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     The Giants look to be contenders in 2009. After a long season of giving many young guys the chance to prove themselves and get some experience and seeing many rookies make their debuts this year, some have proved to be capable everyday guys, such as left fielder Fred Lewis, short stop Emmanuel Burriss, and catcher-Infielder Pablo Sandoval.  And the bullpen has many holes to fill for next season, but two young players have emerged to be late inning relievers to bridge the gap to closer Brian Wilson and they are Alex Hinshaw and Sergio Romo. They obviously will supplant Jack Taschner and Tyler Walker who both mightily struggled as late-inning, setup guys this year.  And their starting rotation has been a strength.  But they have enough guys in the minors capable of being a starting pitcher in the majors, such as Minor League Pitcher of the Year Madison Bumgarner and Futures’ Game selection Kevin Pucetas.  With Noah Lowry having to get elbow surgery, he might not be ready and able to contribute till mid-season.  But one big named free agent, whose preference may be to return to the Bay Area, and Giants could be one of his top choices, is C.C. Sabathia.  Throw in Sabathia along with Tim Lincecum, southpaw Jonathan Sanchez, Barry Zito, and Brad Hennessey until Lowry returns or throw in Bumgarner for the 5th spot. This rotation looks to be one of the best in the National League and maybe even the Majors.  And Sabean said Cain is deemed untouchable, but could you imagine trading Cain for Prince Fielder and a prospect. You would fill the void at first base and get your power-hitting first baseman and cleanup hitter. And the Brewers, most likely losing Sheets and Sabathia to free agency would almost be willingly to trade Fielder for Cain. This would allow the Giants to move Sandoval to third base and he could also spell Fielder at first base and Bengie at catcher.  Also, signing utility man Rich Aurilia to back up third base and first base would be a strong piece for the clubhouse and the bench.  Aurilia would take a pay cut and be a cheaper alternative.  Sabathia would ask for a big contract, but freeing some guys like Walker, Taschner, Vizquel, even and if Giants could trade Winn and free up his contract and allow room for Nate Schierholtz, who I think could put up similar numbers to Winn and has showed he can play right field at AT & T, with some spectacular diving plays.  I know Winn has been solid and the model of consistency, but trading him and Cain would allow the Giants to sign a top-tier starter like Sabathia and also add a reliever through free agency to help the bullpen out. There are so many options. And Eugenio Velez emerging to be capable as a starter at best and utilityman and stolen base threat off the bench at least, depending on Kevin Frandsen, who could capably be a great defensive second baseman and be a solid 7 hitter for the Giants.  Basically, if I was GM, you would have an infield of Sandoval (third base), Burriss (shortstop), Frandsen or Velez (Second base), and Fielder (first base) and the outfield would be Lewis (left field), Rowand (center) and Schierholtz (right) and Dave Roberts as the veteran fourth outfielder who can play all three outfield spots.  And your rotation would be a 1,2 punch of Cy Young studs, Tim Lincecum and C.C. Sabathia, and Zito, Sanchez, and Lowry/Hennessey anchoring the rotation.  And throw in Merkin Valdez, Billy Sadler, Sergio Romo, Alex Hinshaw, closer Brian Wilson and adding an arm to shore the bullpen, along with another one who steps up either Kevin Correia or even Keiichi Yabu as the long reliever.  Your bullpen, rotation, and lineup is set.  Also, new owner Neukem said he would increase payroll and the budget in order to get a better product. And losing Cain and Winn via trade, and Vizquel, Taschner, and Walker to free agency only helps your ballclub’s flexibility. Therefore my starting rotation, lineup, and bench would like this in 2009 if these moves are made.

Starting Rotation:

SP1 C.C. Sabathia

SP2 Tim Lincecum

SP3 Barry Zito

SP4 Jonathan Sanchez

SP5 Brad Hennessey/ Noah Lowry

Bullpen:

MRP  Kevin Correia

MRP Billy Sadler

MRP Merkin Valdez

MRP Free Agent Pickup

LRP Alex Hinshaw

SU Sergio Romo

CL Brian Wilson

Lineup:

1 Fred Lewis LF

2 Nate Schierholtz RF

3 Pablo Sandoval 3B

4 Prince Fielder 1B

5 Bengie Molina C

6 Aaron Rowand CF

7 Kevin Frandsen 2B

8 Emmanuel Burriss SS

Bench:

Util/IF Rich Aurilia

2B/OF Eugenio Velez

OF Dave Roberts

1B Travis Ishikawa

OF John Bowker

Giants would be contenders with this projected lineup, rotation and bullpen in the crazy and weak NL West in 2009!

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