By Keith Wire
League 8
Where do I start? General Manager Brian Sabean has spent so many resources in the recent past, surrounding Barry Bonds with veterans to try and accommodate his egomaniacal demands, that there is very little youth and talent in their farm system to build upon. The Giants are in rebuilding mode and probably will be for many years to come.
Projected Batting Order
Dave Roberts LF
Omar Vizquel SS
Randy Winn RF
Aaron Rowand CF
Bengie Molina C
Ray Durham 2B
Rich Aurilia 1B
Kevin Frandsen 3B
Projected Rotation
Barry Zito
Tim Lincecum
Matt Cain
Noah Lowry
Jonathan Sanchez / Kevin Correia
Projected Closer Option(s): Brian Wilson, Brad Hennessey
Key Setup Option(s): Brad Hennessey, Jonathan Sanchez, Kevin Correia
Team Strengths: Your guess is as good as mine … the garlic fries at AT&T Park are pretty good.
Seriously, their starting rotation is pretty solid … especially if Barry Zito can regain any semblance of the form that earned him a Cy Young award a few years back. They have three of the best young arms in the game in Lincecum, Cain, and Lowry. If those three progress like they are projected to it will be special to watch them develop.
Team Weaknesses: We don’t have enough space.
Anything having to do with offense or youth would classify here. They were dead last in runs scored last year and 15th in batting average. Randy Winn is a reliable veteran player that knows the game well; but if he is your number three hitter and Aaron Rowand follows as your cleanup hitter, the scoreboard operator may die of boredom. They have a few table-setters and some good baseball players, but not one player in their lineup creates a gameplan for the opposition. There is not one player on their team that will give a pitcher pause, make the pitcher think of what to do if “so-and-so” comes up with men in scoring position.
Key Additions: Aaron Rowand … and the LOSS of Barry Bonds
Key Losses: Barry Bonds? Does losing the circus of turmoil really amount to a loss?
Impact Rookies: Nate Schierholtz is a nice outfield prospect, but with Rowand signed he will probably start at AAA. Rajai Davis and Eugenio Velez possess speed, but who will drive them in?
Core Fantasy Options: The first four pitchers of their rotation (definitely in deep leagues) and whoever gets the closing job coming out of spring training. Offensively, Randy Winn (again, in deep leagues) and that’s a stretch. Bengie Molina actually can help in such a depleted year for backstops.
Potential Sleeper(s): Eugenio Velez for stolen bases. Travis Denker is only 22 years old, has been in the Dodger organization for three years now, and has shown some skills with the lumber.
Potential Bust(s): Barry Zito, for sure; not even sure he would classify as a bust.
Aaron Rowand’s numbers could drop drastically, coming from a much more potent lineup and hitter-friendly park into a very strong pitching division with a much weaker lineup and a neutral hitting ball park.
Late Round Steal: There are a few potential steals, like Sanchez. He possesses the best skill set to get either the fifth starter position or even the closer job. Velez will get you some bags … if he makes the team.
If you are in a league with deep and long minor league rosters, then the name Angel Villalona is one you want to keep an eye on. He is only 17 with an elite skill set, but he is years away from making a difference.
Matt Cain could also slide in some leagues when people see his 17 losses from a year ago, but I doubt he will in any Mafia leagues.
All in all, not many players on this team make a fantasy player drool at the prospect of owning them (other than maybe Tim Lincecum in a keeper league). However, this team does possess some players that can give you value and depth at the very END of your draft.