With pitchers and catchers reporting early the focus in baseball is shifting from the offseason to spring training as teams around the majors get ready for the 2017 season. The San Francisco Giants will enter this year looking to reestablish themselves as the premier team in the National League West but there are still some concerns that need to be addressed before Opening Day. Here is a look at the five biggest question marks facing the Giants entering spring training.
Will The Bullpen Hold Up?
San Francisco’s 2016 season ended with their bullpen blowing up like a tire fire and it absolutely needed to be addressed in the offseason. The Giants signed Mark Melancon to a four-year, $62 million contract to help solidify the issues and he better get the job done or the club could be in big trouble. San Francisco lost Sergio Romo to the rival Los Angeles Dodgers while Santiago Casilla signed with the Oakland Athletics and Javier Lopez retired. Melancon will be relied on in the closer role while Hunter Strickland, Will Smith, Corey Gearrin, Josh Osich, Steven Okert and George Kontos fill out the relief staff. There is no guarantee that San Francisco’s bullpen changes work out and it’s still a major question mark entering spring training.
Who Is The Fifth Starter?
Matt Cain is the favorite to fill out the rotation in San Francisco but he hasn’t had a sub-4.00 ERA since 2012 and he is coming off a 2016 season in which he posted a brutal 5.81 ERA. The Giants still owe him $21 million for 2017 but if they can’t rely on him they will have to adjust. Ty Blach is waiting in the wing as a 26-year-old lefty prospect and after posting a 1.06 ERA in four appearances for San Francisco last season he could push Cain for the final spot in the rotation.
Overall, the Giants have a very good rotation. They finished the 2016 season fourth in terms of team ERA (3.65). They were second in the league (and led the National League) in innings pitched and were first in all of baseball with Complete Games (10). Opposing batters managed to hit just .243 against them last season.
What Happens In Left Field?
The Giants have reportedly engaged in trade talks with the Detroit Tigers involving J.D. Martinez but they never pulled the trigger and therefore their left field position is still a concern. 26-year-old Mac Williamson and Jarrett Parker could be featured in a tandem role but there are major question marks about the overall talent of that duo. San Francisco has a history of turning underrated prospects in to quality contributors so it will be very interesting to see what happens in left field.
Can Nunez Hold It Down At Third Base?
Eduardo Nunez set career highs with 24 doubles, 16 home runs, 67 RBI and 40 stolen bases while making his first All-Star team a year ago but a lot of that production happened with the Minnesota Twins and he really struggled after he was traded to the Giants. Minnesota’s Target Field is a much more hitter friendly park so it will be interesting to see if Nunez can rediscover his offensive stroke. Nunez will need to improve his hitting numbers while providing better defense in order to live up to expectations at third base for San Francisco this season.
What Is The Infield Depth Situation?
Brandon Belt, Joe Panik and Brandon Crawford will all play time at first base while Nunez plays the bulk of the games at third but the infield depth isn’t great with second base and shortstop the main concerns. Veteran Jimmy Rollins will be in camp on a minor league deal but he struggled last season. Meanwhile, Kelby Tomlinson could cover one position with Gordon Beckham also in the mix for a role in the Giants infield. San Francisco clearly isn’t as deep as it has been in previous seasons so it will be very interesting to see how things play out with some major question marks particularly in the infield heading in to spring training.
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