2008 San Francisco Giants Baseball Preview

The San Francisco Giants (71- 91) will be without Barry Bonds, Ryan Kiesko and Russ Ortiz. However, during the off-season, they made one big signing—centerfielder Aaron Rowand, a free agent formerly with Philadelphia. This is neither good nor bad since the fate of the baseball team by the bay looks to be about the same as it has been for the past three years—70-something wins.

Although the pitching staff was ranked fifth in ERA (4.19), they were 14th in wins and 12th in saves. Matt Cain (7- 16, 3.65 ERA, 163 SO) saw the bullpen blow five saves in is starts. Cain works his fastball on both sides of the plate and compliments it with a tight curve and effective changeup. Last season lefty Barry Zito (11- 13, 4.53 ERA, 131 SO) did not reach 200 IP for the first time in seven years. Zito has been ineffective of late. Can he get his stuff back? Lefty Nic Lowry (14- 8, 3.92 ERA, 87 SO), who was shutdown August 29 with a mild strain in his left elbow, has a tailing 88 mph fastball. He mixes it well with a tough changeup and biting slider. Brad Hennessey and Brian Wilson both have the potential to close.

The addition of Rowand (.309 BA, 27 HR, 89 RBI) should help the team generate more runs and elevate the club’s low OB%. Switch-hitter Randy Win (.300 BA, 14 HR, 65 RBI) can be streaky at the plate. First baseman Dan Ortmeier (.287 BA, 6 HR, 16 RBI), another switch, did well in limited action. Catcher Bengie Molina (.276 BA, 19 HR, 81 RBI) is a fairly productive batsman, despite his lack of discipline.

Overall, the Giants are a sound fielding team. Winn has good speed in the right field, Rowand is a natural and Dave Roberts shows good speed and smarts in left. Shortstop Omar Vizquel, who has 11 Gold Gloves, can still play although he’s in decline. The infield corners could be stronger.

In 2003, the Giants won 100 games and made the playoffs. That was the last time they were in the post-season. GM Brian Sabean’s Band Aid approach to team building is no longer working. Manger Bruce Bochy does a good job in working with the talent he’s been given. The post-Barry Bonds era has begun. The future is unknown.

Read more on the Giants other NL West division competitors like the Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and Colorado Rockies.

For more info on the Giants check out the MLB official page for San Francisco.