Chicago Cubs must differentiate themselves in Shohei Ohtani talks

San Francisco seeking big winter, more even-year magic

2015 – 2017 Record: 235-251 (.483 winning percentage)

Short-Term Outlook: 

It’s hard to legitimately peg what the short-term looks like for the Giants. Of course, they’ve got their core pieces in Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner. But the bullpen is a mess and the rotation outside of MadBum is shaky and inconsistent.

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A major portion of how the Giants shape up moving forward will come down to whether or not they land Giancarlo Stanton. The team is one of two current finalists in a potential trade with Miami – although the slugger has full no-trade protection.

Long-Term Outlook: 

Long-term, the Giants are shaky, as well. In fact, a franchise that fairly recently ran off three titles in five years seems to be losing momentum. Adding Stanton would answer one question, but I’m still not sold on the big picture. Bumgarner and Posey are about the only sure things you have. Oh, and their stuff lefty only has two years of control left.

Biggest Differentiator:

If San Francisco can add Stanton, it gives them a formidable injection of star power. Paired with Posey and Bumgarner, the club could have a few good runs and challenge the Dodgers in the west. And, of course, being on the West Coast surely doesn’t hurt anything.