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Relevant Facts
2013 Record: 76-86 (Tied for third in NL West)
2013 Pythag Record: 74-88
General Manager: Brian Sabaen
Specific Manager: Bruce Bochy
Notable Offseason Acquisitions: Michael Morse, Tim Hudson, San Jose
Notable Departures: Andres Torresz, Barry Zito, Jose Mijares, Chad Gaudin
Number of Pounds Pablo Sandoval Claims to Weigh: 250
Possible Line-up
C: Buster Posey
1B: Buster Posey
2B: Buster Posey
3B: Buster Posey
SS: Buster Posey
4(?)B: Buster Posey
LF: Buster Posey
CF: Buster Posey
RF: Hunter Pence
Probable Line-up
C: Buster Posey
1B: Brandon Belt
2B: Marco Scutaro
3B: Pablo Sandoval
SS: Brandon Crawford
LF: Michael Morse
CF: Angel Pagan
RF: Under Pants
Starting Pitchers
Matt Cain
Tim Lincecum
Madison Bumgarner
Ryan Vogelsong
Tim Hudson
A Selection of Relievers
Sergio Romo
George Kontos
Santiago Casilla
Javier Lopez
And the Rest
Okay, Smart Guy, How Are They Going to Do?
If you want a smart projection, there's plenty of places to look. I don't know if the new Five Thirty Eight site is doing a lot of baseball projections yet, but Nate Silver invented Pecota, so what I'm saying is he's smarter than me.
All I know is that the Giants aren't really that different from the team that won a championship in 2012. San Fran seems to be making a bet that they'll be healthier, and that formerly productive players such as Lincecum and Sandoval return to form. It's not a terrible bet to make, simply because a lot of their core is reasonably young and has the possibility to still contribute. The possible roadblock is that these guys really are on the downhill, making the Giants' roster both comparatively expensive and with little alternatives.
It's possible the Giants will get some help from their farm system should they need it, but they thought that last year with little success. Gary Brown is speedy outfield type, and Kyle Crick could provide some rotation relief if someone can't make the cut. But both are probably more like stopgaps this year then shots of life like Puig was last year for the Dodgers.
The Giants clearly are hoping they won't need stopgaps, and they didn't make any offseason moves of any real note. Zito gets swapped for reclamation project Tim Hudson, and Michael Morse moves into the outfield in an attempt to find his home run swing (good luck with that in AT&T Park).
Of course, not spending now perhaps gives flexibility closer to the trade deadline if a playoff push is needed, but you need to get in striking range of the playoffs first for that thought to be relevant.
If the Giants can stay healthy and recapture some of the previous magic, they certainly can contend. But after last year it feels like a bigger 'if' then you'd think with a team with a supposedly young core. Cain/Lincecum/Bumgarner shouldn't be broken down yet, and Posey/Sandoval should be driving the offense. All 5 of these players have the talent to be consistent All-Stars, but will they get the chance this year?
I remain doubtful only because you have to prove you deserve it.