#18
The San Francisco Giants were a big surprise in 2020, almost making the expanded playoff field. Can this team on the verge of a rebuild repeat that success in 2021?
#27 - 5th in NL West
MIH - Mike Yastrzemski
MIP - Jeff Samardzija
PTW - Joey Bart
FP - Half of the Giants' Opening Day lineup will not be on the roster by the end of the season.
2020 Results
#17 - 29-31, 3rd in NL West
In Gabe Kapler's first season leading the Giants, he took this roster mixed with young prospects and champion veterans and almost make the playoffs. The most impressive player of the season was my Most Important Hitter, Mike Yastrzemski, who led the team in almost every offensive category. They also did all this with their MVP-winning catcher, Buster Posey, opting out of the season.
Additions / Subtractions
The Giants made very little noise this offseason, not really signing any notable free agents. They did let Jeff Samardzija leave in free agency (who remains a free agent) and signed starter Kevin Gausman to a one year qualifying offer. They do bring back Buster Posey after opting out last season. A possible sneaky good move is the signing of Aaron Sanchez for the rotation.
Most Important Hitter
Buster Posey
I have mentioned him several times already, but the storyline surrounding Buster Posey this season is so intriguing. We haven't seen him play baseball since 2019, and he is reaching a point in his career where he might not be able to be counted on as an everyday catcher. If he doesn't catch, he would play first base and take at bats from Brandon Belt, the Giants' second best hitter in 2020. If he catches, he blocks Joey Bart, the top prospect in the Giants' system. The Giants really needed to NL to have a DH this year. Instead, they are stuck with a decision to make, and it all revolves around what kind of production they get out of Buster Posey.
Most Important Pitcher
Johnny Cueto
Johnny Cueto did not perform well in 2020, pitching to only a 79 ERA+. He is entering the last year of his contract with the Giants in his age 35 season. With a good year, Cueto could end up with one more good contract somewhere in the league next offseason. If he struggles again, it not only could hurt the Giants' chances, but it could spell the end of his colorful career.
Prospect to Watch
Joey Bart
This was last year's pick, and I don't like repeating prospect picks like this. With that said, the Giants don't have any other impactful prospects that look like they could be ready in 2021, and like I already spelled out, the storyline surrounding him, Posey, and Brandon Belt is just too fascinating. With no Buster in 2020, Bart got to play 33 games behind the plate for the big club with minimal success. Although his bat struggled, he still has the tools to shine at the plate and hit with a lot of power. It's just a matter of when he is going to get his opportunity to be a mainstay in the lineup.
2021 Prediction
3rd in NL West
Let's face it ... everyone knows the top two teams in this division. It's really a battle for 3rd between everyone else. The Giants took huge strides forward in 2020, and I don't necessarily think it was a fluke, however 3rd in the division is their peak in 2021.
Fearless Prediction
At least two of the Giants' starting infielders will be traded mid-season.
I had a similar prediction last season, but this season seems so much ore likely. If the Giants see they can't make the postseason in 2021, there is a good chance they start unloading some veteran players about to become free agents as many teams do. This has a little more weight when you consider it is the core of the Giants' World Series runs of the last decade. Among players entering their contract years are Buster Posey, Brandon Belt, and Brandon Crawford. It will be a painful day for Giants Nation when any of these players end up in another jersey, but it's very likely a couple of these get traded before the Deadline in 2021.
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