San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Giants 2017 preview

Published Mar. 29, 2017 8:37 a.m. ET

Lindsey Foltin

This is the latest of our 2017 team previews. Each week during spring training, we'll preview a division with a team each day (Monday-Friday). This week: The NL West: Los Angeles Dodgers. Up next: San Diego Padres

LAST SEASON

87-75 (second in NL West, earned second NL wild card, lost to Cubs in NLDS)

WHAT'S NEW

Key additions: RP Mark Melancon (free agent from Nationals), C Nick Hundley (free agent from Rockies), 3B Jae-gyun Hwang (free agent from Korea), SS Jimmy Rollins (free agent from White Sox)

Key subtractions: RP Sergio Romo (free agent to Dodgers), RP Santiago Casilla (free agent to A's), RP Javier Lopez (retired), SP Jake Peavy (free agent), OF Angel Pagan (free agent), OF Gregor Blanco (free agent), SP Chris Heston (trade to Mariners)

3 STRIKES

1. They addressed their biggest weakness, and probably aren't done yet. The Giants had the most blown saves (30) in MLB last season, and lost nine games in which they led in the ninth inning. So it wasn't much of a surprise when their season ended thanks to a bullpen meltdown of epic proportions -- giving up four runs in the ninth inning -- during Game 4 of the NLDS. It signaled the end of an era, as the Giants said goodbye to the trio of relievers who played a pivotal role in the team's three most recent World Series championships -- Casilla, Lopez and Romo -- and spent some serious cash to rebuild the 'pen. They found the one thing they've been lacking, a surefire closer, in Melancon, whom they signed to a four-year, $62 million deal. With right-handers Derek Law and Hunter Strickland as the primary setup men, the Giants could look to the trade market for a solid lefty relief option now that Will Smith needs Tommy John surgery and will miss the entire 2017 season.

2. The left-field puzzle doesn't seem to be solved. After letting Angel Pagan walk as a free agent (which was likely a wise decision, considering he is currently still a free agent), the Giants were left with a serious hole to plug in left field. And their current plan is questionable at best. Jarrett Parker will likely get the bulk of the starts after outshining his competition in Mac Williamson and Gorkys Hernandez this spring, but the entire outfield situation seems pretty risky. With a declining Denard Span and injury-prone Hunter Pence tabbed to start in center and right, respectively, it's odd that the Giants didn't even dabble in the outfield free-agent market this offseason.

3. If all else fails, they can ride their trusty steed to the promised land. Madison Bumgarner is pretty much as close as you can get to a sure thing in baseball. He's going to give you at least 200 strikeouts and 200 innings in the regular season alone, and he's going to look really good doing it. Bumgarner went 15-9 with 251 strikeouts and a 2.74 ERA in 226 2/3 innings last season, and he says he feels even better heading into this year. Sure, he's the ace of the pitching staff, but he's also the kind of player who is always ready -- and willing -- to do whatever he can to help the team. Starter, reliever, grand slam-hitter, MadBum does it all -- and he hasn't shown any signs of slowing down. As long as he stays healthy, the Giants will be OK.

BEST-CASE SCENARIO

Bumgarner does what Bumgarner does best, while Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija follow closely behind as stellar No. 2 and 3 starters. Pence stays healthy and regains his 2014 form (20+ homers, .277/.332/.445 over 162 games), while Buster Posey continues to dominate as one of the top catchers in the league. And Melancon answers the Giants' prayers at closer.

WORST-CASE SCENARIO

Melancon can't get saves if his setup men can't hold leads. Smith's injury is a huge blow to the back end of the Giants' bullpen, and if they fail to acquire a left-handed specialist and their internal options (Josh Osich and Steven Okert) don't pan out, they're back to square one.

SURPRISING STAT

With 251 strikeouts last season, Bumgarner became just the fifth pitcher in Giants history to record 200 strikeouts in three straight seasons (only Juan Marichal, Christy Mathewson, Amos Rusie and Tim Lincecum did it before him). He also broke the franchise's single-season record for most strikeouts by a left-hander.

BEST BETS

Projected win total (via Atlantis Casino Resort): 87.5

World Series odds (via Vegas Insider): 14/1

TOP FIVE FANTASY PLAYERS

1. Madison Bumgarner, SP: The Giants’ ace has started 31 or more games for six consecutive seasons. Bumgarner also boasts a sub-3.00 ERA for four consecutive seasons and a K/9 rate north of 9.00 the past three years.

2. Johnny Cueto, SP: One of the more reliable and consistent starting pitchers in the league, Cueto provides a 3.00 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with eight or so strikeouts per nine innings. Cueto now also enjoys a pitcher-friendly home ballpark, compared to the sandbox of Great American Ball Park while with the Reds.

3. Buster Posey, C: The catcher’s homer totals have dipped in each of the past two seasons, but he remains one of the most consistent at his position in the game. Posey is a no-risk investment on draft day with the expected stat ceiling.

4. Eduardo Nunez, 3B: At 28 years old, Nunez played a career-high 141 games last season for the Twins and Giants. He finished with 16 homers and 40 stolen bases.

5. Brandon Belt, 1B: He finished in the top 10 in the majors in on-base percentage (.394) last season and continues to flirt with 20-homer potential.

(Courtesy of the FOX Sports Fantasy Baseball)

PREDICTION

The Giants will once again fall short of winning the division, but will reach the postseason with a wild-card berth. And they'll lose to the Cubs in the NLDS, again.