Last Year: Despite Barry
Bonds' record-breaking season, the Giants were unable to make the playoffs.
Another close finish led to some major changes over the offseason by GM
Brian Sabean, who hopes that this retooled club can challenge again for the
NL West title.Infield: Jeff Kent had another solid season in
2001, but he wasn't quite up to his usual standards. Kent's 22 HR and
106 RBI were very good, but off the pace of his usual 30-120 seasons.
Part of that can be attributed to the lack of a solid #5 hitter behind him
last year. His double-play partner, Rich Aurilia, broke out with a
.324, 37 HR, 97 RBI season. His emergence surprised many, as he had
been a quiet .280, 20 HR, 80 RBI player before. A main reason for his
increase in production is the amount of fastballs he saw hitting in front of
Bonds. At first base, JT Snow was hurt for much of the season due to
injuries, but still struggled when healthy. While Benito Santiago put
together a great season in terms of his physical shape at the young age of
37 (last year), he also hit into many double plays, forcing Dusty Baker to
drop him down in the lineup. The Giants' 3rd base woes last season
(Russ Davis, Pedro Feliz, and Ramon Martinez all struggled) are solved with
the addition of David Bell, who brings a solid glove and good average to the
table.
Outfield: The D-Backs acquired Mike Myers. The Dodgers
brought back Jesse Orosco. Former Giant Alan Embree is on the San
Diego Padres now. Veteran Kent Mercker has joined the Rockies.
What do these 4 eclectic pitchers have in common? #1: They are all
lefties. #2: They were all acquired after last season. #3: They
will all have to stop Barry Bonds. Bonds' 73 HR season fueled a
scramble for left-handed pitching, from Alan Embree (7.33 ERA) to Jesse
Orosco (45 years old). However, Bonds did more without the bat than
with the bat, drawing a record 177 walks, leading to a major league record
1379% OPS. He also scored 129 runs, and threw in a "low": 13 steals.
Riiiiiight... anyway, the rest of the Giants' outfield is new. Reggie
Sanders has been stolen from the Diamondbacks, because of his 33 HR season.
Tsuyoshi Shinjo will play center, and while he doesn't have the hitting of
Marvin Benard (that's sad), he can field and save more runs than Benard can
in the outfield.
Bench: Marvin Benard will still get some playing time in
the outfield, because Bonds and Sanders are old, and Shinjo struggles with
the bat. Supersub Shawon Dunston can still play in the infield and
outfield. Ramon Martinez struggled in his first opportunity to play
fulltime, but hit .302 two years ago. Damon Minor provides power off
the bench, and Pedro Feliz is still the 3rd baseman of the future.
Yorvit Torrealba will see a lot of playing time backing up the aching
Santiago.
Starting 5: "Ace" Livan Hernandez led the NL in hits allowed.
His 13-15 record and 5.24 ERA can be attributed to his bulging, 260+ lb
weight. Russ Ortiz has proven to be a top-notch starter. Though
he isn't dominating and is susceptible to control problems, Ortiz has
polished his mindset and could get 20 wins. Kirk Rueter has one of the
best winning percentages of a lefty in the last several years. #4
Jason Schmidt has battled injury problems, but was dominating in 11 starts
for the Giants (7-1, 3.39 ERA). Prized prospect Kurt Ainsworth will
get many chances at winning the #5 job.
Bullpen: Robb Nen has been "lights-out" material the last several
years. Few pitchers have the unhittable slider that he has.
Felix Rodriguez has become the top set-up man in baseball. His 9-1,
1.68 ERA has proved to himself that he has what it takes to become a
top-notch closer. Aaron Fultz and Jason Christiansen will be the main
lefties, and Tim Worrell, Jay Witasick, and Ryan Jensen will handle other
duties.
Conclusion: This team is still getting older, but the moves they
made over the offseason may be enough to push them to a playoff birth.
However, they lack the overall lineup balance and ace pitchers that a team
like Houston or Arizona has.
