NewsIf only offense matched the pitching ...
Finding impact bat to be front, center for Giants this winter
By Chris Haft / MLB.com
10/05/09 2:13 AM ET
Priority No. 1 for the Giants this offseason: Find an impact hitter. Priority No. 2: Find a guy who can hit. Priority No. 3: You've figured it out by now, haven't you? It's often said that good pitching beats good hitting. The Giants would agree with that, but they'd probably add that within a club, weak hitting undermines good pitching. San Francisco reaped the benefits of one of the Majors' best pitching staffs all season. But the Giants ranked 13th in the National League in scoring and last in the Major Leagues in OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage), nullifying much of the pitching. The Giants posted a fabulous 66-15 record when they scored at least four runs, demonstrating how they could thrive with just an average offensive output. The Giants won't have to be picky in their search for a bat. They have enough personnel flexibility to accommodate virtually anybody they add regardless of what position he plays. For example, Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco's best hitter who played primarily third base, could move to first if the Giants obtained a hard-hitting third baseman. Money will be tight for the Giants, as is the case for most other clubs. They'll gain some payroll flexibility by shedding the salaries of free agents Randy Winn ($8.25 million in 2009), Randy Johnson ($8 million), Bengie Molina ($6 million), Noah Lowry ($4.5 million), Bob Howry ($2.75 million), Rich Aurilia ($1 million) and Juan Uribe ($1 million), and the already-released Dave Roberts ($6 million). But those gains will be offset by the raises several players will receive as they enter salary arbitration for the first time, most notably Tim Lincecum, Brian Wilson and Jonathan Sanchez. Lincecum appears destined to receive one of the highest salaries awarded through arbitration unless he and the Giants agree on a multiyear deal. Sanchez, frequently mentioned in trade rumors, likely will be subjected to them again as speculation arises regarding whether the Giants can swap pitching for hitting. Even Matt Cain, who ascended to All-Star status in 2009, probably will continue to be mentioned as a bargaining chip should the Giants opt to make a blockbuster deal for a hitter. More than likely, the Giants will hold on to Cain, who combines with Lincecum to give them one of the best 1-2 pitching combination in the Majors. Under one scenario, next year's Giants could look a lot like this year's club. They could re-sign second baseman Freddy Sanchez, retain Uribe to play third base, bring back Molina somehow and leave a corner outfield spot open for John Bowker or Nate Schierholtz. Or they could remake their projected lineup entirely, which might be their only choice if Sanchez, Uribe and Molina all flee through free agency. There's no such thing as a boring offseason. After climbing back above .500 in 2009, the Giants' efforts to build upon that success should prove even more compelling. Contract issuesFree agents: Randy Winn, OF; Randy Johnson, LHP; Bengie Molina, C; Bob Howry, RHP; Rich Aurilia, INF; Juan Uribe, INF; Brad Penny, RHP.
Eligible for arbitration: Tim Lincecum, RHP; Brian Wilson, RHP; Jonathan Sanchez, LHP; Ryan Garko, 1B.
Player options: None.
Club options: Noah Lowry, LHP, $6.25 million; Freddy Sanchez, 2B, $8 million.
Non-tender possibilities: Garko.
Catchers
• Bengie Molina, .265 BA, 20 HRs, 80 RBIs
• Eli Whiteside, .228 BA, 2 HRs, 13 RBIs
• Buster Posey, .325 BA, 18 HRs, 80 RBIs (A/AAA)
The Giants value Molina's contributions, but they are unlikely to sign him to another three-year deal, though Posey, with only one year of professional experience, probably isn't ready yet to catch regularly in the Majors. San Francisco could be on the lookout for a capable journeyman.
First base• Travis Ishikawa, .261 BA, 9 HRs, 39 RBIs
• Ryan Garko, .268 BA, 13 HRs, 51 RBIs (CLE/SF)
Garko was acquired shortly before the Trade Deadline to bolster the Giants' offense. He didn't. Ishikawa is superb defensively, but he doesn't fit the position's power-hitting prototype. The Giants could be on the prowl for an upgrade here.
