Now that the astonishing BONDS era has come and gone a new era begins. But what it brings is a surprise!
Last year the Giants went 71-91and finished last in the national league west. We can’t say this season will be much better, but we can always hope for it.
Skyline student and baseball player Brant Norlander said, “They’ll win 55 games, 65 if they can score three runs per game.”
Dino Nomicos, head coach of the baseball team said, “They’ll get 70 wins,” both are quality predictions.
Over the offseason the Giants barely did anything to improve the team. They released Barry Bonds, Pedro Feliz, and Ryan Klesko. They signed a Gold-Glover Aaron Rowand who had a all-star season, last year and will try and lead this young team to become more than what people think of them.
The defense of the Giants may be one of the best with Omar Vizquel at shortstop, Bengie Molina at catcher, and Aaron Rowand in center. Young first- baseman Dan Ortmeier has been learning from J.T. Snow, who is one of the best defensive first-baseman of his time and Randy Winn is pretty solid in right field.
Now to the bright spot of this team. The starting pitching, which is lead by youngsters Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum followed by the “new Barry” in Barry Zito who is looking to rebound after a horrible first year with the Giants.
Kevin Correia and Johnathan Sanchez round out the rotation. The Giants have to wait until at least July before starting pitcher Noah Lowry will return from an injury. This is a hardship on the team because he has lead the team in wins two of the past three years.
The bullpen isn’t looking that good though, young closer Brian Wilson and set-up men Brad Hennessey and Tyler Walker are looking to be a good 1-2-3 combo. Lefty specialist Steve Kline will look to rebound after a poor 2007 season. Other pitchers may include Vinny Chulk, Erick Threets, and Jack Taschner.
This season the offense is the huge problem with this team. There really is no power on the team which has Bengie Molina, Aaron Rowand, and Randy Winn as power hitters.
The Giants actually have a bright spot on offence which includes speedy Rajai Davis, Eugenio Velez, and Fred Lewis. The rest of the team may need to work non-stop on contact for them to compete in the extremely hard NL west.
Now that future Hall-of-Famer Barry Bonds has come and gone we can only look towards rebuilding the team and the future.
“It caused us a few years of rebuilding,” said Josh Labian, Skyline student.
Professor Vanson Ngyuen said the future hasn’t looked bright in the Giants minor leagues for quite some time, and don’t look now but it may be the same! “The minors are horrible,” said Vanson Ngyuen, Professor of Mathematics. “The only players who have come up from there have been pitchers Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, Noah Lowry, and Brian Wilson.” This is true after all Jason Ellison, Lance Niekro, and Todd Linden really amounted to nothing. But can we say the same about Nate Shierholtz, Eugenio Velez, and Fred Lewis? Only time will tell.
The opening day line-up on march 31st vs. the rival Los Angeles Dodgers may look like this; Left fielder Dave Roberts, Right Fielder Randy Winn, second-baseman Ray Durham, Catcher Bengie Molina, Center fielder Aaron Rowand, third-baseman Rich Aurilia, first-baseman Dan Ortmeier , Short stop Brian Bocock, and Starting pitcher Barry Zito.
