The Giants Biggest Need

            For the first time since the age of the dinosaurs, the Giants go into trading season without their biggest need being offense. As its been stated many times over the last week, the Giants bats are actually decent. Brian Sabean deserves a nice firm “atta boy” pat on the back, which may or may not lead to an awkward 5 seconds or so, but alas it’s a risk we must take, because ole’ Sabes has put together his best group of hitters since the last Bonds glory year (2004). Unless the Rockies finally accept the “Burris, Crawford and one Brian Sabean Gray Hair for Tulowitzki” trade that the Giants have been pushing, there isn’t much to be had offensively on the market. The Giants may look into a right handed bench player, but that wouldn’t change the team drastically mostly because the right handed bench player is on the bench being right handed.

           

            That leads us to the pitching. Apparently Tim Lincecum has been “bad” this season, but can you really imagine the Giants shopping for a starter to pitch for Lincecum or to counteract his struggles?  As I’ve stated multiple times, Lincecum’s pitching has been improving, and he should be able to be at least a semblance of his Cy Young years. His luck is turning around and he’s been gaining confidence of late.

All thanks to Hector Sanchez. Just as a side, this is what I imagine Bochy’s evidence is:

/Bochy eavesdropping on conversation between Sanchez and Lincecum, peeks head into locker room. 

Lincecum: “I’m hungry. Or should I say tengo hambre amigo. LOL” 

Sanchez:” LOL We should eat food then! I’ll buy! LOL” 

Lincecum: “Thanks! Or should I say, gracias amigo. Lol lol lol lol” 

Sanchez: "lol lol lol lol" 

Lincecun: “LOLOLOLOL.” 

/Bochy jots down note: ‘Astounding chemistry. Don’t break up. Lincecum fine.'

Sanchez also catches Zito, and apparently he is not magical. Zito has the second worst FIP of his career and has been more Zito-esque after what seems now to be a mirage of good starts earlier in the season.

He’s a fine 5^th starter, and with 4 of 5 excellent Giants starters, I would have a tough time believing the Giants are looking for starters. They have explored the possibility of trading for Wandy Rodriguez, but with Lincecum’s latest success I doubt there is much interest anymore.

            So there isn’t much needed for both the bats and starting rotation, which leaves us with the bullpen. Here’s my confidence hierarchy for each reliever:

Ultra Confident

 - Sergio Romo

Pretty Confident, but sometimes they make me squirm

- Santiago Casilla

Vs. Lefties they are to pitching what doves are to my heart

- Javier Lopez

- Jeremy Affeldt

Vs. Righties they place the ball in McCovey Cove for the hitter at the beginning of the at bat so they don’t have to go to the trouble of hitting it there.

- Javier Lopez

- Jeremy Affeldt

Sometimes they are decent, sometimes they are terrible and sometimes they give up the 714^th home run to Barry Bonds.

- Clay Hensley

This is a baseball player acquired for Chris Stewart.

- George Kontos

Wild Card

- Brad Penny

            The only right handed reliever you can really trust is Romo, although Casilla will probably gain our trust back after he recovers from his latest scuffle. Other than that, the only right handed relievers are Clay Hensley, George Kontos and Brad Penny, none of whom you would want pitching in a tie game with the 7^th wild card spot on the line. Another right handed reliever certainly would be beneficial, especially considering Casilla has shown chinks in the armor. Relievers are always available at the deadline, and the bullpen is often the easiest part of a team to fix. Ask the 2011 Cardinals. That seems to be the only move the Giants probably have to make if they’re serious about contending