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    Pablo Sandoval has been a Godsend for the Giants since his callup in August.  He has proven to be that everyday type of player who can impact a game and an offense.  He has complemented well, batting in front of Bengie Molina and sparking this Giants offense.  He is batting .349 with 3HR and 21RBI in 34 games. That is pretty impressive for a kid who started in A-ball at the beginning of this year. Cumulatively for the year through minors and the bigs, Sandoval is hitting .350 with 23HR and 117RBI’s.  He looks to be the everyday first baseman next year with Molina under contract in 2009 and Buster Posey waiting in the wings. 

     However, if the Giants can pull a blockbuster deal with the Brewers trading young pitching star Matt Cain and maybe throw in 1B Travis Ishikawa or a prospect, who is decent but is expendable with Sandoval’s versatility for 1B Prince Fielder and SS J.J. Hardy and maybe a low-level prospect if needed.  This potential deal would trigger the Giants to instant contenders and sending an exciting buzz to the Giants’ fan as the 2009 season nears.  Their lineup would be stacked with speed, power, and All-Star caliber players.  They would lose a potential ace to the staff, however, but Cain would benefit from more run support on another team with little more offensive power than the Giants.  And the Giants have plenty of star arms in the  Minors, such as SAL Pitcher of the Year Madison Bumgarner, Future’s Game star Kevin Pucetas, and Tim Alderson.  Also, the return of Noah Lowry even excites you more, as he led the Giants in wins (14) in 2007 and would fill the void left by Cain.  I really hope this rumor that was started by ESPN analyst Peter Gammons recently.  With an improved  Zito next season, a consistent Sanchez, a dominating Lincecum, a resurged Hennessey and the return of Noah Lowry or bring in new blood Madison Bumgarner (whom I regarded as the Next Tim Lincecum, but left-handed), this rotation has a chance to be one of the best in the National League, however, only if Sabean can pull a deal in moving Cain for Fielder for sure and possibly Hardy.  However, to get all-star caliber SS J.J. Hardy (26), they would most likely have to give up prized prospect and rising rookie SS/2B Emmanuell Burriss. But Hardy would be an upgrade offensively at short stop for the Giants and he isn’t no slouch with the glove either.  And Fielder, well he would upgrade the Giants in the power department and brings star potential to a lineup missing it.  You throw in Sandoval at third base and spell Molina at catcher if needed. Giants team looks stacked on paper and would be contenders in the weak NL West division.  

Rotation:

SP1- Tim Lincecum

SP2- Jonathan Sanchez

SP3- Barry Zito

SP4- Noah Lowry

SP5- Brad Hennessey/ Madison Bumgarner

Lineup:

C- Bengie Molina

1B- Prince Fielder

2B- Kevin Frandsen/ Emmanuell Burriss

3B- Pablo Sandoval

SS- J.J. Hardy

LF- Fred Lewis

CF- Aaron Rowand

RF- Randy Winn

OF- Nate Schierholtz

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