Giantsblog

Wouldn’t all MLB managers like to have the luxury Bruce Bochy has as the Giants manager this 2011 season? With position players now present, there are numerous candidates looking to be the Giants Opening Day left-fielder. As of now, there are six possible names that could play LF, and even the other two outfield positions. I can already sense envy from managers around the league towards Bochy. The names at the moment that have been mentioned and/or considered include Pat Burrell, Aubrey Huff, Mark DeRosa, Nate Schierholtz, Andres Torres, and Aaron Rowand.

I however would not want to be in Bochy’s position; having to decide and constantly be bombarded with questioned of what the outfield alignment will look like Opening Night. With most of the infield spots already filled up, it is going to be difficult to make everyone on this team happy with playing time. Most of the guys are ultimately going to end up as utility guys, playing to give a guy rest or if someone suffers a prolonged injury.

This is where having Mark DeRosa is significant for San Francisco. DeRosa is very talented and/or athletic at any position. If Bochy wanted, everyday he could give one of his guaranteed infielders the day off and play DeRosa. DeRosa I think also could prove to be key playing in the shallow right-field position that is AT&T Park. As for the other players, Bochy has his hands full.

The ideal outfield cast if I was managing the Giants would place Pat Burrell in LF and Aaron Rowand in CF as these are their ideal positions where they are the most experienced and versatile and can give the most productivity every day. In RF, I think I would give Cody Ross the nod for Opening Night to see if he carries the offense he had in the post-season. However, I would watch every second of Spring Training to see if Ross or Nate Schierholtz is a better candidate to fill the role of everyday right-fielder. Best of luck to Bruce.

With Spring Training now officially underway this past Monday as pitchers and catchers reported, let’s take a look at the San Francisco Giants chances of repeating as World Series Champions this 2011 season.

Aside from infielder Juan Uribe being released for Miguel Tejada this offseason, the Giants enter this season with most of the team that now possesses a Championship ring.

The face of the franchise, starting pitcher Tim Lincecum, looks to redeem his 16 win season from last year, which was his lowest in four years.  Matt Cain, Barry Zito and Jonathan Sanchez will respectively fill the roles of the number two through four starters for the Giants.  All four starting pitchers last season each started 33 games, and complied 51 of the Giants 92 victories in 2011.  With Madison Bumgarner the likely fifth starter, the Giants have a fantastic and fairly young rotation that will dominate the National League alongside the Philadelphia Phillies aces.

While the current talk is of the Phillies starters, let’s not forget the numbers Giants pitchers had last season.  Giants pitchers dominated the majors, leading in team ERA (3.36), batting average (.236) and strikeouts (1,331).

Of course the Giants also have closer Brian Wilson who had an outstanding season with 48 saves, 93 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.81.  Wilson will bring that same intensity and domination he had in the post-season (1-0, 6 SV, 0.00 ERA) into the 2011 season.

Now, while pitching is vital to victories, batting is what truly wins games.  The Giants will also succeed in this category with veteran leadership.  Cody Ross will not shine as he did during the post-season, but, those numbers will linger in a pitchers mind every time Ross steps to the plate.  Pat Burrell will be a threat too as he usually gives his team a 20-plus home run season.  If the Giants can get respectable production out of Miguel Tejada it will take some of the pressure off the other infielders.  Finally, a healthy Mark DeRosa is a great asset to this team that will only make them stronger and more dangerous all season long; so long as he stays healthy.  Not only is DeRosa a leader, but he is an extremely dependable position player.  During his last year for the Chicago Cubs, DeRosa nearly played every position, besides catcher and pitcher, as he had to fill in for a consistently injured Cubs team and did so without any complaints.  While his numbers are not off the charts, his leadership and dependability at all positions is why DeRosa is sought after by all teams.

As for repeating. The Giants have all the pieces present to repeat and be the first to do since the New York Yankees did so from 1998 to 2000.  San Francisco will win the West in dominant fashion.  However, having to face and beat the Phillies four aces (Halladay, Oswalt, Hamels and Lee) in a post-season series might prove to be too difficult of a task to accomplish.  Even if they catch one on an off night, the other three are waiting to get the next start and bounce the team back with a strong victory.  If the Giants survive a playoff encounter against Philadelphia, the Giants will repeat.