What Will the 2010 Giants Look Like?

Every once in a while, we like to step back from the season in progress and take a look at the bigger picture. This is a topic that's been on my mind lately. Despite the Giants’ initial success this year, most people who follow the team closely have set 2010 as the year when the team will regain their status as serious contenders. However, the issue of who will actually take the field next spring is still very much up in the air. So much will depend on the performance of players on the current team, the progress of top prospects, and the free agent market. Taking these factors into account, here is a position-by-position breakdown of how the team could shape up.

C: Bengie Molina’s contract is up after 2009, creating a space for 2008 first-round pick Buster Posey, who has been as advertised so far at Class-A San Jose. Some have suggested that Molina should be kept around as a veteran mentor, but a prospect like Posey needs to be playing every day, and I’m not sure Molina would like a part-time role. If the Giants want to keep Posey in the minors for a month or two to begin the season, they might be better off going with a backup-type like Miguel Olivo or Yorvit Torrealba.

1B: This is perhaps the most wide open position on the roster. Travis Ishikawa has not inspired confidence with his performance right now, and who knows where he will be a month from now, much less 2010. The Giants are reportedly floating the idea of moving Pablo Sandoval across the diamond to first. Jesus Guzman, who opened a lot of eyes in Spring Training and has continued to hit well at Triple-A Fresno, could get a look as well. On the free agent market, options include Nick Johnson and Adam LaRoche, who could also be trade targets if the Giants remain in contention.

2B: The Giants have shown a lot of patience will Emmanuel Burriss this year, and they have been rewarded with improved performance over the past couple weeks. Burriss has excellent speed, has shown a decent ability to get on base, and has played an acceptable second base, but his complete lack of power makes him more suitable as a role player. If Brian Sabean decides he wants a more potent bat, he could go for Orlando Hudson or Felipe Lopez.

3B: Like first base, this one is up in the air. Pablo Sandoval has a future with this team, but it may not be at third. If Sandoval is moved, there are not a lot of inspiring internal options. Adrian Beltre has been linked to the Giants in trade rumors in the past, and he will probably be the best available free agent. Conor Gillaspie, currently at San Jose, is the best third base prospect in the organization, and could see big league action at some point next year.

SS: Barring injury or historically poor performance, Edgar Renteria is pretty much locked in as the starter next year, with Brandon Crawford maybe stepping up in 2011.

LF: For all the talk of a slump, Fred Lewis is still getting on base at a .390 clip. But if his power does not develop and his strikeouts continue to pile up, his role may be that of a fourth outfielder. Even though he’s only been in the league a couple years, Lewis is 28. He’s not going to develop much more as a player. There will be some big bats available this offseason, most notably Matt Holliday and Jason Bay.

CF: Like it or not, the Giants are pretty much stuck with Aaron Rowand in center field. Unless Sabean can find someone willing to take on his contract, Rowand will be out there again in 2010.

RF: Randy Winn’s tenure in right field will likely come to an end this season, and whoever takes over will have big shoes to fill. The Giants hope it will be Nate Schierholtz, but there are doubts about his ability to consistently hit big-league pitching, and he may be more suited to a bench role. If the Giants choose the free agent route, they will have a hard time finding anyone who can cover as much ground in right as Winn, as the market is full of aging, defense-averse sluggers like Vladimir Guerrero, Bobby Abreu, and Brian Giles. Xavier Nady has been linked to the Giants in the past, and if healthy could be an option.

SP: Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Barry Zito, and Jonathan Sanchez will all be under contract, and if all of them return, that leaves only one spot to fill. A lot depends on the development of Madison Bumgarner and Tim Alderson, both of whom were recently promoted to Double-A. If the Giants feel that one or both are ready to step into the rotation, they could look to trade Sanchez or even Cain in the right deal. As good as Matt Cain can be, if the Giants were offered the kind of haul that the Orioles got for Erik Bedard or the A’s got for Dan Haren, they could be tempted. Kevin Pucetas, Joe Martinez, and Henry Sosa could also battle for a spot in Spring Training. Whatever the case, it appears unlikely the Giants will need to bring in a free agent to fill out the rotation.

RP: Trying to imagine what a bullpen will look almost a year before the season is a fruitless exercise, but here’s what we know: Brian Wilson will likely still be closing games, and he will be supported by Jeremy Affeldt in the second year of his contract. If Sergio Romo comes back and pitches like he did last year, he should be there too. Bob Howry could be brought back if he continues to pitch well. Other free agents include John Grabow, Fernando Rodney, Kevin Gregg, and Joe Beimel. Within the organization, Osiris Matos and Alex Hinshaw should still be around, while Sosa and Waldis Joaquin could be dark horse candidates.

Now back to the real world.

-C.B.