Giant Thoughts

One year ago from today, the San Francisco Giants were just a game and a half back in the National League Wild Card race and they had held fourth place in the NL for a large portion of the season. When they acquired three-time All Star Freddy Sanchez from the Pirates, I thought they were set to overtake Colorado and make the playoffs for the first time since 2003. They began to catch up to the Rockies but eventually drifted out of reach in the last month of the season and finished four games back. This year, the Giants are in a very similar situation as they hold the Wild Card lead by 1.5 games over the Reds and the Phillies. And, just like last year, they went out and brought in a bat that they think can help them down the stretch. Whether adding him will be the difference or not, the Giants acquired Jose Guillen from the Royals.

I look at this trade as a helpful pick up for San Fracisco. This is Guillen's 10th MLB team, possibly because of his actions in the dugout, but the point is that Guillen can play. He's not going to carry the team, but he'll contribute for the Giants as long as he can be manageable in the clubhouse. However, I think it's going to be tough for San Francisco to make the playoffs unless they win the division because the Reds have been playing extremely well over the course of the year and the Phillies have proven they can play well down the stretch. I think the Wild Card winner will come from the East or the Central, whether it's one of the current division leaders or if it's the teams chasing them. This is a difficult year for National League bubble teams because six teams already have 64 wins. It won't surprise me to see San Francisco in the playoffs, but the final spot seems up for grabs in the talented National League. The Giants are just hoping they can coalesce with Guillen in efforts to not decline in September like they did last year.