The Notepad

The addition of a quality arm in the rotation would be worth more than a bat off the bench, or the plugging of the (Neifi shaped) hole at short. An innings-eater would take some strain off the bullpen, not to mention the rotation itself.

Speaking of which, Brett Tomko has arrived--albeit three months late. He had a good second half last year in St. Louis (8-3, 3.76 ERA), and has improved recently with the Giants, losing just twice since May 15. At this point, a strong series of performances could see his season turned around.

In 2004, Edgardo Alfonzo hit .295 with 54 RBIs--4th most in the majors--in the second half. Over his eight-year career, he hits 25 points higher during the summer months. Coupled with only moderate production from Monsieurs Durham and Grissom, it's a viable offense--even if it's without a No.5 hitter.

The bullpen will look different should Matt Herges regain his delicate touch in a set-up role, and should Felix Rodriguez be given a little less action and a little less responsibility. Help from the outside is probably beyond the efforts of Fresno, where the likes of Kevin Correia, Noah Lowry and David Aardsma could do with a few more girlfriends before big league contests.

Jason Christiansen should be shown the door in November. While pitching in the Arizona Fall League, he will retire after reaching the personal milestone of a first pitch strike. As for the other diminutive lefties, Scott Eyre might have the goods, but can he keep it together? Is Wayne Franklin a viable option, or just a career 5.50 ERA pitcher the Brewers didn't want?

Outlook
The streaky yet potent offense backs the renewed rotation. Tomko and Hermanson pool 15 wins, Rueter pulls 11 from his sleeve, and Jerome Williams holds back his critics with a lucky 13. Jason Schimdt, bullpen depending, crests 20 wins by the second week of September. All in all, it's enough for between 88-94 wins. That number depends on how quickly the questions in the bullpen are solved. There are, after all, only so many times a team can rebound from another 3-run blown save. A series of October baseball remains the best the Giants can hope for.