Where do we go from here...NEXT year.

[klaiggeb]

1-We need a closer. That's the starting point.

But consider... I know we're upset with Evans... but to be fair HE did HIS part.

The pieces he got, did NOT, for the most part.


From there, here's what I see.

1- We're pretty solid at 3B, SS, 2B, and reluctantly, 1B.

Defensively, we're outstanding in the infield. Maybe the best in baseball.

Nunez, was a HUGE boob at SS, but has excelled at 3B.

Flat out excelled!

When healthy, Tomlinson and Adrianza did a nice job as back ups.


2-LF-We need one.

Pagan is 35, and though he's one of the few who got tough in the clutch... his LF defense was not good.

Is Williamson or Parker the answer? Right now, I'm not sure.

What we need is a guy who can hit us 15+ HRs out there, who can play some defense.


3-CF-Span better get back to what he used to be, because what he's done is terrible.

Terrible.

Don't know what his excuse is, and I flat out don't care.

He's reason #3 we went into the tank.


4-Pence-Full Throttle, god I love that nickname, is now a question mark for me. He's mid/early 30's and back-to-back years when he can't stay healthy.

Can he stay healthy all next year?

For me, that's a HUGE question mark.


5-C-Posey improved defensively... but offensively? He's one of the MAIN reason this season is over.

Brown did a nice job backing up.


6-Starting pitching. I really like our top 4, and as a # 5, I can live with Suarez. He was SOOOOOOOOOOOO much better than Cain it's ridiculous.


Don't know about Blach, but I'd like to see more.

7-Bullpen-Has to be some changes. Has to be.

What's up with Osich? Which guy IS he? Last year's light's out flame thrower? Or this year's ball four, ooops there goes another HR?

Romo-When healthy, did a very good job...

Casilla? He'd want too much money. I'd let him walk if that's what he want's.

Law-Closer, or late inning material.

Strickland-A HUGE disappointment for me. Dominant one day... WON'T throw the 2 seamer or breaking balls the next.

Either way, he struggles to locate. He looks to me to be as stubborn as Bochy. He STILL insists he can blow the ball by everyone.

Gearrin-Until he got hurt, he was pretty solid

Lopez-If he doesn't ask for the moon, I'd take him back.

Smith? For what we gave up, we're stuck with him.

Kontos-Good middle guy.

Bottom Line:

Shore up the pen.

GET a LF.

boly

[sfgdood]

I do blame Evans, because when he had a chance to get a closer at the deadline, instead he got us that BUM Smith and he paid through the nose to get him.

[klaiggeb]

Smith was scheduled to be the closer in Milwaukee, Randy, and though I'm not a fan either... it's not Bobby's fault that Span floundered, nor his fault that it took Samardizja so long to pull his out of his fanny.

boly

[Rog]

he got us that BUM Smith


Rog -- Smith is far from a bum. What, you haven't noticed he hasn't given up a run in a month? Don't you watch the games?

[Rog]

1. Closer -- Arguably the team's biggest need. I like the idea of picking up a good set up man or two and have him/them battle it out with Law (or who knows? Maybe Smith and/or Strickland) for the closer position. With those three guys plus maybe Lopez coming back and the two new guys coming in, the Giants should have at least a decent back end.

Or maybe I'd bite the bullet and overpay for one of the free agent closers (Chapman, Melancon, Janssen) or shoot for Brad Ziegler at only seven figures per season.

2. Infield -- Pretty well set. I would at least examine an extension for Nunez a year before free agency.

3. Left field/center field -- Lots of options for a position of clear need. Trumbo tops the power hitting free agent outfielders. Maybe go with a guy like Maybin who could play left if Span returns to form or play center if some combination of Williamson, Parker and Arroyo works in left. Maybe think outside the box and pick up a free agent third baseman such as Turner or Prado, then move Nunez (as good as he's been at third) into the outfield, where he likely could play any of the three positions.

4. Right field -- If the Giants can fill an outfield spot from outside, I think the three young guys could provide an emergency play should Pence go down. I'd consider keeping Blanco for depth, although Hernandez could become the new three-position outfield backup.

5. Catcher -- I think I'd keep Posey around.

6. #5 starter -- I'd look to fill the spot internally.

7. Bullpen -- See closer comments. I think we'll be FAR happier with Smith a year from now than we are now.


Summary: Shoring up the pen and adding another starting outfielder are clearly the top two priorities. I'd explore all options. Free agents are likely to have an even higher cost to value ratio this winter, and most of the top free agents will require losing a draft choice, even as the price of a qualifying offer rises.

Since I see the window of opportunity as perhaps beginning to close, I'd be very open to spending on the free agent market, increasing the Giants' talent pool without giving up talent in return. I'd look to trades primarily for bullpen improvement at a reasonable cost.

I haven't researched the topic, but these are my initial thoughts, which are more stationary then revolutionary.