Straight up Juicing: The 2006 San Francisco Giants

After a spring training of nothing but steriod talk it's time for the Giants to get down to business. The business of slaying their rivals in the mighty N.L. West so they can be dismissed in the first round of the playoffs.

They've made a couple good additions to the team. I like Matt Morris as the #2 guy in the rotation behind Jason Schmidt. After that the starting staff is full of questions. Noah Lowery was solid last year but he's still young. Matt Cain has been getting a lot of press around here but you can only expect so much from a rookie. They picked up Jamey Wright. About the best thing I can see for him is that he does eat innings.

Even if Armando Benetez is healthy all year I don't have complete faith in him as the closer. I'm glad Tim Worrell is back on the team to step in if Benetez is hurt and/or blows.

Thank Christ the Edgardo Alfonso era at third base is done. Finally Pedro Feliz will get a chance to be in the lineup everyday. I think he's got 30-35 HR potential.

I can analyze this team all day but let's face facts. The Giants' success will depend on how many games Barry Bonds plays. He's the syringe that stirs the drink. If he plays 100 games the Giants will win the West. The Dodgers made a couple of high profile moves but in the end they're the Dodgers.

I'm a bit conflicted about Snow. He was always solid but it's time for more pop out of that position. He was a luxury they could afford back when Jeff Kent was on the team because you don't normally have big numbers coming from second base. I don't know if Niekro is the final answer but I could see him benefitting a lot from a healthy Bonds, Alou, and productive Feliz hitting ahead of him.

I also like the Steve Finley pickup. The Giants have been able to get a lot of production out of guys who seemed like they were done in the past so it will be nice to plug Finley in during the inevitable injuries that will hit the outfield.

Thanks, I almost went with "Disgracing our National Pastime" but there might be some Kansas City fans who want that for a Royals thread.

Zing!

I don't follow the American League much so does anyone know if Shea Hillenbrand has anything to offer the Giants at first base?

Thanks, I know he had some clubhouse problems in Toronto but it sounds like child's play compared to what the Giants are used to.

Why do I even watch this abortion of a team?

Thank Christ it's over. Time to tell most of these senior citizens to beat it.