The S . fransisco Giants are winning. In basic terms. That being said, i am still in the infant stage in the 2013 season. The Giants have sole played 38 games out of 162.
The reigning World Series champs enjoyed a relatively quiet offseason and new season training, as general administrator Brian Sabean focused generally on locking up existing players to multi-year prices. This strategy appears to get working, as the The big boys currently sit atop a NL West, two games above the Arizona Diamondbacks.
However, these early weeks of the 2013 season have revealed the Giants do have sectors of need moving forward. Most needs (starting pitching.... dare I say it? ) requires front-office attention as that playoff race begins.
Sabean contains a history of shopping for players around the trade deadline. In 2012, he made pivotal techniques that ultimately paid dividends on the tune of a Country Series victory. Right fielder Hunter Pence and second baseman Marco Scutaro were welcome additions with the roster and became immediate leaders with the clubhouse.
Who will be the "blockbuster trade" for your Giants in 2013? Previous season, the Giants needed a veteran presence within the infield and a spark plug within the outfield. Scutaro and Pence available both.
The Giants' starting rotation has underwhelmed in most cases this season. While the core is improving, notching three consecutive winning decisions in their most recent series resistant to the Atlanta Braves, they have struggled you eat up innings.
Pitcher Madison Bumgarner is actually the team's most consistent man relating to the mound, posting a two. 18 ERA in eight starts. Opening Day starter Matt Cain appears to be back on track from dismal start to the growing season, and perpetual anchor Barry Zito has posted respectable numbers so far.
However, it isn't entirely realistic to assume Zito will continue his success. And while Bumgarner and Cain should finish the season strong, there are too many question marks remaining inside Giants' rotation. Ryan Vogelsong is suffering with a disastrous stretch this began during his previous 10 starts of 2012 and possesses carried over into this season.
CSN Bay Area's Tim Baggerly reports—or rather fantasizes—that the Giants could create a play for Phillies genius Cliff Lee.
"The Phillies' $165 million payroll may be the third largest in the adventure, after the Dodgers in addition to Yankees, and they're 15-18 with a aging roster that doesn't glance anywhere near firm enough to compete with the Braves and Nationals inside the NL East. No, it's dislike they're buried in your division already. But their minus-30 run differential may be the third worst in that NL, behind the Marlins together with Dodgers. "
Okay, the concept might be a lengthen, but the possible add-on of another starting pitcher prior to the trade deadline is less... far-fetched.
Securing a playoff-worthy starter through the trade deadline is not an easy task, making Baggerly's reasoning even more valid. The Giants should target teams who end up out of contention by way of the All-Star break and need to reduce payroll.
On the list of top 10 highest payrolls, the teams who may be on the verge associated with unloading upper-tier players add some Boston Red Sox, the Los Angeles Angels associated with Anaheim and the Philadelphia Phillies. The Red Sox pitching workers is performing well earlier what anyone expected going into the season—but who knows how long this will be sustained. The Phillies surely have Cliff Lee and Push Utley trade rumors hovering around, and the Angels' decision to spend some money on bats as in opposition to pitching is nipping them inside the bud.
According to Jon Heyman involving CBSSports. com, there are plenty of starting pitchers who found themselves on the trading block. Cliff Lee's name is featured in the list, as are ex- Cy Young winners Jesse Price and R. Some sort of. Dickey.
"If none of those three former Cy Teen winners ever reaches a trade market, though, you will have more quantity than top quality. Without that top-of-the-rotation trio, there should certainly a decent-sized number with available arms. A small number of slow-starting, big-market teams possess proven starters (i. i the Cubs, Blue Jays, together with Angels) and that group, a mixture of mostly mid-to-back-end guys plus veterans relating to the downside could be enhanced in case your couple more name entrepreneurs (most notably Josh Johnson and Matt Garza) can make it back from health issues to signify they're ready to become a member of the fray by 06 or July. "
The Giants should move with caution in contemplating a trade for examples of the names on this directory. Potentially available pitchers including Josh Johnson (0-1 using a 6. 86 ERA) are risky investments to say the least.
The Chicago Cubs are an interesting possible trade partner. A team aiming to rebuild, they could quite simply prioritize up-and-coming younger natural talent over more veteran workhorses. Pitcher Travis Wood is definitely enticing option: this time of year, he's 4-2 with a 2. 03 ERA. Hardwood has youth (28) together with enough MLB experience (four years) to be able to merit trade deadline thing to consider.
Sabean is not scared of trading for proven veterans which has a track record (Carlos Beltran with 2011, Pence and Scutaro within 2012, etc) in alternate for potential young natural talent. While the Giants have wanted to add a bat before, this year Sabean would likely repeat the pattern—but for any pitcher instead.
Another section of concern for the Giants moving forward comes out of positioned field... both figuratively in addition to literally. Gregor Blanco is getting a solid case for himself all this time. He is currently batting a decent. 289 in 90 at-bats and has now also performed well defensively.
Nevertheless, the Giants lack power in the historically powerful position. Sabean did sign outfielder Andres Torres with the offseason, but the new (and former) Giant does little to ease the problem. Furthermore, the Giants convey more scheduled games at American League ballparks—causing your requirement for an extra hitter inside the DH spot.
An outfielder who not necessarily hit meant for average but adds power potential on the lineup would be an asset to Bay area.
All this being claimed, the Giants are currently playing good baseball. The holes in their lineup are shrinking, especially if first baseman Brandon Belt and the bottom half of the batting order are capable of break out.
Hopefully, the starting rotation works through the kinks. Tim Lincecum dazzled with his May 12th start with offensively potent Atlanta Braves. If Vogelsong is capable of turning things around, the need for a fifth or sixth starter becomes less critical.
If the problem is still there, look for Sabean to make a trade before the contract. The Marco Scutaro exchange was truly the blockbuster switch of 2012. Here's hoping lightning can strike twice for any G-men.
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