SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The way the last two seasons have gone for the San Francisco Giants http://www.raysfanproshop.com/authentic-daniel-robertson-jersey , those three World Series titles in 2010, ’12 and ’14 seem so long ago for manager Bruce Bochy’s club.The Giants finished 73-89 following a season during which the biggest names — Madison Bumgarner, Buster Posey, Johnny Cueto, Brandon Belt — were all injured at some point. They traded Andrew McCutchen to the Yankees in late August amid all the disabled list stints.San Francisco struggled to score runs and went a majors-worst 5-21 in September but improved on its last-place 2017 finish of 64-98 by nine wins during a second straight season in which pitchers Bumgarner and Cueto were sidelined for long stretches, and reliable right-hander Jeff Samardzija got hurt, too.Cueto had Tommy John surgery in August, Posey underwent season-ending hip surgery later that month then first baseman Belt underwent season-ending right knee surgery in September.“We’ve been one of those lineups that needed all hands on deck,” said Brian Sabean, the executive vice president of baseball operations. He didn’t want to speak about how the roster might shape up this winter until new hires are made in the front office.Change is coming. A new general manager is set to be hired to replace Bobby Evans, who will be reassigned after he was dismissed last week.President and CEO Larry Baer said preliminary conversations have begun.“We don’t know who that person is now. But he’s the guy who’ll be making decisions,” Bochy said. “I understand that. Whatever he wants to do, whether on the field, my job is to make it work. I think it’s wait-and-see what we do there.”Here are some things to take from the Giants’ second straight losing season:MADBUM’S FUTUREThe first big blow came when Bumgarner broke the pinkie on his pitching hand when he was hit by a line drive from Kansas City’s Whit Merrifield in his final spring training start. The 2014 World Series MVP had surgery to insert pins into the finger.“Really what’s unfortunate is when he got hurt in spring training,” Bochy said. “I think he’s come back and he’s thrown some really nice games.”Bumgarner is considered one of the Giants’ hardest workers, but his return isn’t a guarantee.In April 2012, Bumgarner signed a $35.56 million Matt Andriese Jersey , six-year deal through 2017 that included $12 million club options for the 2018 and ’19 seasons.“I don’t know that there’s anything to address just yet,” Bumgarner said after his final start Friday. “We’ll see what happens or what don’t happen. I don’t really know.”Bochy expects his ace to return to top form next season.“No doubt in my mind,” Bochy said.The lefty ace missed nearly three months last year following a dirt bike accident during an off day in Colorado.FINAL WEEKEND BUST NOT A BOOSTBochy hoped a strong showing in the final weekend would provide his group with a boost heading into the offseason.Instead, it was a bust — a 15-0 defeat to the Dodgers on the final day.Still, Bochy noted: “With what we’ve been through and even though we’re a little nicked up and missing some pieces right now, they know they can play with anybody.”PENCE’S FAREWELLOutfielder Hunter Pence is unlikely to return to San Francisco after 6 1/2 seasons in the Bay Area as a fan favorite. He had his farewell day during Sunday’s loss, waving and tipping his clap for multiple standing ovations throughout the game.The 35-year-old Pence plans to play winter ball and reinvent himself with the hopes of playing in 2019.“I still love it and I’m still healthy,” he said.RODRIGUEZ SHINESRookie Dereck Rodriguez (6-4) was a bright spot for a pitching staff that had to overcome struggles by the offense.He was winless over his final seven starts since defeating the Pirates on Aug. 12. Rodriguez’s 2.81 ERA with a minimum of 100 innings pitched ranks lowest in San Francisco history for rookies.The Giants lost his last seven outings and nine of 11.STRICKLAND’S PUNCHGiants closer Hunter Strickland broke his pitching hand punching a door in frustration after blowing the save in a 5-4 June defeat to the Marlins and then required surgery. He never was the same when he returned.IMPROVED FINISHA year ago, San Francisco finished last in the NL West at 64-98, just missing the franchise’s first 100-loss season since 1985.The Giants improved by nine wins despite all the injuries.“It’s not as bad as the perception let’s say of this last 25 games. When you’re virtually having to roll out — I hate to say — a split-squad lineup against playoff teams, that’s what our roster ended up being because of all the attrition,” Sabean said. Hannah Foslien/Getty ImagesOn Saturday, the New York Mets traded closer Jeurys Familia to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for two prospects and international bonus pool money.That deal took one of the bigger names remaining off the trading block, but numerous position players and pitchers are bound to change cities before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.Here's a look at the latest news on two second basemen and the most-coveted reliever on the market.Brian DozierPer ABC 5 Eyewitness News sports anchor and 1500 ESPN Radio host Darren Wolfson, there's some trade chatter surrounding Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier:Darren Wolfson DWolfsonKSTPTheres been a lot of chatter about the Brewers being after #MNTwins 2B Brian Dozier, and rightfully so. But word is another team has been showing stronger interest. Twins FO definitely open-minded to moving the fan/media favorite.Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports and The Athletic also said the Milwaukee Brewers are interested in Dozier:Ken Rosenthal Ken_RosenthalAmong the players the #Brewers are expected to target now that they have lost Machado: #Twins 2B Brian Dozier. Team also will explore pitching upgrades as well.Four players (Jonathan Villar, Brad Miller http://www.raysfanproshop.com/authentic-c.-j.-cron-jersey , Eric Sogard and Hernan Perez) have played second base for the Brewers this season. Villar has been there the most (74 games), but he's currently on the 10-day disabled list with a sprained thumb. Prior to the injury, Villar was batting .261 with a .693 OPS.The issue is that none of the four aforementioned players are hitting particularly well this year, so the Brewers may want to find someone with a little more pop at second base.Although he is currently experiencing a down year, Dozier could help in that regard. For the year, the Twins' second baseman has 16 home runs. He only has a so-so .724 OPS this year, but the 31-year-old Dozier sports a .774 OPS lifetime and may experience some positive regression soon.With the Los Angeles Dodgers dealing for Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado, the National League pennant race just got much tougher for the senior circuit's other 14 teams. The Brewers should make a move here to try to keep up. Asdrubal CabreraPer Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, numerous teams have interest in New York Mets second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera:Mark Feinsand FeinsandFamilia not the only Mets player drawing interest; source says multiple teams have inquired about Asdrubal Cabrera, though no deal is imminent. Brewers and D-backs believed to be among potential suitors.Putting two and two together, it's clear the Brewers are looking for a second baseman, as they have reported interest in two of the best ones on the trading block. The Arizona Diamondbacks, however, could be a better fit.Cabrera has been a shortstop for most of his career, so he's a capable middle infielder who can handle either position. Second baseman Ketel Marte (nine home runs, .247 batting average, .745 OPS) and shortstop Nick Ahmed (12 home runs Jesus Sucre Jersey , .226 average, .702 OPS) haven't done poorly at the plate this year, but Cabrera (17 home runs, .819 OPS) would be an upgrade over either of them at the dish.It also helps that Cabrera is a switch hitter, as he can replace Ahmed on days Arizona is facing a righty. For the season, Ahmed is managing just a .650 OPS against righties, although his lefty OPS is a solid .800. Against lefties, Cabrera (at second) and Ahmed could handle the middle infield responsibilities.Ultimately, Cabrera is in the midst of a solid two-and-a-half year run where he's posted 54 home runs and an .806 OPS. He should be a strong asset for any team that picks him up prior to the deadline. Zach BrittonPer Buster Olney of ESPN, expect Baltimore Orioles reliever Zach Britton to get moved sooner rather than later:Buster Olney Buster_ESPNSources: Orioles doing their business with alacrity -- they are looking to move Zach Britton this weekend or early in the week ahead. Lots of contenders continue to be involved in the conversation.Buster Olney Buster_ESPNBritton is a one-of-a-kind item on the market right now, so the Orioles will likely get good return -- tons of closing experience, power stuff, lefty, and because he didnt pitch in first half, should be relatively fresh for stretch drive/October.A look at the bottom half of the league in bullpen ERA reveals that numerous contenders need some relief help. Of note, the Seattle Mariners (16th), Philadelphia Phillies (17th) http://www.raysfanproshop.com/authentic-jonny-venters-jersey , Atlanta Braves (19th), St. Louis Cardinals (24th), Colorado Rockies (28th) and Cleveland Indians (29th) are there.The Tribe made some moves for bullpen help recently, so they are likely out of any bidding for Britton, but a desperate team looking for a solid arm may go over the top and give the Orioles an offer they can't refuse.Of note, the Braves look like a very good fit. Gabriel Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution gave reasoning why:"Arodys Vizcaino is on the disabled list again, and despite converting 15 of 17 save chances, the Braves would benefit from adding another option. A.J. Minter and Dan Winkler have both worked the ninth, but their performances have left room for improvement."Adding a pitcher such as Britton could help the rest of the unit fall into place. Vizcaino, Minter and Winkler wouldn鈥檛 routinely handle the ninth, giving manager Brian Snitker an abundance of options for the late innings."Vizcaino has a sterling 1.65 ERA this season, but he's on the 10-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation.It's possible that Vizcaino has complications or doesn't return as effective as he was prior to the injury. Hopefully Vizcaino comes back soon and 100 percent healthy, but if not, Britton would be a huge asset to the Braves bullpen.Atlanta may have an added incentive to obtain Britton: Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphiareported that the Phillies are in the mix. First-place Philadelphia leads second-place Atlanta by just a half-game in the NL East, and if one of those teams gets the O's southpaw, the slight edge likely goes to that squad down the stretch for the division title.
