Gabe Kapler came within inches of the postseason in his first season with the Giants, further than he ever got with Philadelphia. I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
This was a shifting, very different Giants team that finally learned to prioritize youth, and players beyond the old guard of the World Series teams. Buster Posey was not around this year, and in his place, Mike Yastrzemski stood guard as the MVP candidate.
At least Evan Longoria stayed mostly healthy in 2020, hitting .254 in 53 games, with 49 hits and 28 RBIs. Longo seems to have moved on from his league-leading abilities, and has mellowed into simply just a strong, consistent everyday player. I do think his Giants stats are gonna hurt his HOF chances, but he's still a great player.
2021 Prediction: Back to his trend of getting injured right when things get good.
Meanwhile, a season after only coming alive for an 8-RBI game last year, Brandon Crawford went right back to being one of the best hitting shortstops in baseball, with 8 home runs and 28 RBIs, and 1.2 WAR. Dude is still one of the better perennial performers of this Giants squad, and they're lucky to still have him.
2021 Prediction: Another ASG nod, more of his power hitting, and some playoff numbers [!!]
It's not a stretch to say that the Giants haven't gotten the most out of their contract with Johnny Cueto. After a scorching 2016, Cueto was hampered by injuries for the following three seasons. Now that we finally had a full, healthy picture of Cueto again...it's clear he's not the same flamethrower he was back in the day. Cueto posted a 5.40 ERA, with 56 strikeouts in 12 games. While he's still a reliable starter, he's...not the guy the Giants signed up for after the 2015 postseason.
2021 Prediction: Cueto will spend the last year of his contract improving to a 4 ERA and restoring some of his goodwill, but thanks to Kevin Gausman, he won't be the ace of the rotation.
Speaking of Gausman, how about his comeback year? After bottoming out with Atlanta last year, Gausman returned to form after the Giants [riskily] handed him a started gig, and had a 3.62 ERA in 10 starts with 49 strikeouts, a more normal year for the former Orioles strikeout artist. Even still, the Giants picked up his qualifying offer and are sticking with him for one more year.
2021 Prediction: 15 wins, Cy Young votes, the whole shebang.
After losing second base to Donovan Solano, Mauricio Dubon instead took some time in the outfield this season and stayed sharp at the plate. Dubon hit .274 with 43 hits and 18 RBIs. Not to the caliber of his 2019 come-up, but a progressive development for the former Brewers prospect.
2021 Prediction: Fuller look at his material, more home runs, more contact work, and more of a sense that he'll be around for a while.
After a nice year as an infield bench piece for Arizona last year, Wilmer Flores played a similar role for the Giants, playing 1st and 2nd but primarily acting as the team's designated hitter. The good plate mojo continued for Flores, leading the team with 12 home runs and also notching 35 RBIs.
2021 Prediction: If the DH stays a thing in 2021, the Giants will definitely know what to do with Flores. If not, expect him to return to a bench role.
And after coming into the 2019 season like a freight train, Alex Dickerson took a small step back while still producing hits this year. Dickerson's .298 season included 10 homers and 27 RBIs, still a great deal by any means.
2021 Prediction: Slightly less of a contact year, but one that will still be helpful to what will probably become a playoff attempt for the Giants.
Tonight, the members of this Giants team that weren't in the Opening Day lineup or rotation.
I hope Crawford gets another AS nod. At least for my friends who are Giants fans.
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