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.

Trading Time

With the July 31th trade deadline approaching, take a look at this piece from the off-season. Note that the players are much the same; this is the time that money talks.

Giants Need Reinforcements for the Stretch

The Giant's form in the first half has been erratic. They have won twelve games in a row, and thrice lost four in row. They will go into the All-Star break either in first, or a stone's throw from it. Now the time has come to decide: Can the Giants fashion a realistic post-season charge, or should they steel themselves for an extensive off-season retooling?

Recent history points to danger. Only last July--although it may seem like aeons ago--the Giants made the biggest move at the trade deadline, acquiring Sidney Ponson to bolster the starting staff. This seasons' rotation has fared little better than last year, with Schmidt, Rueter and Williams performing at their 2003 levels, and Dustin Hermanson and Brett Tomko playing Jesse Foppert/Jim Brower and Damian Moss respectively.

The Giants pitching staff needs strengthening, from end to end. Assuming that the purse strings remain tight (the front office are not planning on adding payroll for 2005), the addition of a reliable starter is probably the most Giants fans can hope for. Ideally, a dominating partner for Schmidt would allow the team to contend in October. But without some restructuring in the bullpen, there be only more blown saves, not wins. Urgeuth Urbina is available--albeit at a premium--but there are a number of hard throwing options that Sabean and co will consider before any moves are made.

On the horizon, the changes could be ringing. Something at least to keep San Francisco's ailing fans entertained on that possible, distant road to Yankee Stadium.