If asked how close the Giants were to a World Series in spring training 2009, the answer would have been a snort followed by eyes turned upward, an almost rhetorical question.  Entering spring training 2010, however, a different response altogether is demanded - the San Francisco Giants are once again to be taken seriously as a dark-horse contender for a post season appearance. 

     The rotation is acknowledged as being one of, if the not the, best in the game, fronted by the two-headed beast that is Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, whose dominance is just as vicious (though clearly not as decorated) as the historic Johnson-Schilling duo.  Minus a player-not-to-be-named, the bullpen is legit, with the...er...animated Brian Wilson showing all the fearlessness and nasty stuff requisite of a big-league closer.  And while the anemic offence scoffed at most of last year is still largely intact at the moment, Panda and Co. proved there is more than meets the eye.  With the addition of Mark DeRosa at a fantastic bargain and a full season of Freddy Sanchez, even now things are looking up.  

     Many changes can and eventually NEED to be made to improve the Giants, but I see a few  within reach now that can make the difference between a .500 record, and a championship 2010 season.  Here's a list of five, not in any order of importance.  Please feel free to add as you see accordingly.

     1.  DeRosa,  Juan Uribe IN - Renteria OUT:  Let's face it, the only reason this is even an issue is because Renteria is making $9 million this season.  I'd say that the front office saw something in Renteria that nobody else did, but this kind of contract is all too typical for this franchise.You know who also signed a 2 year, $18 million contract last season? Adam Dunn. Enough said.  Now Bochy must pencil his dead weight into the lineup everyday, apparently creating a lock of Uribe at 3rd, and presumably DeRosa primarily in left.  The Giants should be looking to shed him at all costs, even if it's near the full price of his salary; being committed to the greenback is not going to get them into the post-season.  Uribe was very adequate at short, and his far better bat has probably already made this decision  for many.

     2.  Trade Jonathan Sanchez: I know, his stuff is electrifying, he misses bats with the best of them, and he is still young.  But what he brings to the rotation is not worth what he can bring offensively in trade.  DeRosa can be counted on for a reasonable glove, and realistically offensively, the numbers lost with the departure of Bengie Molina.  So while the gain was admirable, it silently just filled a new hole.  Those excited by the promise Buster Posey brings are premature in their expectations, leaving essentially the same production the Giants entered with in 2009.  Jonathan Sanchez may be a good no.2 someday, but his tenure in San Francisco should come to an end this off-season.  Both the Nationals and the Rangers are pitching deprived and have a plethora of young, talented outfield and corner guys, and Sanchez should seem very appealing to both teams.  His filthy fastball slider combo could net an Elijah Dukes or a Chris Davis - these are the kind of guys Sabean can and should be targeting in this stage of building. The Bowkers just won't do anymore. 

     3.  Randy Johnson Redux: Bringing in an aging star with some gas left in the tank proved a successful gamble.  While Johnson contributed mildly in the rotation, and subsequently in the bullpen, he got outs, invigorated the crowd, and gave the Giants an air of dignity that comes with future hall-of-famers.  Enter in Pedro Martinez and John Smoltz.  Both these guys will come at manageable prices, and shouldbe able to contribute the same as Johnson.  With the 1, 2, and 3 spots a lock, placing one of these guys in the 4 lets me relax and say let Bumgardner win the no.5 slot.  Their caliber of experience almost pays for itself.  And even though we wont see any records broken, giving them a world series appearance in what is likely to be both their last seasons is right in line with San Francisco's love of it's baseball's heritage.

     4.  Tim Lincecum Contract Campaign Blitz -  Ok, so he says he wants to test free agency when it happens, while also saying that he would be happy to stay in San Francisco.  Fair enough kid.  Message: I'll be your guy, but you better pony up.  Should the Cy Young's keep piling up, Timmy is going to get what Timmy wants, and the Giants need to prepare for this moment NOW.  He is not called the "The Franchise" just because it sounds expensive, he really wears those digs.  While Matt Cain can be just as dominating, there is no denying the kind of energy Lincecum brings to mound.  There should be much documented fan love of his presence here in San Francisco, frequent references to their willingness to keep him here after arbitration, and a lot of handshakes throughout the season.  Sabean, Bochy and all of us need to keep letting him know just how important he is to not only the future of Giants baseball, but to the hope for the team even now.  With Lincecum on the mound in any "Game 1", the other team steps up to the plate with trepidation.  It would be a real tragedy to let this one get away.

And finally, drum-roll please............

     5.  Posey is not ready: He looked way over-matched in his brief call-up, and that was not  a coincidence.  To expect this kid to carry a pitching staff throughout a whole season at this point is folly.  A Bengie Molina re-signing did not make sense, and I'll be the first to admit that, but there are a couple trusty and rusty veteran options that are atrocious with the bat (Yorvit Torrealba, Mike Redmond) but can catch game just fine with Eli Whiteside in platoon while Posey gets a little more time in the minors before working his way up after the all-star break.