A Giant Step Nowhere

San Francisco Giants 2007 Record 71-91 (5th in NL West)
2008 Prediction: 5th in NL West


In

• Aaron Rowand (PHI)- signed to a 5 year, $60 million contract - 12/12/06
  
• Omar Vizquel (SF) - resigned to a $5.3 million contract with a club option for 2009 - 11/9/07
  
• Victor Santos (BAL) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/11/08
  

Out

• Pedro Feliz (PHI) - signed to a 2 year, $8.5 million contract contract - 1/31/08
  

Remaining Free Agents

• Barry Bonds
  
• Ryan Klesko
  
• Russ Ortiz
  

Projected Opening Day Starters
C - Bengie Molina
1B - Rich Aurilia
2B - Ray Durham
3B - Kevin Frandsen
SS - Omar Vizquel
LF - Fred Lewis/Dave Roberts
CF - Aaron Rowand
RF - Randy Winn

Projected Opening Day Rotation
Barry Zito
Tim Lincecum
Matt Cain
Noah Lowry
Jonathan Sanchez

Projected Opening Day Closer
Brian Wilson


Improvements: The Giants were able to make one key acquisition this offseason, reeling in free agent center fielder Aaron Rowand. In Rowand, the Giants finally get a big bat in their lineup, not named Barry. Not to mention a terrific center fielder. And not having Bonds and his baggage will be an improvement of sorts as well.
Lack of improvements: The signing of Zito really put a lock on the Giants' back account, and thus they were not able to cash in on any other free agent other than Rowand. So, the rotation, bullpen and lineup all remain the same (or become worse, as they did manage to lose Bonds and Pedro Feliz to free agency). While the Giants won't miss Bonds' "publicity", they will miss his presence in the lineup. Even at 43 years of age, he still can strike fear into the hearts of pitchers and baseballs everywhere. And whether he juiced or not, he can still be a threat in any lineup.
Keys to success: One positive note the Giants have going for them is their young talent. Kids like Rajai Davis, Fred Lewis, Dan Ortmeier, Nate Schierholtz, and Kevin Frandsen will all likely have regular playing time in 2008. Not to mention the young arms of the pitch staff - Cain, Lowry, Lincecum, Jonathan Sanchez, Brian Wilson and recently acquired Jose Capellan. But these young kids are going to have to show some major maturity in the Major Leagues, or the Giants could be seeing the basement a lot in the next several seasons.