MLB San Francisco Giants

Top 5 Offseason Priorities For San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Giants' Top 5 Offseason Priorities

Pablo Sandoval MLB Free Agency
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

The World Champion San Francisco Giants enter MLB free agency with one concrete goal in mind: re-sign Pablo Sandoval. But the Giants' front office brass needs to do much more than that if they expect to contend for an unprecedented fourth championship in a six-year time frame. The Giants must address the back end of their starting rotation while also prioritizing bullpen and bench depth. The celebration is over. Now, it's time to do business.

5. Fill Out the Starting Rotation

Ryan Vogelsong San Francisco Giants
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

5. Fill Out the Starting Rotation

Ryan Vogelsong San Francisco Giants
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants have two vacant slots in their starting rotation heading into free agency, but GM Brian Sabean isn't expected to target a name brand pitcher to slide behind Madison Bumgarner. Given the Giants' top priority to re-sign Sandoval, it's probable for Sabean to ink veteran Ryan Vogelsong to an additional one-year deal late in the winter. The Giants will also likely seek out potential starters on the trade front.

4. Solidify the Bullpen

Sergio Romo San Francisco Giants
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

4. Solidify the Bullpen

Sergio Romo San Francisco Giants
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

After losing his closing job, Sergio Romo appeared bound for a different zip code after the conclusion of the 2014 season. But the slider-slinging reliever impressed down the stretch, recording a 1.80 ERA with a 0.850 WHIP over 20.0 innings in the second half. He also performed well in the postseason, allowing just one run over seven innings while striking out seven batters. The Giants will almost certainly look to re-sign Romo this winter.

3. Add Bench Depth

Travis Ishikawa San Francisco Giants
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

3. Add Bench Depth

Travis Ishikawa San Francisco Giants
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Bench depth was a problem for the Giants throughout the 2014 campaign. Sabean admittedly told KNBR afternoon host Tom Tolbert on multiple accounts that he knew depth was going to be an issue entering the season. The Giants don't need to break the bank in order to improve their bench. NLCS hero Travis Ishikawa is case in point. The midseason pickup is a career .278 pinch-hitter, making him valuable to a team that needs help off the bench.

2. Sign a Legitimate Left Fielder

Nick Markakis MLB Free Agency
Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

2. Sign a Legitimate Left Fielder

Nick Markakis MLB Free Agency
Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants aren't presumed to be big spenders this offseason, but that doesn't mean Sabean and Co. won't actively seek a permanent solution to their ongoing left field debacle. Mike Morse provided power in the middle of the Giants' order in 2014, but he proved to be a defensive liability. The Giants need a guy like Nick Markakis to take over the reins. Markakis slashed a solid .276/.342/.386 batting line in 2014 and owns a career .290 average.

1. Re-Sign Pablo Sandoval

Pablo Sandoval MLB Free Agency
Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

1. Re-Sign Pablo Sandoval

Pablo Sandoval MLB Free Agency
Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants' top offseason priority is well-known throughout the league. They desperately want to re-sign the "Kung Fu Panda." Sandoval has been a staple in the Giants' post-Bonds resurgence, despite being benched during their 2010 World Series run in part due to weight issues. Even though San Francisco might be reluctant to hand down a six-year deal to the Panda, their alternatives are null. Expect the Giants to back up the truck for Sandoval.

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