Giants in 2003

Hopes vs. Predictions for the Giants

As the orange sun of the San Francisco Giants slowly sinks -- or suddenly plummets, depending on your perspective -- into the west, I thought I'd take time to make a few comments about what I think the Giants should do next...and what I think they probably will do.

Dusty Baker. I wish he and the Giants would kiss and make up, that they'd sign him for a longer-term deal. I like Baker, personally (we were business partners a couple of seasons back) and as a fan. I think it will be a mistake for him to leave SF. He bristles at the way the Bay Area media treat him, but he has no clue how bad it will get if he goes, e.g., to Chicago. I think Baker is one of a tiny handful of managers who could handle Bonds as niftily as he has. My best reason the Giants should keep Dusty? Name someone who's better and available. You can't.

I believe, however, that this was Baker's last year with the Giants. I think Dusty feels disrespected. Part of that is justified. I think Brian Sabean wants a new manager who will be less a powerful figure. And I think there's some real sentiment in the front office that Dusty just can't quite get us the World Championship. I don't agree, but that doesn't matter.

Jeff Kent. Time for Jeff to move on. He's a source of dissension not just in the clubhouse but in the life of our real superhero, Barry Bonds. Bonds has been very public about wanting Kent back next season. But he won't make it a deal breaker. Kent does not have the team's best interests at heart (witness his spring training "pickup truck washing accident that was a motorcycle fall"), he has a crappy attitude, and his best years are behind him. The guy's 35. He has one, maybe two more good seasons, but he's going to be able to command $10 million or more next season. That's too rich for a slow-footed second-baseman whose power hitting days are on the wane. So I wish the Giants would let him go in free agency or sign him and then trade him. I think they will let him go.

First Base. This is the Giants' biggest untalked-about dilemma. J.T. Snow had a rough year. He's great on defense, but I don't think he cranks out enough offense to make it worth putting up with him for his D. Damon Minor is a power-hitter who, if he played every day, might be able to give Bonds the cushion he needs. I'd be inclined to trade Snow while he has value and promote Minor.

Infield Shifts. With Kent gone, move David Bell to second, where he has substantial ML experience. If Pedro Feliz is the 3B of our future, let's let him play his way into the role. If not, trade him and get someone we can rely on. I don't like Bill Mueller stepping back in there, by the way. I think he's over the hill.

Holes to Plug. The Giants need three things, in decreasing order of importance, to be a World Series winner next season: (a) a legitimate ace starter; (b) a quick young middle infield; (c) a power hitter to back Bonds.

Dead Wood. I think the Giants need to get rid of as many of these players as possible (listed in no particular order): Kent (see above), Tsuyoshi Shinjo, Livan Hernandez. I think there are other good trade candidates, but these are "must-go" players in my book.

Let's Trade. So I'd like to see the Giants put together a package that would send the three must-go players to another team for three or four young hot-shots with some major-league experience (preferably middle infielders) and one legitimate ace (even if we have to spend some money...after all, with Kent gone we save at least $6 million).

Can They Contend Again?. I don't see the Giants being World Series contenders for another year or two, almost no matter what they do. That's one of the reasons I'm advocating a mini-youth-movement here. But with Bonds as the kernel, with the right supporting cast, a world title is still definitely possible before Barry retires. Of course, the way he's going, that could be 2025.

Last update: 11/13/02; 2:12:46 PM.