Perhaps we haven't yet met the Guy. This fire sale trading time by the cellar-dwellers could bring the Giants someone Wonderful !

I seem to recall too many times watching Belt wiff at a fast ball right down the happy zone.

I don't think he's not getting some good pitches to hit. I just don't think he can hit much of anything right now.

I can't just say there is one key player.

Tim has to pitch at or below 4.00 ERA for the rest of the season.

Somebody has to start hitting HRs! Pablo, Posey, Belt???

They have to get better in the bottom of the order! As pointed out in another thread, that's where the LOBs are killing us.

The Freak. a.k.a. "Big-Time Timmy-Jim" 'nuff said.

Pitching is always the priority. With Zito bound to trail off, Timmy's progress becomes that much more important. However, if Cain, Madbum and Vogey stay on point, that's all we need once we make it to the playoffs. Timmy will be key in getting us there, for sure, but getting some production out of our first baseman or shortstop is pretty important.

If all thing stay the same, some more offensive production from Belt will really make a huge difference. I'd say that's the key at this point, with Timmy and consistency from the bullpen in the 9th a close second and third.

As far as Belt goes, he and Theriot should swap in the lineup until Belt starts displaying more power. His ability to get on base is much better served in the 2 hole, while Theriot's ability to get a base hit more important deeper in the lineup.

That seems worth a try. Anything to get more production at the bottom.

havent traded for him yet,,but we had him last year and sabean let him walk,,now he's in st. louie,,we need power from somewhere,,,,trade for an impact player,,,1st,2nd,ss and rf all need improvement,,let huff walk,trade nate,burriss,belt,blanco for some pop,,and no rentals

...how has no one said Casilla yet? Barring overpaying for a closer in a trade he is going to make or break our bullpen. We already lost our closer, we cannot afford to lose another reliever and have everyone else shift up...again.

~MrGPAC

I agree...we need Timmy to get on track.....and if Zito can eat some innings...and maybe get if a good game without getting hur too much...then the BP can recover...oh yes,The BP gotta get some good outings...Belt has to come around and pickup his mates...

Anyways...if going with the current team makeup I'd pick:

Casilla
Blanco

Our team is basically structured around having a bunch of high average players in the middle of the lineup. Since we have little power, this means we need the guy at the top of the lineup getting on base so that the guys in the middle can knock them in with singles/doubles. The bottom two in our lineup are going to be guys you walk the 6/7 guys to get to anyways so we really need the guys at the top getting on consistently.

Next up after those two is definitely Lincecum.

~MrGPAC

Yup the Closer position needs to KEY for SURE!!! So Casilla.

Timmy getting it together will get us in the playoffs. The rest falls on the Closer.

TBD......I would say BRANDON BELT also but, honestly, I have zero confidence in the kid to deliver down the stretch...DOn't like his stance, his attitude, his entire approcah at the plate..and I don;'t think there's anyway in hades he can be counted on for the PO stretch run at 1B.....Unfortuantely, that leaves, who?..HUFF when he comes back? another person that can;t be depended on....SO a key player is the 1b/3b/OF type player the Giants HOPEFULLY bring in ....a player that can also help with the inconsistenicies of Pagan and Blanco in the OF....Have no clue who is available, but thiswould be my first spot to fill, before SP, RP, or 2b/Short..

You're right...Pablo was to be the hitter that would clean the bases...he just isn't doing it..he continues to be over aggressive at the plate..and still swings at bad pitches....he needs to be more selective,and work the counts...

The Giants have been winning despite injuries to key players like Sandoval, Wilson and Sanchez and Lincecum having a sub par season. Thus, the Giants need a closer (eg Francisco Rodriguez or Brian Fuentes) AND strong bench if they are going to be playing in October.

Thus, the key players are Casilla, Romo, Penny and whatever bullpen arm Sabean may acquire to help lock down the 7th, 8th and 9th innings. In addition, the Giants need to play Schierholz and Belt more to give them more big league AB’s if Bochy needs PH to win more close games.

Tim Lincecum and it's not even close.

I agree that contributions from Belt would be huge and I expect him to contribute as he's given more regular playing time. God knows that the offense could use the help.

However, if this team was getting "Lincecum-like" performance from him every 5th day they'd be leading the West by 8 games and running away with it.

I don't see any scenario where he's not the "key" guy. If he's himself in the second half the Giants win the West...period. If he's not they may be searching for a replacement sooner than later.

I would like to see belt higher in the line up, he should have hit 2nd yesterday. He gets on base all the time. Also I want to see what he can do hitting with some power coming up behind him. He would get more pitches to hit out of the park. He will take a walk and hitting low in the order isn't hurting the other team. Crawford and the pitcher are easy outs.

Burriss is not good, we need another middle infielder that can hit. Bring up some of those kids from Fresno and see what they can do.

Tim- if he can get close to right we will walk away with the west. Once in the playoffs, we don't need to play some of the bench players as much. Sanchez will be the hitter off the bench, buster will catch every game.

This thread starts and ends with Lincecum. Or it should be about the Secondary key player after him.

"I have zero confidence in the kid to deliver down the stretch...DOn't like his stance, his attitude, his entire approcah at the plate..and I don;'t think there's anyway in hades he can be counted on for the PO stretch run at 1B..."

I certainly respect your opinion but... he's more or less got the stance that got him fasttracked to the big leagues. Are you an expert in hitting? What would you like to see him do differently with it?

What's the problem with his attitude? Do you have some kind of insight that we don't?

Not being sarcastic either. Just asking.

As for his approach I agree...sort of. I see 2 Brandon Belts. Early in games he seems to take a good approach but in big situations he seems to change his patient approach and go out of the strike zone. Last night goes against that but just in general. Anyways, I agree that the lack of production at 1B is key, but I have a little more faith that Belt can contribute.

I know some posters here hate to hear the "needs consistent playing time" card pulled but it sure seems like he's doing better at the plate when he gets consistent starts. I'm hoping to see some more of that soon.

Belt and Crawford will be key. Crawford needs to not only step up with the bat, but also in the field. Belt needs to produce more home runs. If he is unable to do this then the Giants need to make a deal for him.