Chicago Cubs could learn from Giants’ post-championship mistakes

What happened to the Giants arms?

During their run, the Giants’ rotation featured Bumgarner alongside Tim Lincecum and a healthy Matt Cain. But the staff hasn’t fared well in 2017. The likes of Jeff Samardzija and Johnny Cueto continue to underperform.

The bullpen struggles on, as well. Holes exist in the wake of the departure of relievers Santiago Casilla, Sergio Romo, Jeremy Affeldt and Javier Lopez. What was once a consistent strength for Bruce Bochy has turned into an unreliable disaster headlined by pricey Mark Melancon who’s currently on the DL with elbow problems.

Where did all the clubhouse spark go?

Despite miscalculations from a talent standpoint by the Giants’ front office, the biggest thing the Giants are missing from their championship years is character, one of those intangibles in baseball that is priceless.

The prime example of the divided clubhouse came on May 29 when reliever Hunter Strickland hit Bryce Harper with a fastball and Buster Posey stood behind home plate and watched instead of standing up for his pitcher. Newbie closer Melancon declined to partake in the bullpen’s 3 p.m. team stretching routine, which had been a bullpen ritual since 2009.