Second base• Freddy Sanchez, .293 BA, 7 HRs, 41 RBIs
• Emmanuel Burriss, .238 BA, 0 HRs, 13 RBIs
• Kevin Frandsen, .140 BA, 0 HRs, 1 RBIs
The Giants face a decision regarding Sanchez, who underwent arthroscopic left knee surgery in late September to repair a torn meniscus. The injury isn't considered serious, so if the Giants don't want to pick up his option, they could offer him a more economical multiyear deal.
Shortstop• Edgar Renteria, .250 BA, 5 HRs, 48 RBIs
• Juan Uribe, .289 BA, 16 HRs, 55 RBIs
The Giants are pretty much committed to Renteria, who'll enter the second year of a two-year, $18.5 million deal. They'll pray that the surgery he underwent to remove bone spurs and chips from his right elbow will enable him to come back strong. Uribe, who took over at short when Renteria was sidelined, likely would play third if he's re-signed.
Third base• Pablo Sandoval, .330 BA, 25 HRs, 90 RBIs
The Giants have a budding All-Star in Sandoval, 23. They're also aware that his growth potential could spread from his talent to his gut, so the athletic training staff will monitor his weight carefully during the offseason.
Outfield• Randy Winn, .262 BA, 2 HRs, 51 RBIs
• Aaron Rowand, .261 BA, 15 HRs, 64 RBIs
• Nate Schierholtz, .267 BA, 5 HRs, 29 RBIs
• John Bowker, .194 BA, 2 HRs, 7 RBIs
• Fred Lewis, .258 BA, 4 HRs, 20 RBIs
• Eugenio Velez, .267 BA, 5 HRs, 31 RBIs
• Andres Torres, .270 BA, 6 HRs, 23 RBIs
With three years left on his contract, Rowand isn't going anywhere. But Winn's unlikely to be re-signed. Schierholtz, who has shown flashes of brilliance, and Bowker, who excelled at Triple-A Fresno, could get longer looks. Velez might fit at second base if Sanchez isn't retained, and Torres could return as a super sub.
Rotation• Tim Lincecum, 15-7, 2.48 ERA
• Matt Cain, 14-8, 2.89 ERA
• Barry Zito, 10-13, 4.03 ERA
• Jonathan Sanchez, 8-12, 4.24 ERA
• Brad Penny, 11-9, 4.88 ERA (BOS/SF)
• Randy Johnson, 8-6, 4.88 ERA
• Joe Martinez, 3-2, 7.50 ERA
• Madison Bumgarner, 12-2, 1.85 ERA (AAA/AA)
Lincecum and Cain are the envy of the league. Zito, who sustained another encouraging second half, has four years left on his contract. Sanchez's July 10 no-hitter against San Diego reflects his vast skill. Penny was the best of San Francisco's midseason acquisitions, but he could be expensive to re-sign. Johnson, who won his 300th game in a Giants uniform, hasn't decided whether he wants to pitch next year at age 46. Bumgarner, the organization's top pitching prospect, could vault into the rotation. Martinez should contend for the No. 5 starting spot.
Bullpen• Brian Wilson, 5-6, 2.74 ERA, 38 saves
• Jeremy Affeldt, 2-2, 1.73 ERA
• Bob Howry, 2-6, 3.39 ERA
• Sergio Romo, 3.97 ERA, 2 saves
• Brandon Medders, 5-1, 3.01 ERA, 1 save
• Dan Runzler, 0-0, 1.04 ERA
• Merkin Valdez, 2-1, 5.66 ERA
• Waldis Joaquin, 0-0, 4.22 ERA
• Justin Miller, 3-3, 3.18 ERA
Affeldt and Wilson became a formidable setup/closer combination. Expect Romo and Runzler to occupy more prominent roles. Middle relievers tend to be disposable, but the Giants might consider re-signing Medders. The hard-throwing Joaquin has a chance to make the 2010 Opening Day roster.
Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
