They began the 2010 season with one lineup on Opening Day. By the time the Giants finished the season with a World Series title on Monday they looked like a jumbled puzzle with pieces mashed into places they didn’t belong.
Nine different players, including key contributors like catcher Buster Posey, starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner and outfielder Cody Ross, weren’t with the team on Opening Day. Second baseman Freddy Sanchez was injured well into May. Outfielder Pat Burrell was signed to a minor league deal in late May. Three members of the postseason bullpen were added during the season. Juan Uribe started at second and ended the year at third. World Series MVP Edgar Renteria began and ended the year at shortstop — yet started only 62 games. Aaron Rowand began and ended the year in center — yet started just 76 games. Both became glorified benchwarmers.
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So does this mean a team like the Nationals can start printing their own playoff tickets soon? Uh … no. San Francisco still began 2010 with a group expected to win 85 games or so. If things broke right — and did they ever break right — the Giants hoped to sneak into the playoffs. The Nats should build through the draft, of course. But once the roster is stable, it is often the little moves — adding a player like Ross or Burrell at midseason or signing an overlooked free agent like Aubrey Huff — that can make all the difference.
