -- I'm probably more optimistic than most. Even Bumgarner has the innings pitched last season question. But I think most of them will be answered favorably. The Giants now have decent depth with Vogelsong, Petit and Heston, plus a couple more not too far away. Injuries and other factors could mean they have to eat into that depth, but Vogelsong and perhaps Petit are proven at an acceptable level. Grade B-
Bullpen -- Including Petit, the top five are back; Vogelson has been switched; and both Machi and Kontos have shown some mettle in their battle for the final spot. The bullpen is aging though, so its slow slide from a very high level is likely to continue. Grade B+
Catcher -- Probably the league's best. Grade A
Infield -- Should be Belt's season; Panik has a beautiful swing that shouldn't radically decline; Crawford is fine afield and improving with the bat; McGehee is the question mark, and even he drove in more runs than any Giant except Posey. Grade B
Outfield -- The three outfielders have been consistent with the exception of Pagan's health. Except for Pence, a nondescript group, but they have won two World Series with Blanco as a starter. Grade B-
Bench -- Reasonable depth, with Blanco a performer and Maxwell, Duffy and Susac (later) intriguing. Duffy is taking fly balls. Grade B
That sounds like a 2nd-place or in the tough NL West in an odd year, quite possibly 3rd.
Mid-season trade likely, probably for an outfielder and/or starting pitcher. Surprisingly, bullpen a possibility. Sacramento pitching will be important in building trade assets. I don't think the Giants would have made a significant trade last season if not for Cain's being elbowed out of the rotation.
Playoffs: 50/50 at best. Keys: Brandon Belt and the rotation. (A healthy return by Pence is assumed.)