San Francisco Giants 2008 review and look ahead

Sep 24, 2008 - 10:51 AM By Anthony Olivieri PA SportsTicker Staff Writer

As the San Francisco Giants realized this season, it takes a while to emerge from an ominous shadow.

The Giants pushed forward in 2008 without superstar Barry Bonds, who not only was the team's most-feared hitter but its biggest source of controversy.

Of course, everyone knows by now the transgressions of Bonds, who holds the single-season and all-time home run records but is best known for the cloud that hangs over his head thanks to his alleged steroid use.

And while he had declined in his final seasons, Bonds still was the biggest presence for the otherwise weak-hitting Giants, who have belted major league-worst 91 home runs.

Consider the meat of San Francisco's revamped order, which for much of the season included Rich Aurilia, Bengie Molina and Aaron Rowand.

Murders' Row it was not.

Late in the season, the Giants have benefited from the addition of talented rookie Pablo Sandoval, who is hitting .336 with 21 RBI through 36 games.

But even Sandoval's arrival could not keep such an anemic lineup afloat.

San Francisco's strength is in its young pitching staff, which is anchored by second-year phenom Tim Lincecum and fellow righthander Matt Cain.

The 24-year-old pair (Cain's birthday is October 1) is a shot of youth on an otherwise geriatric roster, which reads more like a gathering of also-rans, role players and those past their prime.

That being said, this next section was easy, so let's get to ...

WHAT WENT WRONG?: More accurately, things went as expected for San Francisco, which knew it was not built for much more than .500 finish - even in the weak National League West

It was even worse than expected.

The Giants have relied on an outfield duo - left fielder Fred Lewis and center fielder Rowand - who have combined to strike out 242 times. Don't like Lewis? Well, Dave Roberts can take his place.

Yes, that Roberts, whose fame traces directly back to his steal in Game Four of the 2004 American League Championship Series. But that's where his accolades end.

Right fielder Randy Winn does not provide the power necessary from a corner outfield spot, while none of that slack has been picked up by a nearly comatose infield.

The left side of that infield, Aurilia and Omar Vizquel, would be good if it were 1999. OK, you get the point - the Giants can't hit. But the rotation also has had some problems.

With the injury to lefthander Noah Lowry, San Francisco was forced to rely upon Kevin Correia, Jonathan Sanchez and Brad Hennessey - two of whom are better suited as relievers - in its rotation.

And another member of that rotation was the Giants' ...

MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER - Barry Zito. A three-time All-Star and the 2002 AL Cy Young Award winner, Zito has had one of the worst seasons for a pitcher of his former stature in recent memory.

Zito lost eight of his first nine starts, with the lone non-loss a no decision. Needless to say, it didn't start well for Zito, who is 10-16 with a 5.28 ERA and a monstrous 1.62 WHIP.

To make matters worse, Zito inked a seven-year, $126 million deal prior to last season. San Francisco most likely would rather pay Bonds an astronomical salary to pout and yell at the media.

At least the Giants would get some production out of him.

BEST PLAYER: Lincecum, who should win the Cy Young Award in the NL. The subject of a glowing Sports Illustrated cover story this season, Lincecum has survived the magazine's jinx with flying colors.

The diminutive righthander, who uses a wild but effective delivery, is a sight to behold on the mound - if you are not a hitter.

As bad as Zito has been, Lincecum has been that good, posting a 17-5 record with a minuscule 2.58 ERA. Most impressively, the righthander has 252 strikeouts in 220 innings and has walked 82.

His ability combined with the spectacle of size and pitching motion have made Lincecum must-see TV when he's on the mound. With the absence of Bonds, San Francisco needed another icon to fill that void.

Too bad Lincecum can't pitch every day.

REASON TO BELIEVE: At the risk of sounding like a number of color analysts who shall remain nameless, good pitching stops good hitting and, if the other team doesn't score, that's a good thing.

OK, you already knew that, but the Giants have the foundation for an excellent rotation with Lincecum, Cain and Lowry. Even Sanchez has been a much sought-after lefthander during the trade season.

Most of all, the Giants have a committed owner, Peter Magowan, a great ballpark and a lot of history - translation: free agents will want to come to San Francisco to return the franchise to glory.

FUTURE BRIGHTNESS: Besides the young pitching, San Francisco is trying to put some good young position players alongside them.

Angel Villalona, the organization's top prospect, can develop into a superstar but will have to have a bounce-back year in the minors next season. Right fielder Nate Schierholtz also has played a combined 52 games with the Giants in the last two seasons but has yet to take off.

San Francisco's top pitching prospects, Henry Sosa and Tim Alderson, both spent this campaign with Class A San Jose and still are far away from the major leagues.